Sun 6th June to Tue 8th June Highlights

Sun 6th June - Williams to Tusayan (Grand Canyon) 6628'. 54.6miles, 17.5mph ave, 3.12.06 ride time, 1264' climbed. Almost continuous ride along mostly long straight rolling roads to Tusayan Arrived hot and tired ready for lunch at Wendy's followed by an early check in at the hotel. We then had a short ride upto the Grand Canyon National Park entrance to buy an annual pass to the park. This pass entitles both of us to enter any of the national parks over the next year...a snip at $80. The pass also gave us free use of all shuttle buses from Tusayan into and around the park. We had a short visit on the shuttle bus to the Canyon and could not believe what we saw....more to follow tomorrow. We then returned to Tusayan for a disappointing Mexican meal followed by a short ride in pursuit of the local wild life. Unfortunately we only managed to see one elk as it ran off.

Mon 7th June - Second day at Tusayan sight seeing at the Grand Canyon using a combination of the shuttle bus and the bikes (23miles covered) to get around. The Grand Canyon is absolutely immense (c. 270miles long, a mile deep and upto 18miles across). The morning was spent exploring part of the South Kaiban Trail. An early start ensured we didn't overheat. The trail descends over 4800' to the Colorado River below and the North Trail nearly 6000' up the other side. Our walk (2 1/2 hr round trip) only took us a fraction of the way down the trail to Cedar Ridge but it was amazing nevertheless as we really felt we were in the Canyon and the views were as spectacular as anything we've ever seen. Our afternoon excursion was done mostly on the bikes and we explored many viewing points along the south rim of the canyon to the most westerly point at Hermits Rest.

Tue 8th June Tusayan to Tuba City (4945'). 87mile, 17.5mph ave, 5.02.20 ride time, 3107' climbed. First part of ride was cool due to an early start and went east through the National Park following the south rim. Unfortunately Derek took a tumble on the gravel at the side of the road as we approached the most easterly point in the park. Fortunately his injuries were minor and only his back wheel and his pride was damaged. A few twists on the spoke key soon had us rolling again; onto Desert View for short a short refreshment stop where we had a nice chat with an English lady who was travelling with her daughter in an open top car. From Desert View we left the part and descended the longest hill I've ever ridden; c. 3000' of decent in one go! As we approached Cameron where had planned to have a short lunch stop I picked up the second (rear wheel again!) puncture of the trip. A speedy repair followed by a sandwich at the Native American (Indian) Trading Post at Cameron and we were of on the final leg to Tuba City. The heat and wind resulted in two weary riders ariving at the hotel which is run by Native Americans on the Navojo Reserve.