Day 9- Grand Canyon Here we come

I met up with Western Spirit and my companions for the next 5 days of riding at 7am at the Ambassador Inn in St.George. It was hot already and we were soon sizing one another up and trying to learn names. Chuck and John are our guides and it appears almost everyone else is a repeat client so that bodes well for a good experience to come. One Brit -Andy- to keep me company and we are both the youngest, with a range of ages up to Julian who is 68.

We hit the road for a 3hr journey towards the Grand Canyon only stopping across the border in Arizona to get some REAL beer (not the 3.2% sold in Utah). We headed for Jacobs Lake and set up our bikes for a pootle down a fire track for 8 miles to Lunch with a Thunderstorm threatening already. The inevitable pecking order race got underway as Dan and I hit the front of the pack!

Lunch was a very cold affair as the clouds and wind were upon us and I have no "rainpants" whilst everyone else got dressed up I just jigged about a bit to keep my bare legs warm! So we did not stop long but headed onto the Singletrack of the Arizona Trail for another 9 miles. The gang pushed me out front and fearing a chasing pack I hit the gas.

4 miles in I looked over my shoulder to see empty meadows, I'd left them for dust, so I sat on a log and took pics as they all caught up. For the next section Andy tailed me and Julian was on his heels the A team was forming! Soon we emerged to our first views of the East Rim of The Grand Canyon and my first of many “Wow's” of the trip. Awesome views and sunnier climes.

Chuck met us and led us to our first night's camp right on the Rim overlooking the fantastic Cock's Comb and looking way out to the massive gorge of the Colorado River that forms the Grand Canyon. (Originally it was the Grand River hence Grand Canyon).

A campfire was lit and a great meal served up (Salmon followed by Chocolate Fondue I was in heaven and soon had to admit to my chocoholism- “Chocolatey Claire”) and we all struggled to stay awake until 9pm when the daylight switched off and we retired to tents.

Riders: Claire, Andy, Julian, Dan, Vicki, Sandy, Bruce, Jim, Don, Dan, Eileen.

Guides: John, Chuck