Day 17 - Del Rio, TX to Camp Wood, TX 85 miles/13.9 mph average 5 hrs 37 min.

Sometime between 2 and 3 am this morning the righteous Texas weather kicked in again. The lightening got ridiculous for about 40 minutes, with driving rain. At first the thunder was mumbly rumbly, then by the last shot it cracked with such a snap we were certain it was right across the street from us.

By 5:30 am the rain was still coming down, creating deep puddles in the lot outside the room door. After breakfast, we decided to wait until daybreak to leave. The rain quit so we headed out. The wind was not too bad as we burned through the first 30 miles. The next 30 miles on Ranch Road # 334 (you know the one, right?) slowed us down because the road was super rough.

This area of Texas gets hilly, so the unusual amount of rainfall caused flooding all over. Water overruns river banks and roads easily, and the West Nueces ("new-aces") River runs down from the hilly sections and directly over Ranch Road #334. There was a predicted 9 foot rise in river level, which meant the road would close with enough time to get traffic out of the area before the rush of water overtook the road. We were able to get past this section of road before they closed it. We might have been stuck and forced to backtrack and loop around for several miles to get to Camp Wood. We rolled into town around 3 pm, ate an early dinner, made calls, did laundry and caught up on the blog.

Practicing Safe TV in Camp Wood, Texas

Later we watched Comedy Central in the room. Southpark, coming up at 9 pm, and we're stoked! Right at nine, the Comedy Central channel goes black with the message that a password was now required to turn the channel back on. What? Apparently the hotel management/owner decided that Southpark was too racy for guests, and we'd not be able to view it, even with the door closed, dead bolt thrown. I think of all the violence and absurdity on local news and wonder how any of that could harm a viewer less than Southpark.

over and out

Day 16 - Sanderson, TX to Del Rio, TX Mother Nature wins one ZERO MILES-hitched a ride in the RV

Weather is now our main concern. The Weather Channel goes on first thing in the morning on the way to the bathroom. The forecast called for thunderstorms, 2 inches of rain, and an easterly wind, gusts to 30 mph. One look out the window and they were spot on. We got out the door around 5:30 am but packed it in after a few miles down the road after seeing at least a dozen lightening flashes. This day was cancelled due to righteous Texas weather.

Yes, it's true, we rolled down the road safe and dry, at about 65 mph, on our way to Del Rio, Texas, the only way we'd ensure our safety while keeping to our rigid (too rigid?) schedule. We're not happy about it, but there was no other option.

We found out only later there was a standing tornado warning until 6 pm in Del Rio, our destination for the day. The heat and humidity have that pre-storm feel. We ate, slept, recovered and will watch the weather for tomorrow.

over and out

Day 15 - Marfa, Texas to Sanderson, Texas 116.15 miles/13.7 mph average 7 hrs 49 min.

The weather report said thunder storms and easterly winds. We dodged the storms but the winds jammed us for the first 20 miles of 116 total on the day. Once we entered the hilly section leading to Alpine, Texas, we escaped some of the direct wind effect.

Marathon lies about 40 miles out of Sanderson, and the place was filled with motorcycles, even with the rain. They were everywhere. We took one more pit stop and headed out, facing a renewed headwind. The wind/rough road surface tag teamed us until we rolled over the last bridge into Sanderson, where the road smoothed out and all the noise stopped, finally.

Weather was now our main concern, and we kept seeing thunderstorms, lightening and rain for the next few days. We'd play it by ear once we got up to head out to Del Rio, Texas.

over and out

Day 14 - Rest Day Round Up -Texas is not for sissies

We spent a day in Marfa and were so delirious from fatigue that we wanted to buy a house and stay here. The town is an anomaly, stuck out on a windswept plain at 4500 feet above sea level. There are affordable adobe houses everywhere, a great Coffee shop called the Brown Recluse (the breakfast burrito was hands down the best breakfast we've had so far), and a seduction that makes you forget you're standing in Texas. There is one large book store well-stocked with art, bio and political tomes, but mostly art books. Donald Judd is well represented since he put the town on the map. Several derelict Marfa warehouses and other buildings now serve as the home for the Chinati Foundation:

• http://www.chinati.org/english2/collection/judd_aluminum.htm

The 74 mile ride from Van Horn, Texas may have scarred us for life. The term Marfa Mile defines miles ridden with your guts and soul, not just your body:

• Marfa Mile\ Mar-fuh Mile noun: one mile ridden on a bike with all of the following characteristics: One percent grade increase that goes on forever; no change in road direction, ever; headwinds of between 20 to 30 mph; oil over crushed gravel road surface. A fuller and more true definition of a Marfa Mile results in riding more than 50 of them at one time, with no more than two riders.

rough road - frustratingly straight, rising incrementally.

