Leaving the East Coast
Day 1: Friday August 28, 2009, 106 miles (171 km) - Total so far: 106 miles (171 km)
I was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began take hold......(Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). As a big fan of Hunter Thompson quotes, I felt this one appropriate - personalized it would go like this: I was somewhere around Belmar, on the edge of the ocean, when the nerves began to take hold.
The beginning of the trip was a memorable one, full of anxiety, anticipation and second thoughts. What was I doing? What was this all for? The 101 reasons for doing the trip was suddenly reduced to about two or three. Nevertheless, my parents walked with me down to the shoreline, snapped a few pictures and then watched me head west at 10:43 am.
I woke up this morning to heavy rain...we left Allentown, PA in heavy rain, and we drove to Belmar, NJ 
in heavy rain. However, as we arrived at the beach, the rain began to let up and had stopped completely by the time I started. There was a nice tailwind through New Jersey. This, coupled with a route with minimal traffic, made the 51 miles to PA as comfortable as it could be.
Pennsylvania was another story. The road quality deteriorated significantly from NJ and it seemed like I was in Bucks County for hours and hours. Rain started falling about 5 hours into the ride, making the last 1:15 a bit of a soaker. I have no problem riding in the rain though. It's fun, and depending on the roads, it doesn't slow me up much. It was nice to sleep in my own bed after a restless night before, and the first day under my belt.
Allentown, PA to Shippensburg, PA: Deep second thoughts and a self-tossing out the door
Day 2 - Saturday August 29, 2009, 114 miles (183 km) - Total so far: 220 miles (354 km)
Not much sleep last night. After not much sleep the night before, the later than expected start time on 
the first day leaving Belmar, and a difficult second half of the ride, it was with much reluctance that I left my son, my wife, and my home on what potentially would be a 30 day absence. The day was dreary with heavy fog as I climbed up and down the 100-200 ft climbs that parallel interstate 78 headed west towards Harrisburg. "I can always 
pack it in", I kept telling myself....but I kept pedaling. I'd dreamed of doing this for a long, long time; now wasn't the time for cold feet. Basically an uneventful ride for the first 70 miles until I arrived on the eastern end of the Harrisburg area. Lots of traffic on route 22 and a front passed through. Heavy rain for about 20 
minutes actually lifted my spirits as I like the rain, and it's a gentle downslope into Harrisburg. When the front passed, sun peeked out and I saw blue sky for the first time. Stopped in Lemoyne and had two slices of pizza which really hit the spot. Rejuvenated, I headed out route 641 towards Carlisle and then down route 174 towards Shippensburg. The sun was nice, but the wind picked up significantly (15-20 mph) and was right in my face. This made the ride to the motel in Shippensburg difficult. Rode with another guy on a bike for a while. "This wind is killing me, he said". "What wind?" I replied with a smile.(top)
Shippensburg, PA to Somerset, PA: Hill climbing bliss
Day 3 - Sunday August 30, 2009, 105 miles (169 km) - Total so far: 325 miles (523 km)
My favorite part of riding a bicycle is climbing a mountain. I spent much of my time preparing for this ride going up and down, and up and down, and up and down, Hawk Mountain which is about 25 miles from my home. Hawk Mountain is about 2 miles up on the east side and 1.8 miles on the west side. It climbs a little over 800 feet in both cases, and the last 1/4-1/2 mile on each side is like climbing stairs with "map my ride" indicating 15%+ grades - I simply love it. So I was looking forward to this day with great excitement and anticipation, and a boatload of nerves. I wasn't sure if I could make it. Over 100 miles and about 7000 feet of climbing (give or take 1000...again according to mapmyride.com). I'm a "map freak". I love the PA Atlas
and Gazateer because it has elevation shown on it. I've driven various parts of the route a few times and really wanted to attempt the ride. Four major climbs, 800-1300 feet, with a lot of smaller ones in between. The climbing was great, the 15-20 mph headwind in the section between the 3rd and 4th major mountain ranges between Breezewood and Kegg was what wiped me out. Despair set in on the most difficult climbs over the Allegheny range as I didn't have enough food throughout the day. I had eaten so much - including a King Papa burger (or something like that) and a huge milkshake at an A&W root beer restaurant. It just 
wasn't enought. I think I consumed 1/3 of a google calories throughout the day, and it just wasn't enough. I had to call the support vehicle, captained by my wife, to head back from Somerset, because I wasn't going to make it the last 20 miles from the final major peak. Up, up, up I climbed the final Allegheny range climb alternating between my 36x21, 24 and 27 gears. When I finally reached the top I saw the only other cyclist, a young lady, who was coming up the other side of the mountain. She flashed the peace sign as I simultaneously gave her the "thumbs up". It was an uplifting moment. I accomplished my "up four, down four" day that had been in the forefront of my mind, and a major hurdle which would determine whether or not I would continue. Special thanks to "tag-along" team #2 which doubled back from Somerset to the base of the final large descent to help me refuel a body extremely low on energy. (top)
Somerset, PA to St. Clairsville, OH: Up and down and up 
and down and up and down....
Day 4 - Monday August 31, 2009, 111 miles - Total: 436 miles
About 4 hours into today's ride it dawned on me that I hadn't seen my bicycle computer speedometer show any numbers in the teens. Everytime I looked down, I was either going 12 mph or less up a hill or 25 mph or more down a hill. Nothing flat at all about the ride through western PA. Leaving the hotel in Somerset before the sun came up and riding through town after such a difficult day the day before was a confidence booster. I wasn't sure how I'd feel today as I went to bed the night before, but the two Advil I took before bed seem to aid the recovery process (along with a whole lot of high caloric food). The long climb 10 miles west of Somerset led to a great 4 mile descent followed by another long descent going into Mount Pleasant. I knew the last of the big mountains was behind me, now, and I felt better about my chances of success. Stopped at a convenience store in Mount Pleasant to verify 
my directions, and a local advised me that I wouldn't see s_ _ _ for many miles. So I loaded up on food and ate a greasy convenience store made egg, cheese and ham bagel. The local guy was right, there wasn't much until Monongahela (Joe Montana's hometown). As I came into town, I made a switch from my large chainring to the small one as there was a decent sized hill coming up. When I did this the chain wedged in between the two front rings. I hopped off my bike thinking, "Uh oh", but was able to get the chain onto the small ring and continue. This loss of chain issue when changing from the big to the small ring would continue for some time. Had a Taco Bell "Stuft burrito" in Washington, PA and started for West Virginia. The ride was nice and generally downward sloping. I stopped a few feet short of the West Virginia line, relieved my bladder for the last time in PA, took a picture of my bike against the sign, and wondered philosophically, if, and when I'd make it back to PA.....The moments of 
sentimental philosophy ended rapidly as my bike crossed over the state line and onto some of the worst pavement I had experienced. Cross cracks everywhere, making it a bumpy ride into Wheeling. Wheeling is a picturesque town set amongst the rivers and hills. I felt like I was in a setting from the "Deer Hunter" with Robert Deniro and Christopher Walken. Crossed over into Ohio amongst rush hour traffic coming out of Wheeling, and didn't see a "Welcome to Ohio" sign, so I kept pedaling. I was tired and just wanted to get to the hotel in St. Clairsville. I felt a rush of energy as I came to the 600 foot climb which I believed ended close to the hotel. I danced up the hill with excitement about seeing "tag-along" team 2 at the top of the hill. I crested the hill to see the hotel and "tag-along" team 2's van. Another tough day in the books...now time to eat like a hog.(top)
St. Clairsville, OH to Mt. Vernon OH: Eastern Ohio
Day 5 - Tuesday September 1, 2009, 102 miles - Total: 538 miles
After 4 tough days I wanted to have a bit of an easier day so that I could catch up on sleep, 
