Another group of cross-country cyclists, headed north & east, to Texas
Day 6 - Trapped in Cameron – Thursday, April 21st
The day we said “Uncle.”
The next morning we first used the restroom in the Trading Post (when it opened at 6:00 AM), then we gathered up our stuff that had blown around in the wild winds during the evening.
We packed out things up on the bicycles, and cycled over to the restaurant for a hearty breakfast. When we came out of the restaurant, we were elated to find the other group of cyclists. Apparently, a resident of the town had invited them to camp at his place.
Another
group of cross-country cyclists, headed north & east, to Texas
They were this day, headed for Tuba City, back north, and east of Cameron, the opposite way we were headed.
We talked with them, and compared notes. They were not traveling as a group, but would meet up each night in the destination town. By the time some of them left, and we finished talking, it was 11:15, with the winds already strong.
We first got a picture of the old bridge over the Little Colorado River, and then got underway.
The
old bridge (no longer used by the highway) over the Little Colorado
River
Already the crosswinds were so strong it was difficult (and dangerous because the wind could push you to the left into the traffic). These winds were easily 40 to 50 M.P.H.
Our intent was to make it 11 miles down the road to the south, to the town of Grey Mountain, where the motel rooms would be more available (and less expensive).
On a brief downhill section, my speed was better against the crosswind and headwind, so I could cycle. But then I had to get off and push.
The wind pushed the bicycle against my straining arms so hard, my arms quickly got tired. It was like trying to walk against a current of thick liquid, and the sand in the wind stung our exposed skin.
I finally stopped and talked with Malcolm, saying this was a futile attempt. We turned around and cycled back to Cameron, defeated for this day. In doing so, we had the unusual experience of being blown up a hill by the wind, coasting all the way!
When we got back to the Cameron Trading Post, we inquired about a room, even though we knew they were expensive, not wanting to spend another windy night in the open.
We were fortunate that there was a room, and fortunate once again for the senior discount, which got the price down into the $70's range. The only problem was that the room wouldn't be ready until early afternoon.
Waiting
for our room to be ready, at the Cameron Trading Post
While we waited, a number of people talked with us, including a couple who had bicycled much of Arizona. They had some really good ideas for different routes which we may try in the future, and good information on the route ahead.
We ate lunch in the restaurant, and took a picture of the view outside the restaurant.
The
view outside the restaurant – note the dust in the air, and the
wind-whipped bush
Finally the room was ready, and we laid on the bed in exhaustion, enjoying the luxury compared to camping in the thorns, and in the wild winds of the night. It was even more luxurious to take a bath. Later, after eating dinner in the restaurant, we slept early, the total sleep of the exhausted, hoping to get up early and escape the winds.
On this day, we traveled only 2.5 miles, with an average speed of 5.5 miles per hour.