Total: 2252 miles!!!
Cyclist's Observation: The longer you're on the road during the day, the less you talk at dinner.
Steve and Kathy were up before 5 am to prepare breakfast for our departure at 6 am. We appreciated the extra effort to get us on our way. A short cycling aside, Kathy was up to see us off and was very charming at the start of the day! Bill and I made great time with 3 to 7 mph tailwinds for most of the morning. The average speed for the day was 16.6 for 118 miles, but that's only part of the story.
We arrived in Maricopa, Arizona about 12:30 PM. The next leg of the ride was across the 43 miles of Sonoran Desert to get to Gila Bend. After already riding 88 miles, it seemed to be a little risky for old pudgy guys to attempt. We tried to find a motel in Maricopa. Nothing. We rode backwards to the AK Chin Casino. Full. We rode back to Maricopa and decided that the only alternative was to ride to Chandler. This was another 17 miles north! We needed to go west, which means retracing this 17 miles back to Maricopa and then going west to Gila Bend. A final tally of extra miles will be slightly less than 50!
We are the tired, dazed, and confused Old Land Cruisers.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Day 34: Casual Cycling
Total: 2134 miles
Cyclist's Observation: A rest day from cycling is good for the sole.
We're counting this as a rest day even though we cycled 33 miles toward our destination at 11.9 mph. Bill and I left late from Tucson and followed a path toward bike shops and toward our destination in Marana. On the way Bill treated himself to a new tire and some tubes!We arrived at Steve and Kathy's house about 2 PM (see picture). You should know that Steve and I have been torturing each other since the fourth grade. Kathy does bring out the softer side of Steve so they fed us, put us in the rehab hot tub (see picture), and let us sleep in the barn. Actually, Bill and I were having separation anxiety because we slept in different guest bedrooms. We told old lies and prepared to create new ones for the future. It's sure nice
to have old friends because young ones can remember what you said!We are the Old Land Cruisers roughing it in Arizona.
Day 33: Westward Ho!
Poster's Note: The poster wants a raise!! Serotta expects the poster to come to work on the weekends and post. Now she wants me to drive to Columbus, Ohio and pick her up. I don't know why she can't bike home!!!
Total: 2101 miles
Cyclist's Observation: When you ride west you can catch your shadow in the afternoon.
We had a nice sloping downhill departure from Wilcox, Arizona, which failed to prepare us for the 10 mile climb that followed. As we arrived at the crest of the ridge we were rewarded with a spectacular boulder field (see picture). It was then another 11 miles of coasting to Benson. We arrived in Tucson about noon and spent the next four hours in mid 90 temperatures looking for a motel. The final miles for the day was 93 at 14 mph.
Bill overheard a discussion the other night between Serotta and Cannondale. We locked them in the room and went to the motel lobby for a strategy session. We decided to put the hammer down and stop the whining once and for all. Serotta has a lot of nerve after flopping a peddle and causing us to lose three days in Las Cruces. And Cannondale didn't have enough gumption to speak up. Tomorrow will be a rest day as we go to Steve and Kathy's in Marana, Arizona.
We are the Old Land Cruisers layin low around Tombstone.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Day 32: Skip It!!!
Total: 2008 miles - made the 2000 mile mark, only one more state to go!
Cyclist's Observation: According to Einstein, you cannot turn back time, but you can bend it.
In our efforts to "bend time" we took advantage of early tailwinds and flat terrain. The grand total was 137 miles at 16.5 mph. We skipped a night in Lordsburg, New Mexico in order to make up one of the lost nights in Las Cruces. We rolled into Wilcox, Arizona late in the day, but very satisfied with our effort. The last 10 to 15 miles we encountered headwinds to make the final push a little more difficult. Of course the three flats (two for Bill and one for me) didn't help our
progress throughout the day.We know our cycling is all downhill from here, as you can tell from Bill going over the continental divide (see picture). In addition, we found a couple from the Czech Republic, Martin and Renata (see picture). They started in Cuba, cycled through Juarez, Mexico and we found 
them on Interstate 10. This could be the safest place they've been to date! Please check the baggage they are carrying, we are the ying and yang of cycling alternatives.
Our brains have turned to mush and all those witty things we thought about for the blog have evaporated. Maybe tomorrow we can keep better mental notes.
We are the Old Land Cruisers traveling in a fog.
Cyclist's Observation: According to Einstein, you cannot turn back time, but you can bend it.
