Since my last update in Ozona, TX I have made some decisions, traveled on a bus and a plane, and am back in Long Beach, CA. You read that correctly: I have come home from my travels.
I appreciate everybody's support and good thoughts while I was out on the rode. All of your eyes reading my jumbled letters on this page has humbled me in a way I could never explain. I have had an adventure for a couple months and now I will recoup...until I am ready again.
They say that Texas will make or break you. For now, it broke me.
-----I will be back for you Texas. I will return to make a giant sized pancake out of you in the shape of a lone star. That is what I will leave you as: an airy, dry, flat bread with no flavor. All the BBQ sause in the state will not save you from your destiny.-----
Friday, April 1, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Fort Stockton to Ozona TX...107.8miles!
It only took me 11hrs, with a couple of breaks, to ride from Ft Stockton to Ozona, TX. I hope that is the longest I ever have to ride. There were no towns in between those two on the path I had chosen, just a gas station where I stopped and had my lunch. At that point I wasn't even half way yet!
After I left the gas station I felt it getting harder and harder to ride. I looked down and saw that my rear tire was super low on air. Not even a mile from the gas station I just left! Geez. So I pulled off the road and replaced the flat tube. That set me back about a half hour but I continued on my way.
I stopped at a rest area to fill my water bottles and check a couple of my maps. I found that I had 56 miles until I reached my destination. I had already ridden 50 miles, so I was just about half way there. It was 4pm at this point, so I knew I was going to have to ride in the darkness. I pushed on.
I just kept riding. The wind seemed to come from every direction. At one point it was from the North, then from the East, then SW. Everytime the rode curved I thought I would have the wind at my back but, in the words of my highschool Spanish teacher, 'you thought wrong Steven.' It always seemed to be in my face. It wasn't a really strong wind but it was always there and it was very disheartening. I pushed on.
After a while, I became energetic but I had run out of fuel so I stopped on a bridge. The only place to stop and get off my bicycle is on a bridge (there are quite a few and they are mostly over washes, draws, or things like this) because the gaurd rails are the only things to lean my bicycle on in the middle of nowhere. I sat on the rail and ate a dry pack of top ramen while trucks and cars passed. It is neat to see people passing while I am on this trip. Realizing that everyone is on their own travels with their lives ahead of them is something that I have done. We are here doing what ever it is we are doing. We are all alone together. Finding those worth being alone with is truely special.
I finished eating and resting and continued. I still had about 30 miles to go and the sun was in its desent. It is really neat to understand the nature of nature. I'm not saying I know everything about the sun and moon and how things work, but I have been realizing there are plenty of things to watch for to know what is going on in my own world. Knowing the orange glow of the sun and its position tells me I have about 45minutes to an hour before it is completely out of the sky. I saddled up and continued my ride.
30 miles doesn't seem like a lot when you are hitting 50-70 a day, however when you have already hit 70 miles it is a mountain! It doesn't help when the last 20 miles are a mountain. I had desended a little bit earlier in the day and knew I was going to have to climb back out of the valley I dropped into, but I didn't think it would be so rough. The plateaus I climbed went on forever. It was devestating to my body. My mind was strong though. I had to make it. There was no option. It was dark, there was no tree cover for me to camp in on the side of the road, and I had passed evidence of wild animals in these areas (from wild boars to deer). Stopping was not happening.
There was one climb in particular that wiped me out. I was sizing up all my climbs by how far the tail lights climbed then disappeared. This climb seemed almost straight up and just kept going. It was probably a good 3/4-1 mile climb. I had to stop so many times it was ridiculous. My body was so exhausted that I couldn't keep my handlebars forward. I was swerving all over the shoulder. The good thing about riding at night is that I can see the cars coming from behind by their headlights so I was never in any danger when I swerved. If I saw light coming from behind me, I got over to the right as far as possible as quick as possible. I kept my gearing in a mid-low gear. I wanted to make it easy for me but I also wanted to make progress. In a super low gear, a granny gear, you would spin your feet but not really go anywhere so I kept it a few knotches above that.
I made it to the top of that hill and found a slight down hill to another climb. This is how it was for 20 miles. Climbing to slight down hill to climbing again.
The town of Ozona, TX is off of Interstate 10 at exit 365. A sheriff pulled over in front of me at mile marker 358 and asked if I needed any assistance. I talked to him for a few minutes and asked what time it was. By this time I had stopped checking my bicycle computer for distance and time because I knew it didn't matter. I would get there when I got there and it would take however long it would take. Being 8 miles away, I wanted to know the time. He told me it was 10 passed 9pm. I asked how much more I had to climb and he said it was flat after this last hill. Phew! Almost done climbing.
He left and so did I. I continued on to find the town. As I did this, I found there was no flat. I continued to climb the last 8 miles! I don't know what that sheriff was talking about. I kept waiting for the flat to come up. As I said before, in the dark I judge the terrain by the lights on the cars appearing and disappearing. That is just what they did: appear from over a hill and disappear over a hill. Also, if it was flat, I should have been able to see the lights of the town ahead. I didn't. I climbed on.
I finally reached the town and had to stop to get some food. I hadn't eaten much and needed something soon before the town was all closed up. I found a DQ and had myself some chicken strips and a Heath Blizzard. A well deserved treat. I checked the time on my receipt and the time said it was 10:08pm. It took me an hour to go the last 8 miles! Flat? Yeah right. 8mph is not average for flat, even if I was riding all day. I couldn't believe I did it. I rode almost 108 miles in one day! Oh, I forgot to mention that I surpassed the 1000mile riding mark. I did it all in the same day. Over 100 miles, over 1000 miles. Now I just need to do 1000 miles three more times and that will take me to NY!
After I left the gas station I felt it getting harder and harder to ride. I looked down and saw that my rear tire was super low on air. Not even a mile from the gas station I just left! Geez. So I pulled off the road and replaced the flat tube. That set me back about a half hour but I continued on my way.
I stopped at a rest area to fill my water bottles and check a couple of my maps. I found that I had 56 miles until I reached my destination. I had already ridden 50 miles, so I was just about half way there. It was 4pm at this point, so I knew I was going to have to ride in the darkness. I pushed on.
I just kept riding. The wind seemed to come from every direction. At one point it was from the North, then from the East, then SW. Everytime the rode curved I thought I would have the wind at my back but, in the words of my highschool Spanish teacher, 'you thought wrong Steven.' It always seemed to be in my face. It wasn't a really strong wind but it was always there and it was very disheartening. I pushed on.
After a while, I became energetic but I had run out of fuel so I stopped on a bridge. The only place to stop and get off my bicycle is on a bridge (there are quite a few and they are mostly over washes, draws, or things like this) because the gaurd rails are the only things to lean my bicycle on in the middle of nowhere. I sat on the rail and ate a dry pack of top ramen while trucks and cars passed. It is neat to see people passing while I am on this trip. Realizing that everyone is on their own travels with their lives ahead of them is something that I have done. We are here doing what ever it is we are doing. We are all alone together. Finding those worth being alone with is truely special.
I finished eating and resting and continued. I still had about 30 miles to go and the sun was in its desent. It is really neat to understand the nature of nature. I'm not saying I know everything about the sun and moon and how things work, but I have been realizing there are plenty of things to watch for to know what is going on in my own world. Knowing the orange glow of the sun and its position tells me I have about 45minutes to an hour before it is completely out of the sky. I saddled up and continued my ride.
30 miles doesn't seem like a lot when you are hitting 50-70 a day, however when you have already hit 70 miles it is a mountain! It doesn't help when the last 20 miles are a mountain. I had desended a little bit earlier in the day and knew I was going to have to climb back out of the valley I dropped into, but I didn't think it would be so rough. The plateaus I climbed went on forever. It was devestating to my body. My mind was strong though. I had to make it. There was no option. It was dark, there was no tree cover for me to camp in on the side of the road, and I had passed evidence of wild animals in these areas (from wild boars to deer). Stopping was not happening.
There was one climb in particular that wiped me out. I was sizing up all my climbs by how far the tail lights climbed then disappeared. This climb seemed almost straight up and just kept going. It was probably a good 3/4-1 mile climb. I had to stop so many times it was ridiculous. My body was so exhausted that I couldn't keep my handlebars forward. I was swerving all over the shoulder. The good thing about riding at night is that I can see the cars coming from behind by their headlights so I was never in any danger when I swerved. If I saw light coming from behind me, I got over to the right as far as possible as quick as possible. I kept my gearing in a mid-low gear. I wanted to make it easy for me but I also wanted to make progress. In a super low gear, a granny gear, you would spin your feet but not really go anywhere so I kept it a few knotches above that.
I made it to the top of that hill and found a slight down hill to another climb. This is how it was for 20 miles. Climbing to slight down hill to climbing again.
The town of Ozona, TX is off of Interstate 10 at exit 365. A sheriff pulled over in front of me at mile marker 358 and asked if I needed any assistance. I talked to him for a few minutes and asked what time it was. By this time I had stopped checking my bicycle computer for distance and time because I knew it didn't matter. I would get there when I got there and it would take however long it would take. Being 8 miles away, I wanted to know the time. He told me it was 10 passed 9pm. I asked how much more I had to climb and he said it was flat after this last hill. Phew! Almost done climbing.
He left and so did I. I continued on to find the town. As I did this, I found there was no flat. I continued to climb the last 8 miles! I don't know what that sheriff was talking about. I kept waiting for the flat to come up. As I said before, in the dark I judge the terrain by the lights on the cars appearing and disappearing. That is just what they did: appear from over a hill and disappear over a hill. Also, if it was flat, I should have been able to see the lights of the town ahead. I didn't. I climbed on.
I finally reached the town and had to stop to get some food. I hadn't eaten much and needed something soon before the town was all closed up. I found a DQ and had myself some chicken strips and a Heath Blizzard. A well deserved treat. I checked the time on my receipt and the time said it was 10:08pm. It took me an hour to go the last 8 miles! Flat? Yeah right. 8mph is not average for flat, even if I was riding all day. I couldn't believe I did it. I rode almost 108 miles in one day! Oh, I forgot to mention that I surpassed the 1000mile riding mark. I did it all in the same day. Over 100 miles, over 1000 miles. Now I just need to do 1000 miles three more times and that will take me to NY!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday February 11, 2011
Gila Bend to Maricopa County, AZ
Wow! What a good night's rest. I definately needed it. The day turned into a bit of a bummer. Climbing into the wind the entire day. No exits for what felt like 20 miles at a time. Even when there was an exit, it was just some road leading to nowhere. Nothing around, no one around, same scenery. Geesh! I literally talked myself out of the trip 3 times. Why don't I just go on a relaxing vacation? Why not just relax in general? I'm choosing to put myself through this torture and I'm hating it. But I'm continuing. If you think about it, it can only get worse, right? Right.
