Indio to Blythe, CA

102.5 miles, 6:00 hours riding time, 5,466 calories, 2323 feet of ascent

Well, to be honest, today wasn't much fun. To get to Blythe from Indio, you have to ride on Interstate 10. It's legal for bicycles to use the freeway, if there are no other roads. We left the hotel at 7:15 am to avoid the rising sun and started the day with an eleven-mile climb. The rest of the day was spent on the highway, riding on the shoulder. Luckily, the shoulder is wide on I-10 and the truck drivers are very courteous. Unluckily, there's lots of little bits of steel wire from blown steel-belted radial tires - just waiting to ruin a cyclist's day! A few people had to pull off the road to change a tire. Oh, yes, did I mention it was one-hundred degrees in the shade? Not that there was any shade. We were briefed last night on riding across the desert - everyone carried a backpack water system and two full bottles on their bikes. Many wore white leggings and arm covers - think Lawrence of Arabia! CrossRoads set up a bunch of support stops for refills of Gatorade, water and snacks. It was a long, hot day. I'm glad that we have that behind us. Of course, tomorrow we ride an even longer day through the desert to Wickenburg, Arizona. Crossing the state line, we sprinkle some beach sand on the border to appease the wind gods…

Riverside to Indio, CA

Miles 85
Feet climbed 2435
Calories 4,440
Riding time 4:48

It was cool and overcast when we left Riverside this morning. Right out of the hotel, we started off with a hill climb. It didn't take too long to get out in the country for the first time - wheat fields and cows. I'm still amazed at how much development has taken place in SoCal over the past thirty years. It was nice to be away from the traffic and stop signs. A second, longer climb was followed by what I can only describe as cyclists' heaven - downhill with a tail wind! For many miles, I was sailing along at thirty plus miles per hour without pedaling. The winds in the pass on the way to Palm Springs were perfect, not too strong and not gusting. By the time I got to Palm Springs, the temperature had reached 98 degrees. I have no previous experience in riding in the heat - it wasn't that bad. I just drank lots of fluids and kept going.

Upon reaching the hotel in Indio, I immediately went into the local, fast-food joint and ordered the biggest chocolate shake they sell. Yummy. My bike computer says I burned 4,440 Calories today, so it's OK.

Tomorrow is the big desert crossing into Blythe and our first century ride of the trip. It's going to be one-hundred degrees plus. Wish me well.

Today's pictures are ones Margaret took of the group and me on the pier in Manhattan Beach.

Manhattan Beach to Riverside, CA

79 miles, 5:11 ride time, 1868 feet of climb, and 1940 calories.

At last! After many months of waiting and preparing, the journey began this morning. I didn't think I was excited, but I didn't sleep much last night. I got up before the alarm went off and went in search of a cup of coffee at 5:00 am. The breakfast buffet was at 5:30. We had been told to have our bags ready at 6:30 and be ready to depart the hotel by 7:00. I figured with a large group that the departure would be delayed, waiting for stragglers, but everyone was on time and ready to go. The CrossRoads staff had the cyclists line up in pairs, with an escort vehicle in front and one in back. We paraded through the streets of el Segundo, eventually merging onto the bike path at the beach. A short ride took us to the Manhattan Beach pier. I was met by the Palos Verdes Bike Club, one of my "Presyterian" bike buddies, my wife, daughter, grand puppies, and dear friends, the Webbs and de laneys. What a great send off. Thanks guys, I really appreciated your coming out to see me off.

Some cyclists took their bikes down to the water for a ceremonial wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean. I chose to keep my wheels salt-free, thank you. We gathered for group pictures and, after a brief pep talk by our leader Tracy, we headed east, up the short hill on Manhattan Beach Blvd.

It was a great day to ride, with overcast skies at the beach and cool conditions. The ride across Los Angeles isn't very exciting, lots of traffic even on Sunday morning and lots of lights and stop signs. The pace was good, not too fast and we covered the miles in good time. The ride up Santa Ana Canyon was very pretty - the sun was coming out and the river bike trail is great. Once we got to Riverside, our route took us on Victoria through the orange groves. Forty years ago, this is what most of Southern California looked like, too bad the groves are long gone, replaced by ticky-tacky homes.

We were into the hotel by early afternoon - time for a shower and some carbo-loading for tomorrow.

D-day minus one

Less than twenty-four hours to go before we depart for Boston!

Deborah dropped me off at the hotel this morning, with my bike and two crossroads bags. I checked into my room and took my bike to the meeting room for inspection. No problems encountered with the bike - they installed a flag with my name on it. The flag will take some getting used to - I can't just throw my leg over the bar without getting the flag's pole stuck between my legs! It does make everyone easy to spot and identify on the road.

Yesterday, I rode to the hotel and met Jack, Bob, Tom, and Nancy for a ride up the coast to Santa Monica. Everyone wanted to see the infamous Venice Beach strand, with its street people. Before cell phones, this was a great place to hear people talking to themselves...common now. Southern California delived a beautiful sunny day for the out-of-towners. Normally, gloomy in May and June, yesterday was cloudless and warm.

This afternoon, we all gather for our initial briefing and tonight we dine together. Breakfast is at 5:30 am tomorrow morning before a scheduled 7:00 am departure for the Manhattan Beach Pier. Once there, some people will ceremoniously dip their rear wheels in the ocean (NOT MY WHEEL!). Lots of photo ops and then we are off, up a short hill and over the horizon...

Cousin Harry (aka three degrees of separation)

A couple of years ago, one of my bike buddies asked me if I was willing to sell one of my old bikes. His neighbor's English cousin was thinking about riding across the U.S. and wanted to buy a back-up bike. Cousin Harry was in town and came by the house to look at the bike, ultimately buying it. He asked me to keep it in my garage until he needed it. The following year, Harry had a knee operation and did not come to the States. Another year goes by and I still have Harry's bike in my rafters...

When the CrossRoads' roster for this year's ride was sent out, I saw Harry's name! Cousin Harry was coming on the same trip I was taking! It's a small world.

Harry got into town last weekend and today joined me for a short ride up the coast.

"It's about the bike"

Lance Armstrong wrote a best seller called, "It's Not About the Bike." If you read his book, you'll discover Lance's title is deceiving; mine is not.

My bicycle for this upcoming adventure called "XC09" is a 2008 Cannondale SuperSix 1. For those of you who don't spend weekends, holidays, and the odd evening in bike shops, the SuperSix has a carbon fiber frame. Without water bottles, seat pack, pump, spare spokes, bike computers, extention arms...the bike weighs in under fifteen pounds, very light. I'm afraid to weigh the bike fully loaded for the trip. Previously, I rode Aluminum Cannondale bikes; I much prefer the carbon fiber - it's stiff and responsive, without being a harsh ride.

Only four more days to departure.

Short time

Where has the time gone? It's only a week from tomorrow that the intrepid riders gather for bike inspections and orientation! I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Last Sunday, I met the other SoCal rider, Ira, for a training ride around Palos Verdes. It was good to put at least one face to a name. Since this was a training ride, we pushed ourselves. Ira's a young, strong rider and we had a great time. We stopped at the Manhattan Beach pier for a picture; this is where the fun begins. Where is everyone? Ira and I are ready to go. This week was the last hard week of training; I've started tapering off to my "normal" mileage in preparation for the "big ride."