Day 2

by   July 31, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

  I awoke very early on Tuesday morning in El Cajon at the Motel 6. The previous night, the front desk gave out a second key to my room, and of course mine stopped working. We both went to the office at the same time and got it squared away.


    I’m still on Eastern time and got up very early, beating the sunrise. Starting at about 300 feet in elevation, Alexa told me that the route was very challenging on the way to about 4,000 feet.


    The whole day was about the climbing amid desert scenery. The first significant town was Alpine, almost exactly half way to the top. The initial 2,000 feet went well during cool and mostly cloudy conditions. I saw the first California sun on this trip late morning and steeper roads. A few scenic views, mostly of the California desert, highlighted the morning.

Looking ahead toward the town of Pine Valley from about 4,000 feet.


    Enough water and supply points kept me in food and snacks. At 3,000 feet, the sign posted nearby as I rode Interstate 8 briefly, I met a man and woman from Yuma, Arizona who told me I was crazy to do this ride. We talked at a scenic overlook as he and the woman smoked. They did give me a couple waters.


    With elbows dripping sweat, I topped out at 3,999 feet at the little village of Guatay just after 1pm.  My celebration with the convenience store owner included only an ice cream sandwich.


    A short mostly downhill four mile ride ended in Pine Valley, my home for the evening. It was another short mileage ride of 31 miles. I did celebrate correctly with a pineapple milkshake here in town.


    Tomorrow’s likely route takes me to the Mexican border at Jacumba Hot Springs after some serious up and down climbing in the early morning, then a long downhill into California’s primary agricultural area. I have bigger mileage in mind now for tomorrow.


  Traffic was light all day. Gas in Pine Valley is $4.99 and a 24 pack of water is $8.99. Food is higher but not as ridiculously so. Day 3 will have good supply points but they will disappear as the heat rises as I continue east.
    I missed Accelerate Therapy and Performance on the sponsor list last night. Thanks again to Delaine Fowler for her continued contribution.


    To the readers, some of the days ahead will be extremely challenging for various reasons. All the messages and your prayers are much appreciated!

The Trip Begins…

by   July 30, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Editor’s Note: David is making a trip across the Southern US on his bike. His adventure will be chronicled here. Come back daily to see where his adventure takes him.

My flight west on Monday morning went very well until just before the initial descent into San Diego. A passenger collapsed just as he passed my row of seats. Quick reaction by several medical personnel onboard revived him and EMTs got him off the plane once we reached the gate.


  With a direct flight, I was on the ground well ahead of scheduled arrival time. Bernie’s Bike Shop opened and as soon as the display bikes got put out, Roger Lovett went to work on mine. He put on two new tires that I brought with me and while he worked, I repacked the gear into the panniers and got the bike ready to go. Yasuko Lovett sold me a new multi-tool and a pair of leather gloves. I asked them both about the route and what I needed to see. Roger was more focused on the days ahead and so was I. He gave me excellent pointers and told me that riding the first mountain was too much for Monday, but we both thought it was a good idea to get a start on the dreaded climbing.


  I decided to think about when to start as I rode over to the nearest beach at Ocean Beach State Park. Officially, I had to get the start photo, only properly done when that new rear tire got wet in ocean surf. A nice young lady took the photos and we laughed as the surf chose to make the next wave bigger and soaked my shoes. The same thing happened at the start of my other west to east cross country ride back in 2013. I will count it as a sign of good luck ahead since that other trip turned out very well.


    With my feet wet and sand on the bike, I decided to wash off the bike and start riding east. The Adventure Cycling map called for following bike paths, not my favorite thing. Bike paths protect the rider from excessive fast moving traffic, but they also limit contact with locals and scenery. I followed the bike path for a while, then jumped on the main roads and ended up in El Cajon. I rode an extra three miles to save $40 on a motel, something I consider part of the game. This afternoon’s ride was 28.5 miles, a large part of it very hilly as I climbed east of San Diego. The first big climbing day comes tomorrow, as I will have another short day filled with extreme climbing.


    Just before finding a Motel 6 with some dollars saved, I met my first special person in Santee. Steve Bradley was intrigued by my bike and gear, and my plan to go to Florida in 6 weeks. Steve weighs about 300 pounds and is hard at work on dropping some weight. He was on his second ride of the day when we met.


  I have a couple minor gear issues to work on tonight and decide from what point I will attack the climb to Pine Valley. And I had discounted how challenging the climbs set for the next day will be. I should spend three days in California, working hard to complete it ahead of entering Arizona.   


  I saw regular gas for $4.73 per gallon an hour ago. Prices are higher in general than any state except Alaska and Hawaii.


  Primary sponsors for this trip include Frank and Janis Ramsey, Father and Son Produce, Vac and Dash, Dick and Jean Richards, Leonard Wood, The Trophy House and Gear for Races.


    Check back for updates online and in the printed Post on Thursday. Thanks for riding along once again. We’re going to have fun!

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