He escaped on skinny tires

It is done.

2010-05-02T12:01:00.001-07:00

Yes!Yes! YES!!!!! 3045 times Yes!!!!!!!!! And I have company, too.

The finish on the beach was surreal. Family members watched us wander around lost in our thoughts. There were smiles. There were tears. There was disbelief and amazement. I don't think any of us could comprehend what we had done, where we had been, what we had seen, what it all meant.

I didn't even see my own special welcoming committee for several minutes.

2010-05-02T08:42:00.001-07:00

I am standing in the shade, watching a drawbridge go up, reflecting on the last 50 days.

3000 miles r-r-i-i-g-g-g-h-h-h-t-t-t.....here! Are we there yet?

2010-05-02T04:14:00.001-07:00

My brother-in-law asked me once if once I got to the east coast, would I, just like Forest Gump, realize I had run out of room to run, turn around and ride back. Today I saw these words painted on the pavement and it made me think of what Dr. Pete had asked.

Leaving Palatka headed for our last stop: St. Augustine.

2010-05-01T17:12:00.001-07:00

Tonight we dine and sleep in air conditioned comfort. Thank you, Florida National Guard!!!

2010-05-01T07:38:00.001-07:00

Coffee in Gainesville.

2010-04-30T19:49:00.001-07:00

There is a lightning bug caught between the tent and the rain flap. I am being flashed!

Greenfield, Fla

2010-04-29T17:05:00.001-07:00

The hometown of Ray Charles

Touring Tallahassee

2010-04-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

While taking a bike tour of Tallahassee, we stopped off at Litchgate to see the 500 year old Live Oak tree. Amazingly HUGE.

Those are branches of the tree in the foreground. The last picture shows us in the center of the labyrinth garden. we are seeking inner peace for our soles.

2010-04-29T13:04:00.001-07:00

2798.81 miles. So I stopped for ice cream; outside a toothless old guy asked where I was riding. When told, he said: "Oh, you'll never make it on that bike!"

2010-04-29T10:26:00.001-07:00

Monticello, Fla. Maybe not a destination, but a cute place to visit. I recommend Tupelo's.

Noon, EDT

2010-04-28T08:58:00.001-07:00

Entering the Eastern Time zone en route to Tallahassee.

The swirling pattern of the foam in the Chattahoochee river was prettier than the river itself.

Editor's note: The town on the bank of this river is Chattahoochee. The river itself is the Apalachicola.

De Funiak Springs to Marianna, Fla.

2010-04-27T17:27:00.001-07:00

Leaving the campground in De Funiak Springs we toured Circle Drive in town. A historic area with mostly Victorian Era homes. Very impressive. This building was a local government office.

We can call it a tour now. We have officially seen everything that the south has to offer:

Marianna Fla: 2673.44 miles. Tomorrow, Tallahasse.

2010-04-26T13:04:00.001-07:00

Only a half day of riding today so I made Monday into laundry day. I did all my t-shirts so that I'd be allowed to come home.

Jon, The Duke, Wayne at an ice cream stop.

2010-04-26T07:46:00.001-07:00

U.S. 90 east to DeFuniak Springs. 3 of us sucking up miles @ 24 mph. At this rate we'll be there for early brunch.

2010-04-25T18:47:00.001-07:00

Sitting at Tastee-Freeze: no lie. There is a pregnant woman at the drive up ordering a pickle milk shake!

From Dauphin, AL to Milton, FL.

2010-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

We all gathered and got on the first ferry. Not to worry. At 7:30 A.M. there's not much traffic leaving the island. We had the whole craft to ourselves.

Saying good-bye to Dauphin Island.

We had some entertaining ascents today, up the Gulf Bluffs out of Pensacola (amazing) and then a few bridges like this one.

These last two I took from the bridge over the Escambia River. The water here is always so beautiful. I Love Florida!

An 88 mile day. Stunningly beautiful.

2010-04-24T17:56:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow we ride into Florida. Staying at a KOA in Milton. Only a week to go. There were a few moist eyes at tonight's rider meeting.

2010-04-24T06:39:00.001-07:00

Laptop hard drive decided to die last night. The bad news is all of my pictures are stored there. Anyone have an XP disk?