So I rode on and on and wanted to quit, but I won't let it get the best of me. My stop was supposed to be a rest area with no facilities. When I got there I talked to a homeless looking guy that was collecting cans. He told me about a truckstop just beyond the 'knoll' ahead. Two miles down, there it was. He was a nice guy and as I began to pedal off, he asked me if I could spare some water. I told him I couldn't spare any, which I really couldn't, but then I started to feel bad. I denied another man water. The life giving substance.
Well, I needed the water because at the truck stop he told me to go to there was an RV Park that didn't have any facilities. No running water because they were re-doing the restrooms and such. It was a really run down spot off exit 151 on the 8...that was where I decided to camp.
To me, it really doesn't matter where I camp as long as it is relatively safe and I don't get messed with. This place had the nicest people that didn't give a hoot about their place in the world. One man, Bob with his dog Foxy, said over and over again that he didn't want to be rich just comfortable. Comfortable enough to make other people happy and comfortable. From a man who sells handmade jewelry outside the RV Park and across the street from a barely stopped at truckstop. He had such high hopes about making a buck that day.
Anyway, I made my my stop. Made my calls. Made my camp. Made my zzz's. I did see the guy from the rest area come walking into the RV Park that day. Figures. He would be a resident of that place, I would see him again, he would give me a cold shoulder. Well, only deserved.
Time for bed.
Daily Mileage: 35.9 miles
Wow! What a good night's rest. I definately needed it. The day turned into a bit of a bummer. Climbing into the wind the entire day. No exits for what felt like 20 miles at a time. Even when there was an exit, it was just some road leading to nowhere. Nothing around, no one around, same scenery. Geesh! I literally talked myself out of the trip 3 times. Why don't I just go on a relaxing vacation? Why not just relax in general? I'm choosing to put myself through this torture and I'm hating it. But I'm continuing. If you think about it, it can only get worse, right? Right.
So I rode on and on and wanted to quit, but I won't let it get the best of me. My stop was supposed to be a rest area with no facilities. When I got there I talked to a homeless looking guy that was collecting cans. He told me about a truckstop just beyond the 'knoll' ahead. Two miles down, there it was. He was a nice guy and as I began to pedal off, he asked me if I could spare some water. I told him I couldn't spare any, which I really couldn't, but then I started to feel bad. I denied another man water. The life giving substance.
Well, I needed the water because at the truck stop he told me to go to there was an RV Park that didn't have any facilities. No running water because they were re-doing the restrooms and such. It was a really run down spot off exit 151 on the 8...that was where I decided to camp.
To me, it really doesn't matter where I camp as long as it is relatively safe and I don't get messed with. This place had the nicest people that didn't give a hoot about their place in the world. One man, Bob with his dog Foxy, said over and over again that he didn't want to be rich just comfortable. Comfortable enough to make other people happy and comfortable. From a man who sells handmade jewelry outside the RV Park and across the street from a barely stopped at truckstop. He had such high hopes about making a buck that day.
Anyway, I made my my stop. Made my calls. Made my camp. Made my zzz's. I did see the guy from the rest area come walking into the RV Park that day. Figures. He would be a resident of that place, I would see him again, he would give me a cold shoulder. Well, only deserved.
Time for bed.
Daily Mileage: 35.9 miles
Thursday February 10, 2011
From the Mohawk Rest Area to Gila Bend:
I waited until the sun had risen a little before I got up to pack all my things. I did not want to be as cold as I was yesterday morning. I lowered all my things down from my post the same way I pulled them up. One by one with the hook on the rope. It was definately easier than pulling it all up the day before. After lowering it all, I then went down as well and began packing it all back on the bike. Not so bad. I even found some better ways of packing some of the stuff.
Off I went. I had a really long day ahead of me if I wanted to make it to Gila Bend by nightfall. There really wasn't anything that happened during the day.
I finally made it into Gila Bend and splurged for a $30 room. I got internet, a hot shower, electricity, a warm bed, and tv. That was really nice.
Daily Mileage: 66.2 miles
I waited until the sun had risen a little before I got up to pack all my things. I did not want to be as cold as I was yesterday morning. I lowered all my things down from my post the same way I pulled them up. One by one with the hook on the rope. It was definately easier than pulling it all up the day before. After lowering it all, I then went down as well and began packing it all back on the bike. Not so bad. I even found some better ways of packing some of the stuff.
Off I went. I had a really long day ahead of me if I wanted to make it to Gila Bend by nightfall. There really wasn't anything that happened during the day.
I finally made it into Gila Bend and splurged for a $30 room. I got internet, a hot shower, electricity, a warm bed, and tv. That was really nice.
Daily Mileage: 66.2 miles
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Flickr Photos
I am putting all of my photos on Flickr and keeping the blog to text posts. I have a link to the Flickr site at the bottom of this page and you don't need a Flickr account to view them. If you have any comments about this or the pictures in general, let me know. I am going to put a few as restricted unless you are my Flickr 'friend'. Its not that they bad, its just that they may not be for everybody. Just remember not to be prejudice when you look at these. They have been snapped from what I've been around and things that have happened. Look at them with eyes like you would when you look at a book in the library or book store. You don't need to like them, however you do need to appreciate that these pictures are a documentation of the world in which we live. Friends have been made, drinks have been drank, miles have been ridden, sunsets have been seen, and there is still so much more to go.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday February 9, 2011
When I awoke this morning it was still dark outside. I got dressed inside my sleeping bag because it was a bit chilly still. Once dressed I packed up my sleeping bag and thermarest then stepped out to greet the day. Still dark. That just motivated me even more to get the rest of camp packed up so that I could be o my way when the sun rose over the horizon.
After doing my morning 'rise and shine' rituals, I began gettig everything together. Once it was all packed on y bike, I broke out some almonds and watched the sun rise. It was amazing. Just as I was getting set to leave, a car camper came out and wanted to give me something. A bag of trail-mix. He told me it would be good energy food. With that and a good bye, I began to ride again.
Brrrrrr!!!! It was cold! And the wind was right back in my face. I was hoping it would be at my back like it was yesterday afternoon. Nope. I just beared through it and as soon as the sun rose a little more I began to warm up. It was still chilly because of the wind but I was moving and my body was warm.
On I rode. I came by some road work and checked to see what they were doing. Just filling cracks in the interstate with black top. On I rode.
Miles of nothing but nature. Untouched, unharmed by anyone's hands. It looked amazing. But then I got the bug in my stomach and was hungry again. Almonds didn't cut it.
I pulled into a gas station, the only thing for miles and picked up some blueberry bread. That thing was real good! Instead of getting back on the interstate when I left, I took Old HWY 80. It runs right alongside the 8 so I thought it would be safer. And it was. 12 miles of me ad the road. At one point I began talking to Sam, my Tron character, because I was so bored.
When I got back onto the 8 I only had 2 more miles before I reached my destination! It was so early too! But I was trying to slow doown my progress so I could meet Hannah on sunday in Tucson. I rode just shy of 30 miles.
When I got to the Mohawk Rest Area, I found that it was closed. I couldn't believe it. It was kind of a good and bad thing. Good because I wouldn't have people coming and going bothering me all night. Bad because it wouldn't be travelled so anybody or anything could have come around.
As I was checking out the place I saw some dog poop that looked a couple days old. It looked as if it was from different dogs so I thought the place might be a place coyotes came by. Now what? I didn't want to camp on the ground in fear coyotes might sneak up on me, plus I didn't want strangers to 'happen' across my camp site.
All the doors were boarded p with plywood and the ends were pretty near the roof of the bathroom so I hopped up on the roof to check it out.
Perfect. The roof was big enough for me to sleep, put all my stuff up there plus have tons more room. So I set into action. One thing I've learned so far is to get camp set up first, then goof around later. I was not going to leave my bike on the ground while I slept on the roof, so I had to bring it up. I took everything off my bike, which is a ton of stuff, and began setting it next to the wall of the bathroom. Next, I pulled out some rope I brought and a bungee hook I found. Tied the two togther and boom! I had a grapling hook! So I climbed back onto the roof and began pulling up all my bags. Easy! Then onto the bike. I lowered down the hook and snagged it by the seat rails. First try! Now on to the lifting. Definately not the easiest thing to dead lift from a laying down posititon. But I pulled it up and heaved it onto my now fort. I had an eagle eye position of my rest area and the interstate, but the interstate definately had a good view of me too. So I layed down and napped for a few minutes. When I awoke it was super hot and I had no shade, so I left my post and went down for some shaded parts.
I soon became bored out of my mind. I wrote a little bit, played solitare for a bit and thought for a while. My thoughts were on this trip and why I'm doing it. I'm doing it for me but I'm so lonely already and there is nothing to see or do right now. The desert is only beautiful for so long before it becomes redundant. Man-o-man, what did I get myself into?
After talking myself out of proceeding on the trip, it was time to call the people I needed to call to let them know where I was and that I was ok.
First I called my mom and talked to her for a bit. She was very supportive and wanted me to know that once I got out of the desert the trip would be more exciting. Plus, I had barely started and my mind was still getting used to being on the road without. That helped, then I called Hannah. We planned a little bit of the Tucson meeting and spoke to the Texas meeting. Unfortunately, I had to cut the conversation short because I needed to save my phone battery. There I was again. Alone in Mohawk.
When the sun was low enough for me to have shade on my roof-top I hopped up once again, layed out my sleeping bag and prepared for my night below the stars.
What a terrible night's sleep. I could not find any comfortable position. I layed between my bags and a pipe. The pipe had a nozzle or something on it at my waistline, so I didn't want to move because the nozzle was sharp and I didn't want to tear my sleeping bag. Also, I didn't unpack my thermarest, so I was sleeping on roof. I think there was a wire or something under me too, because I kept feeling something in my back. Everytime I woke up, which seemed quite frequent, I would switch positions. I could not find a comfortable spot. I would also look out into the night sky for any sign of daylight. None. I never wanted it to become daytime so badly. It sucked. But then the sun finally did rise.
Daily Mileage: 27.5 miles
After doing my morning 'rise and shine' rituals, I began gettig everything together. Once it was all packed on y bike, I broke out some almonds and watched the sun rise. It was amazing. Just as I was getting set to leave, a car camper came out and wanted to give me something. A bag of trail-mix. He told me it would be good energy food. With that and a good bye, I began to ride again.
Brrrrrr!!!! It was cold! And the wind was right back in my face. I was hoping it would be at my back like it was yesterday afternoon. Nope. I just beared through it and as soon as the sun rose a little more I began to warm up. It was still chilly because of the wind but I was moving and my body was warm.
On I rode. I came by some road work and checked to see what they were doing. Just filling cracks in the interstate with black top. On I rode.
Miles of nothing but nature. Untouched, unharmed by anyone's hands. It looked amazing. But then I got the bug in my stomach and was hungry again. Almonds didn't cut it.
I pulled into a gas station, the only thing for miles and picked up some blueberry bread. That thing was real good! Instead of getting back on the interstate when I left, I took Old HWY 80. It runs right alongside the 8 so I thought it would be safer. And it was. 12 miles of me ad the road. At one point I began talking to Sam, my Tron character, because I was so bored.
