A Cornucopia of Smells

Today was a 87 mile ride.   Ranked as my most dangerous ride every.  Side winds in excess of 25 miles per hour, really narrow roads with no shoulders and lots of traffic - more on this in a moment.

The first part of the ride was spectacular- we traveled through the Sonora desert.

Of course the area is awash in Saguaros cactus.  Really a site to see.  A 10 year plant will only grow to about 2 inches.  So what you travel by are really, really old....

That was the good part of ride.  We had a guess speaker last night and he said there were three industries in the county.  Solar panels, trash and cows.  

It appears the truck the trash out from Phoenix and Tuscon and pile it into mountains. Then they cover it with dirt.  The second road we rode on appears to be the main road for the trash trucks to travel to the land fill.  About one truck going or coming every 10 seconds.  Big, big trucks and no place to get off the road to let them pass.  When two trucks meet (one coming from one direction and one from the other) ll I did was stop pedaling and hold on for dear life.  Swore more times than I can count. 

Not to mention the smell!!

Then once we got past the trash heap we entered John Wayne's former cattle ranch which is now a bunch of cattle feed yards. Cows for miles and miles.. Smelled like shit (of course).

Again the wind was not our friend today.  So not only was there a crosswind but the smell from the cow lots came right at us..

Tonight we are in another RV travel park.  It amazes me how many trailers there are.  And the age of the residents - I would be considered a kid.  

It is really windy and the wind is blowing constantly.  Of course there is no grass - so the sand is getting in everything.

Tomorrow we head to Tuscon and when we get there we will have a much deserved rest.

Cheers

Cranking down the interstate

Today we had to ride 40 miles on the interstate.  I am really afraid of doing this but really had no choice.  Before I signed up I talked to Bubba and he assured me there were very few times we had to get on the highway.  Think it has been 4 out of 6 days so far. 

By Sunday we will arrive in Tuscon.  Tonight Gila Bend.

The most unique tourist attracting in Gila Bend is the town welcoming sign. 

Love the 5 old crabs part.

In Gila Bend tonight we are staying in a KOA campground.  The place is really big and really clean.  Even had a swimming pool.  Like staying in a Four Seasons after last night's campground.

Even has a putting green.

Don't have much more to write ab out tonight.  40 miles on an interstate does not lend itself to lots of photo ops.  

Plus writing the blog is keeping me from the beer circle...

Day 5 First Day of Camping

Just pulled into the Dateland RV park....

home for the night.  55 people with 3 showers.  One of last year's riders said the showers were really updated from last year.... all the shower curtains match!  Had to wear my flip flops into the shower and to jump over the shower mat in front of the shower.!

We had a 70 mile ride on really bumping roads.  The beginning of the ride was through the rest of the Imperial Valley and the farm crews were out picking cabbage, lettuce and kale. 

The process is pretty automated.  Once the lettuce is picks and trim by the worker it is put on a conveyor  belt.  It is then washed and then put into the box that is shipped to your store.  So the lesson that should be learned is "Always wash you vegetables" before you eat them!

After passing out of the valley we hit the desert again....

Bubba told is that this is all we are going to see until Texas.  It was hot with a strong cross wind and I think there are going to be a lot of struggling riders today. 

As I said we ended the ride in Dateland - home of dates and date milk shakes.... 
the two special shakes favors are the date and the cactus.    I went with banana.

A couple of updates.... 

We lost a rider yesterday.  Rick was riding along on the road and was not watching were he was going and crashed into another rider.   Broke his wrist and had to have surgery in Yuma.  Personally I would have asked them to put a cast on and gone home for the surgery - but to each his own.  Rick is out for the rest of the ride.

As for the "extreme snorers".  They put the snorers into a separate room and life was beautiful.  I did struggle last night with my back and did not think I was going to ride today - but somehow woke up and was ready to ride!

Tomorrow is 54 miles and I have no idea where we are going.  But what the hell...

Day 4 To the Center of the World

Best day so far.  Temperature reached 83 but no wind and no hills.  Total ride of 63 miles to Yuma, Az.

Last night I mentioned that we stay in the Mission School.  What I did not tell you is that it was a Seventh Day Adventist school.  So no booze and no meat. 

