Globe to Safford AZ

Larry called me late (our time) after a long 79 mile ride. Very, very tired. He was going to take a nap before they ate. He said that the food is good and he has lots to eat. His friend, Ed blew a tire. He did not just get a flat but lost the tire. One member, John has an infection and the women that was hit by a pop up camper broke her arm. Wondering Wheels was going to fix her bike and she was going to ride with a cast. Another rider, Roger had this happen to him on a previous ride.

Larry told me that he is holding his own and everyone is tired. He promised me that he is taking his meds. When he gets a chance to play the Taylor guitar, he said that everyone was enjoying the tunes. I sent him some song books that he should get April 2.

April 1 they are into New Mexico.

Taken from Wikipedia.

Safford was founded by pioneers, who came from Gila Bend, in southwestern Arizona. They left Gila Bend in the winter of 1873-74; their work on canals and dams having been destroyed by high water the previous summer. Upon arrival early in 1874, the villagers laid out the town site, including a few crude buildings.
The town is named after Arizona Territorial Governor Anson P.K. Safford.
The Town of Safford was incorporated October 10, 1901, and changed to City of Safford in 1955.

The Big Day--Biking to Globe

Pictures from the internet.

What a day! 60 miles and 4600 feet of elevation gain. Larry got a nice early start and all was well until Superior AZ, then the road took off to the sky. After three hours of climbing on Hwy 60 with cars and trucks whipping by at 55 mph with no shoulder; Larry finally reached the summit.

Next to come, was the 11 mile climb, including the tunnel, narrow rode with very little shoulder and a bridge over Queen Creek Gorge. One of the riders was hit by a pop up camper and bike was dragged along. She was driven to next stop to be checked out at the hospital.

The group ate lunch in Superior and at the church that night ate a large supper. Larry told me he crashed in a chair and couldn't move.

Sunday Rest Day

The group had two days in a motel getting ready for the big day. Phoenix to Globe will be a long day . Monday they have to go over the Pinal Mountains. Home of the Lost Flying Dutchman Mine and Superstition Mountain.

I do not know which part of the mountion they are crossing. Some of the peaks are 5000-6000 feet. I do know that they will have a long haul up and a dangerous downhill leg. More after Larry calls from the ride.

Some history of the area.
http://www.desertusa.com/Cities/az/globe.html

Another biker's blog. Roger is in Larry's group.
http://www.rogersride2009.blogspot.com/

Apache Junction Area

The day was perfect--76 degrees no humidity, soft breeze and not a cloud in the sky. Weather report from Larry when he called around 1:30 pm our time. They were riding 50 miles today. Ed is standing in front of the rental shop. His daughter, Kim was coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to ride with the group.

The group stayed at the Salvation Army last night and went out for Mexican food. Larry sounds very good and said that he has met the most wonderful people on this trip. He has been playing his guitar and sleeping better. Sunday is a rest day. Larry said that this will give his muscles a day off. I get calls and /or e-mails everyday from blog readers. I'm going to see if Larry can get on the blog on his off day to read this. Thanks to all for your supporrt and prayers.

Some Photos of Trip

Photos are Larry's, some sent to me by Judy (Ed's wife) or taken from Roger's blog. He is another rider on trip.

Today's ride was around 90 miles. The group left very early because they had to get out of the school where they had been staying. The weather is warm , around 75-80 degrees and 20% humidity. The front that came through and dumped snow in Denver left gusty winds today near Phoenix but when I last checked they were down to 7 mph.

Larry sounded good on the phone and I talked to Dominic, one of the riders and he said Larry is like Lance Armstrong today, so I thought that blur was Larry???? Well, it is actually Larry's sleeping bag and duffel but it must have been moving at the time of this photo.

The Phoenix International Raceway, or just PIR, is a one mile tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. It opened in 1964, as the new home of major open-wheel racing in the Phoenix area, replacing the track at the Arizona State Fairgrounds as an automobile racing venue. If you like NASCAR, you may know this already.