When I got back onto the 8 I only had 2 more miles before I reached my destination! It was so early too! But I was trying to slow doown my progress so I could meet Hannah on sunday in Tucson. I rode just shy of 30 miles.
When I got to the Mohawk Rest Area, I found that it was closed. I couldn't believe it. It was kind of a good and bad thing. Good because I wouldn't have people coming and going bothering me all night. Bad because it wouldn't be travelled so anybody or anything could have come around.
As I was checking out the place I saw some dog poop that looked a couple days old. It looked as if it was from different dogs so I thought the place might be a place coyotes came by. Now what? I didn't want to camp on the ground in fear coyotes might sneak up on me, plus I didn't want strangers to 'happen' across my camp site.
All the doors were boarded p with plywood and the ends were pretty near the roof of the bathroom so I hopped up on the roof to check it out.
Perfect. The roof was big enough for me to sleep, put all my stuff up there plus have tons more room. So I set into action. One thing I've learned so far is to get camp set up first, then goof around later. I was not going to leave my bike on the ground while I slept on the roof, so I had to bring it up. I took everything off my bike, which is a ton of stuff, and began setting it next to the wall of the bathroom. Next, I pulled out some rope I brought and a bungee hook I found. Tied the two togther and boom! I had a grapling hook! So I climbed back onto the roof and began pulling up all my bags. Easy! Then onto the bike. I lowered down the hook and snagged it by the seat rails. First try! Now on to the lifting. Definately not the easiest thing to dead lift from a laying down posititon. But I pulled it up and heaved it onto my now fort. I had an eagle eye position of my rest area and the interstate, but the interstate definately had a good view of me too. So I layed down and napped for a few minutes. When I awoke it was super hot and I had no shade, so I left my post and went down for some shaded parts.
I soon became bored out of my mind. I wrote a little bit, played solitare for a bit and thought for a while. My thoughts were on this trip and why I'm doing it. I'm doing it for me but I'm so lonely already and there is nothing to see or do right now. The desert is only beautiful for so long before it becomes redundant. Man-o-man, what did I get myself into?
After talking myself out of proceeding on the trip, it was time to call the people I needed to call to let them know where I was and that I was ok.
First I called my mom and talked to her for a bit. She was very supportive and wanted me to know that once I got out of the desert the trip would be more exciting. Plus, I had barely started and my mind was still getting used to being on the road without. That helped, then I called Hannah. We planned a little bit of the Tucson meeting and spoke to the Texas meeting. Unfortunately, I had to cut the conversation short because I needed to save my phone battery. There I was again. Alone in Mohawk.
When the sun was low enough for me to have shade on my roof-top I hopped up once again, layed out my sleeping bag and prepared for my night below the stars.
What a terrible night's sleep. I could not find any comfortable position. I layed between my bags and a pipe. The pipe had a nozzle or something on it at my waistline, so I didn't want to move because the nozzle was sharp and I didn't want to tear my sleeping bag. Also, I didn't unpack my thermarest, so I was sleeping on roof. I think there was a wire or something under me too, because I kept feeling something in my back. Everytime I woke up, which seemed quite frequent, I would switch positions. I could not find a comfortable spot. I would also look out into the night sky for any sign of daylight. None. I never wanted it to become daytime so badly. It sucked. But then the sun finally did rise.
Daily Mileage: 27.5 miles
Tuesday February 8, 2011
Now the trip has really begun! I am solo and a nomad now. The guys from Ontario: Kenny, Robert and George took Streetz home and left me in Yuma to find my way. The first week of the ride was a real fun time. I had a buddy to talk to and to keep me honest about my riding. The support he gave was awesome and needed. He helped me understand a few things and even taught me a few things about camping. He was supportive th entire trip and I couldn't hae asked for anything more. It was a really cool thing for hime to do; to send me off like that.
So, I made my way from Yuma to Wellton. It wasn't that far of a trek but I ded leave pretty late. I think I got on the road at around 1p and arrive here at about 5:30. Not too bad, considering the crazy southernly winds!I thought for sure the wind would be at my back today but I was wrong. It was coming from the north and beating into my side. Did not help at all.
From my starting location ain Yuma (I had the guys drop me off in the exact same location they picked us up from) I headed east on HWY95 to Araby Rd. I took that south until I hit the next biggest street I came across. I forgot the name already, but it took me next to the local high school, college and middle school. The bike lane along that road wasn't too shabby either! The signs were directing drivers to yield to cyclists, even. I wish there were more of those around.
Anyhoo, that road ended at 9th street so I headed south again, still trying to get alongside the interstate 8. I continued on that road for a few miles then the 8 appeared in front of me. Finally I know I'm going the proper direction.
I headed east on Frontage Rd and followed it until the end. Which literally dead ended I thought I was going to have to go the 3 miles, I just climbed, back to the last turn out when I had a brilliant idea. I'll just go under the highway through a wash and pop up the other side.
Well it seemed like a good idea until I found taht the ground was sand and sporatic piles of rocks! I just pushed through and made it to the other side. Golly, that was difficult. Fefinately an upper body workout. On the other side I found a road. It looked like a service road taht didn't go anywhere. However it did lead me to the border patrol check-point. Phew! Back on track. I asked oe of the border check guys if I could be on the interstate, to which he told me 'unless you want to go around this pas, then yes.' Cool. Now I had the ok from a government official. That was all I needed. Onward and upward I went.
Climb, climb, climb. That is what I did through the pass. Wind in my face still made it slow going. However, when I reached the top, I was descending like a mad man. The headwind turned into a cross wind so I had to slow down a tad coming out of the pass.
It ws beautiful. Hills, flats, rocks. The collor reflecting off the scenery made it something moving. I let out a 'wooooo-hooooooo!!!' and cranked it up a notch. The cross wind turned into a tailwind at the bottom of the pass, so I was cruising at 19-20 mph asily. It was nice to have that tail wind after working so hard during the previous hours.
Checking the map, I saw tere was a campground area in Wellton. Turned out to be an RV Park called Tier Drop. As I pulled up to the office a couple of guys said 'hey, you made it!' Turns out they passed me 30-40 minutes prior coming down the pass. That was neat to talk to some people that had passed me and noticed me on the road. Then I noticed an older man coming out of the office and locking the door.
Shoot! Did I miss it? I asked the gentleman if he had just closed up and if I would be abe to camp. He told me to just set my tent up in the back, behind the office. He had another cyclist come through before and that is what he did. No charge! Turns out the man's name is Jim and he is the owner of the park. Nice! What luck!
After settng up camp, I took a walk to the showers (I showered up) then made all the appropriate phone calls. Bed time is coming earler and earlier these days. Down witht the sun, up with the sun. I never thought I would be wanting to sleep that early and waking up so easily that early!
My mileage for the day was 33 miles.
Some pictures are up on the flickr page. Check it out here or at the bottom of the page.
So, I made my way from Yuma to Wellton. It wasn't that far of a trek but I ded leave pretty late. I think I got on the road at around 1p and arrive here at about 5:30. Not too bad, considering the crazy southernly winds!I thought for sure the wind would be at my back today but I was wrong. It was coming from the north and beating into my side. Did not help at all.
From my starting location ain Yuma (I had the guys drop me off in the exact same location they picked us up from) I headed east on HWY95 to Araby Rd. I took that south until I hit the next biggest street I came across. I forgot the name already, but it took me next to the local high school, college and middle school. The bike lane along that road wasn't too shabby either! The signs were directing drivers to yield to cyclists, even. I wish there were more of those around.
Anyhoo, that road ended at 9th street so I headed south again, still trying to get alongside the interstate 8. I continued on that road for a few miles then the 8 appeared in front of me. Finally I know I'm going the proper direction.
I headed east on Frontage Rd and followed it until the end. Which literally dead ended I thought I was going to have to go the 3 miles, I just climbed, back to the last turn out when I had a brilliant idea. I'll just go under the highway through a wash and pop up the other side.
Well it seemed like a good idea until I found taht the ground was sand and sporatic piles of rocks! I just pushed through and made it to the other side. Golly, that was difficult. Fefinately an upper body workout. On the other side I found a road. It looked like a service road taht didn't go anywhere. However it did lead me to the border patrol check-point. Phew! Back on track. I asked oe of the border check guys if I could be on the interstate, to which he told me 'unless you want to go around this pas, then yes.' Cool. Now I had the ok from a government official. That was all I needed. Onward and upward I went.
Climb, climb, climb. That is what I did through the pass. Wind in my face still made it slow going. However, when I reached the top, I was descending like a mad man. The headwind turned into a cross wind so I had to slow down a tad coming out of the pass.
It ws beautiful. Hills, flats, rocks. The collor reflecting off the scenery made it something moving. I let out a 'wooooo-hooooooo!!!' and cranked it up a notch. The cross wind turned into a tailwind at the bottom of the pass, so I was cruising at 19-20 mph asily. It was nice to have that tail wind after working so hard during the previous hours.
Checking the map, I saw tere was a campground area in Wellton. Turned out to be an RV Park called Tier Drop. As I pulled up to the office a couple of guys said 'hey, you made it!' Turns out they passed me 30-40 minutes prior coming down the pass. That was neat to talk to some people that had passed me and noticed me on the road. Then I noticed an older man coming out of the office and locking the door.
Shoot! Did I miss it? I asked the gentleman if he had just closed up and if I would be abe to camp. He told me to just set my tent up in the back, behind the office. He had another cyclist come through before and that is what he did. No charge! Turns out the man's name is Jim and he is the owner of the park. Nice! What luck!
After settng up camp, I took a walk to the showers (I showered up) then made all the appropriate phone calls. Bed time is coming earler and earlier these days. Down witht the sun, up with the sun. I never thought I would be wanting to sleep that early and waking up so easily that early!
My mileage for the day was 33 miles.
Some pictures are up on the flickr page. Check it out here or at the bottom of the page.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
New Pictures up on Flickr!
I just posted some new pictures up on Flickr for everyone to check out! Tomorrow I will have a new blog entry for your wondering minds!
Friday, February 11, 2011
The First Week (A Look Back)
As I write this I am lying down on a hard bed in a pretty cheap motel. $30 a night doesn't get you much, but it does get you wireless internet, a warm shower and a warm place to sleep. The past few nights have been cold but fun and cheap. Anyway, here we go...back in time to the first week of the trip:
After the third day (Thursday February 3), we headed from Palm Desert to the Salton Sea. What a ride that was! It was almost down hill the whole way. The Salton Sea is 240 ft below sea level so it is only obvious that it was. It was a little breezy but not too bad. We ended up taking the CA111 the entire way. Not much to view. When we started, we saw a huge white cloud in the distance and we both thought we were heading into a dust storm. What a nice way to start. First a bunch of wind on day 2, now a huge dust storm. Anyway, onto more of the trip.
We kept riding and riding and riding away. We came to a small town and decided to get some lunch there. The first place we stopped at was called Loco Toro. However that place was a market of sorts. We didn't want to get food to make, we just wanted to get something to eat and be on the way. As I left the store and was telling Streetz about the store, a woman came out of the store and recommended a place down the street.
