What a day. Here are very few pictures:
Today I dedicated my ride to my grandparents Oma and Opa because it is Opa’s birthday today, they are HUGE supporters for me out here on the 4k and also HUGE supporters for me in life! Happy Birthday Opa!
This morning started out rough. We all had only one bathroom to share and then someone clogged the toilet and neither plunged it, nor admitted it. So a lot of people biked in their street clothes to Starbucks where they changed into their biking clothes and brushed their teeth and stuff. Meanwhile, I noticed that the toilet was clogged with what had to be an ENTIRE roll of toilet paper so I just plunged it and the bathroom was mine! Then we were waiting on our laundry to be done by our host, so we didn’t get to leave until really really late.
The first part of the ride was humid, buggy, and smelly and I was really hungry and got a headache because of it. This was not going to be one of my better days. So at the first water stop, I inhaled food and water and hoped for the best. Next I got super tired and drowsy. To the point where I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open and I felt sick because I forced my legs to keep pumping. I was losing it and my team could tell, but they helped me through it until the next water stop. At the next water stop I immediately took a nap in our now fly infested van (it’s super buggy here). I started to feel better after that besides my butt hurting and half of my right hand not working because my handlebar tape has lost it’s cushion. Who needs those last two fingers anyway? (Hint: You do. Pictures are really hard to take now, and I’s O’s and P’s are really hard to type.)
In any case, we were running from a storm for a while and had the most glorious lunch stop with fresh fruit, donuts, and chipotle! On the down side, the lunch break let the storm catch up to us. With about 5 miles left to the host, my group had to stop to let the rain pass. After three of the five of us had our wheels slip out from under us (Yay! More wounds in all the same places!), we found out there was a flash flood warning and they were NOT joking. Here’s some pictures and a video to prove it:
My news reporting skills are the bomb. We found shelter in this nice man David’s garage where he let us have some free beer while he boogie boarded in the “surf”.
Simon is missing from the picture, but I rode with him, Lisa, Jackie, and Allison. I really wanted to finish the day and the last 5 miles. I wanted to be patient and wait out the rain, and wait for the flooding to go down enough that we could walk/ride the rest of the way. Ask anyone who knows me, I’m more often than not, REALLY patient. I think I get it from my Dad. But others aren’t as patient as I, so when David offered to drive us to our host in his pickup truck, we as a team decided to accept.
Upon arriving at our host, three teams had already made it, and two of them didn’t even get wet! One team found a way through the rain, and the last team (pictured above) patiently trudged/pedaled through the flood until they arrived. To say the very least, I was peeved that we were the only group that didn’t make it through the storm, but you’ve got to play with the cards you are dealt and be patient through the impatience. At least I got a free beer out of it! Thanks David!
Here’s the GPS route and data for today: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/556717596. Our pace was relatively fast, and the ride actually totaled about 93 miles. We saw a TON of what we think are apricot trees. They look like palm trees but they aren’t. They’re also clearly being grown on farms and their fruit harvested. Another fun fact: Notice how we’re actually getting farther away from San Diego! We’ve had some long days of riding and because of that we have to go out of our way to visit more places so that we don’t arrive in San Diego before everyone else!
Our host today is Palm Springs Boys and Girls Club in Palm Springs, CA. They said that the monsoon is very atypical and that the last time it happened was six years ago. Just our luck. Riding through Palm Springs on the ONE day in six years that it monsoons. Although I have to admit, I had a great time playing in the rain! I took a nice hot shower at the host, and we ate pasta and salad. While others went to get ice cream and see a movie, Haley, Taylor, Allison, and I cleaned out the van full of flies. We even got a shop vac from our host and vacuumed and organized the whole thing! While the rest of the team went to see Guardians of the Galaxy for a discounted price, Kirk, Taylor, Allison and I wanted to see a different movie, so we went and got our own discount at a different movie theater! They quickly realized that you can’t take me to a funny movie and expect me to sit in my seat quietly. I get a little out of control. When the movie ended we packed it in for the night in preparation for tomorrow.
Tomorrow we ride to Rancho Cucamonga, CA. It’s an 85 mile ride and we get to climb a 3000 foot mountain pass! The mountains here are really close and really pretty. I’ll have to get a picture of the one right across the street in the morning. I hope I feel better biking tomorrow than I did today. A friend of mine from college lives there and she helped to set up our host and we’re going to get to hang out with her tomorrow! I can’t wait! Until then, comment away!
