Letters from the Road: On The Road Again

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******!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

On The Road Again

After a nice day off, it's back on the seat and we headed towards our next destination, the town of Superior, 60 miles away climbing from 1200 feet to 2800 feet elevation the last part of the day's ride. As we rode along Highway 60 through high desert terrain, we became surrounded by beautiful wildflowers.

Unfortunately, Jeff, one of my co-riders, had a medical situation and was not able to ride with the group as we left Tempe. To give him time to rest up, Jeff hitched a ride and is waiting for us at Black Range Lodge in New Mexico where he will join back in on the tour.

Upon our arrival in Superior, Tom and I headed over to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum which is around an oasis. Camping at a higher elevation allowed me to enjoy a sky of stars.

Today's 43 mile ride to the town of Globe was with long climbs at 6-7% grade, roads with no bike lane and heavy traffic taking us back into the mountains east of Phoenix. The climbs took us up to 4600 feet, then dropping back down to 1200 then back up to 3300, where Globe resides. The route included riding through a narrow tunnel (150-200 yards) sharing the road with traffic. Five of the tour members opted not to chance it through the tunnel, so our ride leader made arrangements to have them driven through.

After stopping for a delicious and inexpensive Mexican lunch in a little town called Miami, Tom and I rode into Globe around 1:30. It's my turn as cook tonight. Pizza and salad sounds good. Thank goodness there are several pizza parlors in town. Five extra large pizzas, please and can you deliver them as well???? No complaints from the troop. All five were gobbled up.

It'll be a cold chilly night being at 3300 ft. Need to bundle up.... good night for now.

1 comment:

Dawn Fine said...: Sounds like you are having a great trip so far...I am enjoying reading about your adventure.
When will you be making the Chinese food dinner? Haa
Have fun...
Dawn and Jeff Fine; April 4, 2008 at 1:20 PM

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