organazational activities and spend time with "tag-along" team 2 before they headed back to Allentown. The ride across eastern Ohio was very pleasant. I was fairly cold in the morning, but I had enough clothes to make it comfortable. Feet started to numb up a bit about 2 hours into the ride, so I stopped, took a picture of the scenery, and took care of some bladder business. After I got back onto my bike and started pedaling, I heard a gunshot off to my left - must be a hunter and hopefully, they aren't aiming in my direction - I rode a little bit faster nonetheless. Saw, and waved to, quite a few kids and their parents waiting for the bus. Through small towns like Holloway, Smyrna, West Chester and Peoli. I came to a fork in the road around Peoli that wasn't very well marked and stopped. I don't remember there being such a fork in the road, and I wasn't sure which way the main road went. I waited for the 
amish buggy, that I had passed a mile previously to catch up. At the reins was a young amish mother with her young child and infant in the buggy with her. She could tell I was confused. I had waved to them when I passed them and went way over to the opposite side of the road so as not to startle the horse. (I pass amish buggy's all the time 
in my main training areas in PA, so I try to always give them their room) Perhaps she was appreciative of my consideration because she waved on her way by and then stopped the buggy. I pulled up next to her and asked directions, "Hi there, is this route 258?" "Yes," she replied with a very pleasant smile and a wonderful Amish accent, "this road goes down to Newcomerstown, if that's where your headed?". "It is indeed", I said thankfully, "you all have a very nice day," and I went on my way. This is only one account of the absolute friendly help I had received from many people up to this point. As I came into Newcomerstown, the road flattened out and a 5-10 mph tailwind could be felt. Minimal traffice and smooth roads. I was in bike heaven. I cruised along at 23-25 mph with little effort for the next hour and a half, feeling quite happy and comfortably lonely.(top)
Mt. Vernon, OH to Portland, IN: Ease on Down the Road
Day 6 - Wednesday September 2, 2009, 140 miles - Total: 678 miles
The day started off a bit heavy hearted as I left "tag-along" team 2 behind. It would be a long time before I would see Quincy and Alison again. Strong second thoughts tugged at me. However, I was inspired by my mom's late night trip into Mt. Vernon arriving at 3:00 am and sleeping in her van, so that she could support my efforts. Unbelievable. I couldn't quit now...I didn't want to quit now. "One day at a time", I kept telling myself, "one day at a time". I anticipated staying in the area of Celina, OH, but didn't have a motel room reserved and wasn't sure exactly where I'd end up. I just started 
heading west. The roads were in good shape and the traffic was very bearable. I stopped and verified directions along the way from very accommodating people. I can't say enough about how friendly the people I have seen have been. Stopped and talked with a lady who was out cycling near West Mansfield, OH. I verified directions with her and we talked for about 10 minutes. She had just retired from Honda a few days earlier and was out enjoying some personal time. She and her husband both were cyclists and she asked me what I 
was doing. This lady was the first person who I said anything to about the magnitude of my trip. "I started 5 days ago on a beach in New Jersey and I'm going to see how far west I can go before I poop out or chicken out," I told her. We talked some more, and she wished me luck, and I returned congratulations on retirement. Stopped in Kettlersville, OH for one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had in a very cool little restaurant: it was 2:00 pm and I had no idea where I would end the day. My mom (Tagalong team 1a) joined me at the restaurant, and we decided to 
try to make it to Portland, Indiana. That would give me about 120 miles for the day, I guessed. Well, I guessed wrong, it turned out to be 140 miles. The last few miles were a bit of a challenge for me, but I kept pedaling. 8 hours, 45 minutes on the bike today, essentially equivalent to the 8:46 on the bike on day 3 over the mountains (104 miles). Proof that the downhills don't make up time for an equivalent uphill.(top)
Portland, IN to Danville, OH: Cruisin' across Indiana
Day 7 - Thursday September 3 2009 - 155 miles - Total: 833 miles
I had reservations to stay in Lafayette, IN after today's ride - about 100 miles away. I figured, that I'd give myself an easier day after the personal best long ride of 140 miles on Wednesday. I told the desk attendant at the hotel that I was headed to Lafayette on route 26. She told me there were a lot of detours and construction zones on 26. She suggested that I head southwest down route 67 to Muncie, IN then 
across the state on route 28. I could then go north to Lafayette. I took her advice and headed along with no plans to go to Lafayette with this new route as I new that it would be adding unnecessary miles to the trip. I'd try to find something further south. The first part of the trip across 28 was "plagued" with tractor-trailers (they call them semi's here in Indiana). It must be a cut-through to Interstates 69 and 65. After I crossed I-65 the volume of all traffic dissipated and I was able to breathe cleaner air. The problem with the change of route was that 
there were no accommodations along the route until either Crawfordsville, IN or Danville, IL. I opted for Danville, IL as the road south to Crawfordsville seemed like it had heavy traffic with lots of Semi's. I was tired as heck but enjoyed the ride along the Wabash river on route 263 towards Danville. I didn't need the sign to Welcome me to Illinois, my butt told me so when the road surface changed. Ohio and Indiana had spoiled me. The roads were in good condition. The first few miles in Illinois were full of "cross cracks" and little potholes, and NO shoulder on main roads. Had a nice dinner with my mom at a Bob's Big Boy and followed it up with a great milk shake.(top)
Danville, IL to Springield IL: Another long day in the saddle
Day 8: Friday September 4 2009 -135 miles - Total: 968 miles
Headed out of Danville earlier than expected. It's cool when you cross into another time zone. The sun
comes up at about the same "time", but the clock says an hour earlier - so I was able to leave at 6:30 am with an extra hour of sleep, and and extra hour of morning sun. I got back onto US route 136 and headed into Danville, then went southwest to a less traveled road which parallels I-74, headed for the University of Illinois. My route actually took me further south than I thought and I wasn't as close to the city of Champaign as I originally thought. The roads were in below average condition, and there was NO shoulder on fairly heavily traveled roads. Managing traffic and driver expectations adds stress to a ride, of course, but the crappy road surfaces add an element of anger. "Shouldn't Illinois be getting some of the stimulus?" I thought, sarcastically. However, on the positive side, the weather was great, the wind was primarily a tailwind of 5-10 mph, and my body and the bike seemed to be taking the 
thump, thump....thump, thump....thump, thump of the "cross cracks" with dignity. I originally planned on staying in Decatur, but I felt so good, I cruised passed Decatur to the north, finding a few good, flat, well-surfaced country roads, that I could lock into my 23-25 mph range (5-10 mph wind aided), and float along. I called my mom and she was able to find a couple of rooms at the Hampton Inn in Springfield IL. Had some difficulty navigating the last few miles into town, making my only wrong turn of the trip so far and headed down a road that ended at a sewage treatment plant...crap. Had to turn around and smell that place for another mile back up the road. Got a call from my mom who said that the hotel staff had contacted the Springfield news about my endeavor, and they were sending a team out to interview me. When I arrived at the hotel, I was pleasantly greeted, and had some pictures taken with the manager and some of the staff....this made me feel weird - on one hand, I was just some jack-ass trying to ride his bike across the country. On the other hand, it might help raise some money for 
CHOP Neonatal research. So I got myself psyched up to try to answer any questions that might be thrown at me. My mom and I waited (they said it would only be 10 minutes), and we waited. Talked with some very nice people who were headed to the Illinois - Missouri game on Saturday. Waited some more. After about 75 minutes, I decided to go get a shower (highly necessary after sitting on a bike in the sun for 8 hours). They never showed up, and I didn't get my immediate post ride shower and stretch. Muscles will be tight tomorrow.(top)
Springfield, IL to Mexico, MO: Bit off more than I could chew
Day 9: Saturday September 5 2009 - 143 miles - Total 1,111 miles
Got another good start this morning based on the time difference. I scheduled a 100 mile day to Bowling Green, MO, and we made reservations. The goal of the first section of the trip is to get to 
