Celebrating MY 1,049th MILE TODAY!!!!

Today was a short ride, 50 miles from Bracketville to Camp Wood, Texas.  It was a day that put me over 1,000 miles of cycling so far.  One of the highlights on our cue sheet was ¨when we cross the Nueces River at mile 45 JUMP IN!!  Believe me that is what we did.  The water was ice cold and swirling, just like a whirlpool and it felt wonderful...ahhhhhhhh.  The first photo is purple Texas wild flowers, they were beautiful.

No Internet Yesterday in Fort Clark,--Brackettville, TEXAS

Yesterday was a good day.  I drove the SAG wagon after the 111 miler the day before.  Got to rest my weary legs and support the other cyclists on their 43 mile trek to Fort Clark.     Fort Clark was built around Las Moras Springs, on the site of a Comanche Indian village whose residents were driven out by the Calvary in 1840.  By controlling the springs the U.S. Military could both assure water for its own use and deny it to any foes, Mexican or Indian.  The springs were converted into a large swimming pool for visitors.  Got to enjoy the springs that evening.  Photo #1 shows our quarters.  Photo #2 is a man we met on the road cycling from San Diego to North Carolina for the Shriners.

Sanderson to Del Rio 111 miles (10 hours)

Today was the longest day of the tour, 111 miles.  Started out at daybreak around 7:45am and got into our hotel at 5:45pm.   All 22 of us  completed the 111 miles.  We were given strict guidelines on nutrition and hydration this morning before we left.  The group I cycled with followed these instructions all day,  and got in without any problems.   It appears that everyone is in ¨tip top¨ shape at this point.  The above photo is one of the many rolling hills we had to climb today.  The guides treated us to pizza for dinner this evening.  Going to bed early.

Marathon to Sanderson Texas -54 miles

What a ride.   Didn´t see anyone but the cyclist in front of me, for 54 miles. There were no houses, gas stations, not much traffic, only a few steers and a couple of buffalo. Met a couple on the road who were also traveling cross country.   They were carrying all their gear on their bikes.

Tomorrow is the BIG day 111 miles.

60 miles today --Fort Davis to Marathon, TEXAS (6 HRS)

Still in the middle of no where.   Population of Marathon, TEXAS 5,500.   The ride today was great, wind gusts were very strong at times, but we made it.   Accommodations are plush and cozy with a beautiful courtyard. THE GAGE HOTEL (4 STAR), gets my vote for the best shower/ bathroom so far.  HUGE shower with a tiled bench and bathrobes, warm towels and great smelling shampoo and stuff.  WHEW I needed that.  True Texas hospitality in the second photo.  They make their own rules down here in the Lone Star state. 

Day 20 -Rest Day in Fort Davis, TEXAS

Much needed rest day today.  Went into town this morning to check out the sights.  It is definitely a sleepy little western town.  Nothing opened until around 10am.  We got there at 9:30am and found a little coffee shop.  Some of us did laundry in town, others walked through the little shops and stores.  I always enjoy talking to the locals about their town and what it has to offer.  Some are willing to talk and others seem uninterested.  Came back to the Indian Lodge and cleaned my bike and did some computer stuff.  The lodge where we are staying is a beautiful place built by the Conservation Corp during the 1930´s.  My father was a member of the CC Corp.  It is located in a canyon where there are warnings about mountain lions and other critters, wild pigs, roaming around these hills.  Saw some small deer that actually came into the parking lot looking for food.  We were warned NOT to feed the animals.   Don´t have to worry about me doing that.

Fort Davis, Texas

West Texas is a place you pass through on your way to somewhere else.   This is the middle of no where, believe me.  Availability of internet is a shock, so I thought I´d better post my thoughts for today.  DIdn´t cycle today, drove the SAG wagon instead.   It was a rough day for the cyclists, 90 miles through the middle of no where with winds and large climbs.  Only 4 out of 24 completed the entire 90 miles.  Tomorrow is a day off.  Photo of my friend Patti Hall,and the Davis Mtns.

Love this PHOTO

This photo was taken by my roommate a couple of days ago.  It really depicts my mood  when cycling through the desert.  Mile after mile, as far as the eye can see, there is nothing but you, the bike, and the desert.  It´s survival of the fittest not only emotionally, but physically.

El Paso, to Fort Hancock, to Van Horn Texas.

