Palm Springs visitors center, view of the mountains
Peleton meeting at Jordan Ministries.
Day 1
Daily stats flats 9 falls 2
Started out at 530 with temps 75. We had 18 miles of good climbing early in the day which was great. The rest of the ride was pretty much down hill but temps were getting warmer as the day went on. As we came into camp it was 106. We did miss a turn and we ended up climbing a long steep hill but it worked out OK as we ended up getting back on the tour route. Later about 8 miles from camp I was feeling very spent and we decided we should stop at a restaurant to cool down get refreshed to finish the last 8 miles. As we were biking through a parking lot Barb was in front of me and I tried to miss a pot hole and in so doing hit her back tire and went for a spill. I scraped my elbow and injured my thumb I thought it was badly sprained. When we arrived in camp we had a refreshing swim in a cool pool. After a long bike ride we felt refreshed with the swim. A few people came into camp looking pretty wiped out and needed to cool down quickly. We insisted they get into the pool immediately clothes and all. It was a little concerning and we immediately checked to see who was still out where they were on the route and if they needed to be picked up. Fortunately everyone still on the road was OK and they managed to get in under their own power. Instead sleeping in my tent I was able to sleep in the gym that was being cooled by swamp coolers Many people did sleep out side just under the stars with no tents with just a sheet.
Our campsite was Jordan Ministry Center which was set up to serve the poor in the surrounding areas with recreational and educational enrichment programs not available through the school system. A great ministry.
Our campsite was Jordan Ministry Center which was set up to serve the poor in the surrounding areas with recreational and educational enrichment programs not available through the school system. A great ministry.
With this extreme conditions, I wonder about so many of the poor living in hot climates and wonder how they survive with no air conditioning to cool down and to have a good nights sleep. One this tour we may only be catching a glimpse of the challenges they face daily
Day 3 Coachella to Desert Center
Started the day at 530 75 degrees biking with Barb and Jane. It was just getting light out. We biked through fields of vineyards and vegetable farms. Got a picture of some harvesting. Once out of the irrigated fields we headed into Box Canyon. Jane described this as God carving out the canyon with his fingers. Beautiful display of different stone formations. It was hot and a steady climb. We did have a concern at one point as we had missed a SAG stop and people were running short of water. Billy DenHarder saved us by coming by one his motor bike with a good supply of water. thanks Billy D. Bev and Jay also came by shortly after as they had gotten our call that we were running out of water and had not seen a SAG. How refreshing it is to have a cool drink of water when it is so hot. I need to remember people around me that need cold water too.
Barb had a really good laugh about a comment I made about what Jane had said. Jane was riding in front and stated she was really needing to use her Shammy butter (for you non cyclist a cream some people put on their bottoms to avoid chaffing) when she got to the next SAG. What I heard as I was riding behind Barb was Oh are they going to have peanut butter at the next SAG. Barb just roared as she was connecting the two conversations that were so totally different. Anyway she told many people the story and has posted it to facebook and her blog for many others to enjoy a good laugh.
We did ride on I 10 for a bit which was a little tense but no one was injured. The highway department had sweep the shoulders of debris for which we were very thankful When we exited off I 10 Jim Beezhold and his wife were a God send as they had cold wet towels which we could put around our necks to cool us down. Tremendous help. When we arrived in camp it was 113 degrees and we had an air-conditioned we could sleep in. It was cool but no privacy and everyone sleep pretty close together. Now I know what it feels like when people sleep in emergency accommodation after a hurricane or tornado and large gyms or arenas are provided for people to sleep.
One of the things I noticed was my right hand that I had injured the day before was very swollen and showed signs of bruising. I was sleeping close to the cyclists who is a doctor and asked her what she thought. She checked my hand and thought I might have a fractured scaphoid and suggested I might want to get it x rayed asap. The closest hospital was in Blyth which would be on our route for day 4. I decided I would bike into Blyth the next day and stop at the hospital.
Jane and Barb riding through Box Canyon
Daily stats Flats 22 falls 5
Distance62.06 mi
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