We were off to a sunrise start out of Brawley. There were only two places to stop for water; Glamis at 30 miles and a US Border Patrol checkpoint at 45 miles so we loaded up with water and Gatorade before leaving Brawley. We rode near the Chocolate Mountains before arriving in Glamis where there was only a small store owned by a crusty old man. Nothing was free. I paid $3.50 for a 32 ounce Gatorade and he would not let me fill up my water bottles for free - so I left a little short on water. From Glamis, we rode through the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area where the scenery was beautiful. Dan (by far the strongest rider) reached the dunes first, stamped out all of our first names in the sand and was standing there smiling when the rest of us arrived. The ride was a pretty steady, though very moderate, climb. After filling up on water at the border patrol checkpoint and eating lunch I was off again for the final 25 miles. From the top of the climb, I thought I would be riding downhill for the rest of the afternoon. While overall it was down hill, it was actually a series of large "dips" that had to be climbed on the far side. It was a pretty brutal for about 20 miles but the last 5 miles into Palo Verde were flat. By the time I left the border patrol station the temperature was probably around 120 degrees. I was pouring water over my head and down my back and getting some cooling from the evaporation. It was a balancing act since I did not want to run out of water - but was overheating. There was one very close call for me on one of the dips when a semi was coming up from behind at the same time as one was coming the other way. There was no shoulder; just a 6" dropoff into a rocky ditch. The one behind layed on his horn - but I had no where to go. I think he missed me by less than a foot while traveling at about 60 mph. I thought I was a gonner. Gary I pulled into Palo Verde at the same time and found the RV park where we were staying. Vicky was already there but very dehydrated. Adrian had overheated and flagged down a ride. Luckily we stayed in a 3 bedroom air-conditioned cabin. It was an oasis after a hard days ride in extrene heat. Instead of cooking we ate at the only cafe in town.
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| Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, CA |
We were off to another sunrise start. I traveled through Ripley and Blyth California before crossing the Colorado River into Arizona. Almost immediately after crossing into Arizona I rode onto I-10 for a gradual climb to 1,800 feet then an nice relaxing decent into Quartzsite at 900 feet. Everyone was in Quartzsite by 11:00 am. RJ and I came in together and had a burger at BK. The rest of the group ate at a small cafe where I also had a chocolate shake (this eventually became a habbit!). We checked into the RV park and were allowed to stay inside the recreation center. The shower was a real kick; it used to be coin-operated but the switch was gone and you had to stand in water and hook two electric wires together to get the water to come on. I'm sure it was only a 24 VAC circuit but it sure looked dangerous. The woman apparently running the place was a bit eccentric. It was Gary and my turn to cook for the group and we gave it our best shot given the sparse supply of ingredients available at the food/hardware/auto supply store. (Throughout the trip it always seemed like the only place for grocery shopping when it was Gary and my turn was this type of facility.) Though no one complained, we may be asked not to cook again! Lessons of the day; never pass up an opportunity to "do your business", fill up your water bottles and apply butt lube!
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| Colorado River at California/Arizona state line |
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Lunch in Quartzite (L-R; Gary, Vicky, Ray, Dan, Adrian, RJ, Fred)
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September 25 - Sunday; Quartzsite to Salome, AZ; 41 miles.
There were two moderate climbs today. We had a really nice breakfast in Hope, AZ. This turned out to be the only place open the entire route today though the map showed several other locations that supposedly had cafe`s. Some probably will open in a few weeks when the "snowbirds" return. I was riding with RJ when he was attached by a pack of five tiny Chihuahuas. It looked pretty funny as they were so small but were barking like they could inflict damage. Actually they had gotten out of a house and a youth was trying to catch then to get them back inside. The scenery was "high desert" all day. There were closed RV parks all along the way. Supposedly some will be open in a few weeks but some appear abandoned. I can't figure out why anyone would drive an RV out in the middle of "nowhere" to stay for the winter?? It wouldn't be for me. Everyone arrived in Salome by 11:30 am. It was not quite as hot as the previous few days. When we arrived in Salome we ate lunch at the only open cafe. We were staying at a motel for the night and when I got back from lunch I saw that I had my first flat tire. Better that it happen here than out on the hot road as some in the group have experienced. It was a slow leak and a little hard to find, but I finally had it fixed and back on the bike. It wasn't my turn to cook, but I rode with Ray about 1/2 mile to the only open place to buy food. He fixed a really nice spagetti dinner. We met a man (Bob) riding a modified version of the Southern Tier route solo. It turns out he is from a small town near Peoria, IL. Small world (smaller as you will see from my 9/28 entry). Overall a great day cycling.September 26; -Monday; Salome to Wickenburg, AZ; 58 miles.
This morning I left well before everyone else. It was still dark and I wanted to experience a complete sunrise by myself. The colors were awesome; pitch black; black/light pink; dark pink/red; red/orange; orange/yellow/blue; pale yellow/blue to all blue. Spectacular!! It was 28 miles to Aguila where I bought Gatorade and a PayDay (and used the facilies). Most businesses were closed and buildings run down (unfortunately a common sight in these parts). It was another 26 miles to Wickenburg with a really nice downhill ride through town to the Horspitality RV Park. I found the library in Wickenburg but it was closed on Mondays. Unlike most of the towns we have passed through, Wickenburg is cleaner and more modern; a very nice looking community with very friendly people. I ate a late lunch at Subway before riding on to the RV park. The RV park was very clean and we had a nice grassy area to camp (5 stars - grass for pitching a tent was an extreme rarity). We ate grilled chicken, baked beans, potatoe salad and cole slaw for dinner - very nice job by the cooking crew (obviously not Gary and me).
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| Morning scenery between Salome and Wickenburg, AZ |
Today's ride was by far the nicest so far. It seemed like it was downhill all the way. Traffic got heavier as we approached Sun City but the road was very wide. Except for Dan (the speedster) we all rode pretty much as a group through the Phoenix area to Tempe. Nine miles were along the Arizona Canal bike path - very nice! We stopped at a really nice bicycle shop as we entered Tempe. I had them put on a new chain and the "ratty" shifting I'd been experiencing - essentially since about a week before sending my bike to San Diego - disappeared. It shifts really well now. We checked into a Motel 6 near I-10 and tomorrow is a "rest day". Today's ride completes Section 1 of the Southern Tier route (San Diego to Tempe). Section 2 covers Tempe, AZ to El Paso, TX.
September 28 - Wednesday; Layover Day in Tempe; 6 miles.
Today is our first rest day. Everyone slept in this morning. I got up and ran four miles then did laundry. RJ, Vicky and I then rode our bikes to REI about 1 mile south of the Motel 6. RJ had his 23 mm tires replaced with 28s; the largest that will fit the rims of his Surley Long Haul Trucker. The young man that did the work is from Carol, Iowa (really small world). He graduated from ISU and couldn't find a job so he moved to Tempe. I'm at the Tempe library now updating the blog then we're off to find some lunch. Tomorrow we're off again and I'll make another update when I can find a library.
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