We pulled up and set our bikes to the side of the door. A couple of women walked into the restaraunt and one of them told us to lock our bikes up. We told her it would be pretty hard to get away with them because they are so heavy, but she responded that 'you don't know the people here. I would lock them up.' We took her advice and locked them together. While we were eating a gentleman came up and asked us where/what/how/why we were doing. We told him some things and asked him about the dust cloud from earlier. He told us they burn off the crops in the morning so everything smells funny and that is why the cloud was there. Nice. That question was answered and it put out the idea of a dust storm. Now the day looked really easy and almost done.
As we came closer, we could see the sea and were getting excited about almost being there. We kept riding until we came across a camp site. This first site didn't allow tent camping and we had to continue down the road for one more mile. Off on the road again.
Once we got there and checked out the camping spots, we were stoked! There were a few spots at the very end of the site that were right on the beach. We posted up, used the restroom, then I went to pay the camp hosts. They gave us a hiker/biker deal but we couldn't stay at the spot we started to set up. So we moved directly across the parking area and still had a really good spot. After setting up, we got out our cameras and went to the beach/shore of the sea. We were in shoes, luckily, and were noticing how crunchy it was. Then we saw why all the birds were around the water line...TONS OF DEAD FISH!!! It was crazy! All these dead fish and all the beautiful scenery behind it. Then we realized what that crunchy sand was...FISH SKELETONS!!!
I mean, WOW! Then the sun was setting and the colors were coming out on the sky and the water, the birds were out flying on the water and the bones of the fish were something else that added a weird beauty to it.
After taking tons of pictures we started a fire and began to have our dinner. That was a pretty fun night. I didn't put up the fly on my tent that night and I'm glad I didn't. It was beautiful underneath the stars out there. It was a good night to camp and a good night to think.
The next morning (Saturday February 5) we headed out and needed to get a lot of riding done. We needed to make it to Brawley if we wanted to be on schedule to be in Yuma on Monday. Back to the grind again. We had a snack and were on the way.
After a few miles of riding we saw a turnout for Bombay Beach and decided to get sme food there. As we turned in we saw a big painted sign that said 'Fish Fry Today.' It was at the local American Legion. We thought that was pretty neat, but it was later in the day and didn't have time to wait so we kept riding the Legion. To give you an example of how small this town was, there were 5 streets and they were named appropriately: 1st street, 2nd street, etc.
We passed what looked like a house with a marquee outside that said 'Ski Inn: Cold Drinks, Good Food. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years but there were cars outside. We decided to pass that and go to the market that was right down the street. I checked out the market and came right back out. Nothing for us in there. The market man told me the Ski Inn had food and drinks, so that is where we went.
We pulled up on our bikes and put them off to the side and walked in. To our surprise there were about 10 people inside having drinks. It was the local bar and restaraunt. An older couple asked us about our trip as soon as we walked in, so we told them a little about it then we headed to a bar stool and sat down. After asking for a food menu and ordering a couple drinks, we soon realized that this was probably the coolest little bar we would find.
It had super cracked tile, dollar bills stuck on the walls and ceiling of the bar, a sign that said 'Don't talk about yourself while you're here, we'll do enough of that when you leave' and a real local/hometown feeling to it. There were people from Slab City, Canada, locals waiting for their sister from the valley. Listening to them talk about the sheriff, who posted up down the street waiting for people to leave the bar, was pretty funny. The bartender was an older gentleman and he was telling these stories about how crappy but cool the sheriff is. Once we ate and had a couple drinks in us, we began to become integrated into the conversation. The couple next to us were from Slab City and the dude was trying to tell us about it and that we should go. He couldn't get much out though, it seemed like he had a stroke or something so his speaking was difficult to understand, so he used his hands a lot and was able to get his point across. At one point we ordered a shot, because it was so cheap, and he got oooober excited for us. It was like he had never seen anybody order a shot in there before. It was pretty cool.
We told the bartender we were headed to Brawley and he said we would want to leave as soon as we got there. Not a very nice spot. I kind of chuckled to myself because everybody is telling us these stops on the trip aren't very nice and we will want to get out as soon as we get there. I had been taking that sort of talk with a grain of salt.
We said our goodbyes to our new friends and went back outside to our bikes. We both thought that bar/restaraunt was probably the coolest thing yet, besides the sunset from the previous night.
Off we went with a good feeling for the day and food in our bellies. Along the way, we kept seeing abandoned houses so we decided to take a look in a few of them and see what was there. The first one was in the middle of nowhere and had lots of land behind it. There we grabbed a bunch of insulation for the stoves we would be using for camping and we checked out the land. There were a couple stripped down trucks in the very back and just a bunch of random, old, rusted out stuff. Nothing we needed for the trip. The next two were side-by-side and looked like they were homes at one point. These were in a small town and just off the HWY. There we got some pretty cool pictures and I found a decanter that was from a golfing championship in 1971. I didn't want it, but Streetz said he would hang onto it and decide later if he wanted to keep it.
It was starting to get late, so he headed out and tried to make up some of the time we lost while we were goofing around. Night fell and we still weren't there, so we turned on our lights and pushed through. You have to realize that night falls around 6ish so it really wasn't that late at all, just dark.
We finally cycled into Brawley and it looked like a run down peice of a ghetto town. Buildings closed up, people out on the streets and just a not too good feeling when we arrived. We stopped off at a market to get some food for camping and such. We both went inside but soon Streetz had a bad feeling about our bikes outside, so I went out to stay with the bikes as he got some things for camping.
It is a good thing I went when I did because some dude was right there looking at them and when I came out he immediately asked me for change. He did not look like a guy I wanted to be talking too. I told him I'm in the same boat he is, sorry. Then he walked on and another sketchy looking character came rolling up with a big trash bag slung over his shoulder. He dropped off the bag by our bikes and walked to the parking lot on the other side of the market door. He came back with a man and they were looking at the bag and trying to barter for something, all the while Streetz and I were trying to hurry up and get the food packed and get out of Dodge!
We finally did and decided to go to a Jack in the Crack to replentish the calories we just burned off in the day. As soon as we pull in, a weird lurker came and sat outside with us. He didn't go inside or anything, just sat down and started talking to us. I told Streetz I was going in first to get some food and I'd watch the bikes so he could go in after I ordered. I ordered, then it was my turn to talk to creepo.
He just looked shady and gave us a bad feeling. With the questions he was asking and what he was saying it almost seemed like he wanted US to offer him drugs or wanted to get into our pants or something, either way he just wouldn't go away. Once I saw my food come out I went to grab it and noticed that a table inside near the door had opened up. I set my food on the table and went back out to grab my bike and Streetz and get away from this dude. As we were pulling our bikes into the dining area, he told us he would watch them for us and we could just go ahead and eat our dinner. Ha! Yeah right! Thats alright. We'll just bring them in.
We had only been in town for maybe 15 minutes and already wanted to leave, just like the bartender told us. And it was only 7ish! After eating we checked the map for camp sites and couldn't find one so, instead of camping off the road with all the creepers lurking about, we decided to hotel it another night.
The next day, Sunday February 6, was a beautiful day. Warm and with the wind to our backs. To look at Brawley during the day, you would not expect to see what we saw at night. It was so nice out that we decided to ride shirtless and try to get some color.
Riding, riding, riding. Oh, I did something sort of note worthy: I peed from my bike while riding! That was interesting. Anyway, we were passing fields and fields of green crop to burned off crop. When we hit Interstate 8, we found that we could not ride on it so we had to take the back roads that paralled it. Rough roads and heading into the wind made for a long ride. We stopped a few times, once next to some hay bails to refill our water bottles. It was so warm out we were going through water like nobody's business.
We found HWY 115 that paralled the 8 after our side roads ran out. That was a terrible road. It looked as if it hadn't been repaired in years. It was hard to find any smooth spot that didn't have 4inch cracks in it. Once we got through that, we had to get on the 8 for about a mile. We found a side road and climbed through the barbed fencing to get to it. We were officially in the sand dunes.
That was so hard to push the bikes through. I'm not sure how much my bike weights but in soft sand in just sinks. It was rough, but we found a place to camp and we didn't have to pay for it. As the sun set, we ate our dinner and passed out after a good day of riding.
Monday February 7, the day we would arrive in Yuma! We got up with the sun and packed our things. Again we had to get on the Interstate, but this time there was a bike sign that led us onto it. Phew! At least now we were allowed to be on it!
Riding and riding again. We got off the Interstate to follow a frontage road and came across Center of the World Drive. As we rode on this street, we passed a granite museum of something and came up to a Highway Patrol station. I wanted to go inside and see if we were on the right path and what to do about riding on the Interstate. Sheryl, one of the desk ladies in there, answered our questions and said just keep going you're almost there. She informed us that we could be on the Interstate as long as there is no frontage road following it. That was just what we needed to hear, almost there and it was ok to ride on the Interstate.
Just after that, we crossed over to a gas station and got a couple things for breakfast. We had time to kill so we stayed there and ate and goofed around. Then we had to be on our way. It seemed real easy to cross over into AZ and over into a new time zone. We followed the directions I had right into the middle of Yuma. At that point Kenny called me and said he was at the hotel and would be coming to get us soon. So we stopped in an alley way next to a cemetery. Just as we stopped they called and said they were on the way and off the Interstate, asking for directions. About 8 minutes later they were there to pick us up.
They took us to the Quechan Hotel and Casino, where they had booked the rooms, and boom! off to Mexico we went. Streetz didn't have his passport so he stayed back at the hotel while we went international.
I'm going to leave this one here for now, I've got to get ready to leave the hotel I'm staying at and I want to shower before I hit the road. Thank you all for your continued support. Just keep updating yourselves here and you may be surprised with what you find.
After the third day (Thursday February 3), we headed from Palm Desert to the Salton Sea. What a ride that was! It was almost down hill the whole way. The Salton Sea is 240 ft below sea level so it is only obvious that it was. It was a little breezy but not too bad. We ended up taking the CA111 the entire way. Not much to view. When we started, we saw a huge white cloud in the distance and we both thought we were heading into a dust storm. What a nice way to start. First a bunch of wind on day 2, now a huge dust storm. Anyway, onto more of the trip.
We kept riding and riding and riding away. We came to a small town and decided to get some lunch there. The first place we stopped at was called Loco Toro. However that place was a market of sorts. We didn't want to get food to make, we just wanted to get something to eat and be on the way. As I left the store and was telling Streetz about the store, a woman came out of the store and recommended a place down the street.
We pulled up and set our bikes to the side of the door. A couple of women walked into the restaraunt and one of them told us to lock our bikes up. We told her it would be pretty hard to get away with them because they are so heavy, but she responded that 'you don't know the people here. I would lock them up.' We took her advice and locked them together. While we were eating a gentleman came up and asked us where/what/how/why we were doing. We told him some things and asked him about the dust cloud from earlier. He told us they burn off the crops in the morning so everything smells funny and that is why the cloud was there. Nice. That question was answered and it put out the idea of a dust storm. Now the day looked really easy and almost done.