2010-04-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

3 coolers of beverages, 2 tvs in the same room showing "Legally Blond" and "Most Dangerous Catch". 15 restless riders. I am going to bed.

2010-04-23T18:41:00.001-07:00

2465.87 miles from San Diego to Dauphin Island, AL.

2010-04-23T14:08:00.001-07:00

Dauphin Island: thunderstorms

2010-04-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

70 miles today from Van Cleave, MS to Dauphin Island, AL. Layover day, last one, tomorrow.

Catching up

2010-04-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

If you are ever biking in the Jackson, LA. area, plan on stopping and staying with Lep and Perry. They bike and they love cyclists. Their campground is amazing. When you stop, tell them I said "Hi!"

I didn't know that the Republic of West Florida, which included Louisiana, was a separate republic long before Texas was a republic of its own. For only 78 days, and then it was annexed into the U.S. in 1810.

Finally, we arrived in Mississippi. We have traveled some 2280 miles since leaving San Diego. Can you see the happy faces? They are not sitting on their bikes at the moment.

(L-R) Jan, Phil, Jon, Diane, Mickey.

Unless you are the lead rider, the view doesn't change.

2010-04-21T14:13:00.001-07:00

Mississippi, finally. 2282.5 miles since leaving San Diego. Only 9 more riding days to go.

4/19/10 Layover Day

2010-04-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

One of our day-off excursions. The Oakley Plantation was a frequent stay of John James Audubon before he was a famous naturalist and merely a $60/month tutor who also dabbled in painting pictures of flora and fauna. It is now a faithful reconstruction of a pre- and antebellum plantation. Very interesting, and if you want to know more about it, email me.

This is "Gus". He greets every visitor to the Oakley Plantation with a strut, a ruffle of his feathers, and a pose.

Two Turkeys get to know one another.

Part of the history of slavery exhibition

The Oakley Mansion

April 18, 2010 - Crossing the Mississippi river

2010-04-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

In jerseys, Jon on the center-left, Phil in the center, my riding partners today, aboard the "New Roads" ferry just before crossing the river. This is one of only two times we will make progress toward Florida without having to pedal.

St. Francisville, LA. side of the river.

On the east side of the river, the topography immediately changes from flat to "rollers". Still beautiful in its own way.

Roads like this could make a guy homesick.

Sign in a Jackson, LA. convenience store window.

Cycling Across Louisiana

2010-04-19T11:54:00.001-07:00

This is an about to be crawfish ranch. The ranchers here rotate crops between rice one year, and then crawdaddies the next. The crawfish help clean up the remains of the previous crop, and also help prepare the field for the next year.

The funny thing was watching the ranchers herd their "cattle" on those tiny sea horses with names like "Ol' Carp" and "Sea Bicuit".

A "MUST STOP" for those in the know. Every Saturday, but only on Saturday, and only from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, this place opens for zydeco music, dancing, and adult beverages. The place gets packed!!!

A fun time was had by all

New Hampshire's own Doug and Sue in the back in cycling jerseys.
See the guy in the green t-shirt? He was a long time member of this zydeco band but was in a bad accident that left him somewhat (a lot) challenged. The band still lets him "play" with them, but he plays the triangle with his clapper taped so that it doesn't actually ring.

This stuff is served in huge quantities from the bar. Every bottle purchased is first opened and ummm, "Quality Checked" by the bar maid before being handed to the customer.

After music and drinks and dancing, we hit the restaurant, "Frenchie's", across the street. I had a crawfish Po-Boy. And those are fried pickles as a side. This place will make you FAT!

Around here you are either lunch, or you are something else's lunch!
For future reference: Gator's are very fast in a straight line, but they cannot zig-zag. If one is after you, run away in a zig-zag pattern. Oh, and good luck. Remember, if we are together when an alligator attacks, I do not have to outrun the gator. I only have to outrun YOU!!!

Correction: Right city, wrong state.

2010-04-17T19:11:00.001-07:00

Leaving LA for Jackson, MS tomorrow. I have a lot to tell you about LA but it will have to wait until I get a good wireless connection (cliff hanger!)