This view looks back at hard-won distance - note the slight rise.

The flags are laughing at us, pointing in the direction we should be heading

We stayed at the Thunderbird Motel. We may have been too tired to even enjoy it. We skipped the pool; no energy:

• http://www.thunderbirdmarfa.com/ It proved several notches higher than most of the road side digs we've been crashing at. One word of advice; use the ear plugs if turning in early. It is a lively place and the intermittent freight trains passing through town all have horn-happy engineers. We did not have the energy to try the pool. Maybe next time.




• Miles ridden: 1200 give or take


• Texas Pride: the roads here are extremely clean, and the fine for littering ranges from $10 to $1000, depending on how heinous your litter is.
  
• Cowboy hats can be worn without irony, but only if you have Lee or Wrangler Jeans on. Cowboy hats do not work with shorts. Cowboy boots don't work with shorts.
  
  
• Not everyone speaks with an accent, Texan or otherwise.

over and out

Day 13 - Van Horn, TX to Marfa, TX 73.05 miles/11.7 mph average 6 hrs 12 min.

West Texas

74 miles took us 6 hours. The day started fine but after 20 miles, the road surface got rougher, the headwind picked up and suddenly our outlook changed. The other mind-bending aspect was the 1200 foot elevation gain, OVER 74 MILES, with only one slight change in direction in the road over the entire distance. Straight, straight, straight. (see Marfa Mile entry)


We saw some interesting things in the first 20 miles of the ride. A little collection of trailers and a few houses called Lobo looked interesting. Here are few pics.

How about this: Mel Gibson, Governor of his own pie hole.

Now that would make the world a better place.

The sign says Lobos Support Kinky Friedman for Governor

Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman (born October 31, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the five-party race.

It felt like we were in spin class with a fan blowing hot air on us. Imagine a gradual hill with not one single respite, no downhill or even flat sections to unweight your saddle or stretch. If you'd even dare coast for 10 seconds, the headwind drained your speed like a vampire at a blood buffet, from around 12 mph, to 8 mph or slower, but we will never admit to it. We wished for a steep hill that would eliminate the torturous, unrelenting grind, upward, inch by inch.

There is just one small town, Valentine, between Van Horn and Marfa. Valentine has no services to speak of, but it was our primary goal, at about the halfway point. Just a few minutes off the bike. Most towns introduce themselves with billboards and other signs of life, providing bits of encouragement.

Valentine gave up nothing, except an amazing public art installation. Inserting a non-functioning PRADA boutique in the middle of west Texas; brilliant. Provocative juxtaposition in such a refined manner can't be easy.

" Hey Chris, that matching purse and shoes

are gonna have to wait, the door is bolted shut."

27 miles left, we sat down at a picnic area and divided the miles into 4 to 5 mile chunks. After each length, we stopped, took some water and food, and convinced each other to continue. With 6 miles left, Dad met us and said it was all down hill after the next rise. Once inside the Marfa city limit sign, the road surface improved, and the rattling in our head ceased. Marfa is a cool little town, well worth the 7 hour grind it took to get here (not sure if I really mean that).

Hey Emily, are the walls on fire?

Good Night Marfa, wherever you are

Day 12 - El Paso, TX to Van Horn, TX 135.56 miles/16.8 mph average 7 hrs 28 min.

sunrise on loop 375- Purple Heart Memorial Highway,

passing through Fort Bliss Military Reservation

Anything is possible with a tail wind. We put away about 130 miles in around 7 hours today, with dynamic wind-assist. The temps are topping out at around 80 degrees, so it is perfect weather. The Texas weather system is moving east in front of us, so we have been very lucky thus far. I throw a coin in every fountain for Lady Luck, and chant her name every 15 minutes.