As we came closer, we could see the sea and were getting excited about almost being there. We kept riding until we came across a camp site. This first site didn't allow tent camping and we had to continue down the road for one more mile. Off on the road again.
Once we got there and checked out the camping spots, we were stoked! There were a few spots at the very end of the site that were right on the beach. We posted up, used the restroom, then I went to pay the camp hosts. They gave us a hiker/biker deal but we couldn't stay at the spot we started to set up. So we moved directly across the parking area and still had a really good spot. After setting up, we got out our cameras and went to the beach/shore of the sea. We were in shoes, luckily, and were noticing how crunchy it was. Then we saw why all the birds were around the water line...TONS OF DEAD FISH!!! It was crazy! All these dead fish and all the beautiful scenery behind it. Then we realized what that crunchy sand was...FISH SKELETONS!!!
I mean, WOW! Then the sun was setting and the colors were coming out on the sky and the water, the birds were out flying on the water and the bones of the fish were something else that added a weird beauty to it.
After taking tons of pictures we started a fire and began to have our dinner. That was a pretty fun night. I didn't put up the fly on my tent that night and I'm glad I didn't. It was beautiful underneath the stars out there. It was a good night to camp and a good night to think.
The next morning (Saturday February 5) we headed out and needed to get a lot of riding done. We needed to make it to Brawley if we wanted to be on schedule to be in Yuma on Monday. Back to the grind again. We had a snack and were on the way.
After a few miles of riding we saw a turnout for Bombay Beach and decided to get sme food there. As we turned in we saw a big painted sign that said 'Fish Fry Today.' It was at the local American Legion. We thought that was pretty neat, but it was later in the day and didn't have time to wait so we kept riding the Legion. To give you an example of how small this town was, there were 5 streets and they were named appropriately: 1st street, 2nd street, etc.
We passed what looked like a house with a marquee outside that said 'Ski Inn: Cold Drinks, Good Food. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years but there were cars outside. We decided to pass that and go to the market that was right down the street. I checked out the market and came right back out. Nothing for us in there. The market man told me the Ski Inn had food and drinks, so that is where we went.
We pulled up on our bikes and put them off to the side and walked in. To our surprise there were about 10 people inside having drinks. It was the local bar and restaraunt. An older couple asked us about our trip as soon as we walked in, so we told them a little about it then we headed to a bar stool and sat down. After asking for a food menu and ordering a couple drinks, we soon realized that this was probably the coolest little bar we would find.
It had super cracked tile, dollar bills stuck on the walls and ceiling of the bar, a sign that said 'Don't talk about yourself while you're here, we'll do enough of that when you leave' and a real local/hometown feeling to it. There were people from Slab City, Canada, locals waiting for their sister from the valley. Listening to them talk about the sheriff, who posted up down the street waiting for people to leave the bar, was pretty funny. The bartender was an older gentleman and he was telling these stories about how crappy but cool the sheriff is. Once we ate and had a couple drinks in us, we began to become integrated into the conversation. The couple next to us were from Slab City and the dude was trying to tell us about it and that we should go. He couldn't get much out though, it seemed like he had a stroke or something so his speaking was difficult to understand, so he used his hands a lot and was able to get his point across. At one point we ordered a shot, because it was so cheap, and he got oooober excited for us. It was like he had never seen anybody order a shot in there before. It was pretty cool.
We told the bartender we were headed to Brawley and he said we would want to leave as soon as we got there. Not a very nice spot. I kind of chuckled to myself because everybody is telling us these stops on the trip aren't very nice and we will want to get out as soon as we get there. I had been taking that sort of talk with a grain of salt.
We said our goodbyes to our new friends and went back outside to our bikes. We both thought that bar/restaraunt was probably the coolest thing yet, besides the sunset from the previous night.
Off we went with a good feeling for the day and food in our bellies. Along the way, we kept seeing abandoned houses so we decided to take a look in a few of them and see what was there. The first one was in the middle of nowhere and had lots of land behind it. There we grabbed a bunch of insulation for the stoves we would be using for camping and we checked out the land. There were a couple stripped down trucks in the very back and just a bunch of random, old, rusted out stuff. Nothing we needed for the trip. The next two were side-by-side and looked like they were homes at one point. These were in a small town and just off the HWY. There we got some pretty cool pictures and I found a decanter that was from a golfing championship in 1971. I didn't want it, but Streetz said he would hang onto it and decide later if he wanted to keep it.
It was starting to get late, so he headed out and tried to make up some of the time we lost while we were goofing around. Night fell and we still weren't there, so we turned on our lights and pushed through. You have to realize that night falls around 6ish so it really wasn't that late at all, just dark.
We finally cycled into Brawley and it looked like a run down peice of a ghetto town. Buildings closed up, people out on the streets and just a not too good feeling when we arrived. We stopped off at a market to get some food for camping and such. We both went inside but soon Streetz had a bad feeling about our bikes outside, so I went out to stay with the bikes as he got some things for camping.
It is a good thing I went when I did because some dude was right there looking at them and when I came out he immediately asked me for change. He did not look like a guy I wanted to be talking too. I told him I'm in the same boat he is, sorry. Then he walked on and another sketchy looking character came rolling up with a big trash bag slung over his shoulder. He dropped off the bag by our bikes and walked to the parking lot on the other side of the market door. He came back with a man and they were looking at the bag and trying to barter for something, all the while Streetz and I were trying to hurry up and get the food packed and get out of Dodge!
We finally did and decided to go to a Jack in the Crack to replentish the calories we just burned off in the day. As soon as we pull in, a weird lurker came and sat outside with us. He didn't go inside or anything, just sat down and started talking to us. I told Streetz I was going in first to get some food and I'd watch the bikes so he could go in after I ordered. I ordered, then it was my turn to talk to creepo.
He just looked shady and gave us a bad feeling. With the questions he was asking and what he was saying it almost seemed like he wanted US to offer him drugs or wanted to get into our pants or something, either way he just wouldn't go away. Once I saw my food come out I went to grab it and noticed that a table inside near the door had opened up. I set my food on the table and went back out to grab my bike and Streetz and get away from this dude. As we were pulling our bikes into the dining area, he told us he would watch them for us and we could just go ahead and eat our dinner. Ha! Yeah right! Thats alright. We'll just bring them in.
We had only been in town for maybe 15 minutes and already wanted to leave, just like the bartender told us. And it was only 7ish! After eating we checked the map for camp sites and couldn't find one so, instead of camping off the road with all the creepers lurking about, we decided to hotel it another night.
The next day, Sunday February 6, was a beautiful day. Warm and with the wind to our backs. To look at Brawley during the day, you would not expect to see what we saw at night. It was so nice out that we decided to ride shirtless and try to get some color.
Riding, riding, riding. Oh, I did something sort of note worthy: I peed from my bike while riding! That was interesting. Anyway, we were passing fields and fields of green crop to burned off crop. When we hit Interstate 8, we found that we could not ride on it so we had to take the back roads that paralled it. Rough roads and heading into the wind made for a long ride. We stopped a few times, once next to some hay bails to refill our water bottles. It was so warm out we were going through water like nobody's business.
We found HWY 115 that paralled the 8 after our side roads ran out. That was a terrible road. It looked as if it hadn't been repaired in years. It was hard to find any smooth spot that didn't have 4inch cracks in it. Once we got through that, we had to get on the 8 for about a mile. We found a side road and climbed through the barbed fencing to get to it. We were officially in the sand dunes.
That was so hard to push the bikes through. I'm not sure how much my bike weights but in soft sand in just sinks. It was rough, but we found a place to camp and we didn't have to pay for it. As the sun set, we ate our dinner and passed out after a good day of riding.
Monday February 7, the day we would arrive in Yuma! We got up with the sun and packed our things. Again we had to get on the Interstate, but this time there was a bike sign that led us onto it. Phew! At least now we were allowed to be on it!
Riding and riding again. We got off the Interstate to follow a frontage road and came across Center of the World Drive. As we rode on this street, we passed a granite museum of something and came up to a Highway Patrol station. I wanted to go inside and see if we were on the right path and what to do about riding on the Interstate. Sheryl, one of the desk ladies in there, answered our questions and said just keep going you're almost there. She informed us that we could be on the Interstate as long as there is no frontage road following it. That was just what we needed to hear, almost there and it was ok to ride on the Interstate.
Just after that, we crossed over to a gas station and got a couple things for breakfast. We had time to kill so we stayed there and ate and goofed around. Then we had to be on our way. It seemed real easy to cross over into AZ and over into a new time zone. We followed the directions I had right into the middle of Yuma. At that point Kenny called me and said he was at the hotel and would be coming to get us soon. So we stopped in an alley way next to a cemetery. Just as we stopped they called and said they were on the way and off the Interstate, asking for directions. About 8 minutes later they were there to pick us up.
They took us to the Quechan Hotel and Casino, where they had booked the rooms, and boom! off to Mexico we went. Streetz didn't have his passport so he stayed back at the hotel while we went international.
I'm going to leave this one here for now, I've got to get ready to leave the hotel I'm staying at and I want to shower before I hit the road. Thank you all for your continued support. Just keep updating yourselves here and you may be surprised with what you find.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Made it to Yuma!
Streetz and I made it to Yuma around 11:50a Ca time. That is exactly the time we crossed into Yuma and Kenny called me to say they were at the Quechan Casino and Resort.
After miles of farms and really, super intensly bumpy roads we made it! Wind aside, hills aside, bumpiness aside the first week was amazing. Tons of pictures that were beautiful, sights to be in awe of and lots of sceery to drop your jaw at. We are in the hotel right now and having a couple drinks before we head down to the casino to see what is going on.
:::::::::---------:::::::::
______
On the third day I realized I had lost my wallet. We got a short cut from my dad when I realized my wallet was missing. My grandma and grandpa Bruns were there watching me go through and through my bags looking for that darn wallet but also trying to hurry at the same time. It took a while, so my grandparents left and wished me well (including hugs, kisses, and prayer to keep me safe on my journey). After looking through all of my gear, we finally got on our way between 12p and 12:30p. Geesh, that took so long!
Judy filled our two, one gallon water bottles so that was some added weight. Turns out that was perfect! It took away the wobbles I had in the front of my bike. The first day the wobbles were pretty bad because I had the weight mis-distributed. Changed up the set up of the load the second day so that I would have better control. And hey, it worked! Even with more weight it felt really good. No wobble at all.
My dad's route took off quite a few miles, however it started out as a huge mountain! A climb a few hundred feet within a mile or so! We even saw ice on the climb up! But after that...geez! It was smooth sailing. Down hill through Beaumont and Banning. Wow!!! We even took a turn at 33mph when the curve was limited to 30mph/hr. Crazy! We even had some wind at our backs so it was really easy to get through those two cities.