Columbia, MO (right in the middle of the state). My Aunt and Uncle (Kathy and Doug Adair), and my cousin and her husband (Kim and Kurt Schellenberger), live in Columbia, and I wanted to get there by the end of day 10. The total would be about 180 miles for the two days. So I cruised along early on the first day of the Labor Day weekend with minimal traffic and borderline crappy roads - still with NO PAVED SHOULDER. The shoulders in Illinois are made of coarse rocks, and would tear up my tires if I ended up on them. Not a bike friendly state from that standpoint....However, what they lack in 
road quality, they make up for in driver courtesy. The people who passed me always gave me a comfortable space of security and when they couldn't pass because a car was coming the other way, they patiently waited until they could do so. I always made sure that these people received a wave of thanks from me. I've always appreciated patient people in every aspect of life, but this is one time where it has meant the most to not only my safety but that of others. I moved along well early in the ride, but it was damp and a bit on the chilly side. I had left my leg tights back in the support vehicle and my knees started to stiffen up from the cool, moist air. This was the first day since Harrisburg, PA that I didn't have a full sun with virtually no clouds. It was nice not to have to apply the sunscreen. From the 
sun and the wind and the frequent wetting of lips through eating and drinking, I had developed some seriously chapped lips, but this was the only issue I had. Muscles felt good, but was in good shape, and I wasn't particularly tired. There was a carnival in Pittsfield, IL and with dark clouds moving in, I felt bad for the carnival-goers, but looked forward to some rain. Got my tights out of the support car and headed to the Mississippi River. The crossing was narrow at Louisiana, MO and the bridge went up, but never came down as the topography was flat plain on the Illinois side and a bluff on the Missouri side. The guardrail was only about 3-4 feet high and the bridge was very high above the river. I looked out over the river as I rode, and thought, "That would be a long way to fall". I started to feel a little nervous, despite the fact that my mom was behind me in the support vehicle with her hazard lights on, and sped up to get over the bridge. I'm not a big fan of heights. The rain started just after I got to Louisiana, MO and continued for some time. We were going to stay in Bowling Green, but I kept 
going. In my mind, I wanted to make it to my Aunt's house in Columbia. I was going along fine in the rain and then about 3 miles from Mexico, exhaustion started to set in. I was feeling a bit short of breath after talking to Alison and my Dad on the phone while riding on an empty country road. I caught up to my mom just before Mexico and asked her to try to find somewhere to eat in the town. I caught up to her at a Sonic hamburger stand, and said, "That's it....I think my heart's going to stop". While I loaded the bike into the van, she ordered me a cheeseburger and a milkshake. After eating these, I was feeling better within minutes. Maybe I experienced what's called Bonking. We drove the rest of the way to my aunt and uncle's house in Columbia. I had a great meal with them, my mom, and my cousin Kim and her husband Kurt. Then I had another milkshake....ahhhhh.(top)
Mexico, MO to Columbia, MO: Simply a Great Day
Day 10: Sunday September 6 - 43 miles - Total: 1,154 miles
Kathy and Doug drove me out to Mexico in the morning after a great night's sleep and and nice breakfast of eggs and raisin bran. Kathy and Doug were my third support team (Tagalong Team 3), and the ride to Mexico was full of good conversation. The ride to Centralia went by quickly and then I turned south towards Columbia. In Hallsville, Kim and Kurt (Tagalong Team 4), joined Tagalong Team 3 for a four person salute as I entered the town. Doug quipped that they were the Hallsville Paparatzi. Hallsville is a small town at the junction of two roads about 10 miles from Columbia. Tagalong Team 3 played leapfrog with me all the way to Columbia, taking pictures and video. That was fun. Rode by the University of Missouri's athletic fields and coasted to their home. It was nice to have a short ride so that I can catch up with much neglected personal and professional business, and spend time with my "kin-folk". My mom picked up my dad from the airport in St. Louis in the afternoon. We all had a nice evening together. I'd made it to my first destination goal....right on schedule.(top)
Columbia, MO to Lamine, MO: Leaving Tiger Town
Day 11:
Monday September 7 - 38 miles - Total: 1,192
Today I had company riding out of Columbia. Kurt (designer and administrator of this website), joined me for the ride. He knew of a back way out of Columbia which eliminated a lot of traffic, lights and general congestion. We got a decently early start and spent the first 30 miles of the ride in a heavy fog which Kurt advised me was not fog 
but actually heavy steam from local farm animal patties. It was nice to have someone else to speak to while on the road. We talked about a variety of topics including his motorcycle tours throughout Missouri and our favorite football teams (we proved that an Eagle and a Giant fan can indeed co-exist). The ride was fairly hilly and Kurt did a great job climbing the hills with his much heavier mountain bike. The local
paparatzi (Doug, Kathy and Kim) showed up and snapped a few good shots. It was a nice way to eat away at some miles, and it kept me from having arguments with myself while on my own. (top)
Lamine, MO to Lenexa, KS: Map errors, construction, and familiar territory
Day 12 - Tuesday September 8 - 134 miles - Total: 1,326 miles
I'm almost too tired to write anything tonight. My dad and Kathy drove me out to Lamine. I ate a hamburger and my raisin bran on the ride out. The hamburger came back to haunt me as I felt gas 
pressure in my chest for the first 1.5 hours of the ride. I kept at decent pace to start at 16 mph in a hilly section, and burped my way across at least two counties. I guess I won't have a hamburger to start the day anymore. There isn't a straight road across western Missouri from Columbia to Kansas City (other than I-70 on which bikes are prohibited), so I had to go north then west then north then west then north to Marshall. At points I was actually going east today on winding roads - nothing like going the wrong way to give a mental boost (sarcasm intended). Soon however, I was on route 20 headed due West and was happy to going the right way. The road was fairly deserted and only one vehicle (a fuel oil truck) came closer to me than necessary, as there were not cars coming the other way. Within 1-2 minutes after he gave me the "brush-by" I heard a barking 
coming from the front left. I looked up to see a boxer-pit bull mix headed directly toward me down the slope of the front yard. Having played running back in jr and sr high and college, this dog reminded me of a middle linebacker coming after me on a sweep, and this mutt had a perfect angle of pursuit coming at me from 11:00. I've had a lot of dogs bark and run after me, but this creature was serious - he wasn't stopping at the road. So I rode right toward him (as no cars were coming the other way) to try to freeze him just a little and then veered back to my side of the road while jumping to a harder gear. He just missed my back tire. "Come on you blankety blank, blank, blank" I yelled at him, as the adrenaline and testosterone high kicked in at the same time. He chased 
me a long way....and I kept egging him on because I knew I could outrun him - "I'm going to send you to a new home in Philly" I quipped as he gave up his chase. I like most dogs, but this one almost took me out. I made it to the outskirts of Kansas City with navigational help from my support team (Mom and Dad) who caught up to me about 4 hours into the ride. At times, google maps was about as accurate as a Hellen Keller dart toss and they really helped out of a jam or two. Stopped by one of my childhood homes and schools for some pictures and then labored across south KC getting detoured by a closed road. Rain fell fairly heavily for the last two hours of the ride, so I've had to clean off the bike in the shower at the hotel. Another 8 hour plus ride at a fairly high output - will be taking Advil for the second time on the trip. Off to Grandma Bausch's (my mom's mom) in Junction City, KS tomorrow. (top)
Lenexa, KS to Council Grove, KS - Welcome to the "West"
Day 13 - Wednesday September 9 - miles 114 - total miles: 1,440
