photos... weeeeeeeee

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=72431&v=1t

Progress thus far

Day #4... Disaster! (ok, not really, but it felt like it almost): Patching Inner Tubes in Wickenburg, AZ

Sunday March 30, 2008, 100 miles (161 km) - Total so far: 357 miles (575 km)

Today started off terribly (but ended wonderfully), I'll get to the highlights and lowpoints after explaining how the morning started.
I woke up at 5:30am, not feeling particularly well... Had some intestinal distress issues. Got on the road at around 6:30 still feeling bad and just trying to tough it out, hoping I'd feel better. Without getting into too much detail, it became apparent a few miles out of town that a bathroom might cure my ills. I only had about 16 miles and 1200ft-ish of climbing to get to the next town. No problem. I slogged and slogged up the hill, feeling awful and wishing I was doing something else, and finally made it to the exit for the town (I was on the freeway). Town was supposed to be a quick 4 mile gradual downhill coast. Easy. Well, just as I got off the exit ramp, my rear tire went flat. Shoot. No problem! 25 minutes later I was all fixed up and ready to go. 30 feet later, bam. Front tire goes flat. What is up with that? 25 minutes later (I know, I am slow at tire changing. But I meticulously search and research for the culprit so it doesn't strike again). Just as I am reattaching the front wheel, I look down to see that my rear wheel has a peculiar bulge.. the inner tube is slowly expanding before my eyes, sticking out of the side of the tire. Come to find out, I didn't seat it well. The sun was hitting it and warming up the air, expanding it. About 10 seconds after looking at it, BAM! Sounded like a gunshot, the rear inner tube explodes. Another 25 minutes later and the rear is now fixed. Meanwhile, I feel terrible. Still no bathroom. I crawl along into town and take care of business.

Ok, so now that the story is told, I guess there really weren't any other lowpoints! So I'll skip the normal lowpoints section, after the highlights.

Highlights:
-Getting my bike fixed and making it to the first town.
-Seeing Ed again at the first town and telling him my story. He seemed to have had a much nicer morning.
-Another 84 miles of the smoothest road you could imagine.. perfect!
-TAILWIND. Ok, I can't emphasize enough how much of a boost this gives someone on a bicycle. Especially at 30-40mph. It's like... the difference between wind in your sails on a sailboat and hanging out in the Doldrums (an area with no wind). Or for a non-wind comparison, it's like your teacher giving you all the answers to tomorrows test and you don't have to actually do any work. You just show up, go through the motions, and somehow you get a perfect score. Today, I just showed up on my bike, and Wickenburg just appeared after being scooted along 84 miles.
-Mach 2.5 ... Today I went about Mach 2.5 for an hour and a half, or 25mph. There was a section where it was so smooth and so flat (no, not downhill, flat) I was able to cover 35 miles in almost no time. I got on the bike, and never felt the need to stop. I don't think I dropped below 22 or 23mph and there were times I got up to 31mph. So yeah, Tailwinds.
-Solitude. It's hard to find solitude on road rides, but today at the end the road was pretty low on traffic, and I felt like I was out there alone and it was nice.
-Lunch. Dang. Good stuff in Salome, AZ at the little diner. it was your classic been-there-forever diner where you're either going to get amazing food or garbage. It was one of the best turkey-bacon melts I've had! Their milkshake machine was broken but I will cut them some slack on that.
-Dust Devils. I saw a few of these today and I really like them. It's like a tornado only you don't have to worry about being thrown around like a house or cow. (like they do in the movies. Think Twister)
-Geographical changes are starting to change. I left the low desert and made it into the high desert, which is much more pleasent. For those without desert travel experience, here's a brief explanation; The low desert is hotter, drier, has fewer plants and animals (relatively) and fewer people. The high desert in contrast is full of plants, mainly schrubs and small trees and is cooler. In general, the high desert starts around 2000-2500ft and goes up as high as the mountains may go. That's not always the case but is a good enough rule of thumb.
-Peacocks. Yes, they're here. At the hotel. No really, on TOP of the hotel, behind the hotel, pretty much all around the hotel. The people who live behind the hotel have peacocks, and it's now their mating season. The lady at the front desk warned me that I wouldn't want a room near the tree they like to Roost in. It sounded intriguing though, I wanted that room. Then she mentioned they start screaming at 4:30-5:00am. Hmm. I changed my mind quickly. Maybe if I asked for a discount I could have saved some loot. I even have an amazing video documenting the wonderful, enchanting cry of the peacock who is looking to mate. If you want to see, go here!...

Peacock Mating Call http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMGPmIxYfEQ

So overall the day went well, once I got past the morning's shannanigans. Actually it was probably the best day yet, after I thought it was going to turn into the worst day yet. The town I'm in now is also really nice. Probably the nicest I've stayed in so far.

