Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Sept. 22, 1999
Day: Wed.
From: Ocotiiio
To: Brawley

Lodging: Brawley City park
Segment Mileage: 50
Cumulative Mileage: 165.1
Actual Riding Time: 4:12
Average Speed: 11.8
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 80's

From Ocotillo the road out was extremely rough for the first 15 or so miles, although very flat through the Imperial Valley. We passed Plaster City where there is a huge wallboard factory. At El Centro I sent another selection of clothes back to Reston; two shirts, cycling tights, and my plastic plate. Not only to reduce my weight, but it gives me more room to put the days supplies and lunch. Many of us got supplies at the local bike shop in El Centro that was very friendly and helpful, Finish Line Bikes. From El Centro I rode alone to Brawley, in part to arrive early to get started on buying food for dinner, and because I didn't want to rendevous at the Pizza Hut. I'd heard that the Imperial Valley College campus was a good place to stop to eat lunch. I stopped in front of the art museum, an old renovated train station that was closed for renovations. It was a nice quiet oasis, with a cactus garden with labelled plants. I spoke for a while with one of the students. It's fun to watch some people's reaction when I tell them we're going to Florida.

The final 10 or 11 miles was on Rt. 111, a very busy road with a narrow shoulder, and semi trailer trucks flying by going 70mph. There was a strong headwind and the currents caused by the oncoming trucks almost blew me off the bike. Along the way I stopped for a picture of the Mesquite Lake Cattle Manure Power Plant. When I arrived in Brawley, instead of being one of the first in, I was one of the last. The Pizza Hut crew hadn't stopped long, and had heard of a better route at the bike shop, which was a little shorter as well. Tod and I bought groceries for the day and spent the full allotment of $120. Camp was set up at the city park next to the swimming pool. Dinner consisted of rice, tomatoes, broccoli, and goat cheese with a tossed salad. There seemed to be enough for all, important because the next day's ride was 70 miles. Dessert was a cake for Suzanne as it was her birthday. She recieved a small toy key chain that she could mount on her bike as a mascot. Later it started to rain and rained all night, in a place that is said to average 2" of rain per year.