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Week 1 Blog
Week 2 Blog
Week 3
Blog
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
May 8 - Arrival in California
"So- here we go-now I'm blogging-
this is one of the signs of the coming apocalypse-
locust, plague, Jim's blogging. Anyway-
after a relatively uneventful flight I'm in Ca.- the
weather is great- my bike is here- it's in one piece- I
went for a short ride this evening- plan on a longer
ride tomorrow by the ocean.
I want to take this opportunity to say hi and thanks to
a few people- my grandchildren- Timmy, Amani, Chris,
Trinity, Gino, Isabella and Ryan. Also thanks to
the many people who have supported me through
donations, encouragement and good wishes. I
especially want to mention Mrs. Pommier's 5th. grade
class at Kennedy Middle School for their huge financial
donation (it's all relative) and their wonderful
letters.
So- I'm anxious to get started- probably have more to
write about tomorrow."
May 11 - Day 1
First- sorry there is no
video- I tried for the last 30 miles- but couldn't find
a Walgreens to download the video- I did shoot some-
including some while riding my bike (kids- don't try
that at home) So, we started at Manhattan Beach -
did the ocean wheel dip- than 83miles later we're in
Riverside-5:20 of riding time- 6:14 on the road. I
road mostly with Ron from Conn. and the Khulmans- Laura
and Rick- from Illinois. Really beautiful day-
started out cool and overcast- but got sunny and warm
by the time we got in. Ok- 1 day down- only 42 to
go-
Later
JIm
Day 4
Sorry I didn't update yesterday- also- photo's -video-
hopefully it's coming soon- I've been shooting- but
technical problems getting it down loaded.
So- Day 4- Bylth CA.- Wickenburg AZ-116 miles- through
the desert- mostly long slow upgrades-
It was hot- 100F- no shade- and I learned about these
things called- False Flats- it is when the road looks
flat- but actually is about a 3-5 % grade-really can be
demoralizing- because it looks like you should be able
to hammer it- and your lucky if you can get up to 10mph.
So around mile 55 I decided that the next support
vehicle that came by I would take the ride- just as I
thought that- a vehicle came by- it slowed down and
asked how I was doing- so what do I do? I give them the
thumbs up- and tell them I'm fine- than out of the
desert in a little town called Hope( how appropriate)
was a little grocery store- I got a soda, ice cream and
called a friend to whine- than I decided that I would
take the ride at the next SAG- but ice cream is a
miracle worker- I got to the SAG stop and just decided
to keep going- so after about 7 hrs. I pulled into
Wickenburg- really tired.
Day 5
Wickenburg to Prescott- only
60 miles- but mostly climbing- the first 24 miles was
interesting- a long low climb leading up to the Mts.-
(remember false flats)- with 20-35 mph headwinds- I
never knew it was possible to ride a bike at 4mph.
But once I got into the Mts.- with the switchbacks we
did a 7.5 mile climb- at about 9% grade- but really this
wasn't too bad ( I shot lots of video- I hope it comes
out)- than- after the SAG at the top of that climb
started a 16 mile false flat- this was Brutal- at the
end of that was a store- more soda- ice cream and
calling friends to whine and back on the road- the final
18 miles was mostly climbing- with some really intense
down hills - 30 mph- this was great- and the last 5
miles was a down hill into Prescott-
Tomorrow- Prescott to Cottonwood
see you on the road
JIm
May 16
First- a note to Susie from her husband Damien- "doing
fine- having a great trip- I'm in good health"
Today from Prescott to Cottonwood- 49 miles- mostly
climbing- started out with a long low climb (remember
false flats)- straight into a very heavy headwind- don't
know the mileage- but like yesterday- I didn't know it
was possible to ride a bike at less than 4mph and stay
upright- it is- I did that for about 8 miles- than- a
long uphill climb- but at least the wind died down- sort
of- after 3 hrs. I made it to the top- at mile 26- than
comes the reward- a 12 mile downhill- this was great- I
slowed down in some of the curves to 20 mph- but mostly
25-33 mph- got to Jerome and stopped at the Haunted
Hamburger- and ran into (literally) Kathy Merrick-Harbor
House- so I'm going to give her the CD's with photo's so
hopefully we'll have some pic and video soon-
Tomorrow- to Flagstaff- only 45 miles- but I think more
climbing- hopefully- the wind gods will be busy
elsewhere-
Later
JIm"
May 17
Cottonwood to Flagstaff-46 miles- avg. speed- 10.1 mph
So today was by far the most beautiful area yet- lots of
climbing- in fact the whole day was climbing- with 1
area of fairly steep climbing- for 2.2 miles of
incredible switchbacks- 7-9% grade (estimated)- but NO
WIND, no FALSE FLATS, it was heaven- up in the Mts.-
pine trees, fresh air, blue skies- red rocks- just took
my time- this is a ride not a race- I need to keep
telling myself that. I sent a CD with photo's and video
with Kathy yesterday- she returns home on Sunday- so
hopefully we'll get some photo's soon-
Tomorrow is a rest day- much needed!
Also- to Mrs. Pommier and her class- Hi Guys- you are
really impressive- and yes the distance is 3415 miles.
later
Jim
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