I rode 99 route miles today, but I couldn't pass up the oppurtunity to do another century, so I rode out of town half a mile and rode back, just so I could say I did the 100 :D After all this biking, 1 more mile doesn't take any more effort. Tomorrow I'll be in Phoenix.

By the way, this post was made from a real computer! Not my little awkward blackberry.

Additionally, I'm going to put up a post next with photos from the past few days.

Day #3... and Feeling Stronger: Laying on a soft bed in Quartzite, AZ

Saturday March 29, 2008, 113 miles (182 km) - Total so far: 257 miles (414 km)

Day #3... 113 rolling miles through agricultural valleys and inhospitable desert and dunes.

Highlights:
-getting up at 5:30am and on the road at 6:15am to beat the days heat.
-meeting Ed at the hotel as we were leaving at the.exact same time. Ed is doing the same trip.. More detail below.
-beautiful sunrise to ride into.
-fast smooth roads almost all day.
-eating a philly cheese steak with peppers for breakfast and downing it with a big cup of lemonade at mile 29, in Glamis-one of the biggest Off road vehicle destinations around.
-getting buzzed a few times by air force F-16(s) on bombing traing missions.
-going 12 miles at 24-30mph without stopping
-getting passed by a motorcycle gang.
-Riding through the Chocalate Mountains - beautiful!
-resting in the shade.
-feeling the humidity increase through the agriculture areas... neat!
-listening to tunes and hammering out the 22 miles between Palo Verde and Blythe, CA.
-rolling into Blythe and coming up on an old man on a tricycle carrying brocoli in a basket on the back - hillarious, wait till I put up a photo!
-Crossing the Colorado River and entering Arizona; one state down!
-using the google maps feature on the blackberry to secure a room in the only hotel in town after discovering that the other two listed on the Adventure Cycling maps were shut down.
-the last 7ish miles into town with not a single car in either direction and great scenery.
-meeting Judy, the desk lady at the super 8 who used to live in Alaska; on Attu, Kodiak, the slope, seward, homer, seldovia, talkeetna, and anchorage. One of her sled dogs was Susan Butchers lead dog when she won her first Iditarod! And now one of her daughters lives in Chicken, of all places... Population 20.
-doing real laundry, not in a sink.

Lowpoints:
Few today, just bumpy but scenic road the last 7 miles and almost bonking around mile 95. 1 bananna, 1 apple, 2 energy gels, and 15 minutes rest saved me!

I had mentioned yesterday the curious substance which seems to cover my arms and legs each day, and after exhaustive research and consulting with medical experts around the world, Rose finally found the name of this stuff. She listed the Latin name, I can only assume the common or laymens term is something like "gunk, slime," etc.

Here's her message:

Name for the body slime you describe in your day#2 post.

Definition: C. Cucamungosis: Combination of road dirt, insect bodies, brake dust, sunscreen, etc. covering the entire body. Acquired on cross-country cycling trips. Can be easily washed away by common soap and H20. Causes permanent memories of the adventure, though not in itself fatal.


Wow, I wonder how many other cyclists aquire this?

Now on to Ed.. He's a recently semi-retired attorney/prosecutor from Kentucky who wanted to do the same big trip I did, at a more leisurely pace. We rode on and off the first half of the day and eventually split off so I could make Quartzite tonight. We of course ended up talking about gear which led to the revelation that Ed is pulling behind him almost 70lbs of stuff.. Including the trailer. I try to let people figure out their own system but I couldn't help but try to motivate him to mail most of that stuff back. After awhile the idea started to sound better and better to him, so we'll have to wait and see if he ends up dropping some gear. His trailer alone weighs almost twice as much as all the gear I'm carrying. Ed, if you read this, I wish you well and hope the load lightens at least a little!
To read more about Ed's journey, check out his journal at:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/retirementtour

Day #2... First big mile day: Resting in Brawley, CA

Friday March 28, 2008, 90 miles (145 km) - Total so far: 144 miles (232 km)

Where to begin?? On days around 100 miles long there's bound to be stories. Luckily today was full of good ones. Here's the highlights and lowpoints again:

Highlights:
-cold crisp air to start the morning.
-having it warm up so I could take off the hand and leg warmers.
-talking to Dan on the hands free while riding. Then Brook, then Bryan, and later Nick. It's fun to be able to talk while riding.
-listening to a podcast of "This American Life" about Niagra falls while riding.
-stopping to get fresh strawberries and sugar plums and then talking to the old man selling them on the side of the road from his truck.
-the biggest highlight of the day was the amazing 10 mile 6% grade downhill, which was made extra cool when I passed a semi going 55mph.
-drinking cold water at a gas station when it was 95F.
-finding a single tree with shade after being on open rode with nothing but sand for 15 miles.
-having 2 people make sure I was ok as I fixed a flat tire.
-making it to the bike shop in El Centro to replace my water bottle cage and crappy hand-pump.
-hearing from the bike shop workers that there were a few people behind me and more ahead of me. Always nice to know other cyclists are out on the same roads.
-great last 14 miles into Brawley.. Went 25mph the whole way on flat, smooth pavement without stopping.
-being offered a dvd player (see below for detail)
-shower.

