F*CK COVID – Off to Sturgis
Monday Aug 3
By JB Brostrom – Now that Paco is “retired” (he sucks as it), we must proclaim him: Prince Emeritus of the Imaging Channel. PEOTIC
Our day began with Mrs. Paco/PEOTIC forgetting our scheduled protein bar snacks. Other than this egregious act the first day’s ride began smoothly, if not heated… 100 as Paco and Papa departed Scottsdale to head directly to Flagstaff via Interstate 17. We are scheduled to meet JBro at Cracker Barrel in Flagstaff at noon.
Before we dropped into Black Canyon City the temp was 108 and the traffic was heavy. This was unexpected. We climbed up past Bumble Bee hoping to get some cool weather. We rolled across the plateau and got off at the Prescott exit to hydrate and take a break in the shade. After a few minutes we continued north on Interstate 17. There is a long slow climb before winding down into Camp Verde. We’ve been in 3 digit temps the entire ride. As we climbed out of Valley Verde and past the Sedona exit we began to climb and we were warned of “road work”. The right hand lane was closed so traffic slowed to a crawl after being merged into the left lane. Turns out it wasn’t “road work” rather a wild fire at the highways edge and the lane was closed to all for fire personnel to move unimpeded AND keep traffic from being burned!!. Paco and Papa have seen tens of thousands of miles together and now have seen everything. Wind – tornadoes and hurricanes , Rain – Biblical rain coupled with the wind, Pestilence – we’ve rode now twice through the COVID fog, and now Fire – we literally twice today rode through a roadside fire!
We wound up Interstate 17 toward Flagstaff and now the temp is dropping significantly and the riding is outstanding. As we approached Flagstaff we merged with I40 for a couple of miles and exited to the Cracker Barrel to find JBro’s Black Beauty in the parking lot. We masked up and entered CB to find JBro at a table ready to hydrate and order. Paco is working on getting into fighting shape so he didn’t eat. He is on a bread and water diet with no bread.
After our lunch we returned to the bikes to lather up with sun screen and prepare for the 70ish miles up US89 before turning east on AZ160 toward our hotel in Kayenta AZ. As we threw our legs over the saddle a lovely woman came toward us walking with purpose. She stood in front of us and asked us if we had been at Cracker Barrel…. We answered in the affirmative . She then inquired as to what our individual orders were. By now we had become a bit curious as to her intentions. She acknowledged our lunch order and proceeded to cross the street. Paco, Papa and JBro all looked at each other puzzled. Oh Well… we will ride.
Once you leave the limits of Flagstaff and go up and over the ridge you enter no man’s/person’s land. It is hot and dusty and desolate… We re-entered three digit heat as well. Traffic was light and we made good time heading north until the AZ160 turn off. Soon we pulled into Tuba City to rest and hydrate.
Once on the Native American Reservations the COVID protections are heightened. When we stopped in Tuba City we tased up and only one of us went into the convenience store as they were limiting customers to 5 at a time. There was a shaded place outside and after we had our waters we sat down to rest and drink. There was a fourth man on the circular bench. He had just been visited by a very tall man and they were speaking a bled of English and Hopi. The taller man left and the shorter man stood up, came around to us and introduced himself. He stuck his hand out and shook our hands. He explained the man who left was his brother and is apparently the tallest, by far, person in their entire clan. He then proceeded to explain how Hopi pray. At the end of this prayer they sprinkle corn (or cornmeal, we’re not sure). Then he proceeded to make this prayer for the three riders. He spoke in Hopi and simulated the corn drop. Then he interrupted the Hopi to English. Before him were three humble white-man bikers. I twas a wonderful and touching moment. We took the blessing and saddled up for our final leg of the day to Kayenta. As we approach Kayenta the temps drop into the low 90s. Fact is we are over 6,000 feet in elevation. We’re a 1,000 feet above Denver! Thank god it’s cooler.
Our hotel is “comfortable” but… no restaurant… no deliveries… no pool… no breakfast… That is ok by us. We need a comfy bed… that’s all. We depart tomorrow at 7:00 so we can take our time riding through Monument Valley on our way to breakfast in Mexican Hat, Utah.
Lone Star, Papa has checked the oil for all three bikes and even brought along two quarts just in case.
We still miss you.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.