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.
