song and thoughts for the day…Where do I stand on 2024 and beyond? “ Here I stand, I can no other”.

“Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”

Rose Royce, “I want to get next to you:-)”

Sitting here in this chair, waiting on you
Oh, baby to see things my way
But not a word do you say

You won't even look my way, yeah
Girl I'm spending my dimes
Wasting my time
Talking 'til I'm black and blue

Uh, can't you see I wanna get next to you?

Dreams of you when I go sailing by
Whenever your eyes meet mine
Youre so fine
And girl you make me feel so insecure
You're so beautiful and pure
Why must you be unkind and tell me I'm not your kind?
Blowing my mind

Girl my, my money is low and I know
That I can't take you to the fancy places
You might wanna go

Still I wanna get next to you
I wanna get next to you
Baby yeah

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, yeah

Girl you can bend me, shape me, make me
Whatever it takes to please you
I'm willing to do
'Cause you're my dream come true

And I wanna get next to you
Baby yeah
I wanna get next to you
I wanna make you mine for all the time (I wanna get next to you)
I promise I'll never make you blue
I wanna get next to you

So, let love begin between me and you (I wanna get next to you)
Girl I'm in love with you (I wanna get next to you)

***********************************************************

     So, I am sitting here in this chair today… after being in San Diego for the last three weeks, awaiting the return to work…and it has been a fun ride so far.  Lots of good things have happened… some very pleasant surprises… reunions with members of a 12 step group I belong to…among many other wild and crazy things. 

     I have gotten in touch with myself and been poked and prodded by the powers that be here in California and Texas, so much so; that I am even more convinced today in what I believe than ever.  I do not support captivity and anything else that is not identified with liberty in full.  “Let freedom ring” is my motto and dream.  Looking at this scripture last night solidified even more why I support President Trump and it is not about the man or the cabinet; but rather what the man has done for the true cause of liberty and freedom in my heart.  I have spoken to many who are vehemently opposed to everything he stands for, and I agree, some of his antics over the years are a bit much, but so were mine (at times), and so are everyone’s on the face of the earth…; because we are fallen persons in need of a Savior, which is why Jesus Christ came in the first place.

  John 15:18-20- “Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me.  If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own.  But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you.  I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine.  So remember what I taught you, that a servant isn’t superior to his master.  And since they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.  And if they obey my teachings, they will also obey yours.”TPT

     I am not a sympathizer for the cause of anything that opposes freedom, and over the years I have taken a stand on both sides of the Political spectrum in order to preserve the best possible case for our democracy.  What I see now more than ever though is not two sides or forces, but those who carry a name or a particular party affiliation, but are so money and power hungry that they are willing to sell the very people they are supposed to represent down the river to doom and destruction.  Where are the Joshua’s and Caleb’s of our day who will say “NO” I am not the lesser here… I am the more… I am the reason these parties and people are in power and I am not some subservient bystander who votes out of fear of reprisal, in hopes of a trinket or worthless token.  No amount of money or power is equal to one ounce of the freedom we received when we accepted Christ as our personal Lord and savior; and no amount of freedom is worth anything less than the willingness to stand on/with/beside until death do we part.

     This is why I stand with Donald J Trump.  It isn’t about a man, or an ideology.  It is about: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE I FELT AS IF I REALLY WAS A PART OF MAKING MY COUNTRY BETTER.  THAT MY VOTE REALLY MATTERED, THAT THE PERSONS HE PLACED IN CHARGE REALLY WERE THERE TO WORK FOR ME AND MAKE THE USA AND WORLD A TRULY BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. 

Gone were the feelings that I was only voting for a party (either side) in hopes of getting a trinket or kept for a later time… I felt a true part of the decision making process for our Country and our world.  For the first time in my life I saw less government waste and pet projects that supported agendas that in the end harm people and others.  I saw less money being given to people that hate us and hate the cause of freedom, and for the first time in a very long time I saw less kowtowing to people who don’t even have respect for us or GOD.