I forgot thank Holmes bike shop in Camp Hill for giving Larry a new outfit for the ride, discounts on some equipment and for shipping his bike for the trip. If you are local--they are great to work with--they care about your safety.

Solome, AZ-heart of AZ Outback

http://www.azoutback.com/salome.htm This is a little town with and interesting history.

The bike ride today was about 61 miles with the temp. 76degrees and 17% humidity. A little diferent then here in PA. Larry said it was a good day and he was going to play guitar tonight.

Blythe ---last stop in California

An easy day!!! Only 21 miles but through the desert. Bright sun, 73 degrees, only 14% humidity.

Ed and Larry stopped for salad and steak at a local restaurant. Had a great meal and were watching a great sunset when Larry called. This the last night in California and another night of tenting. Because it was a short day, the guys, especially Larry felt rested, but were ready for a good night's sleep.

Larry said that everyone has been great and really likes the Wondering Wheels tour. His arms were much better today and did not hurt. One man on the tour is 84 years young and this is fifth trip crossing the country by bike.

They have 70 miles to go on Thursday and will go to Salome, AZ.

Mar 27 Salome to Avondale (West Phoenix)
Mar 28 Avondale to Apache Junction
Mar 29 Day Off - but Ed isn't taking it since Kim ( his daughter) is coming out to ride with him over the weekend
Mar 30 Apache Junction to Globe
Mar 31 Glove to Safford

Brawley to Palo Verde Desert Area

Head winds were very strong and Larry said that today's ride of 76 miles was hard because of the windy conditions. Temps getting warmer and Wed should be even warmer as they cross the desert into Blythe. He is riding with Ed and another fellow, Dominic.



He said that they are eating well The Wondering Wheel people and all the riders are so supportive. He is having some problems with his arms. Between his tremors and the bike vibrations, his arms are sore.
Some of the sleeping areas have been close and there is not enough room to spread out. Once he sets up his tent tonight, he will have a 2-man tent to himself. (courtesy of our friends, the Laynes) Ed and his new friend Dominic will help him. They will camp tonight and Wed. night.


He told me the sun setting behind the mountains was beautiful.

Julian to Brawley -The Long and Winding Road

The church where they stayed on the 22nd was fill with their wet clothes. All of the bikes were piled under the picnic area. It has been windy and cold the last two days.

Left Julian with a 27 degree temp and wind, heading for Brawley and the start of the desert area. It was a 75 mile day,12 miles being straight downhill on a steep and winding road.

Brawley's elevation is -110 feet below sea level. Ed said the scenery was breathtaking. He tried to take a few pictures, but the landscape was so vast, it was hard to capture it. This picture was provide by a friend of Ed's from last year's ride. Larry said the sun was blinding. When we talked, he wanted to know if he had sunscreen, lip balm, etc. Their leader stressed the need for that and sunscreen over the next few days while they are in the desert area. They are staying in a church again tonight. They will be camping the next two nights - in the desert just southwest of Palo Verde and then in Blythe.

Larry was the first one to have a flat tire! Of course, the co2 was shipped to the first stop so I guess he had to wait for the WWtruck.

Heading for Julian,CA

They are headed for Julian today. Weather is a chilly 35-42 degrees and showers off and on all day. Road became icy on the mountain road toward end of ride.

The Wondering Wheels group arrived in Escondido and Ed and Larry found their first ice cream store. As you can see Larry has to practice using the cell phone camera.

Judy (Ed's wife) prepared a map of the entire route. You can see where the cities are on the map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=103145703634945608418.000465a53f52519700f05&ll=44.527843,-104.150391&spn=28.177315,56.25&z=4

Finally, the Ride Starts!

California Stops

Mar 21 Carlsbad, CA (dip the wheels in the Pacific Ocean) to Escondido

cloudy--high 65 degrees

travel from hotel to beach--then do a short 23 mile ride to Escondido to get warmed up.