OK, so I may be suffering from a bit of "Git-Home-Itis". I jumped ahead a state a couple days too soon. We are in Jackson, Louisiana, not Jackson, Mississippi. Today is a layover day. We're camped at the home of some of Bubba's friends. Very nice people and a nice huge open area for us to spread out.

We wont be in MS. until Wednesday. And the weather continues to be beautiful. I did hear a few raindrops hit the tent flaps early this morning, but we are all dry, happy and healthy.

2010-04-16T13:23:00.001-07:00

Adios, Tejas. Bon jour Louisianne. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Last full day in Texas

2010-04-15T11:51:00.001-07:00

Alligator tamales at 10:00 am. Can mud bugs and turtle soup be far behind?

We're enjoying a pretty nice camp ground in Silsbee, TX. Tomorrow we take hwy 96 North, turn onto hwy 363 then hwy 190 and after 47.3 miles we say "See Y'all Later" to Texas and hope Louisiana welcomes us as well as have the previous four states. Tomorrow night we stay in De Ridder, LA. Only about 17 more days before this is over.

2010-04-14T15:32:00.001-07:00

Cue sheet said 78.9 miles but it was just too nice a day to stop. One large figure 8 north of town & bingo-bango, one more century complete.

ABCD - April 14, 2010

2010-04-14T07:55:00.001-07:00

ABCD - Another Beautiful Cycling Day. An anniversary present to the remaining 12 who began this trip March 14.

2010-04-13T20:04:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed one of our few remaining Texas skies tonight. A helicopter practicing approaches, countless stars, spinning yarns and war stories. Gonna miss this.

A local artist and historian came to visit us and had us spellbound with stories of early Texas settlers and the native Americans they met. One story was the early 1620's myth (?) of the Blue Nun, for whom the Blue Nun wine is named. Briefly, although she never left her homeland or convent in Spain, she dreamed visions of ministering to native Americans, even to the point of "knowing" their names, the names of places they lived and their names for items they used. Years later, when conquistadors and settlers arrived in the area, they were startled to find that the people, places and things named actually existed. Legend has it that where ever the blue nun's dress touched the ground in the New Land, Blue Bonnet flowers sprang up.

Go ahead, you can look it up.

2010-04-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

Layover day tomorrow. The bike gets some well-deserved TLC, there is a rumored "Snowflakes Donuts" and a DQ in town, and I may go visit the FBO at the airport.

Camp in Navasota

2010-04-12T14:37:00.001-07:00

Navasota camping on the side of the airport runway. I feel oddly at home.

4/12/10 - on to Navasota

2010-04-12T08:43:00.001-07:00

Moving on from LaGrange to Navasoto on an absolutely perfect biking morning.

This could easily be mistaken for a road around Lake Bloomington if it weren't for the Texas County road signs every so often. We're in a pretty part of the state.

With apologies to Joe Egan and Jerry Rafferty: Traffic to the left of me, cattle to the right, here I am, back in the saddle again.

This is Etienne, our newest friend. He is from France but traveling the country alone and self-supported. He shared our dinner and adult beverages last night, stayed in our camping area, and had breakfast with us this morning before hitting the road. We crossed paths again several times today.

Awesome countryside.

And yet another great ranch gate

I stopped and ate my lunch under a huge oak tree in front of this church. I got to meet the Rev. Lordy Randle's son, Eddie, when he came by to cut the grass.

Pretty by comparison?

Maybe in comparison to these? The poor old bull on the right looked like he'd lost a fight with those horns.

La Grange, Tx.

2010-04-11T17:39:00.001-07:00

OK. Now you have GOT to admit this is interesting. On the way into Colorado Landings campground, this residential street has been paved around the tree.

A "must-take" picture

2010-04-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

'Nuff said!

Curious

2010-04-11T17:31:00.000-07:00

On the way from Frentiss to La Grange, we stopped at Snowflake Donuts. The have the BEST donuts, hands down. No lie.

While there, we perused the posters they had in their windows requesting votes for some of the local young women in their quest to become the Watermelon Thump Queen. Did you ever really really really want to ask the question, but you didn't because you were afraid the answer wouldn't be as good as your imagination came up with?

April 10, 2010 - Frentiss, Tx.