     How can I not take time to sit down and write about this today.  Yes, I am very grateful for the gifts I have been given in sobriety and life, and yes, I agree with my good friend T.V. McGuire who said to me a long time ago: “Sometimes, when people give you something, they are going to expect something in return; and this is almost always true of the governments of this world.”  I understand that; but that is not how I, nor Christ operates.  If I give you something, or do something for you, it is because I want to help or bless you, and I expect nothing in return.  Not even a thank you is needed.  It is smiled upon and appreciated but not a requirement.  

     I am not perfect, and I have been known to make a mistake or two in my life, but what I am sure of is this:  God can change and mend a broken spirit/heart.  I have seen it happen in my own life and I will continue to believe in the awesome power of Christ, Still Saving Lives.

     I am thankful for the freedom to write this, and for the ability to think straight, and live a straight life for Christ Jesus.  In a world where wrong is touted as right, and right is ridiculed as wrong; it is a breath of fresh air to have been afforded the Grace to have a desire to be married to one woman, be faithful and true to her, as Christ is to His Bride (Church), have more children, take care of my family, love God and Country, and still believe in miracles.  

      To reiterate, I believe in the feelings I have had in the last six years; that for the first time in a long time, I make a difference and my vote makes a difference, and when I see what happened in 2020, even if it is not proven, there was doubt sown in the minds and hearts of the American people, and to see what is taking place now, with the agendas being pushed, the unspoken turmoil being dealt with on a daily basis across the entire landscape of the USA, and the hatred for the person of Trump and the Church as a whole, I stand first and foremost with Christ, and second for the person who is going to fight for freedom and democracy whoever they may be.

     As Galatians 5:1 so eloquently puts it: “At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free!  We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.” TPT

     Finally, remember we need to pray for our leaders past, current, and future presidents, cabinet members, and staff.  It is very important not to curse or criticize, but pray for God’s help and guidance .  It is a tremendous pressure and challenge to guide an entire nation that has cross reference to the entire world 🙏🏻.  This is how our nation will remain blessed and be great, and our whole world as well.

1 Timothy 2:2-3

“And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts. It is pleasing to our Savior-God to pray for them.“

Rosenberg, TX… the last stop before HOME…. 11/3/2021

 So much has happened over the last 19 days, that a book could and hopefully will be written.  In it I will parallel my trip across America on a single speed bike pulling a trailer compared with pulling a trailer with a powerful and fun E-bike…. (More to come on that later…). For now I want to focus on just highlighting the journey so far and later will go back and explore each individual leg of the journey in the Blog…

So as you can see here is a Google Map picture of where I have been.  And where I am now.

02/04/21- Started in Pahrump NV.

02/05/21- Left Pahrump to Boulder City, NV (spent an extra day there riding the Hoover Dam.)

02/07/21- Kingman AZ Holiday Inn, Sonic Burger, and rest…

02/08/-02/09/21- Wickieup, and Wickenburg, AZ… A long trip, I rode all afternoon and night from Kingman… Was a great trip, but a scary, going through Joshua tree Forest (Thick sticker bush all over the ground, heavily littered side roads with wood, nails, and blown out semi tires, Mountains, Canyons, and seeing and hearing Wild Coyote…

02/10/21- Scottsdale AZ.  Had to stop temporarily because I got the call to join the MSC and that job I had been waiting to hear from for a long time and it was a “Now or Never” situation…

2/14/21-10/04/21-  Went through  Training, got credentialed, went on my first deployment overseas, and after four months was relieved which is how it works with MSC…

10/12-10/15/21- Flew back to AZ got my bike out of storage, and visited my parents and sister a few more days and then pulled out on the finish of the Journey.  Rode to Eloy, AZ that day.

10/16/21- Eloy to Tucson, AZ

10/17/21- Wilcox,AZ (Stayed two days there, regrouping and resulting).

10/19/21- Rode to Chiricahua, desert Museum on Portal Road in Rodeo, New Mexico.  Long day, with 20 plus miles of rock and run off road, and when I stopped to relieve myself was met with these Huge Hornets the size of my fingers.  Needless to say saw nice cars abandoned as well…  What a terrible way for google to route people…Nevertheless, the E-Cells Super Monarch 1500 handled it like a champion.