The street we were on eventually just became an interstate on ramp so we had to go through a hole in the fence that follows the interstate. Once through that it was smooth sailing, again. We passed through the area with all the windmills, Wind Alley (or something like that), around sunset time and it was beautiful! But we still had a long way to go. We had to hit Palm Desert, so we continued on. Palm Springs came up really quick! It seemed like it was all down hill. We arrived in Palm Springs and came across a farmers' market so we stopped to take in the local people and see what they had to offer. One of the merchants there asked us what we were up to and was pretty stoked for us so he gave us some of his 'Green Drink'. Its was all natural and had 6 ingredients all blended together. It had flavor but it was definately in need of some better taste! Once we passed through Palm Springs it was a bee line to Palm Desert. That night we stayed at a hotel and had a chance to soak in a hot tub! It was so nice to just relax in there.
After miles of farms and really, super intensly bumpy roads we made it! Wind aside, hills aside, bumpiness aside the first week was amazing. Tons of pictures that were beautiful, sights to be in awe of and lots of sceery to drop your jaw at. We are in the hotel right now and having a couple drinks before we head down to the casino to see what is going on.
:::::::::---------:::::::::
______
On the third day I realized I had lost my wallet. We got a short cut from my dad when I realized my wallet was missing. My grandma and grandpa Bruns were there watching me go through and through my bags looking for that darn wallet but also trying to hurry at the same time. It took a while, so my grandparents left and wished me well (including hugs, kisses, and prayer to keep me safe on my journey). After looking through all of my gear, we finally got on our way between 12p and 12:30p. Geesh, that took so long!
Judy filled our two, one gallon water bottles so that was some added weight. Turns out that was perfect! It took away the wobbles I had in the front of my bike. The first day the wobbles were pretty bad because I had the weight mis-distributed. Changed up the set up of the load the second day so that I would have better control. And hey, it worked! Even with more weight it felt really good. No wobble at all.
My dad's route took off quite a few miles, however it started out as a huge mountain! A climb a few hundred feet within a mile or so! We even saw ice on the climb up! But after that...geez! It was smooth sailing. Down hill through Beaumont and Banning. Wow!!! We even took a turn at 33mph when the curve was limited to 30mph/hr. Crazy! We even had some wind at our backs so it was really easy to get through those two cities.
The street we were on eventually just became an interstate on ramp so we had to go through a hole in the fence that follows the interstate. Once through that it was smooth sailing, again. We passed through the area with all the windmills, Wind Alley (or something like that), around sunset time and it was beautiful! But we still had a long way to go. We had to hit Palm Desert, so we continued on. Palm Springs came up really quick! It seemed like it was all down hill. We arrived in Palm Springs and came across a farmers' market so we stopped to take in the local people and see what they had to offer. One of the merchants there asked us what we were up to and was pretty stoked for us so he gave us some of his 'Green Drink'. Its was all natural and had 6 ingredients all blended together. It had flavor but it was definately in need of some better taste! Once we passed through Palm Springs it was a bee line to Palm Desert. That night we stayed at a hotel and had a chance to soak in a hot tub! It was so nice to just relax in there.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
2/2/2011 Day 2
Now it is the 2nd day. Streetz and I had a great time last night and finally got some well desered sleep. We didn't get to bed too early, but we did relax. With the good byes taken care of last night and a special good night to Hannah, we woke up and tried to get out as soon as we could. Not happening. We watched a little of the news and we were not so surprised to see 6 over-turned big rigs on the 10/15 freeways! Winds from 30-40 mph and up to 70 mph gusts!!! Insane!
Wow!!! What a windy day! It took double the effort to go half the distance. So discouraging. However, we made our way and got to business. Our first stop was at FELT Bicycles, an ex-employer of mine. I wanted to stop in and say hello to my old boss Jay. He has always been really fun and supportive of this trip since it was just an idea a few years ago when I was working there.
It took us a couple hours just to go about 10 miles! When we got to our turn off for FELT we stopped first at In N Out and Chick-Fil-A for some foodage. So good to get some fuel for our bodies. We were definately in need as the wind was taking alot out of us. Once finished, we were on our way to FELT. About 1 mile.
That one mile was intense. Both of us were almost blown over at one point! There was such a big gust that we had to put a foot down because, if we didn't, we would have fallen right over. Crazy!!!
Once we made it to FELT we said hi to Jay, Raul, David, and the guys that have joined the FELT team since I've left. Jay hooked up Streetz with a couple spare tires and wanted to give me a bell but I already had one. It was really nice to see those guys and show them that this was really happening.
One of the guys helped us with some directions and an idea to go to Don's Bicycle Shop in Rialto. Once we got our updated directions we were on our way. Since the wind was so strong, we had to get as much time in as possible.
Going down San Bernardino Ave was terrible. Poorly paved roads, headwinds so strong they were kicking up dirt into our faces and pushing us back and forth, and draining our energy more quickly than we wanted. 5-6 mph in the wind was our average. So slow...
Then Streetz noticed a wall and sidewalk on the other side of the street so we went over there and were somewhat blocked from the wind so we were able to pick up the pace to around 12 mph. Amazing what a little barrier will do.
We stopped off at Don's Bicycle Shop where we got hooked up! Scott at Don's gave us a few waters and introduced us to the Power Bar reps that were in the shop. The reps gave us most of the free product they had when they learned what we were doing. It was a good stop. Except...I think I left my wallet there :/ (more on that later)
So off to my dad's house in Yucaipa we went after Don's. It was a pretty smooth ride from there because it seem as if the wind was dying down a bit. Phew! Finally. However, the wind was replaced by darkness and climbing into the foothills of the Big Bear Mountain. At one point we were riding in the dark on 5th street just outside of Crafton Hills and a car pulled next to me and the driver started asking me some questions.
The guy was really interested in what we were doing and was, infact, a pretty legitimate rider himself. He was telling me he was going to race the RAAM this year and estimated it would take him about a week to do it. After a few minutes of talking, he informed me the road up ahead was very narrow and dark and offered to be a follow car behind us. At first I shrugged it off because I thought it would be ok without him, however when he offered again and told me it was pretty shady I gladly accepted.
Boy was I glad I did! It was so dark and, just like he said, narrow that I couldn't imagine doing that stretch without him. His car behind us lighting up our path and hazards on letting the cars around that cyclists were on the road. That was really cool. When the stretch was done, he came up again and let us know the 'bad' stretch was done and asked if I was docuenting the trip at all. I gave him the information, said our goodbyes, and he was on his way. (By the time we got to my dad's house and on the internet he had already checked out the site and sent a message!) Definately an amazing feeling from the help we had been recieving all day.
By this time, Streetz had already gotten 2 flats (one in each tube) and I just noticed that my front tire was looking low. I had a slow leak but didn't have the time or daylight to repair OR replace it. So I just had to keep pumping it up every few miles until we reached my dad's house.
Out of Crafton Hills and onto Yucaipa Blvd and almost there! We climbed and climbed and climbed until we reached California Street. Right turn, then coast the 6 blocks to my dad's house! Finally a point we could coast and get excited because we were almost done with our day. So exciting to get off the saddle and into a more comfy seat:)
We arrived and Judy, my stepmom, welcomed us with open arms and spaghetti with sausage. What a feeling to have completed a rough second day! After eating to our hearts' content and showering we promptly became sleepy and took care of sleep business. Streetz fell asleep on the couch while I stayed up and tried to post on the internet. Once my dad came home and told me the time I thought "geez. I need to get some rest." Off to bed I went.
Day 2 completed
ODO start: 78.4 miles
ODO end: 123.0 miles
Wow!!! What a windy day! It took double the effort to go half the distance. So discouraging. However, we made our way and got to business. Our first stop was at FELT Bicycles, an ex-employer of mine. I wanted to stop in and say hello to my old boss Jay. He has always been really fun and supportive of this trip since it was just an idea a few years ago when I was working there.
It took us a couple hours just to go about 10 miles! When we got to our turn off for FELT we stopped first at In N Out and Chick-Fil-A for some foodage. So good to get some fuel for our bodies. We were definately in need as the wind was taking alot out of us. Once finished, we were on our way to FELT. About 1 mile.
That one mile was intense. Both of us were almost blown over at one point! There was such a big gust that we had to put a foot down because, if we didn't, we would have fallen right over. Crazy!!!
Once we made it to FELT we said hi to Jay, Raul, David, and the guys that have joined the FELT team since I've left. Jay hooked up Streetz with a couple spare tires and wanted to give me a bell but I already had one. It was really nice to see those guys and show them that this was really happening.
One of the guys helped us with some directions and an idea to go to Don's Bicycle Shop in Rialto. Once we got our updated directions we were on our way. Since the wind was so strong, we had to get as much time in as possible.
Going down San Bernardino Ave was terrible. Poorly paved roads, headwinds so strong they were kicking up dirt into our faces and pushing us back and forth, and draining our energy more quickly than we wanted. 5-6 mph in the wind was our average. So slow...
Then Streetz noticed a wall and sidewalk on the other side of the street so we went over there and were somewhat blocked from the wind so we were able to pick up the pace to around 12 mph. Amazing what a little barrier will do.
We stopped off at Don's Bicycle Shop where we got hooked up! Scott at Don's gave us a few waters and introduced us to the Power Bar reps that were in the shop. The reps gave us most of the free product they had when they learned what we were doing. It was a good stop. Except...I think I left my wallet there :/ (more on that later)
So off to my dad's house in Yucaipa we went after Don's. It was a pretty smooth ride from there because it seem as if the wind was dying down a bit. Phew! Finally. However, the wind was replaced by darkness and climbing into the foothills of the Big Bear Mountain. At one point we were riding in the dark on 5th street just outside of Crafton Hills and a car pulled next to me and the driver started asking me some questions.
The guy was really interested in what we were doing and was, infact, a pretty legitimate rider himself. He was telling me he was going to race the RAAM this year and estimated it would take him about a week to do it. After a few minutes of talking, he informed me the road up ahead was very narrow and dark and offered to be a follow car behind us. At first I shrugged it off because I thought it would be ok without him, however when he offered again and told me it was pretty shady I gladly accepted.
Boy was I glad I did! It was so dark and, just like he said, narrow that I couldn't imagine doing that stretch without him. His car behind us lighting up our path and hazards on letting the cars around that cyclists were on the road. That was really cool. When the stretch was done, he came up again and let us know the 'bad' stretch was done and asked if I was docuenting the trip at all. I gave him the information, said our goodbyes, and he was on his way. (By the time we got to my dad's house and on the internet he had already checked out the site and sent a message!) Definately an amazing feeling from the help we had been recieving all day.
By this time, Streetz had already gotten 2 flats (one in each tube) and I just noticed that my front tire was looking low. I had a slow leak but didn't have the time or daylight to repair OR replace it. So I just had to keep pumping it up every few miles until we reached my dad's house.