2010-04-11T17:26:00.001-07:00

We were supposed to spend the night at Lockhart, Texas. There was a mess up with the reservations, however, and so we biked 12 miles more down the road and stayed at a very nice private campground instead. These two pictures show the view out the flap of my tent.

2010-04-11T10:24:00.001-07:00

They say it's fine, if you've got the time and the ten to get yourself in. (They gotta lotta nice girls there)

We're Off On The Road To Blanco

2010-04-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

Just minutes after we left camp, we happened upon this nice dam spillway. Can't you hear the water fall?

Oh, Oh! What have we here? Perhaps we should stop a while and tour. (I only bought two bottles)

Somebody needs to do a picture book about ranch gates. From incredibly intricate to just down right intriguing they range. I'm wondering if this rancher has two cows, two horses, two ducks, two chickens.....

This place I'd really like to see, but they do not welcome visitors.

He escaped on bare feet

2010-04-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

Gotta get this boy a bike.

2010-04-08T16:09:00.001-07:00

Holding evening meeting, Getting cue sheets for tomorrow's ride to Blanco State Park.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

2010-04-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wednesday starts out just like Monday and Tuesday, wet, breezy, a little cold. But today stores a special surprise: HAIL! Thankfully, none of our riders rode through the hail, but we saw the evidence along the road before the golf ball size pellets melted away.

Gary about to make mince meat of what would prove to be our second (of three) steep climbs of the day.

This appeared to be a restoration project. It is a camp ground and maybe a hunting camp.

More.

Those first two nasty climbs let me do this. 45.6 miles downhill with switch backs. That's a new personal best for me on two wheels. The former personal best was 39.4, also on this trip. I was simultaneously terrified and thrilled. My biggest worry was that a vehicle might pull out from a side road or be across the yellow line coming the opposite direction. But the adrenalin rush was too exhilarating to pass up.In bicycling, just as in life, you get some great rewards as payback for some of the suffering.

Welcome to Texas Hill Country

2010-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Riding into Uvalde for lunch, I first saw this beautiful field of brilliant purple flowers. And then all of a sudden I noticed this handsome creature. Very friendly, curious, but not very talkative. Oh, btw, kudos to Lady Bird Johnson and all of the people of Texas for the 100s of miles of wild flowers spread out like multi-colored blankets for us to enjoy. Nicely done!

Not West of the Pecos, nor East of the Pecos, but standing ABOVE the Pecos River. Pretty water, impressive cliffs.

Pecos, too.

Welcome to Texas Hill Country. The scenery just keeps getting better and better. Really. I'm not sure why the pioneers ever left here for points West.

That is not the way I would have spelled it, but I passed this ranch on the day after Opening Day. Go Redbirds!

I have some catching up to do

2010-04-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

I hope your Easter Sunday was as Glorious and Grand as was mine.

2010-04-07T12:48:00.001-07:00

Finally got away from hi-way 90. Right now on Texas 16 north to Kerrville.

2010-04-06T07:23:00.001-07:00

From Ft. Clarke Springs to Uvalde by lunch to Utopia tonight. Second straight day of drizzle and rain. Good news: no sunburn! Hi-way90 is bumpy and slow.

Wishes from Southwest Texas

2010-04-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

Que tengan una bonita Pascua

Layover Day spent touring Big Bend National Park

2010-04-02T19:00:00.001-07:00

There are no words I can use to describe Big Bend. The most common words I heard today were "WOW!", "Amazing", "Look! Look at that!" and "Vast". And those don't describe it well enough. If you've never visited this national treasure, do your eyes and your spirit a favor and experience it. I plan to come back. One day was not nearly enough. Supposedly there are seven different Eco-systems here. Parts of this huge park resemble Colorado, parts look like Arizona, and there are even huge expanses of sand dunes that would make your favorite desert island proud.

The Yucca were in bloom, so were the Ocotilla, Blue Bonnets, and so much other vegetation that I just cannot remember the names of right now. This little barrel cactus is only about four inches high, but sported a pretty red flower as if to say "Yes, I can, too!"

<-------- Ocotilla in the foreground, the mountains on the left are Mexico, those on the right are U.S., the pass in between through which the Rio Grande flows is Santa Elena.

