DeCycles 2008

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• Video (Descent1.flv - runs on RealPlayer) One of the best deCycles downhills we had: coming off of the 5 mile + 10 mile climb in the Escalante in Utah. First pass Stephen (red jersey), then Caitlin (in her multi-colored Teter cycling kit), and then look carefully for a "truck descending" sign on the right about half-way through the video. We are on a 8% grade for a long stretch, doing maybe 45 mph when the sign announces a 1-mile 10% grade that we launch into at speed. Near the end is Garrett Henry, Adam, and I, with Garrett saying "Holy ****" and the rest of us shaking as we probably hit close to 60 mph going through curves. Adam Leuken bravely taped it on the camera while catching up to us...
  
  
• Video (Descent2.flv - runs on RealPlayer) Another descent, same day, flying through stands of aspen.  Myself, Caitlin, Garret Henry, John Powers, Stephen. Video once again courtesy Adam Leuken (check out Curious George lashed to his handlebars).
  

DeCycles 2008 Southwest trip route: 1400 miles, 98,000 ft vertical climbing, 3 weeks	Yes, these were the temperatures in Phoenix where we started. I flew in a day later than everyone else, and the temperature on landing was 115 deg. F at 10:00 p.m.	Two Penskes: food in one, sleeping gear in other for ~80 people
T'was hot! Usually I sweat much more than average, so my cooling system was ultra-efficient in the dry heat	Caitlin: always cheery and colorful	Rest/food stops every 25-35 miles or so.
Grasshopper Canyon just outside of Sedona. Many high spots to jump off rocks. Water was freezing cold so felt soooo good in the hot weather.	Caitlin hitting the water.
Caitlin being goofy with Adam Lueken and Garrett Henry	Tail end of Slide Rock Park on climb up to Flagstaff. The whole concept of "sliding" down the main part of slip rock was kind of disappointing, but just jumping in was great.	On the climb up to Flagstaff.
Top of the climb to Flagstaff.	Everyone had duties: mine was setting up "showers" (plus in charge of laundry crew every few days). About 1/2 time this was it: four shower heads to an outside faucet, everyone taking an icy-cold shower outside in bathing suits.	Caitlin on morning clean-up crew looking like an astronaut.
Stephen on food prep crew with Cricket et al.	Sunrise, Sedona.	Sunrise, Sedona.
Start of "Pink Jeep Tour" up into the mountains above Sedona.		Bumpy, steep, dirt roads traversed by the Pink Jeep into the hills above Sedona.
	Rock formation appropriately called "Cow Paddies". Also a location of a so-called New Age "vortex concentration of spiritual energy". Don't talk to a physicist about these...	More cow paddies. Cool agave plant in foreground.
	Scenery in mountains above Sedona.
More agave plants.	Base of agave plant, nicknamed "cowboy killers". Rock-stiff spined leaves, spikes and serrated edges, and get this: coated with an anti-coagulant. So, true, fall hard on one, and you can be dead pretty quickly.	Caitlin & Stephen in Pink Jeep.