10/20/21- To Columbus, NM and stayed at the coolest Hotel run by a man and his ex-wife called Los Milagros “The Miracles”.

10/21/21- Rode to El Paso “Pass the Ol’ El Paso”.  Stayed at Fort Bliss two nights…  At Raising Caines every day:-).  resupplied at the commissary.

10/24/21- Rode to Sierra Blanca, stayed in a Motel and was grateful for it… Owner gave me a nice Mason Jar for heating up water in the Microwave, for coffee.

10/25/21- Rode to Balmorhea, TX stayed on an RV Campground.  10$ but the lady Lou didn’t want to take any money from me…. Those Goat Heads struck again… However not on the bike tire:-)  Just the trailer tire.replaced both tires and tubes…

10/26/21- slow start but I knew I was headed for civilization and was so happy to get to the hotel… Holiday Inn ft. Stockton, where I parked it for two days…

10/28/21- Rode to Ozona, TX and enjoyed a good fried Steak at the Hitchin Post.

10/29/21- Rode to Junction, TX and stayed for the night.  I love the Holiday Inn.

10/30-10/31/21- Rode to San Antonio, and was so glad I made it.  The biked lost moving power 2.7 miles from my destination but the lights and computer continued to work all the way to the destination.:-)  Holiday Inn Next to FBI Headquarters…

11/1/21- Off again this time to “Gonzally wey loco”:-)  Gonzalez, TX the place where Texas gained freedom according to the signs I saw..  Well, it was nice, and I enjoyed my Steak Dinner at GG Steakhouse even though it didn’t agree with me and kept me up all night…

11/2-11/3/21- Rode to Rosenberg, TX.  Here now at Hampton Inn, so wonderful to be so close and almost home… the staff here are amazing and so kind.  Stephanie helped me out yesterday at Simple Simon’s Pizza by allowing me to eat and charge my battery for an hour.  That charge took me the last 20 miles to the hotel here and gave me a 109 mile day.  That is important to note being that I was dealing with upset stomach, and congestion from the road and previous night stay in Gonzalez…  So grateful for everyone who has made this trip a success.  It is amazing to think how many lives we touch on a daily basis, just going about our day.  I think if more people would realize this it would change how little they see themselves and how insignificant they think their lives and jobs really are.  WE ARESO IMPORTANT TO GOD AN TO EACH OTHER!

11/04/21-  Headed home:-)  51 miles form the boat.  Looking forward to seeing where Google takes me today:-).  May even eat some Cuban food.

The journey has been filled with so many good memories, and opens me up to so many new ideas and possibilities.  It’s amazing how people you love and have loved who may have already gone on to their reward go with you on these type of trips…  I saw my Grandmothers, Uncles, and Aunts, many times on this journey ion so many different ways.  My Grandfathers too…  Of course my Dad and Mom, and siblings, and my daughter and grandsons, but they literally are a part of the journey because I am in constant contact with them.  But my other family comes along too…just in my heart and mind and in the experiences I have along the way that remind me of them.  

So much can be said about the E-Cells Super Monarch Crown 1500.  But most important is the fact that it is a Beast.  It can handle whatever I threw at it, and it could last a lot longer than I could each day.  It just kept going and going.  The AWD mechanisms and components keep it efficient and smooth, and the dual suspension keeps it so comfortable.  I really could have ridden that bike everyday to anywhere in the world, so long as my own health and wellbeing were met.  I cannot say that about any other bike or vehicle I have owned in my lifetime.  

Back on the road with E-Cells Super Monarch 1500 AWD… A dream come true.

