Day 8 May 4th Prescott- Sedona 

  
 Well same song different versus….. Today is another shorter mileage day with lots of climbing. Leaving Prescott I climbed for the first 22 miles to the foot of Mingus Mt.After clawing my way up to the 7000ft point it was a spectacular ride down the other side through Jerome Az an historic copper mining town built into the side of the Mt. To describe this decent would be impossible! The road winds its way down to the desert floor for 13 miles. That’s the good news. Now in the floor of the desert the temp is 102 degrees, and a 20 mile climb starts as I work my way into Sedona. I have become somewhat of weather vane as what ever way I ride the wind switches its way around into a headwind. I was on a much anticipated down hill going into Sedona that I was petaling hard just to make 8mph! I am glad for my decision to end in Sedona instead of Flagstaff as the combination of Mt. Climbing, heat & headwinds took their toll. 

I found a hotel room for the night just to get out of the heat. I decided that this would be a good time to unpack my bags & take inventory of what I am packing that I am not using & ship them home. Carrying all this extra weight doesn’t help with the hill climbing. 

  
Today’s 62 miles saw a net climb of 5500ft. In my bicycling days (when I was young) I was a real hill guy. I think I still am but there is a difference between being a biker & a pack mule! No wonder they are so ornery! Getting the weight down by 15 lbs is big….I hope?

This early in the ride 7 days down I am taking a cue from Garth as he did his run X America, and manage the effort until the body is adjusted to the grind. Thus far I think things are settling in. Getting through the Mts. & heat take pace, not over effort. 

My thought of the day is related to yesterday’s. How about if we get everyone to take their stock Harley exhaust hiding in the corner of their garages & have a drop of point for them & we wait for scrap metal prices to go up & we take them to the scrap yard & will use the money for Justin’s fund? Hey it’s not like anyone’s gonna buy them from you!

Short day up the climb to Flagstaff & take a 1/2 day rest. Prayers for Justin .