Hello all,

I had checked at the library in California to see if I could access a computer there, as I had been told I could. After about a 15 minute explanation, it came down to the fact that you had to have a library card and oh-by-the-way, you had to be a California resident to get a library card. So, here is my first message back to the world. I am currently in a computer bar in Flagstaff Arizona. It is 10:40 on Sunday morning. Before I go any further, there is an email address you need to know. We have a reporter form the Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) with us and she is filing stories, so you can get some of the scoop even without me sending email. I looked at some of her articles and there is a lot of correct information, heat, distance, peoples names, etc., but to hear her side of the story no one would ever want to ride a bike again. The heat in the desert was tough, but you carried a camel bak and bottles. The head wind was a bitch, but that is what drafting is for. She is not a very experienced cyclist and ended up riding the sag wagon yesterday. So take what she says with a grain of salt, but it will be good info on where we are and what is happening.

If you don't get the address, just type in www.dispatch.com and work your way to her articles. I am right behind her in one picture, just to let you know that I am here. I have attached the picture to this email, but it might get lost in the forwarding process that Jim and Chuck will be doing.

First of all, I would like to thank all the folks who have helped me get ready for this trip. Kathy Boling at Koehlinger's, who has been a riding partner, advisor and helped me get all the things fixed and bought for my bike; Jim Cron for his help in thinking through bike setup, gearing, and clothing, as well as being willing to be my forwarding pivot for non-bike club friends, not to mention his friendship and support. I have missed his counsel and companionship greatly. Chuck Bash for his support and willingness to be my bike club forwarding pivot and for his support and advice. Todd Anderson, Damian Toskos, Rob Norwalk and the rest of the racers who allowed me to tag along and get some superior training. I only got in about 1180 miles before I started, but the ones with the big boys were definitely quality miles. And last, but not least, my wife Betsey, who is willing to take on the duties of the household without me for the next 7 weeks. Thank you for the kitchen pass honey!!

I had been planning this for along time and knew packing would take only a short time as everything was laid out. I was correct. I had planned to pack my bike Sunday night and UPS it on Monday. I got everything but the left pedal off. I tried everything, then in a controlled panic, called Jim Cron and asked him to come help. he came over, and we struggled mightily for about a half an hour and could not budge it. I went in Monday to see Kathy at Koehlingers and she got it off, but now I am behind schedule. Packed it and got it to UPS, the lady tells me that it will be there on the following Monday, I told her to try again. For just a few more dollars, we were able to get it so that it would be there on Thursday. Caught my plane out at 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning, such is the price for a frequent flyer free ticket. First class no less. Into L.A. and to the motel. Asked at the desk if my bike had arrived yet. You lady behind the desk acted as if she had never heard of a bicycle. I went to my room, called the UPS number and they showed that it had been signed for on Wednesday. I figured it had been stolen. Went back to the desk and I told them the name of the person and the time and they go "Oh, they are in conference room A" I go there and the people form the tour company, Cross Roads, (CR) were in there setting bikes up. Mine had already been finished. That was one thing I now did not have to do.

Friday
Went for a 35 mile ride along the beach on a very good bike path. Would classify as a good county road in Ohio. Divided in the middle with arrows for bike direction, skaters, runners and walkers as well. Went not up to Venice. What you see on T.V about Venice Beach is true, except for maybe the volume of people. I just don't think I would fit in there!! Kept going north to Santa Monica Pier. Rode under it and then returned to the motel.

Saturday
Took the rental car back and rode back to the motel from the airport with a fellow who has a titanium leg. Must be why I had a hard time keeping up with him. Had to check out by noon and check in with my new room mates. I am in a triple with a man and his son form Canada. Great people. Got checked in with the tour group, got my jersey and weenie flag on my bike. I opted out of the weenie flag, but was told it was mandatory. I was worried I might lose it, but was assured they carry multiple spares. Oh well. In the afternoon we had our briefing, were given some instruction on procedures and timing, met the staff and had introductions. Had a short course on how to ride in traffic, as our first day would be almost entirely in town, like riding in Indy on Friday night.

Sunday: L.A to Riverside 79 miles
To the beach for wheel dip and get some sand to carry across the country and sprinkle at state signs. I did it in Arizona and no flats yet, so it must work. Everyone just kind of milling around, so I asked if we could leave. Was told yea and off I went. Figured I would get caught by the group as I did not intend to work real hard. 100 mile days would be following. Never saw anyone else until I got to the first sag stop. I was just leaving when they came in. Route is not marked!! Must read the cue sheet, and no, I have not gotten lost yet. But I am paying a lot more attention. Ended up getting in first, next group about 1/2 hour back, people wandered in until 5:00.

Monday: Riverside to Indio 85 miles.
Up at 5:30 , off at 7:00. They won't let us leave until 7:00. Got out of the city traffic and began riding in the beginning of the desert. Went through wind mill farms that are supposed to get power form the strong west winds. Ooops, they can rotate 180 degrees to take advantage of the strong east wind also. Guess which way they were turned today. Was on my own, but held about 15 to 16. Through Palm Springs to Indio, which is in the low desert. Not a bad day, but the sun is hot and even with 30 spf I am a little red. At Route Rap (the nightly briefing on the next day) they put the fear of god into me on the crossing of the desert. My roommate as well. We went to Kmart and got white shirts, cut the front and back out of the in order to use the selves to keep the sun off our arms.

