Day 10: Saturday March 15 Phoenix, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ - 53 miles

We rode 53 miles today to the east side of Phoenix. Nothing much to talk about but heavy city traffic, stop lights, and dogs chasing our bikes. I didn't take any pictures.

Day 8: Thursday March 13 Salome, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ - 57 miles

Weather was hot and dry today. We stopped by this cute coffee shop called Ingredients. It's owned by unforgettable women.

There will be a $5.00 charge for Whining.

Day 7: Wednesday March 12 Blythe, CA to Salome, AZ - 64 miles

We crossed the Colorado River today. Welcome to Arizona. Passed through the town of Hope, AZ.

You're Now Beyond Hope.

Day 6: Tuesday March 11 Blythe, CA - Rest Day - 0 miles

Finally, we have a rest day. We cleaned our bikes and washed clothes. Some of us rented a car and rode about 15 miles outside of town to visit the Intaglios or Geoglyphs. High above the Colorado river, there are hugh figures that appear to have been pounded into the desert. They are estimated to be approximately 400 to 5000 years old.

Phyllis, Hanna, Judy, Kathy, and Penny in front of the "Horny Toad Saloon".

Day 5: Monday March 10 Brawley, CA to Blythe, CA - 89 miles

I had another great ride today. This part of California is very quite and uninhabited except for border patrol riding over sand dunes in white Hummers firing warning shots at illegals.

Day 4: Sunday March 9 Jacumba, CA to Brawley, CA - 68 miles

We had a 10 mile downhill on Interstate 8. My max. speed was 38 mph... Go Girl!!

We were very close to the border of Mexico. I got a picture of U.S. border patrol station/lookout.

Day 3: Saturday March 8, 2008 Alpine, CA to Jacumba, CA 46 miles

We climbed 4200 feet today. Grades were between 4% and 17%. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today was a personal best for me.

Day 9: Friday March 14 Wickenburg, Az to Phoenix, AZ - 67 miles

We were on the road by 7:15am this morning. It was quite chilly at 52 degrees. The ride into Phoenix was more of the same, desert, rocks, and cactus.

Day 2: Friday, March 7 San Diego,CA to Alpine, CA - 33 miles

Breakfast was at 7:30a.m. We had steel cut oatmeal with almonds, and cranberries. Yummy! We rode 3 miles to Dog Beach and dipped our rear tire in the Pacific Ocean. After the commensurate photos, we rode out of San Diego on a bike path past marinas and beaches. Once the bike path ended, traffic was extremely heavy. The urban ride eventually became rural and hilly. The temperature was around 85 degrees and the hills got steeper. We had a few 2 mile climbs with 7% grades.

Day 1: Thursday March 6, 2008 San Diego

Today is the first day of the tour. Our tour leader, Michelle, took about 15 of us over to Bernie's Bike Shop to pick up our bicycles. Bernie's is approximately 3 miles away from the hotel. I shipped my bike 7 days ago from Atlanta and Bernie's assembled it. I was happy to see that my bike had arrived without any damage. Bernie gave us the 'fat guy' route back to our hotel. Everyone was pleased because the hills in San Diego are steep. Easy ride back. So we decided to ride along San Diego Bay. Beautiful!! There's a bike trail that runs along the bay for miles. We rode for 9 miles and decided to have lunch at Fishy's cafe. I had grilled Pacific Salmon, blackbeans, and coleslaw. Everything was fresh and delicious. Raced back to the hotel with 15 minutes to spare before the group orientation and bike prep meeting at 1:00pm.

Equipment

2008 Trek Pilot 5.0, Triple chain ring with 12/27 cassette - 30 gears.

Brooks B17 saddle

Shimano Flight Deck

Clip-on Aerobars for those long days in the saddle

Section 1 San Diego, CA to Tempe, AZ

Introduction - Map of Southern Tier

Introduction - Training

My training rides consist of 33-40 miles, 4-5 days per week with one long ride of 5 hours. I run or walk several days a week and weight train.

Cycling Cross Country March 6, 2008 through May 2, 2008

I am about to start an adventure of a lifetime. Finally, I got some well deserved time away from work to cycle from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. 3098 miles of scenic rural America with small town charm.I'll keep this journal updated daily with my whereabouts.

Tour Highlights:

• The Lower Deserts of California & Arizona
• Crossing the Continental Divide
• Texas Hill Country
• French Acadian Towns of Louisiana
• Historic B&B in St. Francisville, LA
• White Sand Beaches of Dauphin Island, AL
• Small Town Charm Across the Continent
• San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso, Pensacola, and Tallahasee
• St. Augustine, Fl - the oldest city in the USA, est. 1565