That's the impression I got for peoples mindset as I rode today. It seemed like every fourth car was a Prius. They say most trends start here, and I can see why. I feel many of these people got them just to join the bandwagon. Now, it isn't a bad thing when it is environmentally friendly, but as a country artist I like says, "I was green before green was a thing." It only really bothers me because when green isn't the thing, many of these people will probably switch back to their non-green ways.
Now that I'm done ranting, let's talk of the trip. I finally got pretty much over being sick yesterday. I decided to go for a short unloaded ride and ended up having my legs cramp up on me. I was secretly expecting this, but hoping it wouldn't happen. I got back and popped some vitamin and potassium pills and rubbed icy hot on, then relaxed and stretched for a while. Then I took a long, hot shower and stretched some more. I recovered fairly quickly, though I stretched a lot again this morning.
I took off and headed up the pch and started getting mild cramping. I prayed and messed with the gears some and fought cramping for quite a ways, and it eventually subsided.
I followed the pch to redondo beach where there was a sign that told me to turn for the bike route. I followed it and eventually found a road, but once I left the pch it was a series of too early or wrong turns. I finally got back on track after a couple miles.
I rode through el segundo, which is where I lived when I was out here working as a tour guide. It is the gateway to LAX. Shortly after el segundo I joined back up with the pch. A few more miles and I was to Venice. At Venice I turned towards Hollywood and another friends place. After some wrong turns, due to my lack of sticking to directions, I made it to his place.
I faced a fear that was bothering me from living out here. Knowing how the roads and drivers can be, I was a little nervous about riding out here. So far it has gone well. Only one more riding day and I should be out of trouble.
I get to stay here for a couple days and then head to my cousins by six flags magic mountain. Then bakersfield and up the valley to fresno and then I have to figure things out again.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
SICK
It's finally happened. I'm sick. I have a throbbing head, a sore throat and the start of an upset stomach. Don't know how long it's going to last or what's going to come of it. Right now I won't be able to ride, which I have time to kill, but it could do more damage as time goes on.
Pics at Last
The Pacific Ocean
On Top of the Climb Out of Palm Springs
California
First Mormon Temple in Utah - St. George, UT
Looking Out Near St. George - - - Snow Canyon
Utah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nevada
Road to Hoover Dam - - - - - Road to Ruidoso From Roswell
Arizona - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - New Mexico
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Welcome to Orange County
That's right. For you music fans; the home of gwen stefani and no doubt. For Christian music fans; the oc supertones. And for tv fans; real housewives and the oc.
I arrived earlier then expected, as I was supposed to get here tomorrow. I got up and off by 7:30 and had some rolling terrain and finally summited at 5,000 ft. I then had a 3,000 ft descent. I was planning on stopping at Hemet, the town at the bottom of the descent, but it was before noon. I met some ladies here and they strongly advised me to move on. After getting me a couple pieces of cherry pie at McDonald's they informed me the gangs in town had attempted to kill policemen three times in the last couple weeks. A car bomb, a house bomb, and a triggered gun. I talked to my friend Tyler, from Newport, and he said he would get me wherever I was after work. I figured I could at least get to the next town 25 mi away. I also got there relatively quickly and decided to get as close to the coast as I could.
I had another 1,000 ft climb out of town over about ten miles, but them 20 miles of mostly downhill (3,000 ft). I ended up getting to the coast before five and doing over 100 miles. I got a pic at the ocean and then headed to a place to hang out and wait for my friend Tyler to pick me up in his truck.
I arrived earlier then expected, as I was supposed to get here tomorrow. I got up and off by 7:30 and had some rolling terrain and finally summited at 5,000 ft. I then had a 3,000 ft descent. I was planning on stopping at Hemet, the town at the bottom of the descent, but it was before noon. I met some ladies here and they strongly advised me to move on. After getting me a couple pieces of cherry pie at McDonald's they informed me the gangs in town had attempted to kill policemen three times in the last couple weeks. A car bomb, a house bomb, and a triggered gun. I talked to my friend Tyler, from Newport, and he said he would get me wherever I was after work. I figured I could at least get to the next town 25 mi away. I also got there relatively quickly and decided to get as close to the coast as I could.
