The Roosevelt to Rye section which followed the Gunsight Pass Hike-a-bike was tough enough to to test my mental and physical endurance. We put the bikes on our backs to pick our way up one rocky section. In spite of the heavy load it seemed easier to just carry the bikes than shove them over the boulders. We also are thinking of the Grand Canyon and wanted to practice carrying. Late in the day we came to a spring in a dense Manzanita forest. Before filling up on water I gulped down the last of the Ultrafuel I had in my bottle. I immediately began feeling odd and within 10 minutes I was in my sleeping bag, shivering cold with a little fever as the sun was setting on the dark forest. The forest is so impenetrable that the only place to lay down was the a little clearing on the trail itself. Scott was eating as I lay feeling nauseous on the ground. I warned Scott he might want to take a little walk as I was going to get sick very soon. Fortunately by 1 A.M. I was over my crisis and was eating a dinner of tuna fish by headlamp. I’m not sure if it was the ultrafuel gone bad or the extreme exertion which cause my problem. Next day we continued carrying our bikes and then finally came to a road that looked like we would coast down to the valley. We could see our destination of Rye far below. The road was going the wrong way so we had to turn down a “goat path” as a camper we met described it. I looked far off and was thinking we might spend another day getting to Rye down this goat path. As it turned out parts of it were rideable and should have been fun and it was another good adventure but it was unknown what might happen as far as how impassible it might become. I thought to myself I wish I was enjoying this more. The path turned out to not be so bad and a few hours later we were getting some good eats at the Rye Cafe. I definitely found the edge of my enjoyment of adventure versus my need for comfort on this. I was hoping my level of tolerance would be a little higher. At least I have a better idea of where it is though.
Now we are at Wayne and Gayle Gorry’s house here in Payson, getting some rest, using the computer and generally having a nice time. The Mogollon Rim is next. The concern now is the possibility of mud and cold weather. The friends we have stayed with along the way make all the difference on a trip like this. It was so nice to see Wayne ride up yesterday at Rye. He had ridden out to meet us and showed us the local route into Payson which avoids the unpleasant sections of highway.
I’m looking with enthusiasm to continuation of the trip so it is amazing what a little rest and reorganization can do.
Thanks for the comments from everyone reading the website. One good thing about doing this this is we are writing down the trip. I have not done that before. It is difficult to know what to write as so much happens and knowing what will be interesting to read after the trip is over and also what is interesting for anyone following our posting gives cause for thinking as we are riding along.
– Lee
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