No Kid Hungry Ride – Days 9–11 Blog Post
Days 9–11: Climbing Higher—Literally and Figuratively
By the end of Day 11, we had rolled 581 miles into the journey—and over the last three days alone, we added 11,590 feet of climbing as we made our way from Wickenburg to Flagstaff. For me that’s a lot of uphill, even on fresh legs.
One stretch in particular stands out: about 3,000 feet of climbing packed into just 18 miles approaching Prescott. It was steady, demanding work, but the finish was well timed. We rolled into town while Prescott was hosting the Whiskey Off-Road mountain bike race, an annual event that brings riders from all over the Western U.S. There was something energizing about being surrounded by that many cyclists.
That night, the mood shifted. The wind picked up, temperatures dropped, and this Arizona ride started feeling a little less like the desert and more like early spring in the mountains.
On both Days 10 and 11, the mornings started in the 30-degree range, so we adjusted the routine and rolled out later—closer to 10:00 a.m.—once the thermometer crept up to about 45 degrees. Even then, the winds were a constant companion. For long stretches, it was crosswinds and three-quarter headwinds, I was working for every mile.
As always, Karen and Scott were right there making the ride possible. They continue to be the best ambassadors this journey could have. Somewhere outside Wickenburg, they discovered one of those classic roadside gems—a small shop run by a craftsman who made hand-crafted brooms and played the banjo, while his wife baked banana bread and donuts made from mashed-potato dough. Both were tasty. ( Truth be told it was a little deliverance like.). Karen picked up a few treasures and stories along the way, and Scott keeps making sure these “73-year-old legs” are ready to clip in again each morning. Between keeping the RV organized, making sure I’m fed and in clean riding gear, and continuing the outreach for the ride, they are an incredible support team. They make the Outlaw RV feel like mission control on wheels.
With the colder weather came extra layers. The wind vest and rain jacket both came out—and just in time. Riding into Williams, the sky decided to add a little drama and delivered hail for the last 45 minutes of the day’s ride. Fortunately, it was small and manageable. I kept thinking how lucky I was it wasn’t steady rain. Hail you can ride through. Cold rain with wind could have been bone chilling.
For the Prescott and Flagstaff legs, I made another adjustment: the Cervélo stayed in the garage, and I switched to the Trek Checkpoint gravel bike. With long stretches along Interstate 40 and plenty of debris on the shoulder—not to mention the wind—the wider tires and more stable frame made a considerable difference.
Outside Williams, we officially joined stretches of historic Route 66, and naturally we celebrated in the appropriate way by stopping at diners along the route. Dinner at Goldie’s in Williams. Lunch at the Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff. And we’re eyeing breakfast at Zip’s next. Route 66 may be historic, but it does a good job feeding hungry cyclists.
The scenery over these three days was spectacular and a reminder of how quickly the landscape changes on this ride. A beautiful lake outside Wickenburg. Pink and sandy-red rock formations climbing outside of Prescott. Then suddenly, tall pine trees lining both sides of the road as we approached Flagstaff—quiet, cool, and a welcome contrast to the desert terrain we’d ridden through just days earlier. Those pines even helped block some of the wind, which was a bonus I was grateful for.
All in all, these were three challenging days—but good ones. And with a rest day ahead, I’m ready to recharge before we continue east.
This ride isn’t just about crossing the country—it’s about helping end childhood hunger in America.
Right now, 14 million kids in the United States face food insecurity. Through No Kid Hungry, every dollar raised helps connect children to the meals they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
If you’ve been following the journey and would like to help turn miles into meals, please consider supporting the ride:
Donate here: https://www.nokidhungryride.com
Thank you for riding along with me.
