Williams AZ
We checked out of the Caverns Inn just as it was about to be overrun by dinosaurs! It was only 8 am and the winds were really gusting.
Barb, Don, Dan, and I formed up a nice pace line and we each took one mile pulls at the front of the group, before rotating to the back. In this shot, we were probably going 10 mph into a strong cross headwind gusting to 30 mph! We organized quickly and just put our noses into the wind for and covered the 25 miles to Seligman in about 2 hours.
These are the new Welcome to Seligman signs that commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Route 66. Seligman organized the first Route 66 historical society (so they say) and claim the moniker of Birthplace of Historic Route 66!
Always a favorite, the Road Kill Cafe. Too early for a meal so we rolled on through,
The Snow Cap Ice Cream shop was also a no-go as the temperatures were in the low 50s and felt much colder with the strong winds.
Rolling out of town on Route 66 we crossed this bridge. I was able to find an ADOT medallion dated 1931.
Our little pace line got together again for a few miles outside of Seligman. I stopped here to catch a photo of this old bridge that was replaced by the one I took the photo from.
At mile 36 there was an option to ride old gravel on a bypassed segment of Route 66. Some original tarmac was visible in places, and this detour rejoined the newer Route 66 about a mile later.
Not as many photos today, too busy holding onto the bars and tucking into the wind!
Most of the day looked like this, gentle climbing, low traffic, and good pavement. Of course, its hard to see the wind.
We just completed this segment and there was a van stop here. The smaller sign is a place holder for stickers so the real sign doesn’t get covered up with sticker ‘art.’ We’ll see where they end up with the smaller sign gets filled up!
Another explorer excursion along some original Route 66 pavement. This is now a dead-end frontage road along I-40.
It started smooth and wide, probably not original pavement.
Soon we were on pinkish red pavement (the color of local volcanic cinder cones) that was original pavement. It was so broken up that along here, a grader had scraped it off and piled it on the side.
Another historic bridge was on the route. I looked for a date or medallion but could not fine one, it looks like 50’s vintage to me.
The route ended in a dead-end and we needed to slip under this fence, climb up the embankment and hop on the I-40 for a couple of miles. We rolled through the town of Ashfork and one more I-40 section took us to Monte Carlo Road.
Monte Carlo road dumped us out into a dirt lot with a BLM gate in the northeast corner. That led to today’s last section of old Route 66 pavement that is now a Forest Service road. It was a long climb and we had a van stop at Welch Road. The weather was starting to deteriorate and we even felt a few drops of rain.
After adding some layers at the van stop, it was once again back on the I-40 for some more climbing before cresting for the last 6 miles into Williams.
Cruisers is one of many Route 66 establishments on Main Street. We rolled into the Star Motel to call this one a day!
We are one week into the ride and each day our progress is shown on the ride map. Debby arrived shortly after I finished cleaning my bike and kit. We were able to attend Mass at St. Joseph’s church. Even better after we had dinner with our friend Fr. Rameriz who is the pastor there.
That was a day!
Tomorrow is a rest day, we catch the train to the Grand Canyon. It’s really cold and windy here, bring a jacket!
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment