The Road Most Traveled: Kleinman/Shelley Prescott Valley to Phoenix by Bike

18 Miles Out of PV, Curtis broke a spoke

For the third year in a row, Professor Kleinman and I execute our own "Fall Classic."  Two years ago we rode from Prescott to Phoenix via Wickenburg (113 miles).  Last year we inaugurated the "Tour de YC," cycling to all of YC's campuses: Chino Valley to CTEC to Prescott to Prescott Valley to Verde Valley to Sedona in one day (85 miles, over Mingus Mountain).  (See http://theachingthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-tour-de-yc-over-mountain-and.html.)

This year, Curtis suggested we ride from his home in Prescott Valley to Phoenix to tour the new Mormon Temple on Happy Valley Road.  I was honored that he invited me on the tour, and suggested we make it a two day affair, overnighting in Arcosanti.  Curtis is a Prescott native and I've been in Arizona since 2000, but neither us had been to Paolo Soleri's "urban experiment" just north of Cordes Junction.

We left Curtis' house at 1:45 PM, and were cruising strong until about 18 miles out, when Curtis's "classic" (ancient?) Specialized bike evoked a rubbing noise.  On closer inspection,we discovered a brokeb spoke on his rear wheel, which bent the rim.  We tried straightening it, but it only ended up worse.  Curtis's faithful wife and three sons came to the rescue.  We popped the wheels off our frames and loaded all into the minivan and headed back to the Kleinman home.

It was pushing 5:00, and we needed to make it to the bike shop by 5:30.  We transferred our gear into my truck, and made it to High Gear just before closing.  They found us a stronger wheel that would work, Curtis purchased a couple of tires that fit, and we were set.  After stopping by my house, we headed out--bikes in tow--to Arcosanti to spend the night. Professor Kleinman suggested we grab the new Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger at Wendy's; probably the best decision of the day!

We arrived at Arcosanti; it was pitch dark with millions of stars flooding the desert sky. Few lights were on at the comples, but we managed to find our key and received directions to our Guest Room.  We were glad we were in a truck and not on bikes!  The road to Arcosanti is not paved and has been an obvious victim of the torrential rains of late.  Room D was spartan--basically a concrete cube with two twin beds and a shower that sprayed on a tile floor next to the toilet (sans shower doors).  After rinsing off the sweat and grime, we talked about school, the trip, family and life until the late hours.  It was sweet fellowship.

Curtis enjoying his breakfast before our tour and ride to Phoenix.

The next morning we enjoyed a continental breakfast at the cafe, then took a one hour tour of the "arcology" (architecture + ecology).  EVERY STRUCTURE, down to the minutest detail, is designed to be functional.  There is no heating or air conditioning in the entire village, but the temperature remained comfortable due to "passive solar heating and cooling."  This is truly a visionary place.  When (if) the entire complex is completed, it will be a self-sustaining city of 5,000 people.  Currently about 100 people live and work in Arcosanti.  [One of the great take-aways from this trip is the real possibility of incorporating a tour of Arcosanti into one or more of my sociology classes.]

Among other things, we were able to witness the pouring of bronze into compacted sand molds to fashion bells, for which this place is famous.  Evidently, Arcosanti's founder and architect, Paolo Soleri (who also apprenticed under Frank Lloyd Wright) was able to make enough money from the crafting of these bells to finance the initial construction of his habitat.

Pouring of the bronze for the casting of the bells in Arcosanti.

After the tour, we drove to Cordes Junction, parked the car, and commenced our 53 mile ride to Phoenix.  More than half our ride would be on the shoulder of I-17--the only paved route to our destination.  The shoulder was wide and fairly safe, except it was littered with all kinds of "treasures"--and "alligators" (the name given to those pieces of steel tire belts shed from semi trucks).  There was no way to miss all of these (especially going downhill at 40 mph!), and these items would be the cause of some consternation.

I experienced the first flat just as we pulled off I-17 at Black Canyon City.  I thought I had located the culprit, but several miles later my rear tire went flat yet again.  I located the offending wire fragment (from an alligator), and with a pair of vice grips and Curtis' help was able to extract the pointy thing from my tire casing.  About 10 miles down the road, Curtis was struck with the same curse.  He fixed the flat and we moved on.

At New River we were running low on fuel (meaning we needed nourishment), so we stopped at "El Pizzaria" (which Curtis quickly pointed out was grammatically incorrect--it should have been named "La Pizzaria") for several tall glasses of ice water (it was now in the mid 90s), a cheese quesadilla and breadsticks. Sufficiently stoked with carbs, we were now off the freeway and raced our last 18 miles to where Courtney and the boys were once again waiting for us.

We ducked into Circle K's restroom and transformed ourselves from sweaty cyclists to civil citizens (but probably still a bit smelly).  After parking at Wet 'n Wild's lot,  we were shuttled on a tour bus to the Temple a mile away.  The tour was definitely a treat--a reward for the hard work we'd put in.  It was easy for me to appreciate the architecture, art and symbolism of this religious sanctuary.  And it was great to have an expert (Curtis) with me, to explain the "ins and outs" of the massive structure.

Three tours--Arcosanti, a bike tour, and the Temple--in one day!  I think it's safe to say we were 'toured out."

So what does this have to do with teaching and learning?  EVERYTHING!  This was real life.  This is where learning counts.  I learned about architecture, religion and mechanics on this day.  And I was able to do so with a close friend and colleague.

Mark and Curtis and the Mormon Temple i Phoenix