 So far we have traveled about 300 miles and as of the reading of 10/19/21 we will be in New Mexico.  We are staying at a hostel today and I am looking forward to saving a few bucks:-), and still having my needs met.  I am not opposed to camping, but would be great if I didn’t have to:-).  At any rate, we are having a great time.  I left Scottsdale on 10/15 and so far the bike has met all my expectations.  I twist the throttle it goes, I pedal assist it moves…. It has made the trip much more enjoyable than in 2012, although I am still doing a lot of work:-), and pulling the trailer is not a lot of fun.  I don’t know another way though, and still having everything I would need to repair and fix on the go.  The gears are working great, the motors seem to be able to handle the work, and the dual motor action is something really spectacular.  I would like to see a little bit better range, but we are still in mountain region and therefore getting 75-90 miles is a good accomplishment, in pedal assist 4 all day.  I have stopped for lunch on two of the three days and charged for about an hour.  On Sunday I did this and really shouldn’t have.  Because of that stop I ended up with about 50 stickers in my trailer tires and about 20 in my bike tires.  The bike tires have the Tannus Liner so that is great.  But both my trailer tires went flat and required me to change them, before proceeding on to the hotel.  I didn’t need to charge and should not have stopped at that rest area.  I had a check in my spirit about it, but I did it anyway and paid a heavy price.  Nevertheless, for fun I decided since I had so much charge left I throttled the last ten miles to the hotel going about 20 something miles an hour.  That is spectacular when you consider I am pulling a trailer behind me that weighs at least 100 pounds.  SO GREAT!!!  Thank you Ecells.com for the great experience.  I highly recommend you get one as soon as possible call David Cleveland today and tell him Christopher sent you.  

Today we begin again:-) Scottsdale to Houston, TX

    Well, the last 8 months have been very interesting to say the least.  I took the job with MSC as an Ordinary Seaman, and started traveling after training on my first ship.  This venture lasted from May 26-October 3, 2021.  I got off the ship (the USNS Robert E. Peary) in Rota, Spain and headed home.  It has taken a week to get home due to the circumstances of how I left the USA back in July on the vessel.  I had to leave my car in Norfolk, after bringing it back to there after a small break I took in late June 2021 to see my boat, and family.  After leaving in February I hadn’t laid eyes on my boat since rushing out right before the freeze that shook Houston Valentines weekend.  As is the normal for these adventures, I took too much stuff onboard the ship and when I found out I was being relieved, I had to ship two boxes of belongings back to the USA.  Thankfully Rota has a US Navy Base and therefore a US Post Office, so shipping was relatively painless.

    The journey was  quite extraordinary.  I caught the ship as it was finishing dry docking in Philadelphia and therefore had a great time exploring some of Philly, having a cheese steak, and just settling in on the boat.  From there we went back to Norfolk, did some sea trials and a couple of us reps out to sea locally, but was for the most part on the Navy Pier, doing shore duty.  We actually crossed the Atlantic on July 23rd and from that crossing visited Scotland twice, France, Spain twice, Norway twice, and did unreps along the way.  The mission continues, but I was relieved and therefore did not continue on with the vessel.  It was a good experience and I would have been able to stay on the ship if I had not put in for relief.  Relief means that after four months you ask for a replacement for you so you can go home for a month of vacation.  I needed this, and have other desires to fulfill during my off time, such as this journey back to Houston by E-Bike on my E-Cells Super Monarch 1500, to get into AB school, and to get Lasik so I can try out for the SRS (Surface Rescue Swimmer Program).  

   So Here I sit at the Airport here in Houston awaiting my plane to board at 0955 to take me to my bicycle and to visit my loved ones as well as check in with the program of AA.  God has been very good to me and I am eternally grateful for His Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Protection these last seven months.  I fully expect He will continue on this journey and I look forward to seeing how He is going to move on my behalf these next days as we trek back to Houston, and beyond.  