Gravel of Mexico about 25 feet away from me, standing on the river bank, U.S. side. --->

This is part of what remains of an old two room residence. Some of the walls were made by stacking flat rocks and cementing in place with wet sand stone. The rest of the walls were like this. Adobe brick. That white blob is a piece of tree branch that was stuck in the brick when it was made.

Damages thus far

2010-04-01T18:31:00.001-07:00

For those keeping score: Thus far, three flat tires, one rear tire from a tiny wire and two ( one front, one rear) from nasty little thorns called "goat's head". Today, just as I pulled up in front of this bike shop in Alpine, TX., I broke a spoke on the front wheel. John, the Bike Man, replaced the spoke for me with one out of his stock for a grand sum of $10.

The Spies of Texas are upon you

2010-04-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Tethered Aerostat Radar System Balloon mounted radar tethered and pointed at the U.S. Mexican border. You'll probably have to click on the image to get a large enough photo to view the balloon.

On the way to Marathon, TX. (Locals pronounce it Marithin)

2010-04-01T09:24:00.001-07:00

I am 26.2 miles from Marathon, TX but I checked Alanis' list and that doesn't make the cut.

We left Van Horn and first stop was The Cornerstone. Your Crossroads Connection. THE place to stop for coffee, tea, and books. I had a hot, creamy, frothy jolt to start my day. If your route takes you through Van Horn, stop and see Karl and Ralph. They promise to help you find free hot showers and a place to pitch your tent.

The Devils Came To Valentine, TX. and wore Prada.

We were served lunch (Texas Buritos: potatoes and cheese in a wrap) by the local high school travel club. They served us to raise funds for their trip to Australia (or maybe it was New Zealand...) This Prada shoe and purse store was just outside of town. Notice how we are attracted to shade?

These next pictures are from the Valentine, TX. Library.

The Marfa lights

2010-03-31T18:06:00.001-07:00

Off to see the mystical, magical lights of Marfa. Google it.

We went, we witnessed an experiment in mass-hysteria. If you wanted to see the lights, you did. Skeptics weren't rewarded.

A picture I didn't get posted two days ago...Aaron, one of Bubba's staff, prefers sleeping outside to sleeping in a tent. On this night he perched his hammock up in a tree. He's also known as "Krash" and "Nature Boy".

1/3 of the way, whether measured by # of days or # of miles

2010-03-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

Somewhere between Ft. Hancock and Van Horn, TX today we put 1000 miles under our wheels since leaving San Diego. At day 17, we are 1/3 of the way to 50. Alanis was singing in my ears saying she recommends biting off more than you can chew. I agreed with her. I certainly do.
West Texas cacti and mountains ---->

This stuff, along with some other magical balms, is becoming quite popular lately:

Behind me, in order, Jon, Diane, Mickey, R.O., and Phil ------------------------>

For Garrett and any other SBSP fans

Jon and I were racing down I-10 in excess of 35 MPH. It's OK, though, because the speed limit here is 80.

Tonight we are camping at Eagle's Next RV campground in Van Horn, TX. I've been paying more and more attention to the RVs lately. Grandma, it might me time to buy one of these bad boys!!!

2010-03-29T18:49:00.001-07:00

Sitting outside with Downhill Bob, sipping vodka and coke, watching the sun set over west Texas mountains. Life remains good.

A little more on Columbus, New Mexico

2010-03-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

<---- Pancho Villa

Columbus, N.M. is not much more than a wide spot in the road. There are two grocery stores, a couple bars, two (I think) restaurants, one gas station. It sits on the edge of the U.S./Mexican border. The most interesting point is a state park, named for Pancho Villa. P.V. was a bandit back in the early part of the 20th century. In March, 1916, he sent his thugs to attack the town of Columbus and the Army installation, Fort Furlong, in the middle of the night. Villa's intelligence was faulty and his band was roundly beaten but 16 Americans, civilians and soldiers, were killed in the attack. General John "Blackjack" Pershing was assigned the task of chasing after Villa and disbanding or dispersing his gang. Around the area, Villa is still regarded as a hero instead of a terrorist, which I don't understand. In this case, at least, attacking the U.S. and murdering citizens in their sleep gets you a state park named after you. I suppose Bin Laden should petition to have a park named after him.

