Letters from the Road: First Ride Day, San Diego to Alpine

My Story

.....On March 22, 2008, I begin my self-contained bike tour across the southern part of the United States from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida along the Southern Tier Route. This is a trip I've wanted to undertake for many years and now it's finally happening. I will be riding with a group of 17 people orgainzed by the Adventure Cycling Association. The tour will take 65 days ending May 25th. We ride on average 57 miles per day for a total of about 3,082 miles with rest days about once a week. I will attempt to keep this blog site updated as we progress across the U.S. on this great adventure. Energy and access to a computer will be key factors. Wish me (us) luck. It's a long journey.

Shirl's Poem

In San Diego, our starting place
We gathered together
and came face to face.
Then Andy Mac came and took the chair
With baggy shorts and a face full of hair.

He spelled out the rules and left no doubt
That here was a man
with strength and clout
He said, “We’re going all the way;
You’re a real good group, just do what I say!”

“On busy roads, if you get stuck,
Please don’t make a cluster f***
If it’s sex on the road, well that’s ok,
But do it quick and get on your way.”

And so, without much further ado
The circus left town, a motley crew,
To see this fine and beautiful land –
Over hills and through the desert sands.

Up near the front is a man of steel.
He’d like to have meat
every lunch time meal
But every day Aede’s heard to utter,
“Oh no, not again – it’s peanut butter.”

Matty, lovely Matty,
goes faster than the wind,
He gets to camp each day
before we’ve hardly beginned (!)
Not only that, but on the way,
He drinks umpteen Starbuck every day!

Nick, from Frisco, brings a touch of class
He cycles with individual panache,
“Life is good,” he’s heard to say
About a hundred times a day.

“Oh crap, I see another hill,”
Says Jan, “I’ve really had my fill –
That Andy must be taking the p***
I sure never signed up for this!”

This trip would be dull
if we didn’t have Frank
Who started out built like a tank,
But three thousand miles of steady crank
And now his tum is as flat as a plank.
(Well nearly!)

Kristina rides with finesse and grace
But downhills doesn’t like to race.
All day she keeps a steady pace –
And never a hair out of place.

On recumbent is fine Dick Beeman,
Patriotic and brave, he’s a former seaman.
“Awesome” is what
you’ll hear him screamin’
As he rides that machine like a real demon.

And then there’s Eileen
Our hill country queen
Always quick with a witty remark
A great sense of humor, a vital spark.

Steve Shapland’s a name
that clearly denotes
A man who needs his carbs and oats
His brain is full of information and facts
But tell him there’s no shower
and watch him react!

Doug’s a guy that we all dig
Tall and strong – he rides a fine rig.
But when a dog made him go ar** over tit
He hurt his bike and body a bit.

There’s a chap who’s quiet
and goes like a bomb
He’s well put together, his name is Tom
He rides like a rocket or a bird on the wing
Is sharp as a knife and doesn’t miss a thing.

Dave’s added a splash of color to this trip
His vivid tie dye makes him really hip.
On his recumbent, he’s striking and lean,
But, Dave, what do all those hand signals mean?

Herb speaks with a voice
that’s dignified and calm
He’s won our hearts with his quiet charm
He has a great eye for a quality photo
And rides his bike as though it has a motor.

Dee has a heart as big as the sun
She lavishes love on everyone.
She’ll help everyone to cook and then….
The very next day, she’ll do it again.

Andy’s a cool leader,
resourceful and inspired
Always helping with our bike stuff
although he must be tired.
He’s been real hardworking
and, besides that, funny –
We’ve sure had good value for our money!

So thank you, Andy, it’s been a blast,
Our trip has gone by real fast
We wish you luck
as you follow that (North) Star
Pleasant tailwinds be at your back
wherever you are.

Finally, I’m bequeathing you
this little parcel (a deck of card)
Do try hard not to always be the a******!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

First Ride Day, San Diego to Alpine

We all had our bikes loaded and ready to go by 8am, and enjoyed a pancake breakfast before hitting the road. To leave San Diego, we had our first climb of the ride, and the temperature was in the 80's. It fell quite hot to me since we have been in the 60s and low 70s back in Sacramento.

At the Point Loma Youth Hostell getting ready to start the ride.

It was a long day and we had two mishaps during the day. One cyclist's chain broke, and another cyclist had a difficult time with the climb but was able to hitch a ride from a nice samaritan.

After stopping at a grocery store to purchase items for dinner and arriving at our campsite around 6pm, we did enjoy a delicious dinner of salad, roasted chicken and mash potatoes.

Tuesday morning we head out and have another long climb and head to Ocotillo, which is approximately a 60 mile day.

3 comments:

riptidejo said...: herb,
jay o. here... 60 miles is nothing for you! glad that you are doing it and not me..., ha, ha, just kidding. enjoy the ride, the wind over your face, the company, the food, relax and enjoy the moment.; March 26, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Just curious...throughout the course of your ride during the day, are all of you staying together in one group?...small groups?...the buddy system? Was also wondering how the meals are being handled...does food have to be purchased daily?; March 26, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Anonymous said...: Herb: We are enjoying the ride with you! It all sounds great.
We understand your longing for your recumbant. Say, we are going to San Diego (with a truck) on Sat Mar 29. If you want, we could bring it to you in either Hope or Wintenburg, AZ Would your gear fit? just an idea...we are willing..call us: (209) 406-4607 asap if you think it would work! Debbie and Dennis; March 27, 2008 at 8:42 PM

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