Of course we needed a beer after the ride so a couple of us decided to take an Uber to go to Applebees. We keep trying to google "closest bar to me" but it keep telling us the closest bars were on the other side of the wall. 

So Uber is a experience in Calexico as the drivers do not speak English.  They have GPS so they know where to take you - but neither driver or riders could communicate with each other.

I went with John (Cleveland) and the "Captain (New Jersey).  John has a house at Steamboat (an Alterra ski area).  John and I started off riding together but he was a couple of miles an hour faster than me - so we lost each other at about mile 20.

It was desert all the way.  Mostly back roads but we did have to get on the highway to cross the Imperial Sand Dunes.   Mountains of sand on both sides of the highway.  I was told this is the place to ride your 4 wheeler.

The side roads were in really bad shape and I was afraid of a flat tire or worst a broken spoke.  Made it though but my hands, shoulders and back are hurting tonight.

As my blog title noted today our midpoint ride was to the Center of the World....

It seems some guy build a pyramid in the middle of the desert and then got the local government to declare the site the center of the world.  He then got the United Nations to issue a declaration stating the same.  

Charges $5 bucks to go inside!.  He also made us lunch ($10) for a turkey sandwich.  That had 3 slices of the Oscar Mayer sandwich meat.  Yuk.

After leaving the center of the world - we entered the Imperial Valley.  The place we get all our lettuce from.  

It was probably 90 degrees plus 

Guess I should have listened to my mom when she said "eat all that lettuce"!

Foxy Lady brand lettuce

Right after the lettuce fields I got chased by a little shit of a dog that had teeth that hung down to the road.  Chased me for about 1/2 mile.  Faster little bastard!   As I was one of the first riders - I called the Sag wagon how came up and chased it down a dirt road for about a mile.  Hopefully it did not return.

Tonight we are staying in a National Guard Armory in Yuba Az.  

I did not mention it but the first two nights - sleeping with Case was a disaster.  He self describes himself as a "extreme snorer".  An understatement at best.  I had earplugs in.  On top the earplugs I had a white noise headband.  And on top that I had my head sandwiched between two pillows.  Got not sleep.  I had to go to Bubba and ask for a new roommate when we get to the next hotel.

But in the gym last night - everybody else got to experience Case.  I swear he was on one side of the gym and I was all the way down the other end and I still heard him - even with my white noise headphones in!.  Think there will be a revolt tonight if they don't move him.

Last night was laundry night.  Because we are "pampered" you get your laundry done for you.  What they don't tell you is that when it is done you have to do through piles and piles of clothes.  Which all look the same.  No really - have you ever seen bike shorts that are not black?

Right now I am waiting for the pile to get smaller as I am missing one pair of blue underwear (I think).  They suggest your write down what you give them to get washed or  to take a photo.  Remember lots of seniors here - so we all are prone to having senior moments.

I took a photo but I did not look at the photo after I took it.  I think there are 3 pairs of underwear but I can't remember and the photo sucks.  See left side of picture.

Tonight whatever clothes is left Bubba conducts a "walk of shame" (I told this was a cult). 

So it is important I get that last pair of briefs..  

Gonna go look one more time.....

Day 3 What Goes Up Does Come Down

Today we had a 50 miles ride with the first 15 miles all down hill.  We went from 5000 feet down to sea level. 

We did this again on the Interstate (8) and normally you could comfortable coast down at 25 to 30 miles per hour.  But we had strong cross winds that forced us to slow down for fear of getting blown off the road.  After the descent we went from 35 degree weather in the mountains to 78 degrees in the desert.

Once we hit the desert it was totally flat.  Our designation for the night was Calexico, CA right on the border of Mexico.  The wall is so close you can walk up and tough it.  Notice the wire on the top.  This was just added by the military that Trump called up.  I was talking to a border patrol officer and he said one guy will climb up and cut it and then another will throw a blanket over and people will climb up and jump down.  Where there is a will there is a way/

Thought the following would be an interesting picture just to show you how close the border is....

The first thing you encounter when you cross the border is a place where you can sell your blood (that's not my bike).

Second place is where you can get a free government phone...

Tonight we are staying in a Mission School gym.  95% of the students live in Mexico and cross over every morning to attend the bible school.  Some of the students made our dinner and the money they earn from our stay pays for their class trip.  All very smart kids who have ambition to be doctors and lawyers.  Some of the kinds parents and grandparents went to the same school.