Lowpoints:
-more uphill than I anticipated for this day.
-headwind for 3 hours.
-flat tire #1.
-bumpy roads for 15 miles
-listening to the maddening rattle of my broken water bottle cage on above mentioned bumpy roads.
-hot. Really hot. But not as hot as tomorrow will be.
-cramping in my legs. And toes??

So some thoughts for the day...
One of my favorite random things to happen to me is to be propositioned to buy obviously stolen goods in random places at inoppurtune moments. Today was the greatest example ever. It might seem mean but messing with these guys is a prerequisite to engaging in conversation. So envision this: me, sweaty, slimy, tired looking, standing on a sidewalk half sitting on my bike, trying to figure out where to stay. Dude walks up, looks like he's high on meth and has been for years; "hey man, check this out. You need a vcr?" Me: "how much?" ... "25 man. It plays both dvds and tapes!" Me: "hmm, I don't know. Do you think it'll fit in my bag?" (Its a vcr. My bag is like a small shoebox). Him: "I don't know. It might. You could carry it." Me: "damn man, I'm riding to florida. I can't just carry it. Do you have some rope to tie it around my back?" Him: "No, sorry bro." Me: "ok, forget it. Thanks anyway."
What!?!?

The other thought for the day was something I've.been working on but haven't had luck solving. I need a unique name for the following substance:
This is a mixture of all these things in one, plastered mainly on my arms and legs while riding. Its easily washable but is unavoidable, especially on hot dry days...
-salt from sweat
-pasty caked on sunscreen
-dead bugs (the get caught in your hairs!)
-dust/dirt
-super fine rubber particles from tires
-break dust from big trucks
-grease from the bike

See, some of you reading this might envision a cyclist gracefully rolling through the southern california mountains, with their interesting desert environments with beautiful rock formations...and the occasional flower patch if it rained recently, and a cyclist can and will do that, but just remember that they're hot, stinky, covered in the substance described above, may be slightly dehydrated, and all the water in their water bottles is 105 degrees so they're not in the greatest mood to drink it! Cycling IS great though, you just have to roll with it!

Day #1!!!: Chillin in Pine Valley, CA

Thursday March 27, 2008, 54 miles (87 km) - Total so far: 144 miles (232 km)

So today began the big trip...
My bike arrived safely in san diego at the bike shop, with the exception of a broken water bottle cage that I didn't notice until I was almost done for the day. It still works but needs to be replaced before it gets worse.

On trips like these it seems there's so many high points and occasionally a few lowpoints. If I only mentioned one or the other I think this journal would be skewed, so I will try to summarize each days notable events in order of occurance. Here goes..!

Highlights:
-Seeing the pacific and taking off my shoes and socks, doing the cliche photo with my bike in the ocean (just a little!)
-Jamba Juice!
-Warm sun and good winds
-Climbing 4500ft... There's gotta be a downhill coming somewhere after climbing that much.
-Listening to Jack Johnson and The Postal Service on the speaker of the phone while slogging up a long hill.
-Beautiful flowers and grasses in bloom due to recent rain.
-Meeting Brendan just before the turkey;(see below) he was 50 miles from completing his cross country trip in the reverse direction I am going. He had tons of great advice and it gave me inspiration seeing him so excited to be close, but also dissapointed that it was over.
-Rocketing downhill into town tonight at 25-40mph and looking over to see that I am racing a wild turkey. No kidding!
-Good food at the only restaurant in town.

Lowpoints:
-One of the dudes at the bike shop honestly trying to teach me how to properly ride a bike and shift gears. I ended that when I politely mentioned that my bike has 20000 miles on it and that it was me who rode those miles.
-The surfer who wouldn't take my first photo in the ocean because "duuuude... I gotta go grab the waves."
-San diego traffic lights; kills your groove!
-4500ft of climbing. Ok, I said this was good before, and it is, but come on... 4500ft is a lot of uphill on day 1 after not riding in so long.
-Riding on the freeway. Huge shoulder but noisy and stinky. Only 4 miles of that today.

It was a great first day!