The signs look good, still heading east

I-10 comprised much of the route today, and the stream of semi tractor-trailer trucks is simply ridiculous. They travel in packs, to probably avoid the radar, then there will be a lull of up to a minute or more, no trucks, just the sound of my creaking seat post clamp, then, another wave of trucks. The last ten miles was a fast downhill, and our motel was an easy find since Van Horn, TX has one main street, and several lodgings. We go off the route tomorrow to Marfa, TX.

John Madden calls ahead to Chuy's Restaurant for his table (and chair) when passing through Van Horn. He refuses to fly and prefers his big bus. He put Chuy's on the map once he discovered their great food.

over and out

Day 11 - Las Cruces, NM to El Paso, TX 58.84 miles/14.5 mph average 3 hrs 45 min.

Small mileage, big day. Any time you cross the boarder into Texas, you better have your Texas passport ready, with your wits dialed up to 11. We got up late and decided to use the breakfast coupons we received at the hotel in Las Cruces. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and hash browns may not be the best power food, but it tasted good and we got a discount. But, taking a nap is the best response to such a breakfast, rather than a bike ride. We lazily gathered our stuff together for the day, and headed out around 7:30 or 8 am. I was punch drunk from the food and can hardly remember much at this point. We planned on an easy ride, but it turned into quite a bit more than we expected.

Don't Cry for me El Paso

Even with huge SUVs speeding through El Paso, most all the drivers were very careful and even slowed down when going around us. Although there are bike lanes everywhere, there is a strong feeling that bikes don't really belong in this town. We saw one other person on a bike, and she looked like a student at the University of Texas at El Paso. We miss the river of bikes typical of Portland, Oregon. Strength in numbers is a reality, and the chance of the driver behind you owning and using a bike improves your odds.

The shallow canals between the rows are flooded for watering the groves

Highway 28 travels straight through miles and miles of pecan tree groves. The road was good with long sections shaded by the trees. Once we got close to El Paso the real ride began. The city is shaped like the nose of an airplane, with the west side split from the east by the Franklin mountain range and state park. Parts of the city creep up the mountain side, but to get from one side to the other entails either going up and over the mountain or running the perimeter. It took nearly two hours to get around the hill and out to our motel. Once there, we realized many of the rooms functioned as home base for people working in El Paso but not living there full time. The place was extremely quiet the night we spent there, so it worked out well.

over and out

Day 10 - Silver City, NM to Las Cruces, NM 117.78 miles/17.3 mph average 6 hrs 17 min.

Dave Baker at Gila Bike and Hike replaced the broken

spoke for $10 labor, how cool is that?

He also started the Yellow Bike program in Austin, TX.

The ride out of Silver City, NM starts with some roller coasters to get you warm, then highway 180 drains away from the Mogollon mountain range toward the Interstate 10 corridor. We took a right at Deming, NM onto state road #549, instead of hopping on I-10. 549 is flat and inviting, since one or two cars come along every 10 minutes or so. We stayed on it until about 17 miles outside of Las Cruces, NM. The road abruptly ends, and we lifted the bikes over the fence and finished up on the interstate. The winds either help or hurt you, depending on where your're headed. By noon they kick up pretty good. We have been lucky up to this point.

When synchronized cycling makes it into the Olympics, we'll be ready. Here we are working on our routine while cruising highway 549.

This is for you mom, we love you.

over and out

Note! Scroll down for pics, going back to Day one

The RV park has great wireless service, so we loaded some more pics.

Thanks

Day 9, Rest Day Round Up - fun facts for the kids

Miles ridden: 685

number of saddle sores: two

greatest discovery: Desentin

number of bonks: two (one each)

days of freezing precipitation: two

highest elevation: 6,250 feet, give or take

number of flats: ZERO
(thank you Goddess of Pressure and All Things Inflated)

Things Lost: two bar end plugs and one cat.

Things found: one cat and a new appreciation of how big this country is.

The best use of the VISA card slogan: "dad and Phyllis, everywhere we want them to be."

approximate hours of TV watched: 21 hours, give or take.