In our efforts to "bend time" we took advantage of early tailwinds and flat terrain. The grand total was 137 miles at 16.5 mph. We skipped a night in Lordsburg, New Mexico in order to make up one of the lost nights in Las Cruces. We rolled into Wilcox, Arizona late in the day, but very satisfied with our effort. The last 10 to 15 miles we encountered headwinds to make the final push a little more difficult. Of course the three flats (two for Bill and one for me) didn't help our
progress throughout the day.We know our cycling is all downhill from here, as you can tell from Bill going over the continental divide (see picture). In addition, we found a couple from the Czech Republic, Martin and Renata (see picture). They started in Cuba, cycled through Juarez, Mexico and we found 
them on Interstate 10. This could be the safest place they've been to date! Please check the baggage they are carrying, we are the ying and yang of cycling alternatives.Our brains have turned to mush and all those witty things we thought about for the blog have evaporated. Maybe tomorrow we can keep better mental notes.
We are the Old Land Cruisers traveling in a fog.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Day 31: Top Ten List
Cyclist's Observation: The four winds of the West: breezy (15-20 mph), windy (20-30 mph), gale force (30-40 mph), and blow you back to hell (sky's the limit).
Serotta is back on the road! Departure today was bright and cheery at 5:45 am in order to beat the wind. Nice plan with good execution, but the wind didn't think it was a great idea. About 20 miles into the ride, the wind hit us full force and punished us for next 48 miles. We arrived in Deming, New Mexico about noon for a total of 68 miles at 12.4 mph. The final miles were brutal as the wind increased. Bill and I finished with sore legs, numb hands, sore wrists, and plenty of other minor ailments. The woman at the motel desk ask if we wanted to go bowling, take a walk, or see a movie? I think she's crazier than we are.
This leads me to our next effort to engage our readers. Surely you've heard of David Letterman's Top Ten Reasons, but sometimes you are at a loss for that many reasons for anything! Bill and I have developed our Top Ten reasons to bike from east to west. Please note we're short two reasons and we're looking for contributions from our blog readers. Your thoughts will be evaluated for absurdity and the two best will be added to the final list. Since we're the cyclists, we'll be the final judges.
Top Ten Reasons to Cycle from East to West:
10. Get a great tan on the back of your legs.
9. Morning sun is not in your eyes.
8. It's the macho thing to do.
7. Good training for the hard stuff.
6. To be the envy of our friends.
5. Wanted to test the West Texas headwinds.
4. It's better to erase your tan lines in California.
3.
2.
1. Why not? Everybody thinks you're nuts anyway.
Several of you offered insight about the liabilities of traveling west, so help us fill in the blanks.
We are the wind blown Old Land Cruisers.
Serotta is back on the road! Departure today was bright and cheery at 5:45 am in order to beat the wind. Nice plan with good execution, but the wind didn't think it was a great idea. About 20 miles into the ride, the wind hit us full force and punished us for next 48 miles. We arrived in Deming, New Mexico about noon for a total of 68 miles at 12.4 mph. The final miles were brutal as the wind increased. Bill and I finished with sore legs, numb hands, sore wrists, and plenty of other minor ailments. The woman at the motel desk ask if we wanted to go bowling, take a walk, or see a movie? I think she's crazier than we are.
This leads me to our next effort to engage our readers. Surely you've heard of David Letterman's Top Ten Reasons, but sometimes you are at a loss for that many reasons for anything! Bill and I have developed our Top Ten reasons to bike from east to west. Please note we're short two reasons and we're looking for contributions from our blog readers. Your thoughts will be evaluated for absurdity and the two best will be added to the final list. Since we're the cyclists, we'll be the final judges.
Top Ten Reasons to Cycle from East to West:
10. Get a great tan on the back of your legs.
9. Morning sun is not in your eyes.
8. It's the macho thing to do.
7. Good training for the hard stuff.
6. To be the envy of our friends.
5. Wanted to test the West Texas headwinds.
4. It's better to erase your tan lines in California.
3.
2.
1. Why not? Everybody thinks you're nuts anyway.
Several of you offered insight about the liabilities of traveling west, so help us fill in the blanks.
We are the wind blown Old Land Cruisers.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Day 30: Ready to Roll
Cyclist's Observation: Daytime TV sucks raw eggs.
Bill and I have had another day of down time. We have done our chores and checked on the bike repairs. The staff at Outdoor Adventures (see picture, left is Pablo and right is Don) have saved our bacon. Stop by and spend money if you ever come to Las Cruces. Plans for tomorrow include an early departure to beat the worst of the afternoon winds.
