Day 47

DAY 47 THURSDAY

ANOTHER AMAZING HAPPENING TODAY ON ROUTE 66 WHERE I MET TOM. I STOPPED TO TAKE A PICTURE AT THE BOTTLE TREE RANCH AND HE AND HIS WIFE HAD STOPPED TOO. THEY ASKED WHERE WE WERE GOING AND TOM WAS SUPER IMPRESSED AND EXCITED FOR US.
I TOLD HIM I WAS RIDING FOR ALZHEIMER’S. BELIEVE IT OR NOT TOM VOLUNTEERS AT SENIOR CENTERS AND MEMORY UNITS. HE IS A HAND DRUMMER AND ENTERTAINS AND NOW VISITS REGULARLY. HE SHARED HIS EXPOSURE TO SO MANY WITH ALZHEIMER’S AND HAS MADE IT HIS PASSION. WE HUGGED AND MADE A SPECIAL CONNECTION THROUGH A HORRIFIC DISEASE.
TODAY’S RIDE WAS CHALLENGING WITH THE MOST TRAFFIC I’VE SEEN ON ROUTE 66. TOO MANY TRUCKS AND LITTLE REGARD FOR BIKERS. OH YES A HEADWIND BUT THAT’S A REGULAR THING, REMEMBER IT BUILDS CHARACTER 😳. THE SUNRISE WAS IN BARSTOW AT ABOUT 5:45AM AS WE SCRAMBLED TO ROLL OUT AT 6:30AM FOR VICTORVILLE.
2 RIDING DAYS LEFT AND PRAYERS FOR SAFETY ARE MOST IMPORTANT.
YOU ALL HAVE HELPED ME ALONG THIS JOURNEY AND I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL.
❤️🚴RONA

Day 46

DAY 46 WEDNESDAY AT BEST WESTERN IN BARSTOW CALIFORNIA

Meet Hope she is from Barstow California truly a desert town with mountains in the distance. I introduced myself to HOPE when I came to the lobby to learn of the Alzheimer’s impact on a small south-west community. She hesitated for a moment and then shared the connections she has through her husband’s family and friends. She expressed how good it is to see commercials on TV and in print talking about Alzheimer’s Disease. IT REALLY HIT ME WHEN SHE SAID HER BIGGEST FEAR IS GETTING ALZHEIMER’S AND THE THOUGHT OF NOT KNOWING HER FAMILY.
IT WAS A POWERFUL CONNECTION AND I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK HER FOR SHARING AND LET HER KNOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO FIND ANSWERS. AS HER NAME IS HOPE WE TOO HAVE HOPE FOR A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.
Today’s ride once again was shortened due to hot temperatures so they dropped us off 24 miles out near the Baghdad Cafe famous for a 1987 Movie filmed at the Route 66 restaurant site. I enjoyed the ride despite headwinds and temperatures knowing we have 3 more long days and climbs to come !!!
Hard to believe three more days of this 49-day journey. I am blessed and grateful for this challenging and purposeful experience. Raising awareness and donations for Alzheimer’s has given me the challenge to give back to a cause so important to us all.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support but please keep me in your prayers for the final 3 days of safety on the amazing journey.

