Started today from the very spartan RV Park in Boulevard. Ken, the ride leader, is always last to leave because he sweeps. Unfortunately, he had to wait for both Eileen and I, as we had KP duty this morning. Got up T 5:00 to take care of coffee, breakfast, and today's lunch. Left the park at 0740, with jackets on, as the temp was about 49 degrees F.
After some minor climbing, we approached the US-Mexico border, and stopped to take some photos of us and the wall. The descent that I was so looking forward to Was very scary. Some in our group stated that it was terrifying, as there were extreme crosswinds that were either trying to blow us into the canyon, or into the traffic lane of I-8. My speedometer was over 40 mph at one point. Don't want to do that one again!
At the bottom of the descent is he small community of Ocotillo, where others who were ahead of us stopped for a second breakfast. We didn't know it at the time, so we continued on. We were in for a frat, as we had a 30+ mph tailwind out of the west from Ocotillo to El Centro, about 25 miles. We were able to sustain about 22 mph ground speed, with no wind noise, on a very, very road. Ride through the town of Plasterville, where US Gypsum has a large manufacturing plant. Quite interesting to drive by this massive factory in he middle of the desert.
On through Seely, where we stopped on the side of he road in some shade to grab a bite and refill water bottles from our water bladders. In El Centro, I detoured to a bike shop, as my bottom bracket has been squeaking for the last several days. The mechanic took it apart, cleaned it up, lubed it with some grease, reassembled it, and sent me on my way, for only $18. It did create a two hour delay, but I was only 15 miles from the church were we will be accommodated tonight, in Bradley.
On the route north to Bradley, I noticed the tower of the Sprekels Sugar plant, where the sea level indicator was about 40' up on the side of the tower. That was surprising! The temperature upon arrival at the church was a mild 92 degrees, a far cry from yesterday's 107 degrees. We are all very happy that the ambient temperature is not higher than our body temperature!
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