Day 5 - Wednesday, November 26

Description: OK, today was payback for the last 4 days of great weather. I woke up to the sound of a heavy rain - uggg. After a quick breakfast (weak continental), I put the rain covers on all of my gear and broke out the Gore-Tex jacket and shoe covers. After 3 miles of warm-up, I crossed the Colorado river and left California for Arizona. Had to push my watch forward an hour and instantly gained an extra hour of sleep. It was raining like crazy as I pressed on. From there, I rode on I-10 for the next 11 miles and climbed up a steep mountain pass and then down into the small town of Quartzsite. I stopped for some breakfast at Micky-Ds. But, there were several homeless guys scoping out my bike so I decided to move on. After a few miles, I found a small bakery and grabbed some home made donuts and coffee to thaw me out - umm umm good. Then I was back on I-10 and cranked up another mountain pass which was a challenge with 20-30 MPH winds to go with the rain. I exited at Brenda (a dumppy hole in the wall) and then rode onto rt 60. Crap, I got a rear tire flat! Of course, my spare tube and tire levers were deep at the bottom of my packs - lesson learned here! Then I remembered that Ron gave me a can of bike Fix-A-Flat. I put it in the tire and it looked good except not enough air came out. I used my hand pump and then the valve stem on the tube broke. Now I had to dig into my bags and replace the tube which was a mess. Was a big thorn that got me. Finally got it fixed and moved on. Then I rode into Hope (a welcome sight) Arizona and stopped at the local gas station for some coffee and a bean & steak burrito (thanks for the tip Dayne). From there, only an 8 mile mountain pass stood between me and a hot shower in Solome. No problem! I grabbed a room at Shefflers Motel that is owned by the local Sheriff. I jokingly asked if it was safe and he laughed and said sometimes. After checking in, I put my wet stuff out on the front porch to dry out and took a shower. Then the door knocked and the Sheriffs wife said that I should not leave my stuff outside as there were some homeless people wandering around and they might take it! So much for being safe. Then I went across the street for a good dinner at Christina's Cafe and Cactus Bar. But guess what, they were closed because their roof was leaking - everyone says it never rains around here!!!! Finally, I went next door for some pizza at the local gas station which was not all that bad when washed down with a Tecate or 2. .

Gonna crash as I have 91 miles to ride tomorrow on T-Giving day. I am hoping for no rain and wind.


Weather: Awful day. Heavy rain almost the whole day with a stiff head wind. These are not good biking conditions!!!!

Performance Metrics:

Miles: 61 Trip: 297
Total travel time: 8:00 Trip: 30:35
Bike Riding time: 5:49 Trip: 25:15
Avg speed: 10.51 Trip: 12.30
Max speed: 22.63 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 1,688 Trip: 10,096
Avg pedal RPMs: 88 Trip: 85
Avg heart rate: 107 Trip: 125
Max heart rate: 142 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 3,278 Trip: 17,103

Weather Statistics:

High temp 64 Trip: 75
Low temp: 58 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 8 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: major against
Total good wind days: 1
Total bad wind days: 4

Misc. Stats:

Flat tires: 1
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 5
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 4 Trip: 15
Pints: 2 Trip: 9

Mood rating (1-10): 8 - gotta admit that today was a mental test but I am still in a good mood!

OK ESN:0-7458562

This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:33.7806
Longitude:-113.6153
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/26/2008 15:02:58 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.7806,-113.6153&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

I have left california. A rainy day so far.