FULL RECOVERY TOUR
A self-contained, back roads, bicycle tour of The Western United States July - September 2008 CALIFORNIA • NEVADA • UTAH • ARIZONA • NEW MEXICO • COLORADO • WYOMING • MONTANA • IDAHO • OREGON
I. INTRODUCTION:
In June 2007, while teaching primary school to abandoned and orphaned children in Ghana, West Africa, I was inoculated by a very nasty mosquito that happened to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum—the parasite that causes "cerebral malaria". As a result, I fell extremely ill and was taken to the nearest facility, a tiny, dank clinic/hospital in our small bush village. Malaria being so common in Africa, they were prepared with the necessary medications. Refusing admission, I was taken back to our children's home where I laid in bed, dilerious with fever. Suffering from extreme weakness and slipping in and out of awareness, our dear workers stayed with me around the clock sponging me with cool water. After several days the fever broke returning me to full awareness. However, I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and had to be carried to the toilet. My weight was 62 kg (138 lbs.) and I'm 6'1" tall—a little lean. Meanwhile, I'm grateful to have survived that mosquito bite, but to be honest, I haven't been the same since. I have not had the strength or vitality that I enjoyed before this experience. So, I have a goal for this amazing bicycle tour of the rural western United States. In the months leading up to the launch date I will strengthen myself for the journey as best I can. However, by extended daily exercise on the tour, a simple diet, deep draughts of fresh air and water, exposure to the healing rays of sunshine, and life-lessons garnered from the book of nature, I'm praying that I might pedal myself into a full recovery, and once again enjoy the vigor that was lost by a lone mosquito-bite in West Africa. On this bike trip I will retrace some of the roads that I've enjoyed on past cycling journeys. Most notably, the route over the Sierra Mountains, across the many ridges and vast basins of Nevada, and some of my favorite parts of Southern Utah. The "Loneliest Road in America", as US 50 through Nevada has been called, offers miles of quiet road for personal reflection and thirteen steep summits for contemplation. Nevada presents one with the right setting to cause one to look inward, to search, and examine. By the time you arrive in Utah there is a peace and calmness that has settled upon the countenence, and it's easy to share with the gentle folks you meet along the way. Southern Utah offers a time to celebrate life and to be glad! The views are beyond the description of words! I will just leave it at that. From Southern Utah I plan to explore the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, pedal below the astounding Vermillion Cliffs, camp beside the waters of Lake Powell, climb the Aspen lined heights of Boulder Mountain, and ride through the awesome majesty of Monument Valley. And I haven't even gotten to Colorado yet! But, you can begin to understand how this land can speak to us and teach us—and even heal us. A 25th Anniversary Celebration: Fellow cycling and nature enthusiast, Paul Cunningham from Texas, is going to be joining me on this amazing journey. We will both be riding our 25 year old 1983 Specialized Expedition touring bikes throughout this trip. These were among the finest mass-produced touring-specific bicycles made back in the day—and are still more than capable today. Because of the diversity of the terrain and climate of this region, we will be packed very heavy, with approximately 60 lbs. each (gross weight, including food items), making our bikes weigh-in at nearly 100 lbs. You can take a look at the packing list below.
Finally, a note
from Adventure Cycling Association regarding the crossing of Nevada: "The route in Nevada, along U.S. Highway 50, was described some years ago by a LIFE magazine writer as 'The Loneliest Road in America'. . . This section of the Western Express Route is considered very difficult due not only to terrain, but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. Carrying a water purifier is strongly advised for any water access outside of towns. Nevada is extremely dry and has no shade except for three trees east of Fallon." II. PROPOSED ITINERARY: (No doubt, this will be severely modified along the way.)
III. PACKING AND EQUIPMENT LIST: IV. PHOTO JOURNAL:
V. MAPS:
VI. NATIONAL PARK MAPS, CAMPGROUNDS AND INFO Zion National Park: Grand Canyon National Park:
Bryce Canyon National Park:
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument:
Capitol Reef National Park:
Natural Bridges National Monument:
Rocky Mountain National Park: Dinosaur National Monument: Grand Teton National Park:
Yellowstone National Park:
Glacier National Park: |