I had another 1,000 ft climb out of town over about ten miles, but them 20 miles of mostly downhill (3,000 ft). I ended up getting to the coast before five and doing over 100 miles. I got a pic at the ocean and then headed to a place to hang out and wait for my friend Tyler to pick me up in his truck.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Riding in a Windy Wonderland
I just wanted to start out by saying pictures are coming in a couple days - once I can use my friends computer in LA.
Now, today was a short 26 mile day. It was supposed to be 30 miles longer, but the wind advisory apparently got extended and it became unsafe to ride.
I started with a nice leisurely ride across town. I then turned south and began a 16 mile climb of around 5,000 elevation gain. I stopped at a visitors center before leaving town and met quite a few people who were interested in my trip. It was quite encouraging. I actually used to live in the same town as one of them, here in LA. Their reactions to the road ahead as well as all the wonderful signs -- steep grades and sharp curves ahead - turn off a/c to avoid overheating -- made me wary of the road ahead. Especially after all my climbing the last few days. Turns out my rest day helped a little.
I began the climb from the visitor center and kept a pretty steady pace. There was a Vista about 8 miles up and I stopped to see what I had accomplished so far. (picture soon) I ended up meeting some people from Lincoln, ne. Small world. I then continued on and came to a construction zone.
It was down to one lane for tarring so I was able to ride pretty much all through it in my own lane. This became necessary towards the end of the section. The winds had slowly been picking up and now they were to where they blew me all over the road. I eventually had to walk for safety sake. At one point I was riding and the wind started blowing me backwards while I was still pedaling. I got off and held the brakes and leaned over while standing still to let it pass and it nearly blew my sunglasses off. Once it let up I stored my sunglasses and walked for quite a while. I tried to hitchike but no one had the right vehicle or would stop at the time. I pushed a bit farther and got to a forest service campground. I decided i would stay here for everyone's sake and hopefully have less troubles with the wind tomorrow.
Now, today was a short 26 mile day. It was supposed to be 30 miles longer, but the wind advisory apparently got extended and it became unsafe to ride.
I started with a nice leisurely ride across town. I then turned south and began a 16 mile climb of around 5,000 elevation gain. I stopped at a visitors center before leaving town and met quite a few people who were interested in my trip. It was quite encouraging. I actually used to live in the same town as one of them, here in LA. Their reactions to the road ahead as well as all the wonderful signs -- steep grades and sharp curves ahead - turn off a/c to avoid overheating -- made me wary of the road ahead. Especially after all my climbing the last few days. Turns out my rest day helped a little.
I began the climb from the visitor center and kept a pretty steady pace. There was a Vista about 8 miles up and I stopped to see what I had accomplished so far. (picture soon) I ended up meeting some people from Lincoln, ne. Small world. I then continued on and came to a construction zone.
It was down to one lane for tarring so I was able to ride pretty much all through it in my own lane. This became necessary towards the end of the section. The winds had slowly been picking up and now they were to where they blew me all over the road. I eventually had to walk for safety sake. At one point I was riding and the wind started blowing me backwards while I was still pedaling. I got off and held the brakes and leaned over while standing still to let it pass and it nearly blew my sunglasses off. Once it let up I stored my sunglasses and walked for quite a while. I tried to hitchike but no one had the right vehicle or would stop at the time. I pushed a bit farther and got to a forest service campground. I decided i would stay here for everyone's sake and hopefully have less troubles with the wind tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Back to the Future
I left Vegas about a week ago and haven't had reception any night I stopped to camp. I have ridden along the edge of death valley and through the mojave desert. I had mountain passes everyday and each day started with a climb. It was very scenic.
I camped along the road north of Joshua tree the other day. It was raining most of the day, which wasn't in the forecast. Windchill was in the upper thirty's. It was fr-fr-fr-frigid. It stopped for a bit while I set up my tent but then started again. It also started thundering. I was camped near a military training ground and I'm pretty sure some of the thunder was actually bombs going off.
As I rode around Joshua tree I realized the highway should not be ridden by bicycle. Many of the drivers would rather risk missing me by inches or less than get into the completely unoccupied lane next to them. It was very nerve racking.