I left the greater KC area at 7 am in the same weather conditions as I arrived in last night. However, it didn't last for long. Missed a turn on a main road and when I stopped in an industrial parking lot to ask directions from someone going to work, I almost took a header when I hit a speedbump that I didn't see as I was scanning the parking lot for a worthy direction giver. Very close call. Found my way to Olathe, KS (a very nice town) and then onto US Route 56 heading West. My Uncle (Jim Bausch), a lifetime Kansas native suggested this route and he couldn't have picked a more 
pleasant ride for a bike ride. The traffic was minimal and the roads were in good condition. The Kansas countryside was phenomenal. Rolling hills along the prairie made for good riding, and I was able to move along at just under 17 mph. Some of the hills presented awesome views of the Flint Hills area in which I was riding. I packed it in for the day in Council Grove, KS and headed to Junction City to meet up with Jim, my cousing, Scott Bausch, and my grandmother, Mae Bausch (age 99). Pizza, hamburgers and fruit made up my calorie catch-up. (top)
Council Grove, KS to McPherson, KS
Day 14 - Thursday September 10 - 78 miles - Total: 1,518
This morning my parents, my uncle and cousin all went to visit my Grandmother (Mae Bausch) at her at Chapman Valley Manor. Grandma Mae celebrated her 99th birthday in August and it was great to spend time with her. Would have liked to have stayed longer in Junction City, KS with all of them. My uncle Jim and my cousin Scott always keep the conversation lively and whenever we get 
together, we pick right up where we left off. I said good-bye to my mom as she was staying behind in Junction City to be with her mom. She was a big help following me across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas (most of it by herself). Thanks Mom!
Dad's going on with me for the western part of the trip. After goodbyes, he drove me back to Council Grove, KS and dropped me off where I left off yesterday. The ride south out of Council Grove was
by far the most picturesque of any of the rides I'd had to date on this trip. The road was minimally traveled and the views of the prairie were phenomenal and the sense of aloneness was very settling. I was a bit charged up to get riding, as I usually start in the morning, but didn't 
get going until 1:30 pm today for good reason. But I still stopped at the top of some of the higher points taking the time to get off my bike and just look around. Totally amazing! My digital camera won't do the sights justice. The rest of the ride was spent on good roads and with a bit of a tailwind; I felt like I was floating along. I pushed a little harder than I should have causing my knees to start to rebel, but my brain said keep going faster - too much fun. (top)
McPherson, KS to Dodge City, KS
Day 15 - September 11 - 145 miles - Total: 1663 miles
After a 5:27 am wake-up I went to the Perkins next door for a sausage, cheddar and tomato omelette, home fries and toast. I underestimated a few things on this trip. One was the amount of food I would have to consume. The omelette hit the spot, and gave me a good energy base for the first part of the ride out of McPherson. After I got out of the town, I went through farmland area that had several natural 
gas facilities. I smelled them before I saw them. After about 15 miles it got very foggy and stayed that way for the next 3-4 hours. Route 56 out of McPherson started out as a well-paved road with a decent shoulder. However, I've found that the quality of the roads change when you cross into a new county. If I'm on a good road with a good shoulder and I see a county line sign, I start wishing aloud for a favorable transition just like a craps roller in a casino asks for a good roll. "Come on give me a good road, come on, come on gimme' gimme' gimme', papa needs a smooth roll of asphalt". When I came to Barton County, I crapped out. The road had been totally graded to the base in angles 45 degrees to my riding direction making "X's" all across the road. They were deep grooves and were filled with small stone and sand remnants. When one of the 4,058 tractor trailers that passed me today would go by at 60+ mph they would kick up the stones and sand. I learned I needed to keep my mouth closed. This wasn't the worst part though. The depth of the ruts were so great that I could only go along at about 6-7 mph, and the vibration even at this slow speed turned me into a human glob of jiggling jello. I thought 
my brain was going to bounce out of my head, and my knees were starting to really ache. Again, I cursed the stimulus bill - which in reality had nothing to do with the 4 mile stretch of road torture that I was enduring - but I had to yell aloud at something. I stopped several times as I couldn't take it anymore. No paved crossroads either to try to get around it. After I made it through this part of the road, I was never so happy to see smooth pavement. After this stretch of road, I was unable to get my digital camera to work. The rattling must have caused some damage, and I was really bothered by this as there were some good pictures that I could have taken: My first flattened rattlesnake sighting, a 70 tower-wind farm, and some views of the countryside. Even tonight as I'm writing this, I can't get it to work - curses to Barton County. Today's ride was the most physically abusive that I have had so far. 145 miles of truck dodging going from a smooth road to a very rough shoulder and back onto the smooth road when the vehicle passes. In some cases there wasn't a gap in the drunk guy/sleeper guy rumble strips on the shoulder so I could make a smooth transition. Those things rattled me even more. The mental stress of the heavy, friday brush by traffic took a bit of a toll as well. All in all it was a tough day from every standpoint, except for the wind which was about 5+ mph from the rear. I'm in Kansas where a strong Southwesterly wind could really wear me down, and despite all of the other challenges, I'll take the tailwind or no wind every time.... (top)
Dodge City, KS to Guymon, OK
Day 16 - Saturday September 12 - 123 miles - Total: 1,786 miles
I thought the wind farm yesterday was big...today I passed through the middle of the Gray County Wind Farm just after the gradual climb out of the Dodge City area. This farm had 170 towers. It was an awesome sight seeing them all lined up over many acres. Only the closest ones were entirely visible. The low clouds obscured all but the first 50-75 feet of the bases. I stopped at the overlook area, which was about 100 feet from one of the towers. They were moving pretty fast...whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. A few miles later, two oversized loads of the blades went passed me headed toward the farm. Massive things. After the wind farm I passed what I will call the southwest Kansas electronic commodity ticker displaying the current price of various commodities grown in the area. It was attached to the side of one of the larger grain elevators I've seen. After that I couple of young guys in a pickup truck with a border collie in the back pulled up next to me. They asked me if I wanted a tow. I told them if the wind starts coming at me from the southwest, I'd take them up on it. The drove next to me for the next 5 minutes or so and we talked about what I was doing, and what they were doing. They were going to start the harvest season on Tuesday. We talked about a variety of things, and I enjoyed the company. A few miles later I passed a huge cattle feeding lot which was packed with a whole lotta' beef. Many of them looked at me through the fence. I guess I felt bad for them, knowing they didn't have much longer before they met the executioner. Then I thought how much I've needed the high protein and calories of a thick, juicy hamburger on my trip. And as Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I have to say about that." Saw a real life cowboy on his horse with his hat herding the cattle. Thought I'd stop to say hi and ask him a question or two...then thought better of it as I was in my tights (it was cool and damp), and this guy looked like the Marlboro man, and I heard there was this movie called Brokeback Mountain.....so I rode a little faster. After passing through Liberal, Kansas (a town with two strikes against it according to my uncle), I left Kansas. Stopped for a picture at the Oklahoma border....and there was much rejoicing. Until I hit the second worst road surface on my trip. It lasted for about seven miles, and the deep cracks really beat me up for the second day in a row. However, other than that 7-mile stretch the road was very smooth and I cruised along into Guymon, OK just before 3:00 pm. Looking back, I think this was the first day that I was done before 3:00 pm with the possible exception of day 5. Very long 7-9 hour "saddle time" days. Happy to be able to catch up on some stuff (laundry, emails, stretching, rest, supply purchases, etc.) (top)
Guymon, OK to Romero, TX
Day 17 - Sunday September 13 - 102 miles - Total: 1,888 miles
There's a spot on US Route 54, about 25 miles southwest of Dalhart, Texas, where I had my moment of clarity.