🚴❤️❤️❤️❤️Rona

Day 45

DAY 45 Tuesday

Monday was our last night in Needles California Best Western. They make popcorn 🍿every day so I was so happy 😊
I caught the sunrise this morning before breakfast at the Giggling Cactus next to the motel. By the way, it was 82 degrees at 6:00am. Because of the extreme heat, we modified the ride and we were driven 28.5 miles before a Dairy Queen IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE where everyone rode to and waited till all riders came in. GOOD SPOT TO WAIT☃️
Everyone rides at their own pace. Then we took the van to Barstow California where we are staying for 2 nights. Tomorrow will be another 100+ degree day so we will get dropped off around 25 miles out and ride back to the Motel. After that, the weather should be more forgiving going into Victorville, Glendora, and SANTA MONICA!!!!!BY THE WAY THAT IS MY BIKE COMING OFF THE ROOF OF OUR VAN AFTER TRAVELING BACK FROM OUR DAIRY QUEEN RIDE.
THE DARK AREAS IN THE DESERT (LAVA)ARE FROM A VOLCANO IN THE BACKROAD. THE EXACT DATE OF ITS ERUPTION IS UNKNOWN PERHAPS 20,000 YEARS AGO BY ONE ESTIMATE.
SHOUTOUT TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS FROM DAIRY QUEEN NEAR LUDLOW CALIFORNIA.
BIKE FRIENDS IN FRONT OF THE MOHAVE DESERT SIGN.
Thank you as always for your support and inspiration! LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING HOME SAFELY ✈️✈️SUNDAY MORNING JUNE 17 INTO NN AIRPORT
❤️🚴Rona

Day 44

DAY 44 MONDAY

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REST DAY IN NEEDLES CALIFORNIA, FIRST STOP IN CALIFORNIA.
THE TEMPERATURES ARE REFLECTIVE OF THESE TIMES TODAY 8:00 am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm 5:15pm,5:20pm, and 5:25pm AT OUR BEST WESTERN MOTEL.
IT IS WICKED UNCOMFORTABLE HAVE BEEN SO LAZY TODAY. TOMORROW WE ARE CUTTING OUR RIDE SHORT FOR SAFETY.
STAY TUNED FOR MY DAY 45 TUES UPDATE 🚴
🚴❤️RONA

THANK YOU ALL FOR TRAVELING ON MY JOURNEY FOR ALZHEIMERS AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING

Day 43

DAY 43 SUNDAY

WE ROLLED OUT AT 6:00AM TO GET A JUMP ON A 100 DEGREE DAY HEADING TO NEEDLES CALIFORNIA 72 MILES. I MUST SAY IT WAS SOME CHALLENGING CLIMBS, SMALL TOWN DONKEY SIGHTINGS, BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, COLORADO RIVER VIEWS, PEDDLING INTO OUR LAST STATE CALIFORNIA, ONLY 6 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE 😊SKYS AS BLUE AS YOU CAN IMAGINE AND NO WIND YES NO WIND. THIS WAS MY FAVORITE RIDE SO FAR I EMBRACED THE CHALLENGES AND SOAKED IN THE BEAUTY.
I KNOW MY PICTURES ARE ONLY FROM A PHONE AND DON’T DO JUSTICE BUT USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO FIND THE DEPTH AND PEACE OF OUR RIDE. I LOVE SHARING MY JOURNEY AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE CHALLENGES, EXPERIENCE, AND SUPPORT FROM EACH OF YOU WHO CHECK IN ON ME.
6 DAYS LEFT OF THIS 49 DAY ROUTE 66 RIDE. FOR ME IT HAS SO MANY LAYERS BUT BRINGING AWARENESS TO ALZHEIMER’S AND FUNDRAISING IS SUCH A BIG PART.
UNTIL TOMORROW ❤️🚴