Out of Crafton Hills and onto Yucaipa Blvd and almost there! We climbed and climbed and climbed until we reached California Street. Right turn, then coast the 6 blocks to my dad's house! Finally a point we could coast and get excited because we were almost done with our day. So exciting to get off the saddle and into a more comfy seat:)
We arrived and Judy, my stepmom, welcomed us with open arms and spaghetti with sausage. What a feeling to have completed a rough second day! After eating to our hearts' content and showering we promptly became sleepy and took care of sleep business. Streetz fell asleep on the couch while I stayed up and tried to post on the internet. Once my dad came home and told me the time I thought "geez. I need to get some rest." Off to bed I went.
Day 2 completed
ODO start: 78.4 miles
ODO end: 123.0 miles
One last ink before I go...
1/19/2011
So Hannah and I went last night out to Sid's Tattoo Parlor to get some ink by John, a friend who works there. He tattooed a crow on my right shin a few months ago and i was so pleased i had to get one more. This time Hannah and I both got a tattoo, her first one! He was very sweet with her, asking her if she was ok and if she needed a break at all but she beared through it. She is such a trooper! She got a small bicycle, that I drew, tattooed on her right wrist so that she can look at it while I'm away and think of me. Something to keep us together, even while I'm gone. He wrapped her up nice and neat, after about a 15 minute tattoo, and I had him give her the shpeal about keeping it cleaned and how to wash it. She had to get the full experience for her first one! It was also nice going in and seeing a couple of other buddies we both know just hanging out. It made the experience for her even that much more special.
Then on to mine. I wanted to get a couple telephone poles, on my lower left leg, connected by a bicycle chain as the wires. I wanted to get something I can potentially add to while I am on my trip and this was perfect. In different states/countries I can get silhouettes of birds on the wire to commemorate and remember this trip by. I gave him a couple print outs of the poles I wanted and..boom! There they were on my leg! B-E-A-utiful! I had the idea to wrap the chain(as the telephone cables) around the back and front of my leg, but as we were looking at it, we both couldn't figure out how it would work and look right. So I decided to just connect the poles with the chain in the front. Boy am I glad for that. He free handed the chain and it is so crisp. I honestly couldn't imagine it looking any better. I also asked if he would put a heart in one of the poles with the initials 'S + H' and he was able to do it. It is so small, but it looks just the way I wanted it to(like it was carved into the telephone pole).
The whole experience was just great. My girl, good friends and memories. It was awesome. We left with smiles on our faces and india ink in our skin. Some of you out there might cringe at the thought of the tattooing, but once you get one it is hard to not get another. So fun and meaningful!
Here are some of the pictures:
So Hannah and I went last night out to Sid's Tattoo Parlor to get some ink by John, a friend who works there. He tattooed a crow on my right shin a few months ago and i was so pleased i had to get one more. This time Hannah and I both got a tattoo, her first one! He was very sweet with her, asking her if she was ok and if she needed a break at all but she beared through it. She is such a trooper! She got a small bicycle, that I drew, tattooed on her right wrist so that she can look at it while I'm away and think of me. Something to keep us together, even while I'm gone. He wrapped her up nice and neat, after about a 15 minute tattoo, and I had him give her the shpeal about keeping it cleaned and how to wash it. She had to get the full experience for her first one! It was also nice going in and seeing a couple of other buddies we both know just hanging out. It made the experience for her even that much more special.
Then on to mine. I wanted to get a couple telephone poles, on my lower left leg, connected by a bicycle chain as the wires. I wanted to get something I can potentially add to while I am on my trip and this was perfect. In different states/countries I can get silhouettes of birds on the wire to commemorate and remember this trip by. I gave him a couple print outs of the poles I wanted and..boom! There they were on my leg! B-E-A-utiful! I had the idea to wrap the chain(as the telephone cables) around the back and front of my leg, but as we were looking at it, we both couldn't figure out how it would work and look right. So I decided to just connect the poles with the chain in the front. Boy am I glad for that. He free handed the chain and it is so crisp. I honestly couldn't imagine it looking any better. I also asked if he would put a heart in one of the poles with the initials 'S + H' and he was able to do it. It is so small, but it looks just the way I wanted it to(like it was carved into the telephone pole).
The whole experience was just great. My girl, good friends and memories. It was awesome. We left with smiles on our faces and india ink in our skin. Some of you out there might cringe at the thought of the tattooing, but once you get one it is hard to not get another. So fun and meaningful!
Here are some of the pictures:
Thursday, February 3, 2011
2/1/2011 Day 1
This morning was nutty! I slept in my room one last time. Hannah was asleep next to me and my bicycle was on it's kickstand near the foot of the mattress. I did not want to get up. I was so comfortable I could have laid there forever. However, I had lots to do (even at 6a)! A breakfast with my mom at 7a, last minute adjustments, taking my mattress to the dumpster (it was high-time that thing left), and meet at the parking lot at the bottom of Junipero right on the beach.
Well, it just so happened that I was so comfortable, I DID sleep in! Slept until about 6:30a and started to rush around getting ready for breakfast with my mom. Once I was ready, I began to make the last minute adjustments to the packing of the bags and tried to get Hannah to get moving too.
After reluctantly throwing off the covers and getting up to get ready, we drove over to Park Pantry to meet my mother. She was already there and we saw each other through the window. We both smiled and waved; Hannah told me 'your mom is beautiful.'
After walking in and sitting down at the table, my mom started to go through the 'mom checklist' to see if I had everything she thought I may need. I said yes I have that to most everything she listed and she became a little teary eyed. I thought to myself 'this is really happening. Wow! Why do I feel so sick?'
My mom ordered oatmeal and home fries, Hannah had an omelette in between a croissant. I did not see anything that would ease my stomach. Then there it was, the fresh fruit and cottage cheese! Both women told me that I was not going to get a calm belly eating that combo, but I already knew I was the only person who likes the cottage cheese. I could eat that stuff up like it was candy!
The food came and we all scarfed down! My nerves were calmed by the meal and I realized there wasn't much time before I had to be at Dustin's place, I will refer to him as Streetz from now on in the blog, and I still had quite a bit to do. I reluctantly told my mom we had to go so I could get ready and we all got out of the booth and began to walk out the door. As Hannah and I departed from my mom, it hit me again. This is happening. Cue sick nervous stomach. Back to my house to finish getting ready.
Phone ringing off the hook and text messages going wild made getting ready take so much more time. It was nice though. Those who could not make it to the send off took time out of their morning to say good luck, good by, stay safe, stay warm, etc. It really meant a lot to me. I finally got everything packed, loaded and squared away around 9:20ish. I was supposed to meet up with Streetz around 8:20a to be at the parking lot at 8:30a to be pedaling on the bike at 9a. But hey, who's time schedule are we running on here? The people riding will make it to destination 1 on day 1 regardless of if we got there at 8:30a. That made my mind ease a bit and the stomach stop tossing and turning.
I rode down to Streetz's apartment, then we both rode to the meeting spot at the beach. As we turned the corner and started the descent down the hill, I noticed a good sized group down at the bottom starting to cheer. My cousin Kelly and her son Nicholas, Hannah, my mom, Errol, Ebbins, and Jordan. It was a pretty fantastic moment. After I got knee deep in the Pacific Ocean, to begin my ride from Long Beach CA - Long Beach NY, we took some pictures/had goodbyes/exchanged information. Then Streetz and I pedaled up the hill of Junipero and onto Ocean Blvd.
As we got onto Ocean and started on our way, we looked and each other and said 'we could have just went down the beach path for the first part. That would have been easier than this dang hill, especially as the first thing we do.' O'well. That is just something we like to do: make it hard on ourselves.
The day was beautiful and so were the trails. Riding the San Gabriel river bed to Coyote Creek river bed, then the streets of La Mirada, Whittier, Hacienda Heights. Then off to the hills of Diamond Bar and Chino Hills.
As we entered the back way into Chino we stopped and FreeWheeling, the first place I ever worked. I was taught how to wrench on bikes and now I am stopping in on a ride around the world. Crazy how things happen in 13 years! Anyway, John, the owner, was there and we started talking and asking questions about how our lives are going and all that jazz. It was really cool to see him. Healthy, humble and hilarious.
As we rode through the warehouse district of southern Chino, I called a few of the 'guys' from high school to see when they were going to meet up with us. First Robert(Tito) and Mike(Dirt) showed up in their car and took some pictures of us riding. Then Ricardo(the Boy) came speeding across the street on his bicycle to meet up and ride the last little bit with us! As we came to make a left onto G street I saw the rest of the guys on the corner cheering us on! Then they started running with us to Kenny's house! All of that was really cool. It is neat to see how much people are backing me up on this.
Greeted with a Corona and a hug, we began to talk and tell each other about stuff going on. More and more friends were showing up... as well as Hannah. It would be our true last night for a few months. She drove all the way to Ontario so that we could spend a few more hours together. We enjoyed our time talking, planning and laughing. It was really great to do that before we meet in TX.
Anyway, as the night was coming to a close I began to repack my panniers to fit better and my dad called. He wanted to let me know it was supposed to be super windy through Ontario and San Bernardino with gusts up to 70 mph! Insane! After we hung up and I began to repack my bags again, we all heard the wind start. We could tell it was going to be bad, so we tuckered out and went to bed. It did not sound like we were going to have very much fun on Day 2.
Bed time ensued...as it does now...pictures will be updated soon and I hope to post about Day 2 tomorrow morning.
Good night for now!
Well, it just so happened that I was so comfortable, I DID sleep in! Slept until about 6:30a and started to rush around getting ready for breakfast with my mom. Once I was ready, I began to make the last minute adjustments to the packing of the bags and tried to get Hannah to get moving too.
After reluctantly throwing off the covers and getting up to get ready, we drove over to Park Pantry to meet my mother. She was already there and we saw each other through the window. We both smiled and waved; Hannah told me 'your mom is beautiful.'
After walking in and sitting down at the table, my mom started to go through the 'mom checklist' to see if I had everything she thought I may need. I said yes I have that to most everything she listed and she became a little teary eyed. I thought to myself 'this is really happening. Wow! Why do I feel so sick?'
My mom ordered oatmeal and home fries, Hannah had an omelette in between a croissant. I did not see anything that would ease my stomach. Then there it was, the fresh fruit and cottage cheese! Both women told me that I was not going to get a calm belly eating that combo, but I already knew I was the only person who likes the cottage cheese. I could eat that stuff up like it was candy!
The food came and we all scarfed down! My nerves were calmed by the meal and I realized there wasn't much time before I had to be at Dustin's place, I will refer to him as Streetz from now on in the blog, and I still had quite a bit to do. I reluctantly told my mom we had to go so I could get ready and we all got out of the booth and began to walk out the door. As Hannah and I departed from my mom, it hit me again. This is happening. Cue sick nervous stomach. Back to my house to finish getting ready.
Phone ringing off the hook and text messages going wild made getting ready take so much more time. It was nice though. Those who could not make it to the send off took time out of their morning to say good luck, good by, stay safe, stay warm, etc. It really meant a lot to me. I finally got everything packed, loaded and squared away around 9:20ish. I was supposed to meet up with Streetz around 8:20a to be at the parking lot at 8:30a to be pedaling on the bike at 9a. But hey, who's time schedule are we running on here? The people riding will make it to destination 1 on day 1 regardless of if we got there at 8:30a. That made my mind ease a bit and the stomach stop tossing and turning.
