Prescott, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ
44 mi, 2,830ft gain, 55-82F / sunny with smoke
This morning I woke up with my eye hurting for the second morning in a row. I had tried 3 different eye drops.. still an issue. Last night I researched where I might be able to go for help and found Dr. Fornara’s office in Cottonwood, within 3 miles of the tour hotel. Knowing it was a long shot, I called them right as they opened. They were SO kind and luckily had one opening, 11:30am. I had to pause for a moment and do some biking math.
Would I get there in time? Is my eye going to pull me from this trip? Lots of emotions. While 44 miles is not that far, leaving at 7:45am gives me little wiggle room with almost 3k feet climbing to make it there in time. I booked it.
As we rode out of Prescott Lyn & Jim were there cheering us on. 🤍 They took pictures and wished us well. They’re safely back in Tucson now. Last time I met Lyn at Phantom Ranch.. where will it be next?? Ha!
The ride out of town involved riding on 89A which was very highway “ish” as the area continues to grow. The traffic going to the connecting I-17 was somewhat busy for a Friday morning. Once we turned off towards Jerome it got better, but we lost our shoulder for some of it. This caused a bit of honks and yells. Eek!
Again I’m reminded my home state of Arizona desperately needs bike safe lanes and routes for cyclists. The fundraiser is as $2,505.. less than 900 from the goal!
Once the main climb up Mingus Mountain started, things calmed down a bit. Although, I was watching my pace and timing with a goal of Jerome by 10:30am to make my appointment. The climb up was wonderful. I loved it! Going down was also fun, but the prescribed burns from Flag obscured our Sedona view a bit.
I made it to Jerome around 10:20 and I was riding right by the location I always take pictures at when I’m there. The spot with the ceramic donkey. The large one I adore, with the flower in it’s mouth. Last time I tried to buy one, but they were closed. Today I walked down those metal stairs with bike shoes while carrying my bike to see if I could get one.
I believe he was good luck today. I made my appointment after flying down from Jerome.. *watch for pot holes! The doctor took a good look at my eye and eyelid, finding the spot I could sorta tell was there. I have an abrasion on the cornea of my right eye. He was so kind to give me eye drops and the office got the prescription into CVS next to the hotel. Once I got my luggage I walked over and picked it up. It could take days to a week+ to heal. During that time I’m a pirate cyclist!! 🏴☠️ haha
In all honesty please try not to let this happen to your eye, it’s no fun. I believe it was the windy i10 or just after that ride that this happened. I’m not sure. The pain of it woke me up the last two nights. Here’s to hoping the new meds help and my cornea is on the mend.
After grabbing meds at CVS, we had a group dinner. It was really fun to talk with the group about random cycling topics. Everyone has so much travel experience and just life experience period. What has struck me is that everyone is here for various reasons, but the common piece is that we all say, “If not now, when.”
What do you want to make happen?
Do it.
Do it when you can.
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