The road out of Dalhart rises gently as it heads on a direct path for the New Mexico border. The vegetation changes noticeably as the altitude increases. The road is bordered by prairie hills which are just high enough that the traveler is unable to see very far to either side. The sense is still one of prairie flatness to the sides, yet long, gradual rises are met at the top by the beginning of another long, gradual rise. The road surface is constructed of coarse, crushed pebbles, and my body and bike rattle along as I weave from road to shoulder to avoid the 18-wheelers. As these behemoths roar by at 70 mph, they kick up small grains of sand and pebble which sting my legs. My knees, shoulders and neck are starting to ache from the 
vibration of the road. I wonder how much longer the rises can continue before there is some amount of descent. Suddenly, the road surface completely changes. It's almost perfectly smooth, and my speed increases noticeably from 15 to 19 mph as I float up another gradual ascent. As I near the top of the next rise, I'm not prepared for what I'm about to experience, as I'm almost 100 miles into the ride, and I'm still feeling the effects of the rumble road. I reach the top, turning around a bend. What I see floors me. The entire scene opens up in front of me - a full 180 degrees. A valley extending as far as my eyes can see. It's vastness and openess and nothingness gives me such a feeling of insignificance that I work to catch my breath. Across the valley I can see a mountain 
range, and the rolling hills that connect me to it. For me, the beauty is utopic. This point is a major change in the land...something that may be difficult to recognize in a car, but on a bicycle, it screams ''change". For years, I've stared out of the window of multiple cross country airline flights to and from Los Angeles, marvelling at this part of the United States, wondering what it was like up close and personal. The final motivation for me to embark on this endeavor was created when I watched the Coen brother's movie "No Country for Old Men". I was captivated by the scenery in the film. After watching it several times, I knew I wanted to experience the same land that is shown in the film and what I've seen from 35,000 feet...but on my own terms, in my own way...now I'm here....(top)
Romero, TX to Quay, NM
Day 18 - Monday September 14 - 95 miles - Total: 1,983 Miles
Early morning departure from the hotel this morning, as my Dad drove me back out to my pickup spot from yesterday. I was excited to get going and feeling better than the previous day (cold/allergies?). The ride started out passing through the valley carved out by the Punta de Agua. Afterwards Route 54 started climbing upward, each rise met by another rise. This started get a bit unsettling to me. Where I ride in PA, each uphill is generally followed by a downhill. Not so here. I reached about 5,000 feet in elevation 
and saw a large mesa up ahead and to the left. As it turned out, it was about 20 miles away and just outside of the town of Tucumcari, NM. The wind was in my face, but only about 5-10 mph; however, it still was wearing me down today. I plodded along feeling tired. I arrived in Tucumcari with the nerves kicking in a bit. The most direct route west would involve 60 miles on Interstate 40. My dad and I stopped at the local NM Dept of Transportation to get an idea of the road conditions. They mentioned construction in various parts between Tucumcari and Santa Rosa, where I would leave the interstate. In New Mexico, it's legal to ride on the interstates when there is no other reasonable option. The only 
other option that I had would take me south first and then west and would add about 30 miles to my trip. I gave the interstate a try, but only got about 1/2 mile. This first 1/2 mile was coated with fresh asphalt and the small pieces stuck to my tires and kicked up on the vital areas of the bike. I was concerned that pieces would get lodged where they shouldn't and do damage. I opted for the longer route at this point. It was later in the day (1:30 pm), and I decided to start off on route 209 out of Tucumcari. I'm glad I did. The scenery was incredible. Wide open with several large mesas framing the horizon. Again, plodding along against the wind, I felt tired. I called my dad and asked for the "pickup" just south of a town called Quay. "I'm out 
of gas, Dad?", I said. Quay has 4 houses and the Quay fire department. I began to wonder how big their pancake suppers are? I looked back and saw my dad approaching in the van. Since the beginning of the trip, I've chanted "More Cowbell" to my Tagalong support groups. My dad brought a cowbell with him and would ring it vigorously as he was coming up from behind me. When you're in the middle of nowhere, the sound really travels. Knowing that I was completely spent when I called him, he drove by slowly ringing the bell in a way that made it seem like the bell had run out of gas, too. The sound of the feeble bell ringing in a way that symbolized my physical, mental and emotional state completely cracked me up - I wasn't too tired to laugh. Thanks, Dad. (top)
Quay, NM to Vaughn, NM
Day 19 - Tuesday September 15 - 118 miles - Total Miles: 2,101
A heartfelt and sincere thanks to all who have sponsored my efforts by donating to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Neonatal Research Team. Your donations truly help me to keep perspective on tough days. Today was a tough day. I'm too tired to relive it, so I'm going to tell the story of the day in pictures. Thanks again...Geoff
Vaughn, NM to Socorro, NM
Day 20 - Wednesday September 16 - 131 miles - Total: 2,232 miles
There's nothing 600 mg of Advil, a cheeseburger, fries and a salad for dinner, a huge milkshake for dessert, and a sausage and cheese omelette in the morning can't cure - especially when their 
combined with a 10-20 mph tailwind. I recovered very nicely from the headwind, rough roads, high climbing butt-whippin' I took yesterday. After a heavy rain delay of about 1.5 hours this morning I took off west from Vaughn on US Route 60. The four lane divided highway was not heavily travelled, so I rode the left lane as cars and trucks passed me on the left. At Encino, Route 60 took a turn due west and went to a 2 lane road with no shoulder, and still, minimal traffic. I searched for smooth lanes on the road, and when the occasional tractor trailer would come from behind, I'd move over to the oncoming traffic lane 
so they could maintain their speed going uphill in the correct lane. Each gave me a friendly honk of their horn as they passed, and this energized me. Gets a bit lonely at times, so I'll take any amount of communication I can get, and for the most part truck drivers are extremely courteous, and frequently wave to me as they pass in the other direction. I climbed up to about 6,600 feet in elevation and then was met with the awesome sight of an extensive downhill, leveling off into a flat valley, with a mountain range about 30 miles across the valley. At this point the tailwind started to 
pick up to the 15 mph range, and I was off to the races. After yesterday's punishing ride into the wind/crosswinds, this was a real treat. I floated along on above average road surfaces for the next 70 miles. Across the valley, which had several salt-like lakes, and up the other side to Mountainair, NM. Stopped to reload some food and water, and then it was a 38 mile downhill jaunt to Bernardo, NM to meet up with Interstate 25. I rode this 38 mile stretch in just under 1.5 hours. It was 95% downhill going from 6500 feet in elevation to about 
4000 feet. The wind was still primarily helping and the riding was easy, but was precarious at times when the it swirled in the mountain valleys or a crosswind kicked up. As I headed down the mountain range a large thunderstorm was forming in the general direction in which I was travelling. It was fun to watch it develop, and fortunately, the road took a turn from the southwest to due west and I found myself riding along the next valley watching the storm to my left. It was about 15 miles away, I would guess, and I saw a few dust devils start to kick up. It would have 
made my day if a tornado would have dropped out of that storm, but it didn't happen. I crossed the Rio Grande River and then made my first real journey onto the US Interstate system on a bike on I-25 heading south. The tailwind I had experienced for the first 108 miles turned into a blustery crosswind which made dodging all of the shoulder debris that much more difficult. I caught a glimpse of the speed limit sign (75) and realized that the average car was probably pushing 80...hmmm. I tried to take a few roads that paralleled the interstate, but honestly, I made significantly better time on the 
Interstate. Road surface is everything sometimes, and with the wind starting to shift into my face from a crosswind, I was more comfortable on the interstate. The mountain ranges are very impressive and New Mexico is truly "the land of Enchantment". I pulled into the hotel parking lot after 6:45 on the bike, feeling more fresh than any other ride during the trip. It's all about the wind and the road surface, for me. Tomorrow I get to climb into the mountains. (top)