Villa surrendering to Pershing ------->

Despite the questionable naming of the park, it is a very nice park, with a great museum, hiking trails, and a volcanic mound from which one might gaze down into Mexico at night:

Exterior corner of the museum. Don't cut the cactus, raise the roof.

The mountains here are different

2010-03-29T08:07:00.001-07:00

On the way to Ft. Hancock, TX.

Jon and Diane wheeling past some west Texas mountains. I wish you could see them better, they looked like they were sculpted. The mountains, I mean, not Jon and Diane.

A good, swift ride today. Stopped at the proverbial hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant for lunch. The locals there were very friendly and the food was delicious. I had fresh squeezed lemonade that was unbelievably tasty, made with a hint of lime. Not much else to see. Some agriculture: Pecan and Black Walnut groves, alfalfa farms, onion fields. Apparently there is no shortage of water because the farmers here irrigate by totally flooding their fields. We saw a few very friendly dogs. Three in one pack ran down a hill to our right, crossed the road in front of us, and sat on the left shoulder and watched us wheel by. Another, a cattle dog ran with us for as long as he could keep up, seemingly enjoying the exercise. Some chihuahuas behind a fence let us know we shouldn't hang around. Good day.

Dirty Tricks

2010-03-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

One of our riders, Jon, is a recently retired Air Force veteran. He was a navigator on C-130s. His wife, Mary Ann, a Naval Communications Officer, is stationed in Bahrain, but came home for a few weeks leave and joined Jon (and us!) on our layover in Columbus, New Mexico. They stayed at a B&B a couple blocks from the state park where we camped. This is what friends do....

2010-03-28T17:16:00.001-07:00

El Paso is exactly all I have heard it is, so far, unfortunately.

2010-03-28T15:36:00.001-07:00

Sitting at DQ waiting for 11 other riders so we can all enter the Lone Star state together.

2010-03-27T06:25:00.001-07:00

93 miles from Rodeo to Columbus, N.M., so I tacked on 7 more yesterday and got my first century of the year.
Click on any of these pictures to enlarge. We rode through a vicious sand storm shortly after noon. That really is me in there. Somewhere.

It seems like we climb more than we descend. By now it should be down hill all the way to the East coast.

Leaving Arizona

2010-03-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Tonite we are camped in Rodeo,New Mexico. We are merely feet from the Arizona border, and not much further from Mexico. The town of Rodeo would have to liven up ten fold to become a ghost town. But apparently, in her day, this was the place to be. Nine brothels, once upon a time. For those who believe in poetic justice, each of those brothels later became churches. It seems Rodeo was a station put in for the railroad that shipped copper, silver, and other ore from Bisbee to the East.

We had a guest speaker after dinner; a true to life sergeant in the U.S. Border Patrol came and told us about his work and some mighty interesting stories of fun times had by all. BTW, he said that Border Patrol duty in Vermont is thought to be primo duty that the agents all desire.

I will say that the border patrol is omni-present here. Their trucks are up and down the highways constantly. We've witnessed their eyes in the skies, the way they literally drag the ditches and culverts looking for foot prints, their jeeps parked high in the mountains watching the border, and (not me but) some of our group saw eight illegal border crossers arrested.

These are indeed strange times in which we live.

Tombstone and Bisbee, Arizona

2010-03-24T20:40:00.001-07:00

Today started out as a thoroughly crappy day. Due to the love and kindness of great family and good friends, it improved. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Bisbee, AZ is quite the place to see. Once a hopping mining center (of copper and silver ore as well as assorted gems) it retains it's historical side but seems to have evolved into a craft and art center as well. Unique is a good word to describe this place.

Don't ask me. We were intrigued but the doors were locked and so we didn't find out.

Tombstone was a bust. Apparently the West doesn't become WILD until after 10:00 and we were there early. I will tell you that the wait staff at the Longhorn back home is a lot better looking.

2010-03-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

We had a really good dinner tonight in Tombstone, AZ. and then sat around and talked and joke for awhile. Camp is quiet. We're all worn out.