Merchant Marine??? Now what??? First...Wickenburg to Scottsdale, AZ Final leg of this bike trip...02/10/2021

    Well, as some of you know, I was in the middle of this trip from Pahrump, NV to Kemah, TX when I was called for my new career opportunity.  I eagerly went for it, and that meant not stopping the trip but certainly  postponing it a bit.  The new opportunity is to work as a Merchant Marine like my grandfather and Uncle both were.  It is phenomenal to think about getting to do that, and honestly it pays better than being a teacher.  I have always felt that I was on a mission in my work... so I am now going from being a light to the youth, to being a light for mariners and those I come into contact with around the world.  We never know how just living our lives will affect an help others, but I am certain that it does, because I am certain in a living God who orders and guides my life by His Word the Bible.  “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord...” Psalms 37:23.Now for the rest of the story:

     I got a great start from the Best Western Wickenburg, AZ and off I went towards Scottsdale.  I rode for an hour out of town before I stopped to check everything was still connected, and do my regular maintenance check.  I purposefully did this because I wanted to get under way an I knew if I dickered around any more it would be even later than 7AM hitting the road.  So off we set.  It was chilly but I was dressed for the occasion.  It was a pretty straightforward trip.  I google mapped the route from the Best Western Wickenburg to my final destination, marking out stops along the way.  Lunch was to be at the Starbucks close to Phoenix, and that was truly a lovely experience.  When I arrived there They were playing Loionel Richie’s “All Night Long”  which brought me back to the scared and utter long night I had just spent getting to Wickenburg.  What an awsome experience an what a way to go with the E-Cells 1500 ATB, AWD, Mountain bike.  It is a beast and capable of handling almost anything thrown at it. 

   So, I stopped after the first hour and checked out my trailer and gear.  I also checked my tires and found two huge roofing staples in my back tire. Must have happened when I ran over a pallet or something on the all night long trip the night before.  I was baffled.  What should I do?  If I pull them out then I run the risk of letting all the air out if the tubes were punctured.  I thought to myself well, lets give these liners a try and so I pulled them both out and gave the tire a good chance and ample time to deflate.  I topped off both tires with my fully electric mini pump provided free of charge by E-Cells and saddled up ...continuing the ride.  It was only supposed to take me 6 hours to get to my final destination, an it did in fact take just that much time, including my 45 minute lunch stop at Starbucks.  What a joy... I am smiling right now thinking about riding that bicycle.  I have owned a bicycle my entire life and enjoyed thousands of rides around the world, including Western China, across the USA, Israel, the USVI, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and countless places in between... and nothing feels as fun and great and brings such a smile to my face like the E-Cells E-bike does.  GET YOURS TODAY AND TELL THEM CHRISTOPER SENT YOU.

   After a starting my ride again I got oh I say a m,I’ll or two and ran up on a Sheriff and his deputies clocking peoples speed.  I was (as I always am) only doing about 15 miles per hour.  At the time they clocked me I was down to 13mph.  they got on the bull horn and joked with me about slowing it down and that they clocked me at the high rate of 13mph:-)  We all had a great chuckle, and went about our day.  You know, that was one of the highlights of the trip.  Interaction with people and especially those who protect and serve, gives me great joy an honor.  Again, our life makes a difference and as has been told me thousands of times, we may be the only Jesus anyone ever sees.  So lets remember to put on Him daily.  “I die daily” 1 Corinthians 15:31... and elsewhere His word declares that “We are Hid with Christ in God”.  Like a three fold cord which is not easily broken.  I am like a penny in the Hand of Jesus, which is covered by another Hand, “The Hand of God our Father...  That is what that means, an that is an impenetrable place of protection, care, and joy. Colossians 3:3.  From there is was one encounter after another with bikes, pedestrians, and great riding roads.  the big mountain ranges were behind me now, and it was mostly flats and on great terrain as well.  The roads are very biker friendly on the way into Scottsdale, AZ and the planners of this community really do care for the pedestrians and understand the importance of safety and recreational activities.  I am amazed at this after all these years,  Often I do wonder what would have happened had I stayed in Scottsdale, but again we have to concede fully to our innermost selves that God is everything and He orchestrates our comings and our goings.  I am grateful for this thought.  

   The best route from Wickenburg for me was taking Route 60 to 74, to Thunderbird, to 90th street and on to Scottsdale.  When I arrived at my destination I was greeted by my father and his neighbor who were out speaking about retirement things:-).  I enjoyed rolling up on him and listening to them conversing about all things retired.  In fact the entire day was just so pleasant.  One rider after another I pulled up alongside to was all to eager to speak with me about my bike and experience.  It was also a great opportunity to share with many how great the E-Cells e-bike really is.  

