The ocean-dip ritual
Day 1: San Diego to Lakeside
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Started: Sep 18, 2010 16:00:12
Ride Time: 1:47:58
Stopped Time: 59:05
Distance: 20.52 miles
Average: 11.40 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 48.39 miles/h
Climb: 1771 feet
Calories: 1151
The data above is from my GPS app, and in this case is inaccurate because I didn’t have running the whole time I was riding. My distance according to the route map is about 28 miles—not much, but OK considering my late start and general confusion. I made a few wrong turns that added a few miles to my ride. Today’s route was entirely in towns and suburbs, and had a fair number of turns—some of which I missed, and some of which aren’t called out explicitly in the cues. As good as the ACA maps are, they gloss over some spots where the map-maker is pretty much trusting you to do the logical thing.
I’m writing this from a Best Western. I had to go a few miles in the wrong direction (intentionally, this time) to get here. I’m sure it’s not the last time that’ll happen on this trip. I could have pushed on a slightly greater distance along my route to reach a campground, but what can I say? I’m soft.
Started running out of light around 6:30, decided to call it a day. In Lakeside CA after a short day’s riding.
Started running out of light around 6:30, decided to call it a day. In Lakeside CA after a short day’s riding.
Past the first hurdle
Got the trike checked. The box was larger than Southwest’s size limit—then again, almost all bike boxes are. The ticket agent spent a while reading over the baggage policies and frowning, but let it pass. The TSA had no trouble with it, but they did force me to throw out a can of sunblock. Apparently Southwest will let me bring both my panniers on as carry-on bags. We’ll see if the gate agent agrees with the ticket agent on that.
I know I’m forgetting something. But as Ray Jardine said, "if you need and and you don’t have it, you don’t need it!"
I know I’m forgetting something. But as Ray Jardine said, “if you need and and you don’t have it, you don’t need it!”
Southern Tier 2010
On Saturday, Sept 18, I’ll be heading to San Diego to begin riding the Southern Tier. I’ve set up a separate blog for the adventure—tune in there for updates.
This has been in the back of my mind for more than ten years. Now that I’m about to do it, I feel great trepidation. Nevertheless: Onward.
Trigger, pulled
Bought my ticket to San Diego. Will be arriving there the morning of Saturday, September 18. Now I just need to pack the trike, buy the few odds and ends I still need, and get these butterflies out of my stomach.
After carefully studying the route and looking at the tour diaries of others who have ridden it, the idea of doing it credit-card style is off the table. The likelihood that I’d get stranded in the middle of the desert is too great. I’ll just need to make it work.