2010-03-23T13:03:00.001-07:00

Lite snow @ 3300 ft. Fingers numb from the cold and can hardly shift gears. We'll almost be at 1 mile elevation before heading down again.

2010-03-22T21:32:00.001-07:00

I have no idea how Dennis and Gus found us but they did and they came bearing gifts from Wisconsin. Thank you Minikels!!!

2010-03-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

(L-R) Riders Jon, Robin, Phil and our guide, Jim

UA campus. Local brews. REAL taco pizza. Yes, I partook.

2010-03-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

Good morning from cold COLD Catalina, Az. Bike tour of Tuscon today.

2010-03-20T17:59:00.001-07:00

80 miles today to end week 1. We climbed about 1300 ft. as a mid morning snack. I now have a love/hate relationship with the head wind. Terms of endearment.

One of the staff pulled a prank on Bubba Overnight

2010-03-19T21:26:00.001-07:00

Arrived in Gila Bend

2010-03-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

Below the big sign is a list of the 5 townspeople designated as ld crabs. What an honor, eh?

Leaving Dateland

2010-03-19T21:14:00.001-07:00

It really looked like it wanted to rain when we started out this morning. We chased those rain clouds east until they tired out and evaporated away.

On the way to Gila Bend

2010-03-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

Tied to the hitching post

2010-03-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

Somebody broke the road

2010-03-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

We hit a tiny problem. The road we were on either was washed out or some planned construction was started and never completed. There was no one working on it. I took off my cycling shoes and walked my bike, barefoot, across the sand, about 1/4 mile. You do what ya gotta do. Actually, the cool sand felt good on my feet.

Honorary Fire Fighters

2010-03-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

In Calexico, we enjoyed being guests of the CFD. The chief swore us in as honorary firefighters. As we slept, the real fire fighters answered two different calls during the wee hours. Wisely, the real ones didn't ask the honorary ones to go along for assistance.

That is Jon in the striped shirt on the left. He retired from a career in the U.S. Air Force on March 1st and joined us on this ride on March 13. Good planning. Of course, that is "Bubba" in the white shirt next to the chief.

Evening Rider's Meeting

2010-03-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

Each evening we have a meeting to talk about the day's ride and get a briefing on what the next day will bring. And we consume a couple of adult beverages.

Two shots of the desert in California

2010-03-19T20:47:00.001-07:00

I took a lot of picturs of the desert and of the mountains. I promise not to bore you with all of them, just some here and there. Suffice it to say that this country is amazing to see up close.

LIVE OAK SPRINGS LODGING

2010-03-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Although these cabins look like they should have been back in Alpine, this was Live Oak Springs. Nice cabins, we slept 3 to a room. Two got beds, one got an air mattress. (I got a bed.) There was also a "lodge" with a satisfactory kitchen and an adequate bar. The best thing about this place is that we were able to get a warm night's sleep.

More Alpine Campsite

2010-03-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Bedroom and Living Room, cow pasture style.

First Camp Site - Alpine, CA.

2010-03-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

This camp site was actually a large pasture on a working cattle farm. It came complete with cow patties.

This is the kitchen above on the left. Fully self-contained and so far able to supply nothing except excellent food. That's Victor standing on the side. He's one of the four riders from New Hampshire. He and I have riden together quite a few miles already. He's an orthopedic surgeon and is very interesting to talk to.

On the right is our Dining Room. Casual dining only. That's "Downhill" Bob in the front center.

Status report

2010-03-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

We are camping at an RV "resort" in Gila Bend, AZ. We are still in tents, sleeping on a gravel parking lot. :-)

But there is reported WIFI here, and I'm going to try to upload a bunch of pictures tonight.

The picture is of the support staff responsible making sure we get all the way. Left to Right are "Gopher", Erica, Bubba, Gerry-the-cop, Krash, and "Downhill" Bob.

Yesterday one of our riders succumbed to a stomach bug that knocked her out for the day. She rode with us again today and seems much better. She's even smiling.

Today, another rider got spooked along the way by a pack of dogs that wanted to play. She fell and went to emergency care. We hear she's been patched up and will join us tonight. She swears she will ride again tomorrow.

Everyone else has been safe. There has been a large number of flat tires, but that is to be expected. Cactus thorns are tough on skinny tires.