Mar 22 Escondido to Julian
Mar 23 Julian to Brawley
Mar 24 Brawley to somewhere in the Desert outside of Palo Verde
Mar 25 Desert to Blythe

Mail Drops for the Boys

In case you want to send something :

PLEASE ALLOW 7 DAYS AND DATES ARE IFFY SO GIVE IT PLENTY OF TIME. PUT LARRY BOWEN'S or ED THOMAS ' NAME ON BACK OF ENVELOP.

March 26 Wondering Wheels
General Delivery

Salome, AZ 85348

April 2 Wondering Wheels
General Delivery

Deming, NM 88030

April 9 Wondering Wheels
General Delivery

Lamesa, TX 79331

April 15 Wondering Wheels
General Delivery

Mineola, TX 75773

In San Diego

Larry left the 19th for San Diego. His flight went well and he did not experience any problems. He even met another person who is also biking cross country. This man is 67 and his tour takes 58 days. Well, Larry is 57 and their tour is only 42 days!!!

Taylor guitars met him at the hotel and drove him to El Cajon, the Taylor factory where they gave him a tour and a beautiful guitar to take on the trip.

We would like to thank Chalise at Taylor for all her work in making this possible.

For more photos of the tour check this site.

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/666098935/293e70634cbfb48f4028206972c7ba0d

A Call from Davis Phinney

Today, Davis called Larry to wish him luck and to give him words of encouragement. He told Larry that it was great that he was taking on this challenge.

From Larry:

Davis is among the very few people who understands that the difficulties in life such as PD can be opportunities in disguise. His positive attitude will help motivate me on this journey. I'm proud to call him my friend.

Larry Contacts Taylor Guitars

Parkinson’s Disease is among the worst nightmares for a guitar player but, guitar playing is among the best therapies for Parkinson’s Disease.

This statement defines my life. An interlocking struggle with a disease determined to take from me the guitar playing I love, while the guitar and I wage a never ending battle with the debilitating effects of PD.

March 20, 2009 I begin the greatest adventure of my life thus far. I’ll be riding my bicycle, my other PD therapy, from Carlsbad, CA to Brunswick, GA, a total of 2600 miles in 6 weeks, to raise funds and awareness for PD.

Looking at the map I saw San Diego where the airline leg ends; Carlsbad where I dip my wheel in the Pacific to start my journey, and right in between is El Cajon. El Cajon!! What Taylor loving picker doesn’t know what goes on there?

I e-mailed the good folks at Taylor asking for a loaner guitar for my trip. After all, who among us could possibly be expected to survive 6 weeks without a Taylor to pick? Then, with no hesitation, an e-mail from, Chalise, my Taylor contact informed me Taylor will be providing me with my traveling companion, a beautiful 614 ce to lessen the pain of leaving behind my 710 BRZ, 815-CE and baby.

I can’t wait ‘til we meet, that maple beauty and I.

Getting Ready for the Big Ride

Larry started training in January for the coast to coast ride.

The Carlisle Sentinel did an article on him.
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/local/doc4989aa74e2804673558553.txt
You can read the article online.

Larry and his buddy Ed Thomas will be riding together with a company called Wondering Wheels. Not just wanting this ride to be something to cross off the "bucket list" Larry and I decide to dedicated the ride for Parkinson research. We contacted the Davis Phinney Foundation and set up a web page with them for donations. ALL funds are going to research and education. Our page : http://davisphinneyfoundation.com/431 We met Davis, a Tour de France biker, 2 years ago and Larry was inspired to ride for his health.



The Patriot news also did an aritcle. see: http://www.patriot-news.com/searchArchives.phpThis was in the Metro West on Ash Wednesday. Type in Larry Bowen.

Larry and Ed biked across Ohio and parts of PA one summer. So how hard can Coast to coast be!! Well, they are going to bike around 2600 miles from Carlsbad, CA to Brunswick, GA. They will average 85 miles a day.






Larry getting ready for part of his Ohio Ride.