Well, as I stated earlier I Amon my way to training and will not be back for many months… I will finish what I started though and look very forward to sharing the rest of this trip with you as soon as I get back.  

Update:  it is now Mid May and I am on a ship that will be out to sea until at least the end of the year… I will check back in with you at a later time and look forward to getting back to riding soon.  Until then, many thanks and kind regards, christopher 

Check out Ecells.com, tell them Christopher sent you.  

02/09/2021 Part 2 Kingman to Wickenburg

 The journey started off wonderful and honestly ended wonderfully as well.  As I mentioned in my last post I got a late start from Kingman and saw that I was going to be on a long stretch of highway with no facilitates for over 65 miles… about 20 miles out I stopped at the last station for 65 miles and charged for an hour.  It was time for a break and I liked stopping at gas stations because it gave me a chance to interact with people and share about the E-Cells bicycle model and Vision.  I was able to share with three folks there about the bike and what I was doing as well as get an hour of charging.  The manager and security was glad to oblige me.  I knew I was burning daylight but I also knew that there is no way to know what lay ahead for the day and that no matter how good I plan, I can’t predict what challenges I may face ahead of me on a bicycle trip.  (Much experience and many Countries bike trips later have taught me that)….so back on the road after 2:00 pm and I rode like a champion on that long truly desert stretch of no convenience for the next many hours.  I stopped several times to give my backseat a rest and make water, but I steady rode and by reason of wind and sun and just plain tiredness it was dusk before I had put in the 50 miles that would be the halfway point.  The bike was a joy to ride and when I made it 50 miles I still had my extra battery which I hadn’t touched.  I managed to make a decision that I would stop and stay the night at the little motel and start again tomorrow.  This would ensure I make it all the way to Wickenburg and would give me a chance for some more rest. Sometimes though circumstances have a way of guiding me, and with the motel full, I had no choice but to keep riding.  Remember though I’m on an E-bike.  The challenge is not from pedaling.  That’s easy and fun and doesn’t get old.  That’s what makes E-Cells so great… the challenge is in the not knowing, the long hours getting passed by zooming loud vehicles, the elements, the expended energy and the long hours in the saddle.  

With the motel full, I stopped at the Pilot gas station and asked if I could rest a few hours, charging my batteries, and try to gather intel on what lay ahead.  The manager of the station  was happy to help and speak with me.  He lived on the property with his family because as I said East his place is way out there… he said he had passed me earlier as he was driving from Kingman and was all too happy to help me.  He even said I could pitch my tent if I wanted to.  I wasn’t sure what to do at this point but after sitting for 4 hours recharging  my physical, mental, and Spiritual batteries I decided to ride on toward Wickenburg.  It was around 10 pm when I left.  I bought some Perrier from them since they wouldn’t let me pay for the electricity and after the night clerk rang me up and gave me a hard time about hanging around so long I was off.  (Apparently the Manager didn’t inform him I had his permission, but after I let the clerk know… all was well.). What a nice family they are that run that station.  Too bad they don’t own it… they run it as if they did, and I am certain that brings the owner a lot of joy and profits; not to mention peace of mind.  Mike the Manager had told me I would come across a Joshua Tree forest and that meant I was close.  I was concerned about thorns and brush in the road which can cause flats after he mentioned this.  The last thing I wanted to try to do was change a tube in the middle of the night…I trusted the tire inserts and more importantly gave the trip over to God and I still felt peace so off I went… within 20 miles of taking off toward Wickenburg I see a big highway sign that reads beware of the wild animals and has a silhouette of a coyote… Now my mind is really racing, for you see there are many mountain lions, coyotes, and other animals that can really hurt us in a vulnerable state like in the middle of a dark highway in the middle of the night.10 more miles in I see a road killed coyote and see firsthand just how big and vicious these animals are.  I’m sad it was killed by a vehicle but was also glad it wasn’t chasing me.  I kept to the road, and stayed on the bike with the exception of two small stops to make water…

