Biking the Grand Canyon Rim # 2

In our May story of our Grand Canyon tour, we had left Christine standing at one of the scenic stops half way on our way to Hermit's Rest. We are finally getting around to finishing the ride. I think we had mentioned that it was quite chilly and the day was overcast. 

But the weather could not over-ride the endless beauty of the canyon.

 Also, I think we mentioned that some areas had designated bike and pedestrian trail ways.

 Whenever there was a scenic stop but no guard rails, the park service would alert us with the above caution signs.

Although Christine is more interested in the scenery, the edge is the reason the park service wants everyone off the bikes. Downhill mountain bike racing is frowned upon.

Wish we had trail ways such as this in Texas.

And I hate to admit it, but this beats our Palo Duro Canyon.

Repeatedly, visitors are told NOT to feed the animals. But this guy seems to know that if he acts cute, he gets rewarded.

 Made it. The gate to Hermit's Rest.

 Hermit's Rest was interesting enough to merit a special (non-biking) post. So for right now, we will just post some of the pictures of the immediate area of the structure and vistas that draws crowds year round. 

 Time to start on our way back. The picture of a happy shopper (yes, Hermit's Rest has a store inside the structure and Christine's booty is safely packed in her back pack.) A note of interest to riders only interested in the ride, the yellow sign is alerting us to a steep decline. Test the brakes and then have fun!

If anyone has ever ridden with Christine, they know that she smiles like this after every downhill.

The bike trail makes a few more squiggles before we intersect back with the main road.  

 By the road being restricted to buses and cars with handicap stickers,

 on the return trip, we made sure that we stopped at areas we had by-passed on the way up.

 Previously, we had mentioned that the first 1/2 mile was a 6% incline. The sign on the right is letting us know that we are approaching the last half mile.

 Scene just before the gated entrance to Hermit's Rest.

 Exit from Hermit's Rest road. Ride is about over.

 The route back to the visitors center and Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals is scenic and well protected from traffic.

After the ride we just finished, who wouldn't be happy?

Biking the Grand Canyon Rim #1

Last year a welcome addition to the Grand Canyon National Park activities opened--Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals (http://www.bikegrandcanyon.com/) . Cycling enthusiasts no longer have to lug their own bike to the Park in order to enjoy the sights and participate in their favorite past time. The Park is bike friendly and has additional trails planned for the future. 

Although we rode in the middle of May, the weather was still quite chilly and had snowed just two days earlier. We bundled up and went to the Visitor's Center where Bright Angel bikes is located. We were fitted and briefed on safety (don't brake with the front wheel only and don't run off a cliff).

The Park's being bike friendly with pedestrian/bike trails is more than important as the Park has over a million vistitors a year and can get quite crowded.

No matter where one goes or what season the scenery was awesome to us flatlanders.

Currently there are three recommended routes, and we chose to ride from the Visitor's Center to Hermit's Rest and back. The published distance is 21 miles, the way we went (we got a little lost) was probably 25 miles.

Canyon vistas began immediately upon entering Hermit Road. 

The biking trail to Hermit Road was nice, scenic, level. Hermit Road began its first 1/2 mile with a 6% grade to get one warmed up. Hermit Road is restricted to shuttle busses and the vehicles of the handicapped only, so traffic is kept to a minimum. 

Being on a bike, we did not have to be at a shuttle stop to pause and enjoy the views.

The line in the background is Bright Angel Trailhead which leads 12 miles into the canyon to the Colorado River for serious hikers. 

Even a hazy day can not mask the canyon's beauty.

Being on a bike gave us the flexibility to stop wherever we wanted.

Even the dead trees are picturesque at the Grand Canyon.

The tiny part of the hiking trail in the distance is also the mule ride trail to Phantom Ranch which not only has twelve miles of precipitous switchbacks but also crosses the river on a suspension bridge.

  

 It is nearly impossible to take a bad picture at the Grand Canyon.

 Two happy bikers.

 Christine at one of the shuttle bus stops.

 What would you expect from someone who has sky-dived out of a perfectly good plane? I am about as close to the edge as I want.

 The Colorado River below stays at about a 44 degree temp. the year round.

 Rain clouds would roll across the canyon throughout the day.

 The white water of the Colorado River (rated 1 to 10) is quite deceiving at this distance. It is part of the rapids that give the rafting thrill-seekers their money's worth. This one is rated 8.

Still smiling as we are only about half way on our journey to Hermit's Rest.