Socorro, NM to somewhere in the Gallinas Mtn. Range
Day 21 - Thursday September 17 - 37 miles - Total: 2,269 miles
When I left for my ride yesterday, I had all intentions of taking the day off if I made it to Socorro (which I did). However, I felt very good after yesterdays ride and this morning, I felt equally good until I saw the 
weather radar. There appeared to be some heavy thunderstorms in the area that weren't moving very fast. I organized my stuff and my thoughts for a few hours then decided to take off into the mountains. I was either going to go a short distance today or a long way, because there ain't nothing in between. The temp was about 60 degrees when I left Socorro in a light rain. Almost 3,000 vertical feet later, the temperature dropped to 49 degrees and I was soaked. The first 26 miles, and 2000 feet to Magdalena went very well, but then I stopped to make a call to my dad to get an idea of what the radar looked like because the sky was very dark ahead. When I stopped, my muscles started to cool off and the next 11 miles were not very comfortable. I 
plodded along up the hill in the cold rain. At the top of a climb somewhere in the Gallinas Mountains, I realized that I couldn't really feel my toes, and my exposed lower calves were very cold and tight. I knew that I had over 100 miles to the next legitimate town and accomodations, so I decided to pack it in for the day as it didn't appear that the rain would let up, and I didn't expect it to get any warmer. No need to catch pnemonia, either. I didn't have the gear for a cold rain. I called Tagalong 1 for a ride back down the mountain to Socorro. The forecast is for more of the same tomorrow, so I like my chances of getting good weather.
Gallinas Mtn Range to Vernon, AZ
Day 22 - Friday September 18 - 126 miles - Total: 2,395 miles
Today started out with a quick check of the weather radar and a ride back to the previous day's pickup area in the mountains of western New Mexico. 49 degrees at the start, but no rain, so I was comfortable starting off. I passed the Very Large Array within the first 
hour. http://www.vla.nrao.edu/ . Impressive, and it reminded me that two nights ago in Vaughn, NM, my dad and I drove out of that small town about 1 mile to get a look at the stars. It was amazing - I'd never seen the Milky Way before, so it was a real treat - and I got that feeling of insignificance again. Anyway, back to today, I rode west 
through some small towns and then up a 12 mile climb to the Continental Divide. The mountains were really amazing. The entire day was full of vivid open mountain country. This, of course, meant that I was going up and down all day, but I didn't mind. The top of each climb regularly led to a new sight. I crossed into Arizona around 2:30 pm. I would summarize my travel through New Mexico as being the most scenic (by far) of any of the states I had been in, and it also comes in first place for having the worst road surfaces. Illinois had that distinction 
until New Mexico snatched away the honors. There was a slight upgrade in Arizona with espect to the road surface, but the first 30 miles didn't have very much of a shoulder and the Friday afternoon crazies were coming out. Happens every Friday afternoon regardless of where I'm at, people drive like bats out of hell. Actually had a few close calls within a short period of time, and with the amount of miles and climbing I did today, I felt it was best to pack it in while still in one piece. I'll get up early tomorrow (Sat.) morning when the crazies are either sleeping or a bit more sane. Two milkshakes tonight - ahhh. (top)
Between Vernon and Springerville, AZ to Globe, AZ
Day 23 - Saturday Septermber 19 - 119 miles - Total: 2,514
"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." Hunter S. Thompson
I came pretty close to it today...literally and figuratively.
Globe, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Day 24 - Sunday September 20 - 99 miles - total: 2,613 miles
I left Globe just as the sun was coming up this morning. Arizona doesn't recognize Daylight Savings Time, so it was bright early. I was looking forward to an early start on a Sunday morning as traffic is generally light. I took a picture of the mountain range to the south of Globe - that was the last picture I would take that day. The next time I went to take a picture, the "battery needs charging" light came on. Rats. This was one of the most scenic of all days. On the positive side, I wanted to make tracks as the high in Globe was supposed to reach the 90's today, and 105 was predicted 2500 vertical feet lower in Phoenix....sheesh. I expected to make good time for the day because of the overall drop in altitude; however, the first 20 miles involved a significant amount of ascent. Up through canyons carved by who knows how many years of weathering. It was right out of a western movie. As I climbed up to 4600 feet, there was a construction zone that I had to navigate. I was surprised at the amount of traffic and how rutted up the road was. "I hope the downhill is a smooth road," I thought. I came to a town called Top-of-the-World, and made the assumption (equal to that of a 1st grader), that I had reached the end of the climbing. Soon I saw the sign warning of a 7%, 3 mile downhill. I chanted my normal prayer to the road gods, "Please be smooth, please be smooth, please be smooth." I was not to be disappointed. Down, down, down I went through the canyons. I left the crest of the hill when it appeared no cars were coming behind, but quickly a pickup was right behind me. I was up to 45 mph at one point and the road was winding around some blind corners. I wanted him to pass, but there wasn't an opportunity because of the wavyness of the road. So I stayed in the middle of the lane, and my glances to the rear kept him at a safe distance - thanks, guy in white pickup truck. Suddenly, I 
came around a corner and in front of me was a tunnel. I motioned for the pickup truck to pass, gave a brief wave of appreciation, and then pulled in behind him to go through the tunnel. Pretty cool. After exiting the tunnel, I saw a bridge below and to the left. It was crossing the canyon, and after the tunnel the wind was swirling. A curve led to the bridge, and I pictured myself getting caught by a crosswind and being blown over the side of the bridge. I started to grow feathers and cluck as I put the brakes on before crossing the bridge. After the bridge, there were a few more turns and then into the town of Superior....what a rush that descent was. As I breezed through the town, it felt like the temperature had gone up about 15 degrees. I stopped and shedded the cool morning wear that was comfortable at the higher altitude, and then realized, it was only going to get hotter. As I neared Phoenix, US Route 60 couldn't have been a better road for me. Smooth, 4-lane, minimal traffic, and primarily downhill until I reached the "Valley of the Sun". As the road turned 45 degrees to head due west into Phoenix it became a limited access highway with a "no bicycles" sign at the entrance....didn't care. The road was too smooth and I was having too much fun. Plus, I was curious what the price of the ticket would be if I got caught. I rode for about 7 miles on the freeway (with a few honks from understandably annoyed motorists), and then decided that I should get some more fluids as it was really starting to get hot. I went south from route 60 to Baseline road and followed this road across the majority of the Phoenix suburban area. A great road for the most part, Baseline frequently had a bike lane. I was going through the fluids rapidly, and my dad caught up to me about 90 miles into the ride. I grabbed some more drinks and dipped a T-shirt in the water from the cooler and put it over my head. Wow it seemed hot, and it was. He said the car thermometer read 95 degrees. I'd spent the previous part of the trip with only one day over 85, and only two or three others over 80. This was a shock to my thick blood. I'm no Lawrence of Arabia, and basically am a "heat sissie". I had another 15-20 miles to the planned hotel stay. I asked my dad to meet me another 10 miles up the road so I could take my cooler water shower and then try to finish up. 10 miles later, I pulled into a convenience store parking lot, a bit dizzy and with wobbly knees. I doused myself in cooler water and drank more fluids and had a milkshake. After 10 minutes, I was feeling a little better and then took off into the blast furnace. 100 yards after I left the convenience store parking lot, I got a flat....my first one of the entire trip. Unbelievable. My first reaction was "Oh Crap". Then I became as joyous as the Grinch when he hears the Who's down in Whoville singing after he stole their Christmas stuff. A flat...a flat...this is great. I don't want to ride anymore, and the chase car is only 100 yards away. I flagged down my dad, loaded my bike into the van, and we had a laugh at my incredibly good fortune. (top)