Songs Stuck in our heads at different points:

By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Rhinestone Cowboy
Rocky Raccoon
Here Comes the Sun
We're on the Road to Nowhere
Relax - Don't do it
Looks Like We Made It

Most memorable moments: getting the cat back and finally reaching the continental divide.

Day 8 - Safford AZ, to Silver City, NM 122.88 miles/13.2 mph average 8 hrs 34 min.

Wet, cold, hungry and deleriously happy

when we saw the Jeep.

What more could we ask for?

OK, today was it, the day that will haunt us for years to come. It was a great ride, but with a few challenges. 122 miles combined with 3000 to 4000 feet of elevation gain kicked us around like unsuspecting mugging victims. The weather started out fine, a bit cool, with clouds. About 15 miles in Chris hit a strange bonk that came out of nowhere. This lasted about 15 miles or so, and we got it solved before we hit the main climb.

With a raging tailwind, we dropped down into a valley with one last stop before going up and up. Threeway consists of a small grocery, gas station and porta-potty, where highways 191, 70 and 78 meet. We pit stopped and headed up 70 into the Gila forest area. About 10 miles up the slightly pitched elevation, we stopped to take off leg/arm warmers, vest and gloves. Just a few miles later the clouds moved in, and it got colder. Then the rain started, quickly turning to snow. All the cold weather clothing went back on. When we topped out at around 6300 feet it was snowing sideways, due to the side/tail wind we still had. Our main concern was soaking wet gloves, hands cold and aching. I'd ride along with one hand tucked behind my back like a horse jockey, then switch to the other, just to get them out of the wind chill.

We rounded a corner and there came Dad and Phyllis heading up the road toward us. Oh the mercy. By this time Chris was delirious with cold, now tempered with happiness at the sight of the Jeep. Our support team has remarkable timing, and we can't explain it. We stopped, peeled off our wet gloves, vests and arm warmers. Dad turned the heat on full blast and we sat in the back seat shivering, eating turkey sandwiches washed down with Gatorade and V8. About 30 minutes later, we regrouped, donned dry gloves, and reluctantly exited the car for an additional 57 miles to Silver City. The next 25 miles or so were sunny and fast. We passed through a few small towns, making sure to take food breaks (really mental breaks OFF the bike) at every opportunity.

By now we were chugging toward the continental divide, and all seemed right with the world. About 12 miles from Silver City, NM, a spoke on the drive side of my rear wheel popped. With the wheel pringled, it would not clear the rear brake, so I took the pads out, and jockeyed the wheel in the rear hub to minimize the tire sidewall from rubbing on the frame. I checked for cell service - none. I needed to call a bike shop and find one open on Sunday, magically our rest day. If the spoke chose to die this day, I praised it's timing.

The last 12 miles were done standing out of the saddle, as I did not want to pop another spoke and disable the bike with a locked up rear wheel. Chris had reached her new physical limit, and each new rise in the road elicited screams, screams that I could not hear. She likes to scream in private.

I rounded a few more bends in the road, and stopped again to check for a cell signal. Got it! I called the first shop on the list, Gila Hike and Bike on College Avenue. This Sunday would be the first they'd be open for the season. My broken spoke was an old soul with a deep understanding of circumstance and luck.

With arms on fire, sweat flooding down my face and a screaming wife 200 yards behind me, I soldiered on. The continental divide sign FINALLY came into view and we knew we had only four miles left to go. Even in our weakened mental and physical state, we had to take a pic of the sign. We both knew that we'd never be here at this spot again on bikes, ever.

Highway 180 turns friendly and drops down into Silver City, and we were thrilled. We rolled into the hotel at around 4:30 pm. The most important part of finishing every day is getting it done before sunset, average speed be damned.

Now we rest.

over and out

Day 7 - Globe AZ to Safford, AZ 79.85 miles/14.8 mph average 5 hrs 28 min

Shorter day, flatter and a bit quicker. The weather was perfect, and everyone was so friendly. People waved, said hello, made eye contact and were generally super nice. We passed through the Apache Indian reservation, and they too have a Casino. Dad and Phyllis had an easy morning that included a trip to the Casino for some coin tossing. The word is that they "broke even," a phrase that says so much! They are very disciplined in their gambling and do not do it as a means of investment.