As I rounded the park into palm springs the wind picked up and was blowing me off my bike. I knew it would be somewhat windy as palm springs has a huge wind farm, which I rode through.
When I got to town I found there was a wind advisory for the next couple of days. I was in need of a break anyway, so I decided to take one and avoid the wind and let my body rest.
My body is sore and some minor injuries are starting to show up. None of them are serious yet, but it makes me cautious.
I camped along the road north of Joshua tree the other day. It was raining most of the day, which wasn't in the forecast. Windchill was in the upper thirty's. It was fr-fr-fr-frigid. It stopped for a bit while I set up my tent but then started again. It also started thundering. I was camped near a military training ground and I'm pretty sure some of the thunder was actually bombs going off.
As I rode around Joshua tree I realized the highway should not be ridden by bicycle. Many of the drivers would rather risk missing me by inches or less than get into the completely unoccupied lane next to them. It was very nerve racking.
As I rounded the park into palm springs the wind picked up and was blowing me off my bike. I knew it would be somewhat windy as palm springs has a huge wind farm, which I rode through.
When I got to town I found there was a wind advisory for the next couple of days. I was in need of a break anyway, so I decided to take one and avoid the wind and let my body rest.
My body is sore and some minor injuries are starting to show up. None of them are serious yet, but it makes me cautious.
Monday, March 1, 2010
From Red Rocks of Nevada to Red Rocks of Utah and Back Again
I rode towards Utah leaving Vegas via the racetrack and nellis air force base. With the cars running and jets continually taking off it was quite deafening. Once past the noise I had to ride interstate all the way to st George, Utah. There were only a couple exits on the way to mesquite and they offered no camping place. I decided I would have to find a place in mesquite.
There were no camping places in town and many rooms were booked full due to NASCAR. I went to a place that had a flashing sign on the interstate that said they had rooms available. I went in and asked and they said they didn't rent rooms out till their sister hotel was full. That place only had $100 rooms left. After a few interesting circumstances I ended up getting a room at the first place I checked for a lot less than the other place. It was very frustrating and laughable. The room had no artwork, the tv was unplugged, and the bathtub had some rust by the overflow. I've stayed in worse, however, and it saved me a bunch.
The next day I rode to Utah and discovered snow canyon. This was a very neat place with climbing and hiking. It was also a lot cheaper than Zion and since I've already seen Zion, it was a good tradeoff. I also met a group of students from Westminster university on a climbing trip. We hung out for a while and shared stories.
It was raining when I got to the campground, so I set my tarp up over the table. When the college group got back they were inspired and backed their tahoe and minivan together and worked on setting a tarp up between them. After a few attempts and a couple tarps they got it working. It was an amusing struggle.
The next day I did a couple of hikes. One took me to the top of an extinct volcano. I then headed into st George and visited some Mormon sites. The first temple constructed in Utah is located here. Brigham Young also had a winter home here.
Today I retraced my route to mesquite. Tomorrow I head back to Vegas.
There were no camping places in town and many rooms were booked full due to NASCAR. I went to a place that had a flashing sign on the interstate that said they had rooms available. I went in and asked and they said they didn't rent rooms out till their sister hotel was full. That place only had $100 rooms left. After a few interesting circumstances I ended up getting a room at the first place I checked for a lot less than the other place. It was very frustrating and laughable. The room had no artwork, the tv was unplugged, and the bathtub had some rust by the overflow. I've stayed in worse, however, and it saved me a bunch.
The next day I rode to Utah and discovered snow canyon. This was a very neat place with climbing and hiking. It was also a lot cheaper than Zion and since I've already seen Zion, it was a good tradeoff. I also met a group of students from Westminster university on a climbing trip. We hung out for a while and shared stories.
It was raining when I got to the campground, so I set my tarp up over the table. When the college group got back they were inspired and backed their tahoe and minivan together and worked on setting a tarp up between them. After a few attempts and a couple tarps they got it working. It was an amusing struggle.
The next day I did a couple of hikes. One took me to the top of an extinct volcano. I then headed into st George and visited some Mormon sites. The first temple constructed in Utah is located here. Brigham Young also had a winter home here.
Today I retraced my route to mesquite. Tomorrow I head back to Vegas.
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