Letters from the Road: 4/13/08

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 18, 2008

Riding to Sanderson

We had winds to 40 mph in camp during the night. Not much sleep. Luckily it stop by morning.

"Moon over the Windpump"

On the road again to Sanderson. It's Nick and Tom ahead.

Nick

The open road

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Marathon

Marathon in the distance. The wind blew us into town.

Eileen's new friend. We were at the Gage Hotel for drinks and R&R.

Hey! You're in Texas now!

The Marathon area and the Big Bend National Park attracts many bikers.

After a few drinks, it's better to walk back to camp.

To Marathon We Go

My Buddy

Andy with cyclist who is riding east to west on the Southern Tier

Steve with his BOB trailer.

Eileen and Frank on the road.

We had a tailwind for the last 33 miles into Marathon.

Lunch Stop in Alpine

Long road to Marathon.

Frank and Eileen in the town of Alpine.

Great lunch spot.

Lunch time

Dee, Frank and Shirl with owner of cafe. He had a part in "There will be blood" as a Chevron buyer.

Fort Davis Rest Day

Eileen working on her bike

Frank diving into his pie at the Indian Lodge near our camp.

Frank and Doug working into the night on Dave's recumbent

Old Fort Davis

Tom on the road to Marathon. It was an easy with favorable winds.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

From Las Cruces to Fort Davis

After a difficult stretch of riding, it's good to have another rest day in Fort Davis. I'm short on time, so I'll try to give a summary of the last four days.

The sad news during this period is Jeff's decision to end his tour due to medical reasons. We were all surprised and sadden by this news, but we all understood his concerns and reasoning. We will all miss him, especially Tom and I because he had ridden with us since the beginning of the tour. We wish him well.

Dave was also taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons in Van Horn after suffering a stomach disorder and missed the ride from Van Horn to Fort Davis. The cause was inconclusive. However, after a day of rest and lots of fluids, he is now back with us in Fort Davis. Welcome back Dave.

Now, for the riding! During this section of the tour, we encountered heavy traffic through El Paso, endlessly long open roadway that stretched to the horizon, and windy conditions. We had been fairly fortunate thus far with the riding conditions. However, the wind during this section often turned into strong headwinds which made the going much more difficult and tiring. Fortunately, Tom and Jeff was with me so we took turns at the head of the group riding into the wind. I still feel good physically and my mental disposition is great so I'm enjoying each day's ride and the ever changing landscape as we begin our long journey through Texas. I hope the pictures below give you a sense of our day. I'm at the local library in Ft Davis. The kids have just gotten out of school and are anxiously waiting for my computer so "Goodby for now". Herb