Welcome
to my blog that I will keep during my Cross Country bike ride from San Diego, CA to Tybee, GA. I will post as often as possible. I do not expect to post everyday, if you would like to know how the trip is going on the days that I have not updated the ride please check out the blogs from other riders. You can follow this link.
http://www.pactour.com/http://www.roadbikerider.com/elitetour.htm
http://www.ahealinghand.com/
Here is the trip itinerary
Arrival (June 9, Saturday)
My good friend and riding buddy, Bill Blank, will take me to the Philadelphia airport to catch my 8:00 a.m. non-stop flight to San Diego. I will arrive in San Diego to meet riders from all corners of the world. After we assemble our bikes we can have a leisurely ride to the beach for photos in front of the Pacific Ocean. That evening we gather for a festive dinner before our adventure across America.
Day 1 (June 10, Sunday) San Diego, CA to El Centro, CA 127 miles
We depart the Pacific Ocean and begin climbing the first 50 miles. After crossing four mountain passes from 3,000 to 4,000 feet elevation we drop back down to sea level near the 100 mile mark. The desert will be 110 degrees at this time of year. The climbing today is almost 7,500 feet. With all the climbing and desert heat this day is a tough introduction to the Elite Tour.
Day 2 (June 11, Monday) El Centro to Gila Bend, AZ 191 miles
Today the good thing is the route will be mainly flat. The bad thing is that we ride across the burning desert all day. A 1,000 foot climb over Telegraph Pass near Yuma, Arizona is the main climbing for this section. With a little luck we could have good tailwinds the last half of the day.
Day 3 (June 12, Tuesday) Gila Bend to Globe, AZ 146 miles
The first half of the day we climb and descend several gentle grades in the desert. After lunch we begin climbing steeper grades gaining over 3,000 feet. The Pinal Mountains offer cooler temperatures and relief from the heat.
Day 4 (June 13, Wednesday) Globe to Springerville, AZ 144 miles
The first challenge of the day will be the steep climb out of the Salt River Canyon. Dozens of hairpin turns along the edge of the Canyon give us spectacular views across the valley. After departing the town of Show Low the route climbs to over 9,000 feet. The final 20 miles are a fast ride from the forests down into the ranches of the valley.
Day 5 (June 14, Thursday) Springerville to Socorro, NM 156 miles
Today we cross into New Mexico. The tall forests give way to small scrubby pine trees. Hills and cliffs of red rocks line the road as we climb to the Continental Divide at 8,000 feet near Pie Town. The wind will dictate if the ride across the range country is fast or not.
Day 6 (June 15, Friday) Socorro to Roswell, NM 172 miles
Another day of big rolling grades. There are several three to five mile climbs. Over the final 30 miles the road drops from the mountains into the prairie. By the time we reach Roswell the only thing alien to us will be the feeling of fresh legs.
Day 7 (June 16, Saturday) Roswell to Hereford, TX 164 miles
This is the flattest day of the tour. The scrubby vegetation changes to farm fields and cattle ranches as we enter Texas. It could be windy!
Day 8 (June 17, Sunday) Hereford to Sayre, OK 180 miles
We continue across the flat Texas Panhandle. In the afternoon we drop off the Caprock and begin to roll along the frontage road of Oklahoma's Route 66. The old remaining cement slabs offer a glimpse of highway travel 60 years ago.
Day 9 (June 18, Monday) Sayre to Ada, OK 206 miles
The scenery changes with more trees and rivers offering variety to the landscape. This is the longest day in miles but it will be interesting with many small towns and rolling hills.
Day 10 (June 19, Tuesday) Ada to Mena, AR 174 miles
This day will be remembered for the steep 15% grades of the Talimena Parkway. This Parkway follows the backbone ridge of the Quachita Mountains into Arkansas. 8,000 feet of climbing are packed into the final 50 miles of rollers.
Day 11 (June 20, Wednesday) Mena to Pine Bluff, AR 176 miles
Today is a recovery day from the steep climbing. We enter the dense pine forests of western Arkansas. Lumber and paper mills are the major landmarks today.
Day 12 (June 21, Thursday) Pine Bluff to Batesville, MS 159 miles
We leave the forests and ride out on the flat delta region. Rice and cotton are the main crops here with an occasional catfish farms. We cross the Mississippi River and climb up the rolling bluffs leaving the river behind.
Day 13 (June 22, Friday) Batesville to Forest, MS 176 miles
We return to the forests and hills in central Mississippi. Rural highways and farm roads make this a nice cycling day.
Day 14 (June 23, Saturday) Forest to Camden, AL 172 miles
Any rider who has made it this far is looking forward to the finish. The terrain and mileage are easier than anything we have traveled so far.
Day 15 (June 24, Sunday) Camden to Eufaula, AL 152 miles
A good variety of rural roads through the forests make this an interesting day. The humid heat will be the biggest challenge of today.
Day 16 (June 25, Monday) Eufaula to Dublin, GA 160 miles
As we enter Georgia, the big rolling hills are suitable for small chainring climbing. The ride becomes flat as we cross more than half the state today.
Day 17 (June 26, Tuesday) Dublin to Tybee, GA 142 miles
Our last day of riding. The route is nearly pancake flat with a slight downhill to the Atlantic. We cross the historic city of Savannah then ride the final 15 miles to the beach, arriving by mid afternoon. That evening we celebrate the completion of the Elite Tour with an awards dinner.
Departure (June 27, Wednesday)
My good friend Eric Nafziger has agreed to pick up what is left of me at the Philadelphia airport on Wednesday morning at 9:18 am. If you are reading this Eric my flight is USAir #1684. Don't forget, I need to get back to work!