We chatted with a helmetless (AZ gives you the option) biker on a Harley Sportster. He was originally from Phoenix, but got out due to the population influx. He told us that the Mesa area has the highest growth rate in the US right now. Apparently about 35,000 new homes are built every year, and families with kids are moving in now, not just snowbirds. The main issue is that huge real estate developments are going up at so fast, with one grocery store and one gas station serving everyone. It sounds like a meal with several dishes where everything has to be ready at the same time.

Once in Safford I quickly saw how much this little town had also grown. I came through here in 1999, and it was just a little strip along highway 70. It is much more then that now. One wonders when all the empty space between these little towns finally fills up. It can't possibly happen, can it? Say it aint so.

over and out

Day 6 - Tempe, AZ to Globe, AZ 82.58 miles/12.2 mph average 6 hrs 14 min.

Another shorter day, but the miles are adding up. We passed through Mesa, AZ and Apache Junction, AZ. We took a hard left onto Highway 60. Way up ahead of us we saw a pair of cyclists spinning some low gears, moving slow and steady. We pull along side and chatted a bit. They turned out to be a husband/wife team from San Diego. They'd just quit their jobs and were on a six month, fully loaded (camping/cooking gear - the works) trip to Nova Scotia. They'd hit the Florida coast and shoot north through New England, then up through Canada. What a trip.

The road went up quickly as we passed through Superior and Miami, AZ. The last half of the ride went up with most of the steep climbing lasting five miles, with a narrow tunnel halfway up for some sprint work. We passed through the tunnel with nothing more than ringing ears from the truck noise. Once clear, we looked back and saw a WIDE LOAD pilot car coming up. A massive earth mover dogged down on a lowboy trailer spread way beyond the lane markers. I have no idea what would have happened if we'd been in the tunnel at the same time. Wide loads don't make a habit of stopping.

Closing in on Globe, we'd consumed our limit of Hammer Gel (it is working great, no stomach issues). Finally at the hotel, we saw a McDonald's right next door. We dumped our stuff in the room, rolled over on the bikes, still in lycra and met our support crew there for a picnic of some fine American fast food. That Big Mac tasted exactly like every one I'd ever eaten in my life, and therein lies the brilliance of McDonald's. Don't mess with the formula. Taste bud memory is long lasting and serious, just ask Coke. Dad super sized his fries and I managed to steal a few.

over and out

I love Technology, always and forever - GPS and photo update

See below, as we are now able to load pics. More pics means less words, and this is a good thing. We'll get the best ones posted as time permits.

Also the GPS is experiencing intermittent issues, and we apologize. Our chief IT manager, Jubal Harpster is working day and night for resolution.


over and out

Day 5 - Wickenburg, AZ to Tempe, AZ 72.36 miles/14.4 mph average 6 hrs 30 min.

it was cold this morning, but no rain.

We left Wickenburg, AZ around 6 am since this was a shorter day. The route shoots you straight toward Phoenix, AZ on Highway 60. The sprawling congestion began at the town of Surprise, and we needed a break. Several miles back we spied a Burger King billboard and that was all it took. I started talking about the BK french toast sticks, and that was where we headed. The food tasted good, but did not stick to the ribs too well.

Several more miles down the road we hit Phoenix proper. The route takes you through the city on strategically mapped out residential streets and for nearly 10 miles on the Canal bike path. OK, we did get lost once or twice while negotiating the residential area. One very important lesson for Phoenix is they have a 24th Place, 24th Street and 24th Avenue, all right next to one another. Too much fun.

One other side note, we were in a left hand turn lane at a light, and as our light turned green (no arrow, just yield), the oncoming traffic hesitated to let us go. As we started making the turn, a Fast and Furious car came blasting through the intersection at about 45 mph, youngish female driver on her phone. I jammed the front brake as the rear wheel came off the ground about a foot. We live to ride another day.

Near the end of the route we skirted Arizona State University, one huge complex. There is new construction all around it, and we picked our way through it to Tempe, AZ, our home for the night.

over and out

Day 4 - Ehrenberg, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ 78.75 miles/14.2 mph average 5 hrs 7 min.

