Thursday, 19 May 2011,
Today's ride was a lot better than earlier in the week. The wind has died down a lot, but it was still overcast and cold when I left. The rain stopped just before I left Julian so the roads were still wet though. I headed down, out of the mountains to meet up with Dana, my son. I'll continue this trip when the weather gets better. I rode 49 miles today. Cold for the first part, but once I left the mountains and it warmed up, it was a good ride.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011 (again),
The purpose of this ride was to have fun. Nothing else. I just talked to my son and was told the weather was going to be bad in his area for another 10-12 days. This ride would put me in his area in 4 or 5 days. So it looks like I'll be fighting this weather for most, if not all, of this ride. I think I'll take a different route home. That way, I'll live to give it another try when the weather is nicer.
The purpose of this ride was to have fun. Nothing else. I just talked to my son and was told the weather was going to be bad in his area for another 10-12 days. This ride would put me in his area in 4 or 5 days. So it looks like I'll be fighting this weather for most, if not all, of this ride. I think I'll take a different route home. That way, I'll live to give it another try when the weather is nicer.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011,
I have determined that the engine on the bicycle really sucks! Specially in 60-70 mph side winds with pouring rain. I had to get off the bike many times. Once I was pushing my bike along the shoulder of the road and when a gust of wind hit me, I was blown to the the other side of the road trying hard not to go over the edge. When I finally came across a trailhead, I took refuge in the outhouse there. Bike and all. Word seemed to get out that I was out there and people were out looking for me. I was in the outhouse putting on everything I had with me for warmth when I heard a horn honk. I peeked out and it was a car full of people looking for me. They were checking everyplace I might be until they found me. The wind and rain was subsiding a little by then and I told them I was fine. They insisted on following me for ten miles with their blinkers on until I got to town. They told me why there was no vegetation at all along that part of the road - the wind blew it all away years ago. I can believe it! They also said I wasn't the first person they have found hunkered down inside that outhouse over the years.
The rain is slowing and almost stopped even though the wind is still blowing. It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow so I plan on continuing my treck in the morning. I have a short section of downhill tomorrow followed by a long, very steep climb. I hope my legs are up to it. It's a lot different peddling a bike with a ton of provisions and camping gear on it.
I have determined that the engine on the bicycle really sucks! Specially in 60-70 mph side winds with pouring rain. I had to get off the bike many times. Once I was pushing my bike along the shoulder of the road and when a gust of wind hit me, I was blown to the the other side of the road trying hard not to go over the edge. When I finally came across a trailhead, I took refuge in the outhouse there. Bike and all. Word seemed to get out that I was out there and people were out looking for me. I was in the outhouse putting on everything I had with me for warmth when I heard a horn honk. I peeked out and it was a car full of people looking for me. They were checking everyplace I might be until they found me. The wind and rain was subsiding a little by then and I told them I was fine. They insisted on following me for ten miles with their blinkers on until I got to town. They told me why there was no vegetation at all along that part of the road - the wind blew it all away years ago. I can believe it! They also said I wasn't the first person they have found hunkered down inside that outhouse over the years.
The rain is slowing and almost stopped even though the wind is still blowing. It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow so I plan on continuing my treck in the morning. I have a short section of downhill tomorrow followed by a long, very steep climb. I hope my legs are up to it. It's a lot different peddling a bike with a ton of provisions and camping gear on it.
Wednesday, 18 May, 2011,
Looks like I'll be enjoying the four walls of a B&B room for today. Woke up to more horizontal rain and very strong, gusty winds. I don't want to get caught in the situation I was in yesterday. They say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Well yesterday I got a whole lot stronger!
Looks like I'll be enjoying the four walls of a B&B room for today. Woke up to more horizontal rain and very strong, gusty winds. I don't want to get caught in the situation I was in yesterday. They say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Well yesterday I got a whole lot stronger!
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