After breakfast it all starts with the loading of the trailer with everyones luggage. This is also the time to pump up tires and get some gatorade mix for the day. Once you have loaded your luggage and signed in you are free to start riding. Today we all went in mass to the beach for a dip your wheels in the Pacific Ocean ceremony. Then off to the Santa Ana River(canal) Trail. We followed the trail criss crossing from one side to the other on some rickety wooden bridges with loose boards for about 30 miles. After the Sag stop I was off with 2 of the 5 Brits on the tour. Next point of interest was climbing up Cajalco Road described in the route sheet as narrow, rough and busy. This took us up to about 1700 feet. The 3 of us managed to get to the lunch SAG a minute in front of the van. The 3 of us left lunch first. We were soon climbing up an 8 mile climb in the San Bernadino Mtns. The summit around 2600 feet. After this there is lots of downhill with 2 one mile sections of I-10. The downhills are screaming and even on the fairly flat sections we are close to 40 mph. Both of the other riders I was with got flats today, I was the lucky one today. Palm Springs is very upscale with lots of outdoor dining available. Too bad it is too far away to have diner there. We had to be at the motel at 7 pm to get our route sheet for tomorrow. Todays ride is over and looking forward to tomorrow.
6 comments:
1 down and a hell of alot more to go! A major part of the ride is to conserve your energy throughout the tour. Don't blow your legs on the first few days.
Hope you are slowing down long enough to snap some shots. If the Brits keep you at a blistering pace, then don't worry about the snapshots. At that point, do what our forefathers did and dump them like a bad imperialistic habit.
Keep it up Norm. We are watching.
Robert
Hi Norm!
Keep it up. We're behind you! I know you would prefer we be in front of you but hey, what can I say! Say Hi to the stars for me!
Take care!
Frank
Norman: Do you havea garmen cyclingcomputer? It would show your route each day, but you would need a computer to upload it to the web. We could also see your HR and suffering!
Your trip sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Have a wonderful time. Watch for saddle sores. Michael Hayley
Ventured into the Redlands today with Pedro & Dave to partake in Neil's innaugural weekday pre-dawn ride. (YES!!!! He's back!!!).
I armed myself with every conceivable warm garment in my possession to be part of this llllooooonnnngggg awaited occasion.....just in time--need to cope with your departure.
We pounded 1/2 a metric & pondered how we're riding vicariously thru you.
Highlight was, in addition to the great ball of fire, a heap of green plastic by the side of the road parallel to the canal...a body we assume....stay tuned.
Video of the ride upon your return?
Go, go, go Stormin' Norm!!!!!!!!!
Norman, keep up the good work. Sounds like all of your training is paying off. Looking forward to seeing your travails day by day. Go,man, go!
Marshall
Hey there,
You go boy - stay in front of that pack! You even beat the van!!!! Stay safe - we are all thinking of you!
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