Day 4

We wanted day 4 to be all about efficiency and getting done quickly.  Mostly, we were successful.

Mike, Christy and I were on the road shortly after 5 (that's AM, if you're still in disbelief).  We were going to spend most of the day on the Interstate again, which just isn't a lovely way to cycle.  

The SAG stops were frequent and needed, given the heat.  After SAG 2, we were picked up by 3 others, Jeff, Mark, and Harold.  Given the head wind it was great to ride in a pack, taking turns leading and coasting. The drafting is definitely getting better with more practice.

After the next SAG stop, Harold realized his tire was flat.  While he changed his tire, we all checked our tires.  4 of us found minuscule pieces of wire from running over blown tires on the expressway.  When we pulled them out of our tires, they developed slow leaks.  4 tires later and we were on our way again!

At the next stop, Mike was flat again. It took two tries to get the tire to stick.  The culprit? More tiny wires.  

There were over 6 SAG stops yesterday, because of the heat.  We were encouraged to get in as soon as possible.  Each stop had fresh fruit, buckets of ice for dipping our heads and feet, and plenty of electrolyte drinks.  There was no shade on the highway, so SAG was the only reprieve from the hot sun.  The SAG helpers had cold cloths for our necks.  The heat definitely takes its toll.

We crossed the Colorado River as we entered into Arizona.

We hit camp in Quartzsite shortly after 1pm, and it was already almost 110 F.  My bike computer shorted out because of the heat, so when we are through the dessert I will get a new one. I miss knowing my average speed and times.

Total distance: 123km

No average speed :(

Days 5, 6, 7 and 8

The tour has been suspended because of the extreme heat.  The local authorities have issued heat warnings for the dessert region we were in, so it was decided that we would drive from Quartzsite to Payson.

We have arrived in Payson now and will be here until Tuesday morning, when we will continue as planned.

The heat was definitely dangerous, but our smaller group was managing by getting out early, working efficiently and trying to get in early.  By about 10:30 it is almost unbearable.  

This is the nature of cycling in a group of 100 - following decisions others make for you.  I'm looking forward to a few quiet days to read, play cards and get to know my fellow cyclist. 

I'll write more when there's more to write.

Day 3

We are in the dessert and it is hot, hot, hot.  Our pack of 7 cyclists managed to get on the road at 5:30.  It is already hot at 5:30, but the sunrise on the mountains was pretty fantastic.

We were on a downhill, and hit it hard, knowing we'd be climbing most of the morning.  We were out so early and so fast that the first SAG stop wasn't set up yet.  

At around km 28 I did the dumbest thing possible.  I grabbed my camera from my front bag, going 35km/hr and hit the gravel at the side of the road.  It was thick gravel, and the bike stopped. I did not stop.  I fell forward, and now wear this:

For the record, it could have been worse.  The only real casualty was my 5 year old camera, and I'm hoping to buy a new one in Phoenix this weekend.

This is the last picture I took. Look, vineyards!

Mike, Christie and I broke from our group of 7 as we climbed.  We stopped for ice cream, at all the SAG stops and still managed to make it To camp by 11:30.  It felt so much better than yesterday, to be done quickly!

The weirdest part of today was cycling over 30km on an expressway.  The apparent rule on CA is that you are allowed on the highway if there are no other roads available.  So there we were, 45km/hr downhill with transports and cars passing at 80miles. I don't recommend it.  

Just be a sheep

Writing this from the perspective of day 3 makes things a wee bit better, but day 2 was definitely a difficult day.

This past winter, a colleague gave me a small figurine of a sheep with a note.  The note referred to the Psalmist, with a reminder that sometimes I just need to "be a sheep" - accepting help, admitting limitations, and being shepherded both by the Shepherd and others He puts in my path.  I have carried that sheep around with me most of the spring, and now I keep it packed in my saddle bag.  

Yesterday was one big reminder that I do in fact need to be a sheep, allow others to help me, and perhaps not be so darn stubborn.

We headed out later than anticipated, but were making good time.  After some tough hills, we were enjoying a downhill cruise of about 40km an hour.  After our SAG stop, we were about to head onto a trail.  Looking down, I realized that I had yet another flat.  With 7 supportive and helpful cyclists, we changed it in no time.  We went down a rough path, and at the other end, all I could hear was a loud hiss coming from...the tire I just changed!

Further examination of the tire revealed that it had multiple perforations and was more or less un-rideable.  Now I had 7 cyclists with me, all waiting, All offering help and suggestions.  I know this sounds sweet and kind, but I was struggling to see it that way at the time! I wanted them to go ahead without me, and stop being helpful. I felt awful for keeping them in the heat.  We called SAG and I was ready to be picked up and taken to mile 68 where there was a bike shop.  I was disappointed that I would already be dropping out of the EFI club.

When SAG arrived they were already carrying another rider, Hendrik deVries.  He had "bonked" (run out of steam) twice already, and was not going to ride any further. He suggested that I try his bike.  The pedals fit, and we lowered the seat.  It wasn't MY bike, but it did the trick. At mile 68 we found a bike shop, and last night Rachel helped me put the new Gaterskin tire on.  It is thick, and will hopefully help the flat situation. 

Other cyclists in our group had issues on Day 2, and we did not arrive in camp until 3:30, the heat of the day. We were tired and frustrated, and beyond happy to see this:

Just be a sheep lesson #1.  I'm sure there will be more...

Day 1

For those of you who were hoping for something on FB today, it ain't going to happen! We're at a school with enough Internet knowledge to block Facebook, even the apps. Darn.

