Letters from the Road: 4/6/08

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******!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Check Out the Links

Hi All,

Had a great riding today from Arrey to Las Cruces. We are staying at the home of Ed and Kristy. Thank you! They are great Hosts. The ride today was just under 60 miles and mostly flat with a few rolling hills. The wind is still blowing 10-20 mph, but it is mostly a side or tail wind. This is big sky country with breath-taking views and landscapes. The pictures below tell the story of the last two days. Running out of time! Check out Frank's and Dee's Blog on this tour. Links on the left column.

Road to Las Cruces

Another stop at Hatch for lunch and drinks

The landscape from Fort Seldon

Taking a break at Fort seldon

Hwy 157 to Las Cruces

The Organ Mountains

Arrey to Las Cruces

Dick, owner of the RV park

Onward to Las Cruces

Breakfast of biscuit and gravy

The landscape

Riding with the Wind

We had the wind at our back for 10 miles

All the way to Caballo

Didn't hardly have to pedal

Land of the big sky, Caballo Reservoir in the distance

Arrey RV Park

Riding to Arrey

First 8 miles were mostly downhill

Stopping for Bumbleberry Pie

Cafe in Hillsboro

Outside the Cafe

Some climbing, then more downhill

Leaving Black Range Lodge

It's a good thing it was a rest day! We got snow and hail

The gang and Thanks to Pete and Catherine

Tom, Catherine, and Pete of the Black Range Lodge

Ready to Go

Downhill run

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

At the Black Range Lodge

A time of rest, maintenance, reading, eating, and rest again! Also, some good news, Jeff and Christina are back with the group and we are whole again.

The House

Breakfast, don't wait, dive in

Tom doing his thing...

Group R & R

Dick catching up on the news

Second Rest Day at the Black Range Lodge

This is our second rest day and we are staying at a historic Bed and breakfast, the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, NM. It's good to have another opportunity to update this blogsite directly. Thanks Kay for your continual updates.

The 45-mile ride to Kingston started from Silver City with mostly steep rolling hills followed by @ 18 miles of climbing over Emory Pass at 8,225 feet. The scenery was fantastic, however this was one of the most difficult days so far. Tom and I stopped numerous time during the last miles to rest, catch our breath, eat, and enjoy the views. The grades were not too steep, but it was just a long long climb on tired legs to start with. The vista near the pass to the east was breath-taking. Our day ended with an 8-mile downhill into Kingston.

The rest day gives me a chance to post more pictures and to reflect on the past week. On news from home, I was shocked and sadden to learn that our dear friend Patti Masuda, wife of Geno, had passed away. Geno and I have been friends for the past 12 years after he invited me to participate on a 2-week loaded bike tour in Colorado. Since that time, Geno and I have ridden countless miles together and traveled together along with Patti and Kay both near and far. I will always remember our trips to Costa Rica and Belize as well as the many other good times together. Besides being a gifted and creative person, travelling was definitely one of Patti's passions. Over the years, we have done much together and it's difficult to recall it all. As I rode the roadways this past week, memories would surface and I found myself crying within where no one could hear.

When I first decided to do this ride across the country ride, I can still remember so clearly how excited Patti had been for me. She and Geno have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to enjoy life to the fullest which may have led to my early retirement. Kay and I will miss Patti dearly. "Geno, my journey across the country had been wonderful so far, but I am also sad that I can not be at home during this most difficult of times for you. Know only that I have you and Patti in my heart and mind. I will finish this tour and and in my heart, dedicate this ride to Patti." Herb