Phoenix, AZ to 11 miles east of Quartzite, AZ
Day 25 - Monday September 21 - 106 miles - total: 2,719 miles
After a nice dinner last night in Phoenix with my father's childhood friend, Stan Wood and his wife 
Carolyn, I woke up at 3:00 am to get a head start on the sun. We purchased a light and a blinking rear light a few days before in anticipation of avoiding the heat of the afternoon. My dad dropped me off at the convenience store where I flatted out yesterday. Riding in the dark was a new experience for me, so I took it easy as I left the Phoenix area. Just kept hoping that the passing drivers were paying attention. Most of the traffic was headed into the city as I was headed out. After 2 hours of "night riding" I came to where I would get on Interstate 10. The sky was just starting to show light on the horizon, and I stopped at a Burger King for another water bottle. It was a very cool moment when I saw the sign that said "I-10 West to Los Angeles". I had forgotten to recharge my camera battery, so I was annoyed at my knuckleheadedness. There will be many chances to take that picture, though. I spent 83 miles on I-10 today. I was able to make very good time, but riding on the shoulder of a Freeway can be annoying. The surface changes regularly, it's cluttered with blown out tires and all 
sorts of glass, trash and other junk. There were rumble strips just off of the main lanes, which kept me from sneaking onto the right lane when there was a gap in traffic. My neck muscles were happy, though, because I rarely looked back over my left shoulder. Still incredible scenery here in the desert. Mountain ranges separated by large expanses of very dry earth and plants that don't need a lot of water. At 95 miles, I got my second flat of the trip, this time on the front tire. Again, the perpetrator was a small piece of steel from a blown out tire. The Armadillo tires had finally worn down after 2500 miles, much of which was on very rough road surfaces. I patiently, changed the tire by the side of the road as my dad caught up after a previous hot weather "pit stop". After the tire change, I climbed gradually to the top of an 8 mile rise to exit 31. The car thermometer read 99 degrees. It had been a good day, so I decided to quit while I was ahead of the dizzyness and wobbly knees I experienced yesterday. (top)
East of Quartzsite, AZ to Chiriaco Summit, AZ
Day 26 - Tuesday September 22 - 102 miles - Total: 2,821 miles
Early start again today as I was awake before 3:00 am and transported back to the last few feet of yesterdays ride. Yesterday, I started off in the dark in a suburban area without much traffic. This morning I started at 4:00 am in the dark on Interstate 10. Sheesh.... Trying to cram down a huge bowl 
of Raisin Bran on a nervous stomach was like trying to force a cat into a bathtub full of water. I suppose I was trading the unknown danger of nightime riding on the shoulder of a major interstate for fewer hours in the baking desert sun. The first 11 miles of the ride back to Quartzsite went smoothly, and many of the Interstate drivers (mostly long-haul truckers), moved over to the left lane even though I kept my line primarily along the right side of the shoulder. Dodging tire remnants and other junk at night was like playing a video game. I had to keep my concentration at a high level the entire time, knowing that one miss could send to the pavement. I was nervous about this before the ride, but once I got on the bike there were no nerves, just concentration. I left the interstate for 7 miles on a "frontage" road which basically parallelled I-10. It was pitch dark except for my light and there wasn't any traffic. I gazed at the stars as I conservatively rode at 15 mph or so. Saw a falling star as it flashed through the 
sky as I happened to be looking in the right direction. Got back onto the interstate about 11 miles from the California border and rode along in the dark with minimal traffic. I rode on the travel lanes and then back onto the shoulder when a vehicle got close. I checked out the left shoulder wondering whether or not it would be smart to ride that shoulder while a single vehicle came along - thought it would be a bad call. What happened 60 seconds later will be an event that I will never forget as long as I live.....I went back to the right shoulder as I saw some vehicles approaching. The last 11 miles before the border are basically downhill as the Colorado River cuts through the land between Arizona and California. I was pedaling along on the shoulder at a brisk pace as a truck passed me. Next to the truck was 
a small sedan. In the brief second that it took for the car and the truck to get 100-150 yards ahead of me, I could tell that the sedan was travelling very fast. Just as I recognized that the car was flying past the truck it started to swerve....to the left, back towards the truck it was passing, back to the left. The driver seemed to lose complete control and swerve hard to the left. "I'm going to see someone die", I distinctly thought to myself. Across the desert median of scrubgrass and sand the car rattled at, still, a very high rate of speed. My mouth must have been wide open as I watched helplessly as the car smashed up the other side of the median and onto the Eastbound lane of traffic. The driver kept driving though, down the shoulder in the wrong direction. I saw car lights coming the other way. Again, I felt I would see someone's life come to an end in a horrific way. The eastbound cars kept their pace and went passed the oncoming sedan. I can only imagine what they were thinking. After they passed, the sedan stopped and the driver shut off the lights. My first thought was: should I call the highway patrol? My second thought was more about self preservation: If this knucklehead finds his way back 
to westbound side of the highway, he'll be behind me and then will have to pass me. If he's drunk.......I started pedaling like a madman. Hardest gear, out of the saddle, down the slight incline. I noticed the mile marker was at 5.....5 miles to the border.....I think I made it in 3 minutes.....As the sun started coming up, I saw the river ahead and stopped to take a few pictures. Although the sign at the bridge said "No Diving", I knew I'd throw myself and the bike over if that clown started swerving at me. Luckily, he never showed up. I stopped at the obligatory agricultural checkpoint and informed the ag officers what I had seen. I subtly suggested that they might want to call the highway patrol. They just looked at me, probably wondering if I was smuggling in fruit flies in my Power Bars.....I got off the interstate in Blythe, CA, taking a moment to reflect on my trip. I'd made it to California...very cool. OK, enough reflecting, gotta' ride to beat the heat. After Blythe, I rode back onto I-10 and almost immediately the winds picked up. They really got ferocious. Cutting across me from my right to my left, the gusts tried 
to push me towards the lanes of traffic. Shoulders and hands got sore trying to keep the bike upright. Found out on the news later that evening, that these "Santa Ana" winds were particularly strong. They would last for the rest of the day. I immediately discarded any expectations that I had about reaching a particular location. It was the middle of the desert, I'd go as far as I could, and then bail out. I plodded along, seeing what appeared to be a wall of sand ahead. I wasn't sure if it was a sandstorm, but it seemed like it from afar. I never seemed to actually get to it though. Maybe it was moving the same way as I was (which didn't make sense because the winds were coming from my right side). In any case, I never made it to the "sand wall". It was really getting hot, and at 11:00 my dad rode by, ringing the cowbell, and we stopped for a burger (for him) and a milkshake (for me) at a dusty, desert roadside diner. I basically went exit by exit for the nest two hours. Stopping for water (I was drinking about 48 ounces per hour) and cooler water showers, I eventually made up my mind to try to make it 
up a climb to Chiriaco Summit. Up, the hill I climbed. I neared the top and knew the day's effort was coming to an end. With only one mile to go, I looked up into the big, blue sky and saw some commercial planes headed east. I guessed that these planes lined up were headed across the southern tier of the country from an LA area airport. I remembered how I loved looking out the window as a kid. I can remember asking my dad about different things that I saw. I imagined that there was a kid in one of those planes, looking out the window, asking his dad about what was out there. "What's that down there, Dad?" "That's the desert, see the sand," the dad would reply. "No Dad, what's that orange speck down there?" "Oh that" the dad would say, "that's just some crazy person on a bike."(top)
Chiriaco Summit, CA to Rialto, CA
Day 27 - Wednesday September 23 - 114 miles - Total: 2,935 miles
Another early morning start to beat some heat led me back onto I-10 at Chiriaco Summit. The ride from the starting point down to Indio, CA where we stayed last night would be about 95% downhill. 
