The great adventure is over but I will never forget the great times I had bicycle touring with Bob Formhals, and Kevin Dix as we explored northern Arizona and southern Utah by bicycle. In my mind there is no better way to travel than from the seat of a bicycle. You can experience everything on a human scale. You can smell the flowers, feel the wind and hear the birds sing. Riding a bicycle with all your gear gives you a sense of independence and a feeling of self reliance on a tour that no other mode of transportation can provide. You provide the power and the bicycle will take you to some amazing places.
Our tour began on June 13, 2009. We had arrived in Page AZ the day before by way of Bob and Maggie Formhals's motor-home. Once we arrived in Page, AZ we began to set up camp and check over our gear. We discovered that Kevin's recumbent needed a washer spacer to accommodate the the Bob trailers skewer. That meant a quick ride into town to a hardware store. While we were installing the washers Bob noticed that Kevin's rear wheel had a loose cone bearing. We located a bicycle store that was really close to the hardware store and by all luck they were able to not only adjust the cone but were able to replace it because it was badly galled. After our little venture at the bicycle shop Maggie suggested that we all take a ride down to see Glen Canyon dam and the Visitor's center. We all enjoyed getting to stretch our legs and to see the dam holding back Lake Powell.
The morning of June 13, 2009. Day 1. The air was surprisingly cool for June in Arizona. As Bob, Kevin and I headed out of Page west across the desert we all experienced the euphoria attached to the beginning of any new bicycle tour. Soon we were seeing the last views of Lake Powell backed by the red and white stone cliffs. 
Continuing west we stopped at the Grand Stair Case information center in Big Water, UT where we enjoyed seeing several dinosaur fossils that were newly discovered species and have only recently been found in the region.From there we continued on until we reached the trail head to the Toadstools. The Toadstools are rock formations that resemble mushrooms. Some were very large and others were fairly small. The hike took us about three quarters of a mile down a path that wandered through some very barren country. The sand in places was white and difficult to walk through. It looked like a landscape out of a science fiction movie of some foreign world.
After returning to the bikes we rode on a short distance to the two mile dirt road that would lead us to our camp ground at White House Trail Head. This is not the worst dirt road I have been on but between the washboard and the loose rocky surface there were plenty of times I needed to get off my bike and walk. At other times the road would turn to loose sand and again walking and pushing my bike was the only way to move forward. Even though the road was less than desirable the campsite was great. We also had a great time running and hiking around on the rocks. Our first day was 36 miles
June 14, 2009 Day 2. Our ride would take us from White House Trail Head to Kanab, UT. The day started out fairly flat with surprisingly cool weather. We soon found ourselves climbing a fairly long grade. At the summit we stopped a point of interest. An old Hollywood western set named Pahreah that was a few miles off the the main road. Vandals have now burned down the once famous western town and movie set but the location and history remains. From the road side information pull out we once again headed west into a small head wind that would grow in intensity the closer we rode to Kanab. On the way into Kanab we meet Maggie riding out to meet us on her recumbent.
In Kanab we stayed in an RV park located on the main drag called the Hitching Post. It had a very nice grassy area for us to plant our tents right behind the motor-home. For dinner we all pitched in and made a feast of spaghetti, steamed broccoli, and potatoes. Really tasted good after our time spent on the bikes. Our mileage for the day was 45 miles
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June 15, 2009 Day 3 of our ride takes us from Kanab, UT to Zion National Park. We started out around 6:30 AM after breaking camp and a good breakfast. A mile out of town I was down right cold under a cloudy sky, so I put on my fleece jacket. That didn't last long as we began to climb as the sun was burning off the cloud cover. For 11 miles we ascended a thousand feet and in just 4 miles we descended a thousand feet to Mount Carmel, UT. We stopped at a corner shopping center and had a snack and a rest before we began another 1000 foot climb. As soon as we left Mount Carmel the climb began and it was steep and another 14 more miles of ascent. I was in my lowest gear in no time wishing I had one more easier gear. Along the way the scenery was juniper trees, and big yellow flowers and mountains of interesting rock formations. It was a breath taking ride. Before we knew it we were descending into Zion National Park. Shortly after entering the park we meet two other touring cyclists that had ridden from San Diego, CA, Lisa and Anthony were on their honeymoon. We stopped and talk a couple of minutes after three big horn sheep crossed the road in front of us. Can not miss a photo opportunity like that, but I did, my camera was set for video. After that all five of us rode further into Zion toward the Mount Carmel tunnel. On the way we rode through a smaller tunnel that bikes were allowed to ride through. We all had a blast riding the windy road through the amazing rock formations. At Mount Carmel tunnel we said good bye to Lisa and Anthony as they looked to hitch a ride in the back of a pickup truck. Bob, Kevin and I loaded up our bikes and gear in and on the motor-home and rode the rest of the way to Springdale, UT via the luxury of the rolling home. 33 miles for today's ride.
June 16, 2009 Day 4.
We all slept in a bit as we were going to take the day off from riding and do some hiking instead. After breakfast Bob, Kevin and I rode the shuttle up Zion canyon to the Narrows. The Narrows for you that have never been to Zion is a point at which the canyon walls close in to the point where many sections can only be passed by wading through the icy cold water of the Virgin river. As we entered the Narrows I was ah struck by the awesome beauty of this place. A mixture of rock cut by the forces of water and time, green ferns, mosses and trees all clinging to this rugged but spectacular place. The river bottom is rocky for the most part but occasionally the bottom was sandy and easier to walk on. One definitely needs good shoes with solid soles for such an adventure. In Springdale there are places to rent shoe specially designed for wading up the Narrows.
After exploring the Narrows for several miles we decided to stop and eat a snack. The combination of eating standing or sitting in wet clothes in the cool shaded canyon began to take its toll. We all became chilled and so we decided to turn around and head back. Once we got moving again it did not take to long to warm up, although walking in the chilled water was a constant draw on you body heat. I would have to say that the hike up the Narrows was the high light of my trip to Zion. I hope to once again visit this marvelous place and explore even deeper into its depths. I will know to take better shoes next time. My feet felt rather pummeled from the fact my shoe soles where to thin and soft.