It’s during trips like this, circumstances what they are that define us as human beings.  I know I am an adventurer and explorer but during challenges like this we find out just how far we can go and just how much we can handle.  This stretch of road is as long, dark, and silent as the first half was and it winds up and through mountain ranges. It really appears as if I were never going to make it.  When I finally did see the sign for the forest I was so happy.  Still concerned as well because these trees ran up to and along side the narrow roads shoulder and at many places went from two to one lane passes.  Lots of big rigs are traveling on this road and the road is very narrow in many places along the way.  I was more frightened by the thought of wildlife than I ever could have been by the semi trailer trucks or other vehicles zipping by me in the night.  I don’t know this to be true but the truckers seemed to be looking out for me and somehow I felt cheered on by them.  Silly sounding I know, but one thing is for certain; I asked Gods protection and care with complete abandonment and I trusted that He was going to use my situation and circumstances to see me through to a place of safety in Wickenburg.  It was 5:00 the following morning when I finally pulled into Wickenburg and stopped at Mobil gas station to relieve  myself and take some sustenance .  I decided to charge the bike for 45 minutes while I was doing all the aforementioned things.  After several attempts to find accommodations I stumbled up to the BestWestern Wickenburg’s door, where a mother and daughter team took care of me, got me situated in  a room with early check in (which I really needed, as I had already been on the road that day a total of 20 hours with all of the stopping and cautious night driving…) I was truly exhausted and wanted bed… however they offered me a full hot breakfast as well which was the first time in over a year I had seen that at a hotel due to the Covid-19 situation.  What a joy.  By 7:00am I was showered, fed, and in the bed…:-). Sweet sleep…. I woke up after 2:00pm and after a few calls, I went to look around the  town.  What an awesome place and so full of adventure and things to do.  I wanted to eat my own way so I chose my fare from the grocery chain I used to work for when I was in Arizona as a resident over 20 years before… (Basha’s) and boy am I thankful for that family and company.  I rested, made calls, recharged and did some cleaning and maintenance on my bike etc.  getting ready for my final leg of the journey which was to be the following morning. After a superb nights sleep, it was my great desire to be on the road by 5:00 am, but as usually happens it was well after 7:00am before I hit the road bound for the final leg of  the journey this time (Scottsdale,Arizona).  Stay tuned for my next blog which was in fact the best and easiest leg of the journey yet.  

Ecells.com bike trip Kingman, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ Part One

 Remember the best bike company in the world www.ecells.com, tell them Christopher sent you.

First off, note to yourself, ANYTIME you buy a new bicycle there is going to be a learning curve that is needed, in order to work out things you may like or dislike about the bike.  Because we are all different shapes and sizes, and because we are dealing with fallible people and parts (Yes, that includes all of us:-) one has to take time to sort out these things and get them fixed.  For me, I found the E-Cells Bicycle to be perfect for what I want to do which is ride across the USA and experience the freedom of extra time and miles in the saddle that an electric motor affords me.  However, because I want to do this and many other challenging things with this bicycle and am putting it to the test of long distance cruising, there are things I need personally.  This is by no means a reflection on the quality and craftsmanship of the bike, it is just a fact of life for me.

Things I did to prepare my bike for a literal Cross Country trip.  

1. Broken in Brooks saddle

2.) Delta plus cell phone carrier (Keep in mind this holder blocks the back camera which keeps you from being able to video out in front of you, which was a huge disappointment; therefore, I am going to have to do something about this before trekking across Texas. When I return).

