Day 4 & All is Well

The day started great with the three of us making our way to the outskirts of Barstow and then Darryl and Kevin hitting the blacktop in earnest taking advantage of a favorable tailwind for about 35 miles. About 5 miles after that, 'Historic' (so named because it's been eons since anyone has repaired a pothole) Route 66 deteriorated to what more resembled a waffle iron than the premier transcontinental highway of its time. It's a shame, but many sections of this famous route have been abandoned. The decision was made to ignore the 'no bikes' sign to the onramp of route 40 and put in at least 15 very safe (really - big shoulder, smooth pavement, etc.) miles on the interstate. The day ended with a wonderful chicken dinner at sunset looking over the desert (not that the chicken dinner was looking over the desert - you get what I mean). Tomorrow will have us riding into the Mojave Preserve and camping there. Should be another great ride sans 18-wheelers.

-K

Barstow

What a difference a day makes...

After a wonderful sendoff breakfast at Munchkin's in Santa Clarita we immediately hit some pretty massive hills (all of them up, of course) for about 18 miles. It was enough of a struggle, but Darryl's new bike bent a front sprocket, so it kept slipping gears all the way up the hills. He replaced it with a backup mountain bike, but it is much less efficient. Because of the problems and being nearly out of gas we cut the day short and headed to Victorville.

Today, on the other hand, we had a very pleasant ride from Victorville to Barstow and finished the day at the BMX track that was the birthplace of the GPM. The only problem was that we spent most of our time pedaling in the middle of the day with the high desert sun and a slight headwind. We met one guy, Paul Clayton, who is biking historical route 66 for charities associated with the St. Louis Cardinals. Now HE had a nice bike! He's already put a photo of us on his web site. We also rode by a bottle farm created by Elmer Long. Check out his blog with lots of pictures like this one...


In the morning we'll start at the BMX track and head on down 66 to Klondike and the Mohave desert. Hopefully an early start and no headwinds.

It should be noted that we would be lost without Louise. I am convinced that left to our own devices we would still be wandering aimlessly up and down the Santa Monica boardwalk trying to figure out how to feed ourselves. She makes sure that we have on enough sunscreen, packs our fruits and snacks for the day, loads up the water bottles and meets us for lunch with something delish. If only she would do the cycling for us the trip would be a snap!

-K

memories of the first day

- the crosses on the beach
- seeing Harry Perry, Venice Beach icon, running on the boardwalk in the first half mile.
- taking a few wrong turns to start, retracing our path, don't want to do too much of this the rest of the way.
- stopping by the house i grew up in and having lunch and a chat with Lake, who grew up next door.
- me saving kevin's life with my LOOK OUT as he was running a red light in Encino
- stopping at my old catholic school, and seeing the poster for monte carlo night just outside the 6th grade class I was kicked out of.
- last leg with Nicholas, Munchkin's son, who we made give a peace sign for the photo, but then then Kevin washed the camera in their washing machine.

my fitness is just enough in doubt to make this really interesting... wish us luck. :)

the real thang

Morning on Ocean Avenue. Nice day, cool and calm, a good day to ride. Although I won't be riding along with Kevin and Darryl today my thoughts and hopes will. I'll drive the support vehicle, shop for food, bike parts, make the meals. When I signed on to help for the first month of this ride I didn't really know why I wanted to do it except that I'm a vagabond at heart and this was clearly an adventure. I could slow down and veiw this great and magnificent land from a different prospective. This falls into the realm of hitchhiker or hobo, days meander and life enters. With that comes the sense of being in the right place at the right time. This morning follows that truth. Darryl and Kevin begin their ride from the Santa Monica Beach Pier and as if planned find the more than 2000 white crosses representing the fallen soldiers from the Iraq war stretching out across the sand. This moving tribute called Arlington West has been active for 2 years placing the crosses, names, photos of loved ones in the sand each Sunday. The numbers continue to grow. Not only do they represent those that have died but also the wounded and disfigured veterans that are seldom talked about. I was deeply moved. I was troubled by my previous apathy and feeling of helplessness. It was more than good to see people taking action and speaking out about what is going on. And so for me already this trip has grown to mean so much more. An opportunity to stand behind my beliefs AND with the motion of my hand on the wheel and Darryl and Kevin's feet spinning round and round the crank shaft we might make a wee ripple in these all too quiet waters. Louise

Pre Amble

Who knew getting ready for a trip like this would be so much work?? It was a rush to the finish to get everything together, but for the most part it worked out fine. Louise and Elle (the intrepid and very courageous drivers) joined Ariel (HUGE help) and Darryl and I in picking up the sag wagon in Denver on Wednesday and we spend the next day and a half getting supplies and making everything road worthy.

At the crack of 8:30 pm on the 20th Louise, Darryl and I left Boulder in search of the west coast. We got as far as Vail and spent the night in a parking lot and headed out early the next morning for Glenwood Springs. It was a beautiful day and we did about a 26 mile tune-up ride along the Colorado River. Just spectacular and highly recommended. Both riders felt great - if all the rides are like that this is going to be a snap! As long as we were there we took a quick dip in the hot springs (why not?!) and then hit the road again. We made it well into Utah before dark and it was amazing scenery, particularly as the sun was setting.

By midnight we made it as far as Mesquite, Nevada and parked near a small airport (who needs campgrounds??). We woke to the sound of some golfers at a driving range trying to pick off the RV. You would think it was an easy target, but we beat it out of there unbruised and rolled in to Santa Monica around five in the afternoon.

We're camped out right near the Santa Monica pier and will meet with some well-wishers and Peace Marchers at 9:00 in the morning before heading out for the first leg. Can't wait!!!

-K

Welcome

Welcome to the 2006 Coalesce Bike Tour for peace blog!