Here are our guest quarters....

A big gym that is going to hold 43 riders and about 15 staff.  Should be fun.  

Thought you would get a kick out of seeing our luggage trailer.  We were supposed to pack light.  But nobody did!

Tomorrow we have our longest ride so far (63 miles) and the temperatures are supposed to be in the mid 80's.  We cross out of California into Arizona ending in Yuma.  I am sure we will figure out how to bitch about the heat just like we did about the rain.

Tomorrow we stay in a National Guard Armory.  Not sure I can handle all this luxury.

I Have Seen and Experienced Hell

You ask "What does hell look like?"

• It's 35 degrees
• Raining so hard you can't see
• 44 miles of hills (4500 feet of climbing)
• After climbing up a 6 degree hill your glasses are fogged with no way to clear
• 20 mph cross winds that never seem to be in the right direction.
• 8 miles on Interstate 8 with trucks and worst RV's whipping by
• Forecast calling for less than  40 % chance of rain so you don't bring your rain gear
• Soaked through and through and chilled to the bone

Interstate 8

Funny though - when you get to your hotel these shitty days quickly fade.  You sit around the bar and tell stories on how bad it was.   Ah... long distance bike riding!

On the way to the hotel got up close and personal with the wall.  Seems the road we took today is "highway number one" for people crossing the border.   Signs all over the place saying it's a felony to pick someone up.  Lots of border patrol stations. and patrol cars flying by...

The Wall

Last night our chef joined up for rest of the ride.  Ann and her husband will now cook all our meals (breakfast and dinner).  They are a travelling restaurant.  Here is a shot of the trailer.

This stuff is good!  Here is what we ate last night for dinner....

Going to have to be careful or my planned weight loss will quickly turn to an unplanned weight gain!

Wish I was able to take more photos but it was really really cold.  Hopefully we get a break tomorrow.  

On my second beer so I am probably going to become incoherent.  Post tomorrow..

Day 1 San Diego to Alpine

Ride started today with a 40 mile ride from San Diego to someplace called Alpine CA. I have no idea where this is - other than it was straight uphill from San Diego.  Who the hell builds a town on the side of a mountain?

As you can see the weather did not cooperate. It was wet and windy for the entire ride.  Everything I have is soaked.  Only thing good about the day is that it was about 55 degrees for most of the ride and I think the wind was on our back most of the way. 

We re staying the night is some town called Jacumba CA.  It is right next to the Mexican Border and we are right next to the "Wall".  So far I have seen about 5 Ice Officers all in the act of arresting some people that just jumped over the border.  Luckily I have my passport with me!

As you can see by the above picture everybody is in rain gear.  They have a tradition of giving people nicknames over the course of the ride.  Guess what she got named....

Pinky!

We also got assigned roommates today.  My roommate is Case.  

Case is a retired Hospital CEO.  As you will see in the next picture, Case is a little weird.  Check out his bicycle...

It's some kind of recumbent bike where you sit down and ride.  I have no clue how you climb a mountain on one of these things.  But to each his own!

We get to stay in a couple of hotels to start the ride as we are up in the mountains and not very conducive to camping. As I mentioned we are in Jacumba.  And the weather for tomorrow is not looking good.  Check out the following weather advisory they just posted.... 

 WINDS...SOUTHWEST TO WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS 50 TO 60 MPH. * 

Yikes  And tomorrow is supposed to be another 40 plus miles uphill (takes a couple of days to get over the mountains and then it is all downhill).

So let's hope the wind is at our back again! And let's hope the rain goes away so I can take some more pictures. 

Hopefully can get a close up of the wall without getting shot.

Will check in tomorrow!

Ride Begins

Just checked into the Coast to Coast ride along with 43 other riders.  

This is Bubba's 10th ride across the USA.  Let me introduce you to Bubba...

Bubba recently posted on his Facebook page that he just had all his bike jerseys tailored as he has lost a lot of weigh.  Regardless the man is really tall.  Not sure if he rides with us - but if so - can't wait to see what his bike looks like.  Got to be as big as Bill Walton's bike.

