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Day 03
Just another day in paradise

ROUTE: Blythe CA to Wickenburg AZ DISTANCE: 117.4 miles WINDS:  Mostly from our left...helped some
WEATHER: Sunny and hot...85 for a high and 63 for a low TERRAIN: Long climbs on the interstate and flat on hwy 60 TOTAL CLIMBING: 3360 feet

DAILY REPORT: 

Wow!  Another great breakfast at Denny's.  This is the last one for quite some time...I think everyone is about ready for something different.  Everyone seemed to be in good form for a before 5:00 AM wake up.  I think they are starting to feel the miles, but every morning promises another day of adventure...in this case, it involves desert and interstate. 

Our route started out with 20 miles of interstate 10 until Arizona highway 60...one of the loneliest stretches of road on our trip.  Hwy 60 took us all the way to the motel after going through a couple of small villages of 20 people or less.  There were stretches of road that just disappeared into the horizon...out here the road just drones and drones and drones, seemingly endless mind and leg numbing miles.  There were times, if we hadn't seen different mileage posts along the roadway, we'd thought we were back in the same place all afternoon.  I guess the flat landers loved today...the climbers will love tomorrow.  The temperature was pretty mild for this area and the winds were light from our left.  The surrounding mountains seemed to affect the wind direction as it was sometimes behind us and then all of a sudden we'd be bucking a little breeze in our face.

Every year when we come through here we see the winds create little "mini-tornados" along our path.   I warned the riders to not ride into one of the little whirlwinds that would occasionally cross the road...it packs quite a wallop sometimes.  You could see them all over the terrain all afternoon.  The desert has plenty of dust that can become quite an impressive sight as it rises into the sky...this is as close to a tornado as I care to get.

Today at about mile 5, we rode into our second state...Arizona.  But we are still in the desert for a few more days.  Groups are starting to form as the riders are starting to pair up with others with similar riding styles which both helps us better keep up with them and there's always safety in numbers when they are riding across the desert.  We got a little spread out today because a couple folks had flats at bad times...just after the van had gone by...timing is everything.  But most of the riders were well within easy staff coverage...something that in the past has been hard to do on this day.  The mild temperatures took a little of the stress off our coverage since procuring water has ceased to be a problem...but we are still in the desert.  We were reminded of this every time we tried to go a little bit fast and our mouths would turn to cotton. 

Today we had a treat...a former rider Steve Worthy and his wife Roxanne set up our third SAG for us complete with fresh fruit, cookies, soft drinks, chairs, and shrimp for gosh sakes.  He said he was supplying all that he couldn't get at our SAGs when he rode with us...I told him not to spoil the group...but I guess it's too late.  I guess I'll just get a photo of shrimp and have it at the next SAG stop.  Wonder if they will notice?  Anyway, it was great to see Steve and Roxanne...thanks guys for a great spread.  We all appreciated it very much.

Yes, our weather has been great so far but it will be nice to get in the mountains tomorrow.  I think the riders are a bit apprehensive about the 11,000 feet of climbing we'll have tomorrow, but they are stronger than before we started and it will be a bit cooler in the mountains.  It will be a chance to use some different muscles too after today's grinding for endless miles in the saddle.  Hey, it's only a 50 mile ride...they'll coast the other 50.  Tune in tomorrow and see how we do.  See you then.

PS:  Also got a visit from a former rider...Bill Kiess and his lovely wife joined us for dinner.  Thanks for taking the time to come visit Bill and thanks for the SAG goodies for tomorrow.

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?

"I'm having so many flats, I must be inflateably challenged."

"Today was like riding your wind trainer without a TV for entertainment while turning on the heater."
"Yeah, but you'd also have to turn on a dehumidifier and blow a hairdryer in your face."

DID I REALLY DO THAT?

A.J. approached me at the SAG and asked if I'd seen any sunglasses on the road as I was driving through.  I told him no and no one had turned in a pair.  "My wife is going to kill me...they were my prescription sunglasses."  "Sorry A.J., we'll keep our eyes out for them."

At lunch an hour later, Barbara was helping him get some stuff out of his jersey pockets.  "A.J. didn't you say you lost your sunglasses?" 
"Yes I did...have you found them?"
"Are these the ones you 'lost'...in your jersey pocket."
"This is going to make the web site isn't it."
"What do you think?" 

DID I REALLY DO THAT TOO?

Maybe one of the best of all time goes to Phillip.  Seems he left his supply of lubricant (bag balm for his bottom) at a previous motel.  No problem...his wife had packed a tube of anti-chaffing lotion just in case this happened so he was all set. Unfortunately, his daughter had also given him a tube of icey-hot in case he ever got a muscle strain.  To make it worse, the tubes were very similar...hard to tell apart in a dimly lit room at 5:00 A.M.  Well, I'm sure you know what happened next.  He lathered up and started walking to breakfast.  It didn't take long for him to realize something was amiss.  "It felt good going on," He thought, but as he walked to breakfast he noticed a warm feeling creeping from his backside.  By the time he'd scarfed down his pancakes he was pretty well lit.  Moving briskly to his room after breakfast (I'm not sure how he was able to stay that long) he darted into his room and washed the substance off just in time for departure.  But if you've ever applied this stuff, you know it lingers for a long time once it gets absorbed by the skin no matter what you do.  "The first 40 miles were pretty toasty," He said.  He learned an important lesson on the road...real men read directions.  Plus, I don't think he's thought about how he's going to feel the next time he puts on those shorts even after laundry.  We may have a replay...we'll see! 

DID I REALLY SEE THAT?

Mornings are tough with ABB...riders have to eat, pack their luggage, and then get on their bikes and ride.  Ken became a bit confused this morning at luggage load.  He inadvertently put his bike in the luggage truck and had to resort to riding his luggage to Wickenburg.  It's only day 3!

Either Scott used a tiny bit too much sun tan lotion or he really enjoyed one of the cream covered pastries at breakfast.

Bill tried to revive Pam after her epiphany.

Love the view!

Bill must have been thinking, "Where were these guys on day one?"

Thanks for the last SAG today Steve and Roxanne!  Can we keep the extra shrimp?

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