RONA

Day 42

DAY 42 SATURDAY

TODAY WAS A 59 MILE DAY WITH IMPENDING HIGH TEMPERATURES 90’S AND STRONG HEADWINDS. WE LEFT PEACH SPRINGS ARIZONA AT 5:30 AM YES 5:30AM …. I HAD MY 2CUPS OF COFFEE AND A FEW BITES OF CEREAL THEN OFF AND RIDING AS THE SUN WAS RISING ONTO A BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY. ALL WAS GREAT, NICE DOWNHILLS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND RIDING ROUTE 66. ALL CHANGED WHEN I GOT TO MILE 50. THERE WAITING PATIENTLY WERE WICKED HEADWINDS. OH WELL, WHAT’S NEW, TOUGH IT OUT AND 9 MILES LATER I WAS AT THE COMFORT INN IN KINGMAN ARIZONA OUR LAST NIGHT IN ARIZONA😮. 7 DAYS TO SANTA MONICA WITH SOME PLANNED MODIFICATIONS DUE TO 110+- TEMPERATURES AND STRONG HEADWINDS IN THE NEXT FEW TOWNS NEAR THE MOHAVE DESERT. OUR SAFETY IS A PRIORITY TO OUR GUIDE CINDI AND FOR THAT I AM GRATEFUL. SHE IS AN AWESOME LEADER STAYING FOCUSED ON WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.
RIDING TODAY WITH BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS OFF IN THE DISTANCE, THE BLUEST SKIES I HAVE EVER SEEN, I FELT GOD’S PRESENCE IN HIS CREATIONS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE FOLLOWED SOME OF MY POSTS I AM BLESSED WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
I AM GRATEFUL TO TAKE THIS CHALLENGING JOURNEY FOR ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING. THE DIFFICULT DAYS PASS AND THE SUN RISES AGAIN ON A NEW DAY.
SEE YOU TOMORROW FROM CALIFORNIA 🚴❤️

🚴❤️ RONA

Day 41

DAY 41

5:30am WNIS 790 CALL INTO TONY MACRINI FOR BIKE ROUTE 66 Ride For Alzheimer’s update🚴🚴🚴🙂
EARLY MORNING POST IN SELIGMAN ARIZONA
STAYING AT THE STAGECOACH 66 MOTEL
THIS IS THE MOST ICONIC PLACE WE HAVE STAYED ON ROUTE 66. THE MOTEL COMES WITH A TRAIN TRACK NEXT TO US AND THE TRAIN COMES ABOUT EVERY 10-15 MINUTES 😮

That Afternoon…

MEET BRANDI SHE IS 42, A SINGLE PARENT AND FROM SELIGMAN ARIZONA POPULATION A FEW HUNDRED. BRANDI WORKS AT THE STAGECOACH 66 MOTEL FRONT DESK WHERE WE SPENT THURSDAY NIGHT. I GOT UP EARLY TODAY AND WENT IN THE LOBBY FOR COFFEE.
I ENGAGED HER ABOUT OUR BIKE TRIP AND MY RIDING FOR ALZHEIMER’S. BRANDI SHARED WITH ME THAT HER DAUGHTER’S GRANDFATHER HAS ADVANCED ALZHEIMER’S AND HER OWN MOTHER APPEARS TO BE GOING IN THAT SAME DIRECTION. SHE SHARED SOME BEHAVIORS OF BOTH OF THEM WHICH ARE TYPICAL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. ONCE AGAIN IN SMALL TOWN ARIZONA THE DISEASE TAKES HOLD OF FAMILIES AND CHANGES LIVES.
OUR MEETING WAS POWERFUL AND ONE I WILL CARRY WITH ME THE REST OF THIS JOURNEY.
WE HAD A SHORT RIDE OF ONLY 26 MILES TO PEACH SPRINGS ARIZONA WHERE WE CHECKED INTO THE GRAND CANYON CAVERNS MOTEL. WE TOOK A TOUR OF THE LARGEST DRY CAVERN AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL. THERE IS NO WATER SO NOTHING CAN LIVE WHILE THE AIR IS SUPPLIED BY UNDERGROUND PRESSURE FROM THE GRAND CANYON 65 MILES AWAY. GO FIGURE!!! HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PICTURES TO FOLLOW MY STORIES.
ABOUT 450 MILES TO GO, 7 BIKING DAYS LEFT AND ONE REST DAY.
THIS IS OUR JOURNEY, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF STRENGTH TO ME. I KEEP MY VISION OF A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S IN MY FOCUS.
YOU CAN STILL DONATE TO MY RIDE FOR ALZHEIMER’S I AM STILL RIDING AND WORKING HARD EVERYDAY.
WITH GRATEFULNESS
🚴❤️RONA