Last night's campsite in Dateland, AZ. was right along a Union Pacific freight rail. We had trains all through the night. You can imagine that the trains were the talk of the breakfast table.

59.13 miles today. The weather has been GREAT!!! We chased some rain clouds from the start but couldn't catch them. I have been feeling well and the riding has been phenomenal. Some more Interstate 8 riding today for part of the way. Not everyone is excited about riding on the Interstate because of the traffic, particularly the truck traffic. I might be nuts because I find it exhilarating. And I can get to higher speeds.

It's time for our evening meeting, so I will get those pictures up later.

2010-03-19T14:37:00.001-07:00

I love getting pictures of the grandkids. My own version of performance enhancing H-G-H.

2010-03-19T10:46:00.001-07:00

Using the Oakleys for the first time on open road today. Wow! Thanx Bubba!

2010-03-18T10:55:00.001-07:00

I just enjoyed another strawberry / banana energy gel courtesy of Haley, Garrett and Hayden. The cold weather gear has been great, too. Thanks, guys. Love you!

2010-03-17T15:56:00.001-07:00

So, here I am in Yuma, Az. 59.13 miles today but only averaged 12.9 mph because that head wind found us again. Gotta keep a good sense of Yuma to ride here!!!

2010-03-17T10:18:00.001-07:00

I forgot to wish everyone Happy St. Pat's day. Enjoy!

2010-03-17T08:02:00.001-07:00

We made front page of the Imperial Valley Times. You might find it online. Our story was below article: Locals Protest. :-)

2010-03-16T16:45:00.001-07:00

Today was reward for first 2 days of climb: we fell from about 4300 ft to about 300 ft before noon. Then 30 miles across the desert. Tonite camping at firehouse

This picture is from Sunday, March 14

2010-03-15T20:20:00.001-07:00

It is traditional to dip your rear tire in the starting ocean and then your front tire when you arrive at the other coast. No one ever considered, apparently, the effect of sand and salt on expensive bicycle parts.

Where in the world are we?

2010-03-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

I should start putting our overnight cities in the blog post somewhere. I wanted to upload a GPS map of our location everyday but I am having difficulty uploading pictures or maps. I am only moderately successful at posts.

On Sunday we rode from San Diego to Alpine, California. Today from Alpine to a place called Live Oak Springs. There is a casino here, and the cabins where we are staying overnight. That is IT!

Tomorrow we ride down to Calexico, Ca. We will camp in the side yard of THE fire house. Maybe they will let us slide down the pole.

2010-03-15T16:39:00.001-07:00

OK, I'm not gonna lie to you, today was a killer. Only 30 miles but straight up and into a brutal head wind that kicked everyone's butt. We all made it.

2010-03-14T17:14:00.001-07:00

Day 1 done. 40.2 miles, kinda like a check out ride. From sea level to 2000 ft. ASL. I'm not nearly as sore as I thought I'd be.

This is the group

2010-03-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

Fourteen riders on the night before the tour starts

2010-03-11T14:44:00.001-08:00

Safely in Jacksonville, Fl. Delta is reporting the flight in the morning is already overbooked! GRRRR, I hate what the airline industry has become.

Bike Ride Eve

2010-03-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow the adventure begins. Multi-modal twice transcontinental extravaganza! I drive to Florida to park the car to fly to California to ride to Florida to drive home. WHEEEEE!

Tonight we had a really nice dinner with the whole family. Good times and best wishes to me.

I'm all packed and ready to go. I can't think of a thing I'll need that I don't have in the bags. I'm sure there will be something, but I hear they have grocery and drug stores in California now.

Adios to everyone here at home. I will do my best to keep giving you updates on progress.

A lotta help from my friends

2010-03-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

A big BIG thank you to my friends Jon @ Bike Surgeon in Shiloh and Andy @ The Cyclery in Edwardsville for helping me get prepared for this trip. You guys are the BEST! I highly recommend these two!!!

Shipping the bicycle

2010-03-02T19:01:00.001-08:00

I shipped my bike to California today. Take good care of my baby, FedEx, or I'll come get ya!

Post Script: According to FedEx, the bike was delivered yesterday, March 8th. One more thing off the check list.