Day 5: Blythe, CA to Quartzsite, AZ

22 miles - Renewed Morale, Crossed Colorado River Into Arizona - February 5, 2008

New Derailer Installed The bike sitting against the counter with a conspicuous loose chain and disconnected derailer. The new derailer.

I was the first and only customer inside when Fred's Kawasaki & Bicycle Shop opened at 9 a.m. The one man running the shop did not seem overwhelmed and phased as I explained the derailer broke off my bike. He promptly went behind the counter and came out with a generic derailer. "Is this okay to you? I think it's the only one (we have) that will fit." he asked. Okay? If you get this on my bike and it works, you bet it's okay! This friendly man in his 40's, named Greg, did not mention the brand of the bike or derailer at all. I received none the standard answers I have heard in the past about derailers and how finicky they are with fitting onto particular bikes. Greg's supposed unawareness about derailers was a sweet ignorance: He was simply going to put the derailer on with the "can do" attitude necessary without worrying about technicalities that larger bike shops elsewhere would likely grumble about, refusing to do the job. I sat in the front of the shop for about two hours, similar to the old days when men sat in a secluded hospital room as they waited for the birth of their child. He and I engaged in brief conversations as he worked on the bike, including my intention to ride across America and and what it's like living in Blythe, but I did my best to keep discourse at a minimum to not distract his work. At one point, Greg had difficulty turning one last screw, and he sent me down the street riding his old mountain bike to an auto parts store to buy the particular tool. As seen in the adjacent photo (bottom), Greg placed a new derailer on there and after testing it out in the parking lot, I was ready to pay him and be on my way. Somehow, Greg mentioned God and I mentioned being on a spiritual journey when we both realized we were Christians. I elaborated more about what was behind that trip, namely 1) that this was a dream I believed God had put on my heart and 2) that I really needed a radical experience like this to help me grow, get some answers to life's questions and gain clarity about the direction I should take my life. We immediately connected. Greg shared some personal challenges he was facing, where he unquestionably needed God's help and direction, and just like that, it was like two old friends talking and encouraging one another.

Before peddling off, Greg and I prayed for each other right there. He thoroughly covered various aspects of my ride including safety, having wisdom and physical strength and protecting my attitude from discouragement, and my spirit lifted. My return prayer for him didn't seem like much, but I could not remove the big smile on my face as we hugged and I went on my way. Greg would be my first God-send on this adventure, and there was no question in my mind that I needed to have a picture of him standing outside the shop. ;) I know my concerns about this derailer were legitimate, but in the end, as these kinds of crises often unfold in my life, all of my worrying was pointless. It was nearly 11:30 a.m. when I got on my bike, and I peddled with a newfound joy. Oh my goodness, was I a happy bicyclist! My heart was renewed!

	The Ride Into Arizona After a mile of riding, I was on the eastern edge of Blythe and onto Interstate 10. I was very excited to enter into Arizona. NOTE: I actually snapped this photo across from the motel on Day 4 while I was really bored! :p)
	On the bridge crossing the Colorado River, it did not seem wise to stop on the shoulder and make a spectacle of myself. Adjacent is my photo of the river as I rode along.
	Arizona State Line A warm welcome into Arizona thanks to that sign in Ehrenberg! :)
	One of many boards with information about Arizona at a rest area. Although I live in Colorado, I had a deep love for the deserts and hot, sunny weather of Arizona. You can see some of my Arizona adventures and pictures here: www.Arizona-Photos.com and www.GrandArizona.com.
	Bicycling On Interstate 10 Three photos as I peddled east up a modest pass that goes over the Dome Rock Mountains. As a general rule, it is indeed legal to bicycle on interstate highways if there are no adjacent alternative routes. This is common in many isolated and remote stretches of interstate highway in southwestern states. I also called the Arizona State Police to confirm this fact weeks before I began my ride. Cars and trucks regularly passing me at 70-75+ miles per hour was a new occurance on my journey, and fortunately there was plenty of shoulder to feel safe. The desert and mountain scenery was very pretty too, as you can see.
	Heading down a slight grade towards Quartzsite into a valley known as La Posa Plain.
Quartzsite, Arizona Photo Above: The westerly view of Quartzsite as I stood on a bridge that crossed the Interstate 10.	Much of my ride was very enjoyable and I decided to make it a short cycling day. Considering my deep love of the rural Arizona desert, I made the decision to take my time during this portion of the ride. I would have plenty of days in fairly monotonous and lackluster regions in states like Texas and southern states, where I would be quite motivated to ride longer distances. Heck, I figured I would be very ready to finish the entire thing at that juncture and I would push myself to pack the mileage. In retrospect, I actually made the right decision and my speculation was accurate! :) This day, I relished in the "spiritual high" God gave me after connecting with Greg in Blythe. The lesson was clear: God was indeed playing a very important role in this trip and was in fact leading the way. He was in control of my ride, and I had two choices: Either joyfully submit to his loving will or foolishly attempt to take the reigns myself. For the next few days in the Arizona desert, I chose the former without any equivocation. My spirit soared and it would show.
	I wandered about Quartzsite for the remainder of the afternoon. The town library was way over on the west side of town and upon becoming lost in a nearby Quartzsite neighborhood, I snapped the adjacent photo of a well-maintained cactus and succulent garden.
	I spent some time in a desert area with saguaros to watch the sunset. It was so nice to be back on track!