Since we have had an abundance of time and little to do, our intellectual curiosity has taken us to new levels. You may wonder how we could aspire to newer heights, but as you will see, it is entirely possible. Bikers vs cyclists, a comparative study. It is important to clarify the differences between bikers and cyclists. At one point in our travels, we told a motel desk clerk that we were going to bring our bikes into the room. He said he would have to check with the manager. His assumption was that we were bikers, not cyclists, and we would be bringing in motorcycles. Although you may think the differences are readily noticeable, we feel you might miss a few of the highlights we've noticed so far. Bikers have old ladies and chicks and cyclists have spouses and girlfriends. Bikers have sound systems and cyclists can't hear. Bikers have tattoos and cyclists have road rash. Bikers have saddle bags and cyclists have saddle sores. Bikers need oil changes and cyclists need Butt But'r. Bikers have rallies and cyclists have tours. Bikers have windshields while cyclists have wind. Bikers stop at gas stations for gas while cyclists stop for Snickers and Gatorade. Bikers take side trips while cyclists see the road ahead. Bikers may speed while cyclists only hope too. Bikers wear Levis and leather and cyclists wear spandex and paper thin wicking material. The only lingering thought is why would we continue to peddle rather than ride a Harley, we have been thinking about that and haven't come up with a good reason. This is where our intellect has failed us.
Bill and I have had another day of down time. We have done our chores and checked on the bike repairs. The staff at Outdoor Adventures (see picture, left is Pablo and right is Don) have saved our bacon. Stop by and spend money if you ever come to Las Cruces. Plans for tomorrow include an early departure to beat the worst of the afternoon winds.
Since we have had an abundance of time and little to do, our intellectual curiosity has taken us to new levels. You may wonder how we could aspire to newer heights, but as you will see, it is entirely possible. Bikers vs cyclists, a comparative study. It is important to clarify the differences between bikers and cyclists. At one point in our travels, we told a motel desk clerk that we were going to bring our bikes into the room. He said he would have to check with the manager. His assumption was that we were bikers, not cyclists, and we would be bringing in motorcycles. Although you may think the differences are readily noticeable, we feel you might miss a few of the highlights we've noticed so far. Bikers have old ladies and chicks and cyclists have spouses and girlfriends. Bikers have sound systems and cyclists can't hear. Bikers have tattoos and cyclists have road rash. Bikers have saddle bags and cyclists have saddle sores. Bikers need oil changes and cyclists need Butt But'r. Bikers have rallies and cyclists have tours. Bikers have windshields while cyclists have wind. Bikers stop at gas stations for gas while cyclists stop for Snickers and Gatorade. Bikers take side trips while cyclists see the road ahead. Bikers may speed while cyclists only hope too. Bikers wear Levis and leather and cyclists wear spandex and paper thin wicking material. The only lingering thought is why would we continue to peddle rather than ride a Harley, we have been thinking about that and haven't come up with a good reason. This is where our intellect has failed us.
We are the Old Land Cruisers looking for another reason to peddle.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day 29: Motor Tourists
Cyclist's Observation: Car seats are more comfortable than bicycle seats.
Another down day and Bill and I decided to be real tourists. Car rental was not in the budget, but our credit is still good for a few more days. After the early morning car rental was completed, we went to the historic town Mesilla for breakfast. We found Priciliana with her pistol, bandolero belts, and sombrero (see picture) getting ready to give middle school children a history lesson. 
After breakfast we headed for the mountains, that is the Organ Mountains. The plan was to drive to a national recreation area and hike up to a spring. After a short drive east out of Las Cruces, we turned toward the springs. Drats, foiled again! The road was closed for repairs. Plan B was now activated.We didn't really have a plan B so riding around in an air conditioned car like teenagers seemed to meet our immediate need. We stopped by the bike shop to look over the wears and chat. As luck would have it, a barber shop next door to the bike shop took walk-ins. It was a match Bill couldn't turn down. After dinner we decided to get some evening pictures as the sun was setting. We drove back to the Organ Mountains and my Blackberry photos are unable to capture the beauty. The photo of the sunset is looking west over the city of Las Cruces.
After breakfast we headed for the mountains, that is the Organ Mountains. The plan was to drive to a national recreation area and hike up to a spring. After a short drive east out of Las Cruces, we turned toward the springs. Drats, foiled again! The road was closed for repairs. Plan B was now activated.We didn't really have a plan B so riding around in an air conditioned car like teenagers seemed to meet our immediate need. We stopped by the bike shop to look over the wears and chat. As luck would have it, a barber shop next door to the bike shop took walk-ins. It was a match Bill couldn't turn down. After dinner we decided to get some evening pictures as the sun was setting. We drove back to the Organ Mountains and my Blackberry photos are unable to capture the beauty. The photo of the sunset is looking west over the city of Las Cruces. We are the Old Land Cruisers motoring into the sunset.
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