Just Because

Day 3 saw the team hit the road around 5:45am to drive back to the last termination point some 7 miles east of Calexico, Ca on Hwy 98. We’d spent the previous day not riding a lick, but stayed very busy indeed prepping The OREM for the rest of the trip, shopping for last minute items, and even squeezing in some time at a local brewery to hang out with a few good friends and family.

Odie and I started pedaling around 8:15am and immediately realized that we still had a good tailwind as we headed eastward while our average speed hovered around 19mph. The road was smooth, the temp was cool but perfect for riding, and I was anticipating another big milage day in the saddle. We knew there were one or two tour groups in the area doing the same basic route as we were, and within a few miles we started catching up to some of them. We made small talk with them as we passed, and then around mile 16 and our first break, we encountered one of their support vans with tables full of snacks and water. The guy who looked to be in charge said we could have whatever we wanted, and when I said that we weren’t part of his tour, he replied, “doesn’t matter, you’re on a bike so take what you want as long as you wash your hands first.” We complied and helped ourselves to bananas, cookies, breakfast bars and good conversations with a few kindred souls.

Climbing back on the bike, our bellies heavy with free snacks and cool water, we continued on our way and soon turned onto a frontage road that paralleled Interstate 8. At this point, the road was still smooth, but that would soon change. Within a few miles the road became a minefield of cracks and potholes, and that beautiful tailwind lost all its luster because going any faster than 10mph would potentially lead to kidney failure or teeth rattled loose from one’s gums! Hank the Tank soon developed new sounds, my shoulders began to ache, and poor Odie ceased all attempts to muffle his grunts and groans. And any hopes we had of eventually getting beyond such rough and seemingly foreign surfaces never materialized, as every turn brought more of the same, and in fact continued until the end of the day.

The Bob continued with his excellent stewardship of our well-being, always appearing up ahead just when we most needed a break or snack, or sometimes just a reminder that we were doing something cool. It’s easy to zone out on a bike and lose track of what’s all around you, but The Bob is a master at not letting you do that. In some magical way that I don’t fully understand, he always knows what needs to be done…and then does that exact thing without fanfare or complaint. He doesn’t think he’s doing anything special, but without The Bob, Odie and I aren’t out here getting wind-burnt and weary legged, all the while grinning from ear to ear.

After logging another 71.9 miles, we find ourselves bedded down in a hotel located on the Yuma Proving Grounds because it sort of fell in our lap, appearing seemingly out of thin air from our perspective. We couldn’t pass up the hot showers versus camping by the side of the road and not showering. After cleaning up, we walked a few blocks and had dinner at the Cactus Cafe. The food was solid if not great,

and greatly appreciated. I bought Diego, the desk agent who checked us in, a Philly Cheesesteak and Fries just because, and it seemed to make his day.

So tonight we’re just three worn out dudes in one room with a single queen bed. As I write, The Bob is gently snoring atop his camping cushion by the door. Odie slumbers noiselessly on his side of the mattress, and I’ll soon be climbing in on the other side of the mattress. It’s funny how a few days out on the road having the time of your life can so easily modify one’s ideas about what is and isn’t acceptable.

In closing, I want to give a special shout out to Odie’s 13 year-old grandson Zach. Odie says that one of Zach’s first acts upon waking each day is to go to this blog and read about our most recent adventures. Thank you so much Zach. I might not get something posted each and every day, but knowing that there’s at least one person out there who’s excited to follow our journey means a lot to me, and I’ll do the very best I can to keep the posts coming at regular intervals. Peace to you all…