Here we are, leaving Ehrenberg, AZ. Us against the trucks.

We are center frame, small and insignificant.

Jasper, Gear Inspector # 4275.

The beautiful southwest, they aim to please

Most hotels and motels offer continental breakfast. This makes our mornings much easier and faster. We ate breakfast at 6 am and headed down the road. Today was the first day we had real heat, and it got to about 80 degrees or so. The route also consisted of 15 to 20 mile sections of straight road, with a slight climb. Highway 60 also offers minimal traffic and you can see it coming for miles and miles. Very few surprises. We arrived in the town of Hope, AZ, and as we were picking up lunch at a market, the only one on this part of Highway 60, my dad and Phyllis pulled up.

See the vanishing point - be the vanishing point

They have this knack for being right where we need them, making us feel pretty lucky. We hung out with them and ate, then saddled back up and pushed on for another 40 miles or so, into Wickenburg. Chris was feeling much better, with a tweak here or there. We both go into physical pain management mode as soon as we hit the motels.

We arrived into Wickenburg around 4:30 pm, even though it was suppose to be a shorter day. Even the short ones put up a fight. The hotel was a piece of work, a mom and pop arrangement that worked out just fine. Wish we had some interesting stories about the ride, but it was just a flat grind.

over and out

Day 3 - El Centro, CA to Ehrenberg, AZ 115.83 miles/13.5 mph average - 7 hrs 56 min.

The day started great. Cool temps with clear skies. We were on the road by 6 am, and pedaled through Brawley and onto highway 78. This one road serves as the only passage through the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area. This area changes from agriculture to scrub brush in about 100 yards. The scrub them changes to miles and miles of dunes. The dune buggy crowd meets in Glamis, California for the sand party.

Turkey and Cheese in Glamis, California - a ride staple.

rolling into Palo Verde, wearing most of our cold-weather gear. It rained in the desert.

Chris did well, but there is that tiny issue of her rear end. Imagine an adult diaper rash brought on by too many miles in the saddle. Props go out to my sister, Roxane, mother of two. She had the great idea to suggest using over-the-counter diaper rash remedies. Hey, it works! She toughed it out and stood out of the saddle as much as her knees and arms could take, and we rolled into Ehrenberg, AZ around 5 pm.

Dad and Phyllis travel in this little number

We can afford this. Note the free hay bale

bench the dealer threw in no charge.

The Flying J truck stop runs a hotel and eatery. We checked in, cleaned up, and went to grub. By the time I sat down, I had that familiar, shaky feeling of bottomed out blood sugar. I was prepared to start insulting people if the food did not arrive damn quick. Truckers eat well, the plate of food spanned from fork to knife, shoulder width. We chowed.

over and out

The trouble with Jasper

Jasper, a few hours before the jail break

On Saturday night, first night here, we returned from dinner to Jasper the motor home cat, sleeping on the dash. It did not take long for all of us to get busy with this or that, and at some point Jasper slipped out the door and was gone. Keep in mind this is a cat who has NEVER been outside, so one can image what the big world must look like to him. He has no reference point for getting back to the rig, since he's never seen it much from ground level.

Add a busy and noisy RV park on a Saturday night, fireworks going off, kids and dogs everywhere, and the end result is a freaked out cat, nowhere to be found. By the time we realized he was gone, around 9 pm or so, we were planning to call it a night and get some sleep before the 3:30 am alarm. Jasper's flight changed everything, and we spent the next 1.5 hours searching for him, burning up flashlight batteries. We roamed the park several times, no cat.

My dad and step mom love this cat for several different reasons. First is that he is just a cool cat, no question. He replaced Ajax, who was hit when he got too close to a busy road. Jasper's sister Sophie had a feline infection that was too much for her, so she was put to sleep. Dad needed some good cat Karma, but it was not forthcoming. Suddenly the ride became secondary to finding Jasper, so we all went to bed, exhausted and sick at the idea that the cat was gone. Conventional wisdom states that it is best to leave the cat at home when bumping around in an RV. If the cat gets out, it is gone.