Day 40

DAY 40 THURSDAY

ROUTE CHANGES FOR SAFETY
WE LEFT FLAGSTAFF AFTER A REST DAY HEADING FOR SELIGMAN ARIZONA A 72 MILE RIDE. AFTER A FEW MILES WE RODE ONTO INTERSTATE 40 ONLY TO FIND OUT AT A REST STOP THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO RIDE THE INTERSTATE FOR THE NEXT 23 MILES DUE TO LANE CLOSURES AND NO SHOULDERS. WE LOADED UP THE VAN AND SAG CAR WITH BIKES AND WERE DROPPED OFF AT MILE 50. I MUST SAY WHEN WE LOST THE MILES ON THE INTERSTATE I WAS HAPPY TO FINISH THE RIDE ON ROUTE 66. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL QUIET RIDE AND IT TOOK US TO SELIGMAN. OUR SAFETY CAME FIRST AND I WAS GRATEFUL.
I HAVE SENT PICTURES OF THE RIDE, MOTEL (I AM IN THE ELVIS ROOM ) 😳 , A TOUR OF THE LITTLE TOWN AND GRABBED A VEGGIE BURGER.
IT IS ICONIC ROUTE 66 IN SELIGMAN ARIZONA.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO RAISE DONATIONS FOR ALZHEIMERS AS I CONTINUE THIS JOURNEY.
🚴❤️RONA
🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴

DAY 38

DAY 38 TUESDAY

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BEFORE LEAVING THE 1930 POSADA HOTEL IN WINSLOW ARIZONA I CAPTURED SOME INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PHOTOS. THE ARTIST TINA MION, (AND PART OWNER) HAS HER PAINTINGS THROUGHOUT THE HOTEL. THE ONE I HAVE FOR YOU TO SEE IS OF TINA’S GRANDMOTHER THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HER BEFORE SHE DIED OF ALZHEIMER’S. YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW IMPACTFUL IT WAS TO STAND LOOKING AT THAT LARGE PAINTING DEPICTING HER GRANDMOTHER’S DISTANT EYES. THE IMAGE OF ALZHEIMER’S HAD INDEED FOLLOWED ME TO WINSLOW ARIZONA!!!!
WE ROLLED OUT TO RIDE 40 INTERSTATE MILES AND 22 ROLLING AND CLIMBING MILES INTO FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA ELEVATION 6980 FEET.
THAT EXPLAINS THE HEAVY BREATHING 😛😛
WE HAVE GONE 1994 MILES & 552 MILES TO GO.
PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR A CONTINUED SAFE RIDE AS WE MOVE THROUGH ARIZONA INTO CALIFORNIA.

WITH GRATEFULNESS ❤️🚴RONA

Day 37

DAY 37 MONDAY (12 days left on this journey)

BEFORE LEAVING HOLBROOK ARIZONA WE STOPPED AT THE ICONIC WIGWAM MOTEL. I HAVE SEEN THESE TEE PEE PICTURES BUT IT WAS SO COOL TO REALLY BE THERE.
THEN WE CONTINUED ON A MILD 40 MILES TO WINSLOW ARIZONA. WE ONLY HAD TO RIDE 12 MILES ON INTERSTATE 40. WHEN WE TAKE INTERSTATE IT IS BECAUSE ROUTE 66 IS NOT A SAFE RIDE DUE TO RODE CONDITIONS OR IT ENDS AT THAT POINT TO BE PICKED UP LATER.
WE ARE STAYING AT LA POSADA IN WINSLOW ARIZONA. IT CONTAINS THE SOUTHWEST CULTURE IN STYLE AND ABUNDANCE.
IT WAS ALSO ICONIC TO STAND ON THE CORNER OF WINSLOW ARIZONA AND NEXT TO A FLATBED FORD. ITS A SMALL TOWN WITH A LOT OF ROUTE 66 PRIDE.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FOLLOWING ME ON THIS JOURNEY, IT IS ONE WITH MANY FACETS AND EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT. THE CONSTANT IS MY PASSION FOR SUPPORTING A VISION OF A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.
THANK YOU AS ALWAYS TO DONATE: ronasride.wordpress.com
❤️🚴RONA