Tempe to Globe

Another great day leaving Tempe was peaceful and scenic probably because it is Good Friday and most places were closed. After about 25 miles we had to get on the state highway 60. It felt a little like a freeway fast cars, big trucks, and some major Rumble Strips trying to dodge all that makes a person a little tense. But, an unusual thing happened today a Tail Wind what a treat. The climbing was gradual and we will be climbing for the next couple of days. It is so good to read your comments and the texts and emails and the phone calls keep them coming.

Wickenburg to Tempe

Day 5 what a great little quaint western town. The trip from Wickenburg was one of the most scenic so far we did have to dodge lizards and locusts. Five days on the bike and I still don't have TITS (time in the saddle) I am using a lot of Sport Slick and Chamois Butter as a matter of fact so much that when I hit a bump a slid off my saddle. In Surprise Az. we rode with a cyclists from Switerland and when he turned off he yodeled for us. Just before Phoenix they have a canal bike path for about 15 miles that was another treat. There was only 700 feet of climbing into Phoenix. Tomorrow we are taking the day off. We both have family and extended families that live in the area.

Pics: Hotel in Wickenburg, Phoenix Bike Canal, scenery along the way.

Blythe to Wickenburg

Hooray we crossed the state line we are in Arizona and it is warm. Today we took it a little easier after beating ourselves up the day before. We went by car from Ehrenburg on the Interstate 10 to state highway 60 about 20 miles. We opted not to compete with the big rigs on the 10. The wind was less and the elevation was very gradual we rode 57 miles and climbed 1404 feet. As we were about to ride across the Colorado River the group from Wisconson peddled over with us. We are feeling good. Had another awesome picnic in a scenic oasis in the desert in the town of Hope. We were going to stay in Aguila glad we scrapped those plans and went on to Wickenburg, which is a really cute, quaint western town.

Pics: Burro Jim's motel in Aguila, Picnic in Hope, biker Chicks

Brawley to Blythe

Hi everyone, we are in Blythe, leaving Brawley we had a nice scenic country ride and then we turned north and started with the head and cross winds. In Glamis where all the sand dunes and dirt toys are we met the group that Dave White escorted last year, 150 5th graders and family and leaders cycling across California they were going the opposite as way of us. The desert does get a little monotonous. Eventually we arrived at the foothills and Joe found a shaded area where we had another picnic lunch 42 miles into the ride. From here to Blythe the terrain was rolling hills, farm land and a glimpse of the Colorado River. In Palo Verde we met a group from Wisconsin fully loaded going to St. Augustine. The ride was tough today 88 miles and 1644 feet of climbing, however, the Santa Ana's and heat took everything I had 9 1/2 hours on the road. I am so grateful for Joe about every 10 miles we had ice cold drinks etc. What an adventure! Check Maria's blog www.MalenaSerrato.blogspot.com

Julian to Brawley

Sunday Apr. 5 it is cool and windy a few more of our friends are going to be riding with us today. They said it was easy to find our hotel because of my Pink bike rack it is very noticeable (thank you Steve and Al T). We are taking the scenic back roads and they are spectacular did I mention it was WINDY the gust were around 30 miles an hour and were coming across the road. Most of the day we had head winds it was a long day had a picnic lunch somewhere in the desert near Ocotillo Wells. We rode 72 miles with 1191 feet of climbing. Met a man from Germany cycling with a bob-trailer.

San Marcos to Julian

Hi All, this has been so exciting. I want to thank everyone for coming to the start there were so many friends and family the energy of all of us combined was what got me up the mountain. And for all of you that rode to Escondido and those that joined at Bandy Canyon with horns and Party Poppers, and lunch in Ramona and on to Julian. I was totally prepared for the 5000 feet of climbing I was expecting something like Palomar Mountain and it was milder. What a great ride we saw camels and wild turkeys. We stayed in a quaint B & B in Julian and had tea and scones. It was almost 50 miles exactly and 4964 feet of climbing.

Ready Set Go

Well this is it, we are leaving in less than 2 weeks. I am finalizing the routes, itinerary and blogspot. Maria Elena and I are the two brave souls cycling this adventure from start to finish. Our cycling club will be riding with us for our grand send off from San Marcos, Ca. I am attaching our agenda which is approximate, as to timeline and distances. Our first night will be in Julian, Ca. only 52 miles from the start with 5000 feet of climbing. Julian is a quaint little town know for its famous apple pie. Our second day we will cycle to Brawley going through the Anza Borrego Desert 82 miles of downhill with wildflowers in bloom. I will attempt to post every couple of days and of course when "things" happen.

DeeTour 3 Malena’s big 50 Itinerary
Leave Saturday April 4th Approx. mileage subject to weather and mechanicals. 45? nights total.
Apr. 4th 52 miles Julian, Ca
Apr. 5th 82 Brawley, Ca
Apr. 6th 93 Blythe, Az.
Apr. 7th 87 Aguila, Az.
Apr. 8th/9th 104 Tempe, Az. 2 nights (maybe)
Apr. 10th 90 Globe, Az.
Apr. 11th 95 Safford, Az.
Apr. 12th/13th 125 Silver City, N.M. 2 nights
Apr. 14th 57 Hillsboro, N.M.
Apr. 15th 80 Las Cruces, N.M.
Apr. 16th 110 Fort Hancock, Tx.
Apr. 17th 120 Van Horn, Tx.
Apr. 18th 90 Fort Davis, Tx.
Apr. 19th/20th 108 Sanderson, Tx. 2 nights
Apr. 21st 120 Del Rio, Tx.
Apr. 22nd 99 Leakey, Tx.
Apr. 23rd/24th 114 San Antonio, Tx 2/3 nights
Apr. 25th 90 Austin, Tx.
Apr. 26th 82 La Grange, Tx.
Apr. 27th 69 Navasota, Tx.
Apr. 28th 81 Shepherd, Tx.
Apr. 29th 93 Kirbyville, Tx.
Apr. 30th 82 Oberlin, La.
May 1st 53 Washington, La.
May 2nd 100 New Roads, La
May 3rd 64 White Castle
May 4th/5th 95 New Orleans, La. 2 nights
May 6th 80 Biloxi, Ms.
May 7th 90 Gulf Shores, Al
May 8th 98 miles Crestview, Fl
May 9th 85 Marianna, Fl
May 10th 71 Tallahassee, Fl 2 nights
May 11th 76 Madison Fl
May 12th 88 HighSprings Fl May 13th 90 Palatka
May 14th 45 St Augustine, Fl 2 + nights