3.) a minimum of 2 Extra batteries.  (I have one extra battery now and for all intents and purposes I set out with hoping to keep the assist mode in level one, which if it were possible to do that I could have made over 100 miles on a charge.  But Mountain Ranges and big hills force you to go to assist mode three or four in order to keep up a pace of 12-14 miles an hour under mostly my own power.  That said, I could at times get 60 miles on a charge with the dual batteries that come with it and another 20-30 out of the spare battery.  But on other occasions where I had already been pedaling for hours and days, and was a little tired, I had to stop and recharge the battery packs up to three hours in order to get to my final destination for example on this trip to Wickenburg.  I charged for at least an hour to reach other destinations such as Boulder City, and Kingman.  Most Convenience stores were very kind to me; just make sure you go in and ask permission from the manager first so there is no discrepancies as it will look bizarre with a big charger plugged into an outlet and a big ol bike .  It can seem intimidating to people.  Also, I recommend an extension cord so you can park in a regular parking place and not take up room on the side walk from other passerby’s; or just pull a trailer like I do and have at least two extra batteries with you.)

4.)  Make sure you adjust the full suspension before leaving.  These video’s are helpful for the front and rear suspension.  The first one deals with both the front and rear.  The second video is helpful because it is the actual rear shock we have on our GREAT and AWESOME bikes.  

FRONT: https://youtu.be/z-JtggFcxAA

REAR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op6onk12nLs

You see, when I purchased this bike, it was a prototype from the Company and as such had no front suspension to speak of.  I saw it bottomed out the day I got it, but the technician put some air in it and it seemed okay.  I didn’t know it had a leak.  This is nobody’s fault...and I am still so grateful to get to review and talk about this amazing bike.  The Owner David Cleveland a real stand up guy, said immediately he would send me out a new front fork upon returning to the Cross Country trip and so in one flail swoop, BAM 💥 once again all is well.  This is what I mean.  We live in an fallen world so to speak.  Things made from the elements deteriorate and go from a state of best to broken in a matter of time.  It is a fact of life.  Not a show stopper.  As with every part on that bicycle or any other bicycle you will ever buy eventually all the parts will have to be replaced...  Maybe not by you, but by whoever gets it next, unless of course it is totally destroyed and recreated into a new something else:-)

5.) A pull trailer is a must if you are going to go cross country, because no mater how well you plan there will be times when you need an extra supply of water, food, and shelter, plus a way to haul your gear and extra batteries.  This is imperative for me as I have already taken the bicycle 400 miles, and when I return from my job, I will be taking it another 900+ miles.  

The rest of the items are personal to my brand of comfort, suffice to say you need to choose what you want...  You will need extra tubes, for the trailer mostly but a flat can happen although highly unlikely on the actual bike tires.  Toiletries, sleeping bag, tent, food items, etc... all these things are a side note.  But the bike comes with everything you need as is to plug and play.  The tool kit is extremely useful, and as such the trailer is a blessing, although you want to make sure not to overload it.  Here is the one I am using and a link to how to get one.

TRAILER: https://www.aosom.com/item/aosom-elite-2-in-1-double-child-two-wheel-bicycle-trailer-and-jogger-with-2-safety-harnesses-red~5664-0036NEW.html

So after arriving to Kingman, AZ at around 17:45 and getting checked into the Holiday Inn Express (which is a great place). I went to Sonic which is just a short 5 minute walk away and got some grub.  A very nice cashier there helped me who is trading in for a Management position and after ordering my food and doing a quick survey for her, headed back to the room.  I was pretty tired and wind burnt as well.  It was a very strong head wind most all day and that coupled with the AZ Sun just drains a person no matter how great the bike ride was... and it was a great ride:-). The plan was to head out early the next morning to Wickenburg, But I was tired and the backside just wasn’t ready for such a long ride.  I decided to set the Velo Plush back on for the ride to Kingman to see how it rode for 100 miles, and as soon as I got to the room, and plugged the charger in I switched back to my Brooks.  I got a really great nights sleep and got up rip roaring and ready to go.  unfortunately as is usually the case, Things start to happen in the early morning like constitutions, and wanting to get a video and blog out so I got sidetracked and didn’t leave until 12:00 P.M.  this is a problem when you have over 100 miles to go and mountainous terrain to traverse.  In the next episode (Part 2) I will describe how the next ride was a 20 hour trip and lasted “All night Long”...  Stay tuned and stay active.  Thanks.