Day 1! Pacific ocean - Dog Beach San Diego to Old Buckman camp

Today was the "break-in" and what a trip - a real "Ying-Yang" day.  My mileage was 69.1 miles, 6,221 feet of climb and a riding time of 7:33.  What a way to start!!
Really, the weather was great, clouds blocked the sun and not too much wind. Getting out of San Diego was fairly complex, but we were able to start at "Dog-Shit beach"even though we were outnumbered by dogs.  We had to rinse the bike wheels off when we got off the beach, and it was not just sand.  Oh well, the rear wheels were in the Pacific Ocean!!
The traffic was fairly intense, and it seems the speed limits are only for minimum speed.  We even had to go on I-8 for about four miles. We were climbing up a fairly long hill going about 6 MPH while the cars shot by at more than 10 times that - many more times!!
At last we found a place to camp and got the tents up just before dark - a long but happy first day!!
Paul C

Emotions

Paul P. here again, masquerading as Thom, the friendly burrowing rodent, who normally isn't very emotional, but for today, the first day of the southern tier bike trip, it was hard to escape.

As we begin this long adventure, many emotions flood through my system: Anticipation, trepidation, excitement, adventure, accommodation, preparation, apprehension, .... We've been planning this trip for over a year and it's finally starting.  Who knows what things will happen, what people we'll meet, what mechanical problems we'll have to figure out, how the group will get along, where we'll stay, what physical problems we'll have to endure, or where we'll get lost?  All we can hope for is that we'll be resourceful enough to overcome the obstacles that come our way and in the end be better persons for it.

Who knows what will transpire in the world as we travel through time and space?  What sort of trouble Trump will get our country into, how will the economy do or who will come out ahead in the November election?  Right now all we know is that day one is under our belts and despite a few mechanical adjustments and a long day with lots of climbing, we made it with everything intact and spirits in good shape.

I close with a couple of shots, one of downtown San Diego as we topped the Pacific crest and another of sunset at our first camp, just past Pine Valley, CA.

The Looney Bean

We departed from the Poorman's home in Meridian, Idaho, at 8:06 a.m. on September 29, 2018.  Paul C's pick-up was packed with three bicycles mounted on the top of the cab, one bike on the rear rack and a tandem bike packed in a box in the bed of the pick-up.  Add to this sleeping bags, tents, tables, chairs, supplies, and my luggage containing clothes, jackets, shoes and ONLY a few items related to the maintenance of my hair!

The first night we lodged in Bishop, California and for breakfast at this great coffee/bakery shop by the name if the "The Looney Bean!"  Destiny?? Karma?

After a long drive through the desert we encountered a very busy freeway on the way to San Diego.  We are currently in San Diego and tomorrow is the big day when the bike tires are dipped into the Pacific Ocean. Finally!

The following are a few photos. Nothing "spectacular"  The top photo and the last two photos were taken from the backseat of a moving car.    Dana

Ready to Roll!

For future reference, this is Paul P., masquerading as a small burrowing rodent, aka Thomomous Talpoides. But for the next couple of months, I will be a tandem captain, riding across the southern US. Here we are leaving Meridian, with a FULLY loaded pickup truck.

Left to Right, Paul C., Dana, our support driver, and stoker Gayle

Whew! And now after two exhausting days of travel, we arrive at the Mission Bay Motel in San Diego for the start of the trip.  I figured it would take an hour or so to assemble the tandem, that we had carefully packed into its shipping box.  But somehow, not only did the bike have TWO flats, but the Di2 battery-powered shifter was completely drained.  After patching the tubes and charging the battery, then finishing the assembly, it was too dark to ride.  So we hope for the best and will dunk the rear wheel in the Pacific ocean at Mission Bay tomorrow to start the ride!  Here's the new tandem, ready for the adventure!

 

It will be about 7 weeks, 3000 miles, lots of laughs, hopefully few mishaps, and plenty of adventure!

"The race to the start" We made the hardest part of the trip!

San Diego!  We are here and ready - I think - to start the ride.  We first head west for three miles to get to the pacific ocean.  We will dip our rear bike wheels in the ocean at what the locals call "Dog Shit Beach".  Seems appropriate to me!?  The drive down here was great actually, lots to see and very nice views.  We spent last night at a hostel in Bishop, Ca.  Very nice, very clean, smelled like medicinal marijuana.  It's a doctor thing they tell me!?
Today we drove into San Diego and learned what growth can be like!  10 lane highways with traffic zipping around like bees on a flower - wow!  Well, we made it.  Tomorrow we will hit the trail!!
Here are some pictures of the road-trip down to the start.  The fire was out in M.F.N - no idea where it came from, but oh well, on we go.
As per my habit, I need to find a nice feather to put on my helmet - at least then I will know it is mine!  Also, I found my first nickel on the road!  Very nice way to start.
Paul C

  On we go!!

Another Day, Another Boarding Pass

The adventure begins tomorrow. This is me at my favorite Mickelson Trail bench sometime in 2015. It is always shady there and a fairly quiet spot to snack and refresh and meet a few interesting folks.

Today it is another day, another boarding pass. Southwest Airlines is taking me to meet the rest of the adventurers in San Diego. Thanks to everyone who wished us luck. I am certain that we will need all of that we can get.

24 Days to Launch!

The big event is quickly approaching.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to experience the  USA from San Diego to Saint Augustine.  Thanks to the cyclists who invited to join them on this incredible journey. I hope family, friends, strangers read the blog and enjoy the dialogue.