Tuesday: Indio to Blythe 101 miles
I was off at about 6:50. They allowed us to leave a bit early. Got to the first sag after battling the head wind buy my self for 35 miles. Had met and ridden for brief times with tow fellows form Colorado who were usually near the front. Knew they were right behind me, so waited for them, and we got into a pace line together, one of them not feeling well, but the other fellow and I were able to take turns and the other fellow took a turn every 4 or 5 rotations. Unbelievable heat, but dry. Drank from the camelbak and used my water bottles to pour water on my arms and head. The three of us got in about an hour before the next group and the final people of the day had to be sagged in around 6:00. This was the worst desert day of the trip, no services, and we had to ride alongside the interstate because there is no other road!!

Wednesday: Blythe to Wickenburg 116 miles

Starting doing some climbing, from low desert to high desert. Not as sever, more service and towns. Irrigation starting to have an effect. Was off and on with the fellows form Colorado, Dave and Steve. Off the interstate and onto regular roads, beginning of the hills and valleys of the high desert that gets periodic raid, a lot do dry river beds. Kept hitting bugs, come to find out they are honey bees, and we end up with orange dots on us form the pollen. Sag wagon passed Dave and me as we are entering Wickenburg, so we decide to race it in. It got hung up in a long line of cars behind a school bus, we shot down the right side and beat them to the motel. Great motel. Temperature cooler as we have bee climbing. Probably high 80's.

Thursday: Wickenburg to Prescott 61 miles
Some serious climbing. 10.5 mile climb to our first mountain pass. Real pretty to look back into the valley below. Screaming downhill on the back side. Started to hit what they call false flats, it looks flat or even down hill, but you can only get your bike going 8 to 13 miles an hour. Very peculiar feeling. Some severely beautiful country. Made me wish all of the bike club folks to see it and be doing it. I mentioned how beautiful it was to one of the tour staff and the first thing he said was "makes you wish your biking buddies were here, doesn't it?" I said yea, how do you know. He said, "Been there!" Even with the climbing, I got in at 12:30 and went for my usual lunch at Subway. About 4:00 I began to fee poorly. Kept betting worse, nausea and weakness. Had no appetite for dinner, but ate a little bit. To bed at about 9:30 or 10 like normal. Started vomiting about 1:30 which helped, but unable to sleep, maybe 10 minute snippets. Stomach cramps and diarrhea the rest of the night. Very weak by morning, but got ready to ride as I refused to be a roof rider in the sag van. Short day, only 41 mile with one killer uphill.

Friday: Prescott to Cottonwood 41 miles
First 20 miles was up hill. First 5 slight with a killer head wind. Could only manage about 6 mph, but even at that I was passing people. The real climb was about 15 miles of 7% to 9% grade. just put my head down and pedaled. Got to the summit and leaned my bike against a rock, unfortunately it slid and put a huge scratch along the top tube, but to be honest, at that point I really did not care. Stayed at the sag for probably 20 minutes and started the descent. Cool air revived me a bit. Speed in the low 40's, tight turns, it was great, I started to feel better. Got to the half way point. Waited for others and we had lunch, ate slowly and got my chicken sandwich down. Beautiful view of the valley. Got to the motel, showered, continued to feel better and took a nap. About 4:00 I started to have the same feeling of the day before, I was not going to go through that again!!! Talked with the tour folks and they took me to the hospital, they do not have redimed type things. Had to wait about 2 hours, but I was diagnosed as having food poisoning. There are two types. One that hits and goes away in 24 hours and the kind I had, it goes into your intestines. He prescribed antibiotics and since it was now 9:30 and all the pharmacies in town were closed, he gave me my first dose there. By the time they came and picked me up and took me back to the motel, I was already feeling better. Slept the best I had on the whole trip.

Saturday: Cottonwood to Prescott 47 miles
Stopped in Sedona and got my prescription filled. Then through the Red Rocks of Sedona and up through Oak Creek Canyon. Probably some on the most beautiful country we will see. Just made you want to try to grab it and bottle it. Tough 2.4 mile hill out of the canyon. I am the only one on the tour without a granny gear, but made ti just fine with my 39x26. Spent a lot of time out of the saddle, especially on the inside turn of the switchbacks. A lot like the Aboite center hills, but for 2.5 miles with occasional Mt. Tabor thrown in.

Sunday Rest Day
Up at 5:00 on my own. On lay over days I have a single room. Wrote post cards, did laundry and am doing my email have a massage at 1:15.

Bottom line is, I have enough fitness to do this trip, usually the first one in. It is good to have the desert behind us and to have made the big climbs with the gearing I had decided on. Hopefully I can find a computer more frequently so the emails won't be so long.

Later,
Earnie