I rode down to Streetz's apartment, then we both rode to the meeting spot at the beach. As we turned the corner and started the descent down the hill, I noticed a good sized group down at the bottom starting to cheer. My cousin Kelly and her son Nicholas, Hannah, my mom, Errol, Ebbins, and Jordan. It was a pretty fantastic moment. After I got knee deep in the Pacific Ocean, to begin my ride from Long Beach CA - Long Beach NY, we took some pictures/had goodbyes/exchanged information. Then Streetz and I pedaled up the hill of Junipero and onto Ocean Blvd.
As we got onto Ocean and started on our way, we looked and each other and said 'we could have just went down the beach path for the first part. That would have been easier than this dang hill, especially as the first thing we do.' O'well. That is just something we like to do: make it hard on ourselves.
The day was beautiful and so were the trails. Riding the San Gabriel river bed to Coyote Creek river bed, then the streets of La Mirada, Whittier, Hacienda Heights. Then off to the hills of Diamond Bar and Chino Hills.
As we entered the back way into Chino we stopped and FreeWheeling, the first place I ever worked. I was taught how to wrench on bikes and now I am stopping in on a ride around the world. Crazy how things happen in 13 years! Anyway, John, the owner, was there and we started talking and asking questions about how our lives are going and all that jazz. It was really cool to see him. Healthy, humble and hilarious.
As we rode through the warehouse district of southern Chino, I called a few of the 'guys' from high school to see when they were going to meet up with us. First Robert(Tito) and Mike(Dirt) showed up in their car and took some pictures of us riding. Then Ricardo(the Boy) came speeding across the street on his bicycle to meet up and ride the last little bit with us! As we came to make a left onto G street I saw the rest of the guys on the corner cheering us on! Then they started running with us to Kenny's house! All of that was really cool. It is neat to see how much people are backing me up on this.
Greeted with a Corona and a hug, we began to talk and tell each other about stuff going on. More and more friends were showing up... as well as Hannah. It would be our true last night for a few months. She drove all the way to Ontario so that we could spend a few more hours together. We enjoyed our time talking, planning and laughing. It was really great to do that before we meet in TX.
Anyway, as the night was coming to a close I began to repack my panniers to fit better and my dad called. He wanted to let me know it was supposed to be super windy through Ontario and San Bernardino with gusts up to 70 mph! Insane! After we hung up and I began to repack my bags again, we all heard the wind start. We could tell it was going to be bad, so we tuckered out and went to bed. It did not sound like we were going to have very much fun on Day 2.
Bed time ensued...as it does now...pictures will be updated soon and I hope to post about Day 2 tomorrow morning.
Good night for now!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 2
Just leaving from Ontario. A couple hours late and into crazy wind, but here we go. Tonight I will have more to write.
Day 1: 50ish miles
Starting with the odometer at 78.4
Day 1: 50ish miles
Starting with the odometer at 78.4
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Paid Off My Car =:D
This morning I went to the bank with a grin. I was about to make a final payment on the loan for my car. By no means was this the the last scheduled payment but the final one. I had a few months left, so it was a pretty good sized chunk of trip money. However, with that payment, my net worth went up just a tad.
Now that I've spent the last four years paying that thing off, its time to sell, Sell, SELL!!! I have it up on Craigslist and have been getting emails about it since about 5 mins after I posted. Now I just need to stay firm (thats what she said!) with the price and I will recoup what I just forked out for the final payment.
If any of you are interested you can find the post here.
It just feels so nice to pay that sucker off! Its MINE!!! Mine all mine! For now at least. Showing it tomorrow to a few people. All of them sound like they want it and will take it now, but everybody 'wants' it. Not everybody is willing to pay the price. Worth waaayyy more than asking so...
Anyway, one more step closer! This was a big accomplishment for me, not only for this trip but, in life. I out-rite own a car.
Now that I've spent the last four years paying that thing off, its time to sell, Sell, SELL!!! I have it up on Craigslist and have been getting emails about it since about 5 mins after I posted. Now I just need to stay firm (thats what she said!) with the price and I will recoup what I just forked out for the final payment.
If any of you are interested you can find the post here.
It just feels so nice to pay that sucker off! Its MINE!!! Mine all mine! For now at least. Showing it tomorrow to a few people. All of them sound like they want it and will take it now, but everybody 'wants' it. Not everybody is willing to pay the price. Worth waaayyy more than asking so...
Anyway, one more step closer! This was a big accomplishment for me, not only for this trip but, in life. I out-rite own a car.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
2 Weeks Away!!!
2 more weeks! It is coming up soooo quickly. I feel like I still have so much to do. Truthfully, all I need to do is sell my car and get rid of a few more things. It is so hard to see people I won't be seeing for a long time, however these same people are giving me great ideas of things to do while away.
It is especially hard to go inside my room and start to sort through my things. I have always had a problem with throwing things away, because it all means so much to me. Now I have to get rid of 99% of it. Insane!!! Stuff is just stuff. Getting weened off of materials is something we should all do, so that we can enjoy each other and the time we have together.
The past few days of work I have caught myself wrapped up in thoughts. Some one will break my train of thought and ask me if I'm ok. Oops! Didn't even realize I was lost in my head. 'Oh, ya I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind' I tell them. With good reason too. With so little time left, it is time to update my research. I'm checking the weather and finding freezing weather; I'm checking the maps and getting directions and finding dirt roads; I'm getting my panniers packed and unpacked and packed and unpacked to get the practice. Getting people's information to keep in contact, making sure I have all my emergency information set up, getting squared away with my bank and car, getting a power of attorney just in-case anything happens...all of this and some is going through my head. How do I go across the Atlantic? Boat, freighter, plane? More adventure in the boat but more time too. Less time on a plane but no story/experience. Geesh! I know I'll have plenty of time to think about it on the ride to Long Beach, NY but this is just more to think about.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Shaving Down a Stick
Right now I am sitting at work shaving down wooden dowel to make a sizing rod for making untensil rings. Imagine me sitting in my cut-off jean shorts and BikeStation polo. Now, imagine me with a 3 foot oak dowel and a not-so-sharp pocket knife...reciepe for a long day. Just standing over the trash can, to catch the shavings, and...back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Trust me, this is not an enuendo. It would be a lot cooler if it was though, that is for sure!
To the left is the length of the dowel, which I am shaving down to create a sizing rod for the rings. It started out as wide as the top left picture shows, now it is just as wide as the penny is. It needs to get even smaller to size women's hands. Geez, what a mind numbing task. At least it will give me something to do on the road. Who knows, maybe I'll sharpen it to a point so i can fish with it too...I guess I will just have to wait and see!
To the left is the length of the dowel, which I am shaving down to create a sizing rod for the rings. It started out as wide as the top left picture shows, now it is just as wide as the penny is. It needs to get even smaller to size women's hands. Geez, what a mind numbing task. At least it will give me something to do on the road. Who knows, maybe I'll sharpen it to a point so i can fish with it too...I guess I will just have to wait and see!Friday, January 7, 2011
Packing List
Every trip has a list of things you bring with so that you aren't without. Most trips have emenities at the destination so one doesn't have to bring too much with them and one can travel light. This trip doesn't fall into that category. I will need to bring all of the necessities and none of the bs that we normally bring. Weight is key!
Here is the list:
Here is the list:
- First Aid kit
- 20degree sleeping bag
- Sierra 1 man tent
- Ortlieb panniers
- 2 Stone Brewery jerseys
- 2 pair cycling shorts
- multiple lighting systems
- Toshiba Netbook
- Canon PowerShoot A3100 camera
- Army knife and wet stone
- small pocket knife
- Surly Long Haul Trucker
- Primo BMX platform pedals
- Origin8 powerstraps
- Planet Bike Cascadia fenders
- Bell SweepXC helmet
- frame pump
- 1 small pot, spork, plate
- ThermaRest sleeping pad
- hatchet
- mallet (for making spoon rings to sell along the way)
- 2 journals
- maps for the states I'm passing through
- plate, bowl, mug, skillet
- 2 spare tubes
- spare tire
- tools-spoke wrench, chain breaker, lube, phillips/flathead screwdriver, hex wrenches, open ended wrenches, spare cables, duct tape, patch kits, repair boots(for tires), ect.
- fishing line(for sewing repairs or stitching myself up)
- compression bag
- dry sac
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| Everything packed and mounted on my bike. Front bags are empty, awaiting food. |
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| Definately need to distribute the weight a little better! |
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| Compression sac, dry Ortlieb bag. |
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| Laptop, dry sac, front Ortlieb pannier, sleeping bag. |
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| Dishwear, flask, journal, mallet, flashlight, hatchet, multiple knives. |
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| First Aid kit, pancho, tubes, dry food, maps, goggles(clear and tinted for riding) |
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| Tent, tools, more panniers |
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| The complete set up, unpacked. I can't believe this is all I will have for a while. |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A New Year's Eve Ride with My Lady
So Hannah and I went for a short nye ride from her house to the beach, then to the pier, then for a mid ride burger at T.K. Burger before we headed back to her house. It was a nice ride and we met a couple that were running with their children. The husband had some things to say to me about my bike. He knew I was going to tour because of the straps I had on my pedals. After Hannah and I pedaled away from them, we continued our afternoon stroll and headed to the beach. It was a fun ride with great scenery and lovely company. Here are some of the pictures of SoCal on the last day of the year. Eat your heart out if you are somewhere it is cold/snowing/raining! (sorry, just couldn't resist :-] )
I hope you all had a great New Year beginning. I know I sure did. Please be safe on the road and don't forget you share it with the cyclists and sometimes even the animals. Enjoy whatever celebrations you have in store and make sure to pass with plenty of room!
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| Our bikes got to hang out alone while we ate some lunch. |
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| Spelled properly even! |
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| Don't be jealous |
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| Waiting for the stupid pedestrian traffic to pass |
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| HEY YOU!!! |
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
more more more pictures from SF to LB, CA
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| Streetz and Justin at 'Sea Lion Beach' literally |
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| Pint of Jameson anyone?!? |
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| I can't seem to stay away from the Stone. |
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| Quick food and drink stop in Morro Bay before we hit the camp ground. |
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| Dirty feet |
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| Justin, a lone rider doing the same route. Traveled with us the last 4 days into LA. Turns out he works for New Belgium Brewery! Figures. |
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| Velo Pro Goleta, the shop I worked at in Santa Barbara. |
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| Riding on CA 101. |
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| Not much room for error! |
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| What happens when its raining and you don't have fenders! Road Grime!!! |
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| Carrying wood on the LHT for the last night of camping in Oxnard. |
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| Last morning together, mapping out the route. |
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| Home at last! What a sight for sore eyes. |
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| I didn't even want to stop at my house. Just wanted to keep going! |
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