Bubba owns the touring company and this will be his 10th tour across the US.  I am amazed at the number of repeat riders there are.  This is the 4th tour for one rider and there are at least 3-4 other riders that they are doing the ride for the 3rd time. Another 10-15 riders are doing their second tour.

In any case it seems I have joined a new cult.  They all repeat fancy sayings like "It's All Good".  And when Bubba says a certain phrase - you are supposed to chime back with a certain response.  I have not quite got the hang of this.  There might even be a secret handshake.

Got to tell you - one day and I am already sick of hearing "It's All Good"

But everybody is friendly and thank god everybody is grossly out of shape given the weather we have all experienced this winter.  So I think I will be able to keep up.

Tomorrow is our first ride and the forecast is for rain (100% chance) with 15-20 mph winds. Lots of climbing the first day so this will clearly be an adventure, a really wet adventure.

In any case I am here to have fun  -   So Remember.... 

 It's All Good!!

Countdown - One Week to Go!

Ride starts in about a week.  As previously noted, Cathryn and I headed to Palm Springs for the month of February so I could get back into riding shape.

So far what a month!

First, Squaw Valley has received over 10 feet of snow in the last two weeks and I have missed out on the most epic skiing that Squaw has every experienced.  Here is a shot of our front door that a friend sent....

I can't believe I missed this!

In any case we came to Palm Springs for my training.  The place is in the middle of the desert and the weather was supposed to be perfect.  Friends advised me that I would have to get up early for my rides to miss the sun and hot weather.  

Wrong!

So far in the last 20 days the highest temperature has been 62.  The winds have been averaging around 15-20 mph.  Rain has been in the forecast a good part of the time.  

Last week we experienced the 3rd highest rain day in Palm Springs history.  And that dates back to the 1800's.  Roads have been washed out - the water has no place to go - and traffic was snarled up for hours.  

Here is a shot that one of the newspapers posted.... 

This is a real shot!  Really tough to ride a bike through this....

One bright spot I did get a chance to ride the Tour de Palm Springs Century.  

It was scheduled for the second day after we arrived - so nothing like a 100 miles to start your training off with.   Ride started in downtown with about 1000 riders.  The ride took us through the windmills that have been erected just outside the town.  Quite the sight.....

And as you quickly learn....  they put windmills where the wind is......  It was so strong that a couple of times I almost got blown off the road.  And with 1000 riders all passing you.... it was pretty scary.  But all in all it was a great ride.  Tough first day though (first stop after the ride was to buy beer).

Cathryn and I head to San Diego next week to drop me off.  All the riders have been emailing each other with advice on what to bring, what not to bring, what to wear, etc.  The two most followed topics have been what to do if a dog chases you and how to prevent your ass from getting sore.

It's clear everybody has their own (very strong) opinion on both subjects.  Recommendations ranged from dog spray to riding with a slower rider so you can sprint ahead so as to leave your partner to deal with the problem.  Someone suggested getting off your bike and petting the dog .   I suggested a gun.  I told them I was going to carry,  This suggestion did not go over very well - particularly with the rider that suggested the petting solution.

As for the "ass conversation", I never knew that there were so many products sold to solve this problem.  Some people have a favorite cream.  Some people concoct special mixtures.  Others suggest you tough it out.   Me, I'm a A&D Diaper Rash ointment kind of guy, though I am going to check out some of the newer products on the market being sold to prevent diaper rash in adults.  

I think it's probably the same cream as sold for babies - just repackaged so it doesn't look as stupid in your bathroom.  

The ride was supposed to start off with 43 riders.  So far we have lost one rider to getting attacked by a dog on one of his training rides (this dog thing is real) and a second rider to emergency surgery. 

And t he ride hasn't even started.  I sure hope this is not a foreshadow of things to come...

Bringing up the Average Age!

Just got the following stats on my upcoming ride across the USA via the Southern Route...

There are 45 riders

33 Male

12 Female

Average age is 65

Youngest rider is 44

Oldest rider is 73

17 States will be represented

Ohio has the most  at 7

3 countries will be represented....United States.   Germany    Canada 

Clearly I am bringing up the average age of the group.  Ride starts March 1.  Cathryn and I are in Palm Springs this month so I can get some training in before the ride.  

And of course as soon as I leave Squaw we get 6 feet of fresh powder.