Got into my shoulder junk dodging rhythm, and I'm happy to say, there were not incidents like yesterday morning. The sun was coming up just as I began the 10 mile downhill into the Indio - Palm Springs valley. Spectacular view. It was like I was on my own plane, floating down to a runway, all the time having a perfect view. After I got to Indio, I took Dillon Road which is basically a 2 lane bypass to the north around the population and activity of Palm Springs and the other communities that make up the 30 mile stretch. Taking this road was a nice break from the Interstate 10 tension and had some nice climbing stretches. However, it felt like I was pulling a piano. I got off 
the bike and noticed that the tires were seemed a little low. When my dad caught up to me after 60 miles, I grabbed the tire pump and checked the pressure....80 psi....much lower than the 100-110 psi that I like to keep in the tires. After pumping up the tires, the ride went significantly faster. Passed through the largest wind farm of the trip. I wondered if investing in these things would make sense. They seem to be going up everywhere. I stopped to relieve myself, and stared at one of the nearest structures. It was huge. "How is the wind turning that thing?" I thought to myself. "There's no way the wind is making those things go." I noticed that the door at the bottom of one of the largest turbines was open slightly. I had to take a look. So I 
walked up to the door and then stopped short (no not like Frank Costanza). I heard this squeaking noise. "Must need some grease", I thought. I noticed a box outside of the base of the windmill which had the writing: "Property of A.G." As I stepped through the door, I was amazed at what I saw......hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of HAMSTERS running on little wheels. Man, were they humming along. Each hamster wheel was connected to a pulley system, which in turn led to another larger power transfer system. You've got to be kidding me! Those little buggers are making those 
things turn.....I walked out of the wind turbine base with the feeling like I'd just seen what was in the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark (only without the melted face). Then it dawned on me...I shouldn't invest in GE or Vestas Wind Systems or Broadwind Energy. I should buy stock in......cheese. Hmmmm. (The preceding is equivalent in value to the investment advice you will get on CNBC). Alright, back to the trip. The windmills were actually moving along pretty good, and to my benefit, this equalled a nice tailwind of about 20 mph. I climbed out of the valley on I-10 and through the towns of Banning 
and Beaumont which are located on the pass separating the Palm Springs Valley and the beginning of the LA Basin. Not far to go now, but it was getting hot. The thought of continuing straight on to Burbank crossed my mind as I continued to make good time. However, the wind switched direction when I came into the valley near Loma Linda and the temperature was up to 98 degrees. I rode on for about 2 more hours, envigorated by the idea that I was nearing the end of the trip. However, I started to really feel wiped out, so I found a palm tree, took off my helmet, sat down and called Alison. "Where are you at?" she asked. "Sitting under a palm tree......."(top)
Rialto, CA to Burbank, CA to Redondo Beach, CA
Day 28 - Thursday September 24 - 103 miles - Total: 3,038
".....just another freak, in the freak kingdom......"
I didn't feel anything special about today. It was the same as each of the 27 days preceding. Up early, nervous energy, forcing food into my stomach, and almost immediate relief of nerves with the first pedal stroke. However, I knew that it was the end of the trip - again, nothing emotional, nothing sentimental - which surprised me. I started out early: 4:45 am which was not part of the plan. I was up early, and I woke my poor dad up one last time, for a drive to the end 
of yesterday's ride. I spent the last hour of yesterday's ride on historic route 66. Lots of lights, traffic and challenging road surfaces. This morning I went to the first intersection and made a right heading up the base of the San Bernadino mountains. I made a left onto Baseline Road and was immediately happy that I did so. The road was smoother, the early morning traffic less, and it was generally downhill. The streetlights allowed me to ride at a normal speed, yet I pushed it at a higher pace than usual. No reason to leave anything in the tank after today, and I wanted to get as much of the ride in as possible before the traffic picked up. I made excellent time. As the sun came up, the traffic intensity did as well. I maintained assertive lines along the line of parked cars on my right and the two lanes of 
traffic passing me on the left. This was the greatest amount of traffic that I had ridden in for the entire ride. The time went fast because of the high concentration level. Before I knew it, I was in Pasadena, sniffing the finish line. Up over the various passes, and zig-zagging through roads in Glendale I rode. I reached Bel Air Drive in Glendale, and knew I only had about 3 miles to go. Took a brief detour up into the mountains to the Castaway Restaurant and DeBell Golf Course, both of which overlook the San Fernando Valley. It didn't feel like I 
had ridden my bike this far - it almost seemed as though, I caught a plane out to LA with my bike as check-in luggage, and just went for a ride. I rode back down the mountain after snapping a few pictures, and then rode up to my grandparents house. Nothing....nothing at all other than the happiness of seeing them. No feeling of accomplishment, no sense of pride...just very happy to see my grandparents, and glad to be at their house....Had lunch with them, took a shower, and loaded up on fluids and food for the ride down to 
the beach......It was hot again. There was a ton of traffic along Magnolia and Sepulveda Boulevards. Again, no reason to leave anything in the tank. Might as well ride like heck. Quincy, Alison and Carol were flying into LAX with an arrival time of 3:09, but their plane was ahead of schedule for a 2:44 landing. I wanted to get to one of my favorite places in LA - a perfect plane viewing spot at the airport. Perhaps I could see them land, and they might see me as well. I made it to the airport just after they did land, though. They, along with 
my dad, drove down to Redondo Beach. I took the bikeway along the beach from the airport. A very relaxed, pleasant ride after battling the traffic for 2 hours from Burbank to LAX. Before going to the beach, we would meet at the hotel across from the marina. I heard the cowbell going one last time from the parking lot, and I pulled in to see my dad. A few moments later, I saw Quincy............(top)