Bri's Mom said:
If you decide a computer career isn’t for you, looks like a job at the weather channel can be your back up plan! Loved it!
Marsha Dyjack said:
Morning on the last Monday….before the end of the trip!!! We heard of the heavy rains and wondered if you all were in that area,Looking forward to the mountain pics…be safe,hoping for better weather for team!! Hello Matt and Dan…Matts Mom,Marsha
Mama Stocksdale said:
Omg…you haven’t done that accent in a long time…hysterical!!! What movie did you see? DiD you embarass the others with you? I hope this morning is better for you! You are right you get your annoying (read jealous) patience from your father! Hugs!! No kisses today with that facial hair…..
Pat Nelson said:
In the beginning i had trouble getting to Allison’s tumblr posts so her Mom suggested i start following you to keep up with yor trek. Finally figured it all out and I have been reading yours and Allison’s posts since the beginning of your adventure and wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed following you across the country. For whatever reason I can’t post to Allie’s tumblr so posting here to tell you how proud I am of your whole group. Give Allison a big hug from her Aunt Pat and enjoy the rest of your roll!
omaopaz said:
Thank you so much for riding for Opa’s birthday and including me as well. It made Opa feel really good. We are so impressed with you and your whole team. You guys will really miss each other but I’m sure you’ll get together in the future. The video was the best. I think they had more rain in one day than we ‘ve had all summer. Had we known we would have sent you the floaties. Ride safely for the rest of the week and we’ll see you next week. Hugs.
Jenna Coleman said:
Whoa! I did not realize you guys were dealing with actual floods yesterday! Geez! Glad everyone made it ok, sounds like quite an adventure.
Lisa Dunleavy-Jennings said:
So very happy your ALL safe. Have I thanked you enough for you daily blogs? THANK YOU So much for taking the time to be so committed … It is greatly appreciated! Please ALL stay safe & keep on!! I am in such AWE of ALL if you!!! ( Lisa Jennings mom)
Sent from my iPhone
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Pam Collins said:
Tyler – Loved your video post! Look out BBC – here is the new weather broadcaster!! Stay safe – glad you made it through the monsoon – made me think of Sharknado 2 :). I may miss some, but it seems in addition to team rider I believe you have been: bike mechanic, driver, food gatherer, medic, trip historian … (aka blogger), plumber, news/weather broadcaster, team ambassador and photographer extraordinaire. One word comes to mind…”underachiever”… NOT… :). Say hi to Kevin for me! (Pam – Kevin’s mom)
stoc4ksdale said:
Thanks! But it isn’t just me. Many people, if not everyone, are drivers, food gatherers, bloggers, ambassadors, and photographers!
Pam Collins said:
Yes agreed! But not all are plumbers 🙂
Lisa Wilson said:
OK, so I have what may be a strange question but I’m going to ask it anyway…..after taking this incredible journey across our beautiful country, how are you feeling now knowing that it is coming to an end? Just curious. ❤ 😀
stoc4ksdale said:
I’m excited to finish and my body can’t wait for a good rest, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Lisa Wilson said:
Cool! Safe travels to you and the entire team!!
Mama Stocksdale said:
I want to be there sooooo bad when you reach San Diego. Feeling so very guilty (damn mom feelings), but I will be there in spirit. Please video as much as you can!! Love you!!!
omaopaz said:
Best birthday present that I could have gotten. Oma & I read every morning. We thing that you should peddle back to Baltimore to complete the ride…… Just kidding.. Need you back here before you go to NC . Miss you and love you very much..
Just US!!!!!…
Donna Loudon said:
Your weather report was hysterical! Thank goodness for kind hearted people like David. They are everywhere. Keep safe and enjoy the last few days of your journey!
Barbara B. Goldstein said:
So proud of you and all that you have accomplished. I know you were kind enough to dedicate a leg of the race to my friend, Avis Halberstadt, but unfortunately she died yesterday. If you can dedicate one of the last legs to her memory I would appreciate it. If you can’t, I certainly understand. Safe travels.
Mama Stocksdale said:
So sorry Barb!! From the comments posted when Tyler rode for her, it was obvious she was a wonderful person and greatly loved!!