Today was a mostly exciting first day.  We woke to drizzle, but it was warm, so not altogether unwelcome.  I buddied up with 9 other cyclists and we made our way from LA to Redlands, CA.  The sun came out in the afternoon, but the heat is not unbearable (yet).  

Average speed: 23.6km /hr.

Distance covered: 111km.  

We stopped at each SAG stop, ate fresh fruit, filled up our water bottles and kept going.

Cycling in CA is fantastic - we spent most of our day on beautiful paths, and when we were in towns, the cyclist lanes were 5 feet wide!

A church in River City wanted to welcome us and treat us - it was such wonderful hospitality.

And... This is what my legs look like after a day of cycling!

Sadly, one of our cyclists, Mark, who was riding an incumbent (a bike where you are leaned back like a lazyboy), had an accident in the AM and had to go to the hospital.  I'm not sure what is wrong, and I won't spread rumours.  Please continue to pray for cyclist safety - it's a real concern!

Day Zero

Today is the day before the big day... Sort of.

We have been in the dorms at Vanguard University since arriving. The time has been spent prepping the bikes, going through safety training and many peletons - group meetings with instructions, too many opinions, and anxious cyclists :). 

Today we rode to Huntington Beach to officially dip our tires in the Pacific Ocean.  I mad it fine, but the closer we got I said "hmmm, my tire is riding kinda funny."  Sure enough, I had another flat! A fellow cyclist said, "oh, you're going to be that cyclist..."  I changed it completely on my own, without help.  Must have been the practice this spring.

It was fun to dip tires in the Pacific, and commit this ride to God.  We definitely get a lot of attention riding in a pack of 100, all wearing our jerseys.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I'll head out with a small group of women my age and my speed.

Tomorrow we leave LA and go to Redlands. Giddy up ! 109km. 

Fun-raising

The fundraising part of this journey has been unexpectedly easy.  I have been surprised (though I'm not sure I should be) at people's generosity and at their cheerful hearts.  Last September if you had asked me what made me the most nervous about the Sea to Sea, I would have said "raising $10 000."

By late April I had to change my goal to $14 000, and as you can see, I'm nearly there.  

A few stories to restore your faith in humanity, in case it was lost.

One night after sharing the Sea to Sea map and story with a young family, the children were sent up to bed.  Much whispering ensued, and a few minutes later, they returned to the living room with a note.  There was a collection of their allowances inside a card that said "dear Shanon, we hope you have fun on your bike ride."  Amazing.

The staff where I work is amazing.  In the fall, my dad issued them a challenge. He would donate $1000 to the tour if they could match it.  Not only did they match it, they blew his contribution out of the water :). The Woodland staff donated over $1600 to the Sea to Sea! As a thank you, I fed them all lunch at one of our PD days.  We all know how much teachers love free food.

People I barely know want to support and be part of something larger than all of us.  Friends of dad's, whom I've met once, for about 30 seconds, donated after hearing of my adventure from dad.  Members of my ultimate frisbee team made donations in support of the ultimate athletic adventure.

It's not too late to make a Sea to Sea donation - you can do so until then end of the tour.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for contributing to the various organizations that work to alleviate poverty around the world.  Your money will be well used to help those in need.

May your generosity result in thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11)

29+1

With one week to go before the big departure, it was time for a party.

If you ever need to feel good about yourself, or have a reminder about the people who love and support you, throw yourself a party. I'm convinced that birthdays are meant to be celebrated and acknowledged, especially the big ones like 29+1.

Saturday night was also a chance to send off for this crazy journey.

There was delicious cake, hilarious friends, tons of food, smooth sangria... And allegedly a pool to see how many days in I will be reduced to tears. Gee, thanks friends :). Apparently day 3 is a strong bet.

Sunday was family day.  We celebrated spring birthdays, Fathers, ends of mortgages, and enjoyed time together. The family also got into the 'crying pool' and agreed that I might possibly come undone around the end of week two.  (If you're curious about me coming undone during other adventures, this might be a good read...)

With all these celebrations behind, and the luggage/bike/gear gone, there is really only a shrinking pile of grading and report cards between me and my adventure!

Crazy

It's probably the lack of sleep, constant motion, and end-of-school-year stress speaking here, but I think what I am about to do is Crazy.

I am excited, and I know it's going to be a wonderful summer.  But really?  6000+ kilometers on a bike, in 9 weeks?  I'm not even a cyclist! Oh and let's not forget that I'll be sleeping in a tent all nine of those weeks as well.  Maybe I should have volunteered to go along in the kitchen.  I know how to cook.  I know that I like cooking.  I still don't know if I like distance cycling.

The bike left last night.  Distant-relative Jake took it to GR for me, where it will board the Sea to Sea gear truck and travel to LA.  I sent along all my camping gear and most of my personal items for the summer.  I've never been packed 9 days before a trip before!

I rode with a fellow Sea to Sea-er and some friends on Saturday, 108km.  I was definitely the weakest link, slowing on the hills and then, of course, getting a flat tire.  They were gracious, and now I know how to fix a flat. Sort of. Actually, the best way to fix a flat is to cycle with people who are more talented and cycle-knowledgeable  than myself.  Done and done!

I've traveled over 1200 training KM outdoors, and spent the winter going to spinning classes.  That's enough, right?  It's not a race. It's not a competition.  (But I really don't want to be the slowest one!)

Thankfully excitement overtakes Crazy when I talk with other people.  No one tells me I can't do this.  So I guess I can.

But it's still Crazy.

One Week!