Three days in Texas and counting.  We will actually spend three weeks here before reaching LA.  So far itś been flat baron landscape, not anything special.  The last three days have been high mileage days.   Approximately 200 total miles.   Tomorrow I drive the SAG and I am actually looking forward to it.  Need a rest day from the road.  Then we have a day off.  Included are photos of the MISSION TRAIL, leading out of El Paso, and photos of the ever present Border Patrol.   Last night we stayed in Fort Hancock, and there was internet or phone service.  Trying to catch up today.

Las Cruses, NM to El Paso, Texas (66 miles)

Today was the best day ever.  Temperatures were perfect and the terrain mostly flat with only a few rolling hills.  Leisurely ride except when entering the city of El Paso.  It was very congested, spread out and a million traffic lights.  So we had to stop and start, stop and start, until we got to our hotel. The entire city is encompassed by the HIGH FENCE/WALL separating the US from Mexico.   It is a ugly site for sore eyes.  Margarita party tonight.....we crossed another border.

Las Cruses, --Last day in New Mexico

Definitely a good day.   Drove the SAG wagon while the others cycled 88 miles.  Some did not go the distance because of the climb the day before.  Tomorrow we leave New Mexico for Texas.

Emory Pass New Mexico (8,000+feet)

Friday was a day to remember.  Climbing 40 miles up into the mountains and over Emory Pass.  I cycled most of it alone, knowing the SAG support was at 30 miles. Then no SAG at 30, she had to go back for someone who had broken down.  (The next SAG stop was 40.) Had a hard time breathing and could not catch my breath.  Thought at first I was hyperventilating, but after many hours of not being able to take a deep breath, I realized it was lack of oxygen due to the climb and change in elevation.  Half way to the top there was beginning evidence of snow on the sides of the road.  Nothing on the road, however.  Two miles from the top, it started to come down, -- wind, sleet and snow.  Now I´m freezing and feel like CRAP. Ahhh, the  SAG wagon came by just at the right time.   She was asking people to get off the road because of the changing weather conditions.    I complied and road 2 miles to the vista in the attached photos.

DAY OFF IN SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO

Big treat today.   Got to sleep in and relax a little.   Picked up my bike and had lunch in Silver City.   Nice little artsy town with lots of shops and galleries.  Did laundry and now preparing for tomorrow.  BIG climb tomorrow over 8,500 feet, and there is snow up there on them thar hills (Emory Pass).

DAY 12 SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO

Another crazy day on the tour.  Climbed for 14 miles with my brakes rubbing.  Thought my legs were burned out, but it was the brakes.   My bike is now in a bike shop in Silver City, New Mexico.    It´s a good thing we have a day off from cycling tomorrow and I can get my bike repaired.  Crossed the Continental Divide today.  This is a cozy little town.  Looking forward to checking out the small shops tomorrow. (Check out the cyclist in the photo climbing up the mountain.)  Second photo shows COWHIDE table cloths in a restaurant where we had lunch in Duncan, New Mexico.

Arrived in New Mexico

What a day!!!   Started out to be 75 miles and ended up only cycling 55 miles.  The head winds were unrelenting with gusts up to 30 mph.  The terrain was mostly flat with rolling hills,but the wind prevented us from cycling more than 5-8 mph.  It was brutal out there today.  I felt like the wind was beating the hell out of me.  The scenery was baron and there were no places to stop, except one little diner, and we all took advantage of it.  We did have our usual Margarita party upon arrival this evening, and  celebrated crossing another border.   That was the best part of the day.

LEAVING ARIZONA FOR NEW MEXICO

Drove the Sag wagon today.  Got to stop at the Apache Indian Reservation in Los Carlos,AZ.  It was a cultural shock to see what we have done to these people.  They still live like they did 100 years ago.  Also  attended an outdoor tribal council meeting where they were talking about the plight of the Apaches.   They stressed the importance of making a better life for their children.

Apache Junction to Globe Arizona

Felt much better this morning after being so dehydrated yesterday.  Found out the desert can play tricks on your body if you are not careful.  Today was a short ride (50 miles) with several mountains to climb.  Since I was not feeling 100%, I decided to only do the first climb which was 2 miles straight up.  After that there was a tunnel through the mountain, and more climbs.    The tunnel was narrow with no berm, so I decided to hop in the van along with 9 other riders.  Not feeling up for it.  Tomorrow I drive the SAG.