Sunday morning, we loaded everything in the car, and while searching for the start point down at the marina, Phyllis my step mom called. She went out into the park, 5 am. A few hushed calls to Jasper elicited a loud MEOW, which led her to a rig two spaces down. Phyllis had the wisdom to go out into the quiet park, the only time you can hear anything as soft as a cat's meow. She called us in the car with the news, just as we found our takeoff point. With park security, a few fellow travelers and dad returning to the scene, they discovered that Jasper had crawled up under a motor home and wedged himself headfirst between a small corridor of space between the gas tank and frame. He could not back out, nor was he interested in any coaxing and protested with load traumatic cat screams.

Out of ideas, Phyllis decided to locate the nearest fire department. A call did no good, as the fire station was just starting the morning shift change. She then got in the car, drove to the station and said the magic words, "we might have to remove the gas tank." This got their attention, and off they went to the park to save Jasper. After just 30 minutes and a tag team effort, an unwedged Jasper found himself back in dad's firm grip, seemingly fine about the whole affair.

Rescued at last. Who's Happier, Dad or Jasper?

Phyllis called us at the moment of rescue, as we rode up Alpine blvd away from the Pacific coast. In an instant our motivation for the ride came flooding back, knowing that Jasper was safe, dad and Phyllis had their travel partner back, and we had a second chance at keeping the cat inside.

Over and out

day 2 - leaving San Diego, to El Centro, CA 138.24 miles/13.6 mph average 9 hrs 22 min.

With a bit more than four hours sleep, we got up around 3:30 am. Showers were out of the question the previous night, due to the search and rescue underway. The bikes were already jammed into the back of my Dad's Jeep SUV, so we gathered up all the other stuff and headed out.

The start point sits next to Sea World, seemingly easy to find. Not so this day. We drove around looking for Old Sea World Road, which had been replaced with Sea World Road. We tracked a few circles, lost. Phyllis then called to let us know that she heard a cat up under a motor home a few spaces over (see above post). Although we really wanted to get the ride started, this information lent an urgency, as we wanted Dad to get back to the park and help find Jasper. I can tell you this cat is part of the family, and when a member just disappears, it is freaky.

Once we located a road a mile or two from where we'd normally start, we popped out, threw the front wheels on the bikes and off we went. The road went up immediately as we left the coast. It was a slow grind, through rain, hail and a bit of sleet. We had no idea we'd get this kind of weather. Were we really in California? The elevation gain was no more than about 4200 feet or so, nice and slow. The clouds hid the road ahead. Every time we thought we'd hit a summit, the road went up, again.

Once on the plateau, it warmed up a bit, and the going got much easier. We passed a wind farm with a few dozen massive, turning wind mills. We have pics, and will get them up soon. The route then dumped us onto I-8, descending under the strongest cross winds I've ever dealt with.

From there we exited onto state route 98. The tail wind pushed us along at about 25 mph, and up to 30-35 mph if we decided to peddle, soft peddle at that. These winds cut about an hour off our already slow and steady pace.

We rolled into El Centro at 5 pm, cleaned up and went to Denny's!

Over and out

day 1 arrival in SD

Phyllis successfully wrestles the camera from Dad's hands and snaps a pic

Phyllis supervises our gear organizing session

We took the early flight to SD and the excitement started right away. Our friends dropped us off, and as we stood in the line for checked bag security, I realized we'd left the camera bag either at home or in their car. We can do without cameras, but the maps and GPS phone were also in the bag. After a bit if hand-wringing we got in touch with our airport ride and they returned within 15 minutes. Off we went. We then had a bit of trouble finding the gate, and walked up to our flight as they were boarding. Normally airport time goes well, but not on this day.

The one stop in Reno packed the plane, but the flight was short. SD weather was a bit cooler than normal, and we would get a better taste of it when we rode away from the coast. Mission Hills Bike shop received our bikes and had them assembled and ready. They were a great group, and the shop had that grease and rubber smell that every good shop should have.

So everything fell into place, bike ready, a quick dinner, one stop at the Whole Foods for last minute items. We'd anticipated an early relaxing night, but Jasper the cat had other ideas. More on that later, I am unable to download pics in this motel lobby, as I write this, so we'll post again with a nice portrait of this very cool cat. My Dad and Phyllis travel with a 7 month old orange tabby, but he has never been outside.

over and out