Day 3: Brawley, CA to Blythe, CA

Distance: 86.7 mi
Cumulative Distance: 228.4 mi
Average Speed: 14.6 mph
Climb: 5152 ft
Cumulative Climb: 14,599 ft

The word for today was WIND. So much for the prevailing westerlies. Our route was just slightly north of east but we had head winds most of the day plus uphill (see above). It was a tough ride.

We passed some areas that were very pretty with flowers.

An some areas that were not.

Lee found us a delightful spot for lunch.

Toward Blythe we are passed through a very fertile, irrigated valley with mountains surrounding the very flat, very productive area.

Und hier was fur die Leute die nur deutsch sprechen.
Der Tag fing an mit schlechter Strasse, dann eine umwefende Sicht mit Duenen auf der einen Seite und den Bergen auf der anderen. Danach hatten wir bis auf kurze Strechen einen schrecklichen Wind. Wieder ein Tag mit vielen Eindrucken. Trotzdem waren wir alle froh, als wir in unserem Best Western ankamen. Nun freuen wir uns auf einen neuen Tag.

Day 2: Pine Valley to Brawley

Distance: 88 mi
Cumulative distance: 143 mi
Average speed: 16.6 mph
Climb:3435 ft
Total climb: 9447 ft

We started our second day in Pine Valley, CA at an elevation of 4000 ft and a temperature of 36 degrees. 

We quickly climbed 500 feet to our highest elevation in California of 4500 ft.  The ride for the rest of the day was mostly downhill as we ended in Brawley, CA at an elevation of 113 ft below sea level and a temperature of 80, which is about as good as it gets in this low desert area. We rode through the Yuma Desert, lunch on the road.

We rode along the US/Mexican border for a good part of the day.  Often we were close to the ugly wall the US has put up to slow down illegal immigration.

Along the way we met Emilo from Italy, who lives in Brussels working for the European Commisssion.  He is doing the same ride we are on a solo basis.  Our new group of two
Americans, a Canadian, a German, and an Italian plan to have a nice Mexican dinner tonight.

We're off!

24 Mar
Distance: 55 mi

Avg Sped: 12.25

Climb: 6012 ft

It was a foggy morning in San Diego when we began our ride. We completed our Pacific Ocean dip (photo above) suffering only lost one pair of sunglasses in the surf and a few pairs of wet shoes from a rougue wave.Within the first 12 miles we had two flat tires and a broken pedal clip strap. Following a detour to a bike shop to pick up a used strap, courtesy of Bruce found on his Droid telephone, the sun came out and we were on our way in perfect California weather. As you can tell from the stats above, it was a TOUGH ride for us flatlanders. We were rejuvenated by a fine lunch in Alpine and all arrived safely at our home for the night in Pine Valley (photo below). Three of us took turns driving, but Dave and his son, Bruce (who joined us for the day) both completed the whole ride - congratulations to both of them!

By Lee for all of us

California

One of us has made it to California!

Lee and Fran left Bonita Bay on 15 Mar with four bikes and some of the support stuff (tools, lube, extra shoes etc). They are stopping in Texas on the way across to visit relatives and expect to arrive in San Diego on 22nd. Gaby also plans to arrive that day, Keith on 23rd and I arrived yesterday to spend some time with my son and his family. The pic is my son Bruce, my grandson Jacob and me after a ride here in south Orange County. Bruce is plannning to ride the first day with us so he and I will head for the motel in San Diego on Tuesday evening.

We're getting close.

Dave for all of us.