Phoenix to Apache Junction, AZ

Day started out okay.   No hills, mostly flat and everyone riding together.  Then it started to get HOT.   Didn´t drink enough fluids today and got sick.  Just felt like all the energy was drained out of my body.   Stopped and tried to rehydrate, but it was too late.  I did finish the 60 miles but it was a struggle.   Could not wait to get into the AC here at the hotel, shower and ice my body down.  Learned an important lesson today and I know better.   It is only going to get hotter.  Weather forecast in the 80´s the next couple of days.

Phoenix, Arizona

Great bike paths into the city of Phoenix.   Some construction, but otherwise a great 67 mile day.  The weather is starting to change.  Really, really warm by afternoon.  Still cold in the  mornings.  Tomorrow Phoenix to Apache Junction, AZ. 57 miles.  Attached some photos from previous days.  Border patrol check.  Yes, they even check cyclists.   My roommate in the photo.

IN ARIZONA ---YIPPEE (Received my computer charger via FEDEX)

There were a few climbs out of California into Arizona, but nothing that would compare to the climbs out of San Diego.  I felt good all day, seems as though I am getting my legs back.  Salome, Arizona was a one horse town, or should I say a small, one dog town.  The accommodations were comparable to the Bates Hotel from the movie PSYCHO.  (Yes, even the shower curtain.)  And, the woman who ran the place had a dog tucked down under her shirt the entire time.  When checking in you may or may not have gotten a key.  The owner said ¨I´m not going to rob you, so you don´t need a key¨.  Oh, we had a Margarita party WED evening.  Every time we cross a border, it is the custom of WOMENTOURS to celebrate with free drinks. Drove the  SAG today, (THURS) through the desert.  Saw two coyotes, and ate at the COYOTE CAFE.  Glad to be in Wickenburg this evening.  Leave for Phoenix on Friday, 67 miles away.

LEFT MY COMPUTER CHARGER 100 MILES BACK!!

Biked from San Diego to Alpine, to Jacumba, Brawley, tonight in Blythe, California.   Today was our day off to do bike maintenance and rest.   Yesterday was 90 miles through the desert.  What beauty!!  Got to see the Chocolate mountains and they really look chocolate.  Border patrol everywhere, ---even had to ride our bikes through a checkpoint.   The weather was perfect, not too much wind, and the hills were rolling.  I was able to fly down one side and almost make it up the other without pedaling.  Leaving California tomorrow (64 miles) to Salome, ARIZONA   Gee one state down already.  I did leave my computer charger 100 miles back.  Called and they are going to FEDEX it to our next stop.   Borrowed this one just to get a post up there for my friends back home.

BAD WEATHER DAY 3

Three days into my journey.  Yesterday was my turn to drive the SAG vehicle.  Half the women(11),sagged because of the rainy conditions and steep climbs into the mountains.  Today it was a descent of 3000 feet. and 10 miles of winding, wet roads.   The tour guides decided we should not cycle down the mountain and risk crashing. Five women chose not to cycle at all today.   So, the rest of us started at the base and rode 40miles in rain, sleet and snow.  YES, snow!!  It was brutal out there all day.  I was soaked and cold most of the time even though I had three layers of clothing on, shoes covers, helmet cover, and gloves.  Needless to say I was happy when this ride ended.  No pics because of the poor weather conditions.  TOMORROW;  89 MILES  through the desert.

Departing San Diego Today

Today was the start of my amazing journey from CALIF to FLA. We went to the beach this morning after breakfast and dipped our back tires into the Pacific Ocean. Will dip the front tires in the Atlantic in two months. Today was not an easy cycling day. It was 35 miles of climbing out of San Diego up to the city of Alpine in the mountains. I had a minor incident, FELL, --forgot my shoes were clipped in. Bruised my elbow and knee. I am sitting with ice on every part of my anatomy.

March 5, 2010 6:53 PM

SUNNY AND WARM SAN DIEGO

Perfect day for flying to the west coast.   No flight delays and the weather is warm and sunny.  Got to San Diego around 4pm.  Staying at the Holiday Inn at Bayside.  Half of the women are here and the other half coming tomorrow.  Had a great dinner at a little Thai restaurant around the corner.  Going to bed early. Still excited, but feeling the jet lag.