GETTING COLDER Start Time: 11:15 A.M. Start Place: 18 miles west of Kingman, Arizona Finish Time: 8:29 P.M. Finish Place: 6 miles outside of Peach Springs, Arizona Miles traveled: 62.7 Average Speed: 10.8 mph Top Speed: 49.6 mph Temp/humidity: 78-50 Total Miles: 447.4 Riders began the ride this a.m. 15 miles west of Kingman, Arizona approximately 11:15 a.m. where they had marked the road the night before with a can of yellow spray paint with the letter "D." Prior to reaching the letter "D" we developed problems with the motor coach. One of the supports for the exhaust system for the coach melted and the exhaust pipe was dragging on the ground. Being resourceful, and being out in the middle of no where, Floyd used a coat hanger to re-attach the exhaust pipe to the coach. We were back in business again in short order. Sean began the ride with the riders for 17 miles up a gradual incline finishing with two steep grades. The weather was bright and sunny and the temperature was between 78 and 80 with gusting winds. Unfortunately the winds were head winds instead of tail winds. It was a great start in spite of the uphill climb and the wind. After riding for a couple of hours the riders joined the support team in the motor coach and had a roadside picnic of turkey, lettuce, tomato, and cheese on sourdough bread with Tostitos chips and mini Snicker bars for desert. The food was delicious. The conversation consisted of dialog about the morning ride and laughter at a sign outside of one of the restaurants that read: "Open 8:30 until Fried." Considering the heat we have been riding in daily, "Open until Fried," sounded very appropriate. We enjoyed our picnic lunch on the roadside of a barren strip of desert with cactus and a railroad track nearby (Seven trains passed while we ate our lunch). While we ate the tumbleweed played tag with each other racing to see which one would make it to the railroad track without getting run over by the train. After riding for another hour, we came upon a nostalgic general store called "Hackbury General Store." It was like being transported back in time to the 1950’s with all of the memorabilia from the old west mixed with collectibles of celebrities. The service station even had a mannequin waiting at the pumps servicing a ’63 Chevy, while dogs chased anything that came along, including us. This old store is a must to visit for anyone coming in this area. Riders continued their ride but had to stop and get glasses to protect their eyes from a blowing sandstorm. Winds picked up significantly and carried "dust devils" whipping across the roadway. After another 10 miles into the ride the winds became very forceful and quite chilling causing the riders to stop and put on additional riding gear on. What a sight! They looked like firemen riding bicycles dressed in their yellow and black jackets, black face hoods, leggons, and booties. Riders continued riding into the night until it became too dark to go further. We ended the ride with a dinner of "Southern Fried Chicken", mashed potatoes, corn, and pizza at the Hualapai Lodge and Restaurant. Good food. Great atmosphere.