Well, it seems we have to have at least one flat a day. This time Ryder had a flat on his rear tire. Where he had skidded his rear tire the day before trying to stop before running over a cattle grate going across the road. Fortunately we had spare tube, but his tire was shot as well, so I called to the Knellers on my cell (which I always carry when riding) to come meet us as David had a spare tire in the van. I also brought two spare tires and about 12 spare tubes. But having used his spare, David wanted to get an extra tire, so we biked to a bike shop in El Centro to buy another tire to have on hand.
About 1 we stopped for lunch which Faith had prepared for us, in a little town called Seeley (see picture). As we ate we stayed in the shade of a building.
Along the way we passed a couple of other bikers carrying all their gear in packs on their backs. They stopped where we stopped for lunch as well. Found out they had started out from British Columbia and were headed to the Grand Canyon. They said they would be biking for 3 months to their destination. And they had been camping most of the time. I'm glad to be staying in a motel, especially in this heat.
Surprisingly I'm not sore after biking the past 2 days. While biking toward the last couple hours of the ride my neck starts to hurt quite a bit, but I just stand up and stretch often. Also, my right big toe has become numb. Not sure why. Ryder thinks my cleat on the bottom of my shoe may need to be repositioned, which I'll do before heading out Sun. Hope that helps.
The sun is very intense here. To help keep the sun of head and face Dave & I have put a white t-shirt (Ryder) and a white bandana (Fries) under our helmets to hang down over our necks and sides of our face to block most of the sun to our heads (see pictures). Then we apply plenty of sunscreen, too. It got up to about 100 today, but felt like 120 in the sun.
We rode about 80 miles today to the town of Brawley, about 22000 pop. and 110 ft. below sea level.
After arriving in Brawley, Dave R. wanted to stop a get some cold water. So we saw a Wal-Mart, and brought our bikes inside to get some water and sit rest in the air conditioning, sitting at the subway inside the store. Faith and David were still behind us shopping for food, so when they caught up with us we hurried to check in at the Best Western, and quickly went to a neat authentic Mexican restaurant before sundown. I think it was some of the best mexican food I've had.
After eating it was about 7:30 when we got in the van to drive back to the motel, and the thermometer in our van said it was 98! Wow!
I forgot to mention on part of our route we were probably within a couple of miles from the Mexican border. You could see the tall brown border fencing going along for several miles. We also had to go through 2 border patrol and immigration check points. They just waved us by without stopping. I guess we looked harmless enough.
Then on day 1 when starting out by the ocean, we saw at least a dozen or more surfers out in the water riding the waves, which were quite big.
Each day we've had an opportunity to pray with people we've met along the way and Ryder would invite them to look up and attend the SDA church. We also got some tracts and books that we will be passing out along the way.
Thanks to all those following our trip through this blog. Will write more after we go out exploring Sabbath.
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