Goodbye California.Hello Arizona.

44.7 miles today. Very, warm, windy night but I had the best sleep yet. Up at 5.15am and I just hate the mornings. I swear my tent, sleeping bag and mat all grow through the night as I try and stuff them into their bags. Zig-zagged on roads passing huge fields of crops in different stages of planting. This is the bread basket of America and a huge industry. Cotton has been grown and you could see the residue on the ground. I picked some and could feel the seeds inside which will be separated and turned into oil. This is the route Mark Beaumont followed and I see landmarks that he mentioned in his book. On going through Blythe some of us stopped for b'fast at 'the Lions Club' gathering. Serving huge pancakes, sausages and syrup. Eat as much as you like for 5 Dollars, and we did. This is all for charity and the place was packed at 9am. Families, couples, groups, workmen taking carryouts. Amazing. My Scottish accent always takes a trick so the organisers wanted a photo of me. It was a warm but more cloudly day so a very pleasant cycle. Climbed about 1000 ft with a nice downhill at the end. Good ride. We sadly left California for Arizonia. One state down, seven to go. When we arrived at campsite the wind had got up and rain was forecast so Dave booked us into a motel. I am lying on a nice comfy bed, after a fantastic shower typing this. Tomorrow the forecast is to be colder with rain. We'll see. Can't remember if I mentioned it but the dogs I heard howling the other night were actually coyotes......... Still loving it.

Flying Scotswoman on the Trail to Palo Verde.

67 miles.  Up and away by 6.45am to escape the heat of the day. Nice warm night and slept well. Seem to sleep in two hour cycles. On leaving Brawley, Robert C nearly got wiped out by a truck. We were turning left and he pulled out in front of it. I went to follow but saw the truck. The driver sounded his horn, these American horns are loud and we all got a fright. Decided to go at my own pace today and felt much better for it. Was at camp by 1.30pm. It is baking hot if you go too slowly. Cycled on my own for a good part and loved the freedom. Drinking lots of water, Dave made two water stops to top us up. My grandchildren would have loved it today as we passes miles and miles of huge sand dunes at Glamis with buggies for children,adults and families. We also went through the Chocolate Mountains which looked like big chunks of choc. Long straight road with desert on each side. Good tailwind so I was in top gears and romping along at 22mph. Passed ' 3 Slashes Road' so to much amusement I explained what it meant back home. We are all beginning to gel and get to know each other better. Great crowd.Hot shower but camp site not up to much. If you go on u tube and type in 'sdcheapshot' then click 'profile' then click 'more videos' you should see film of us leaving San Diego. It was taken by one of Dee's cycling friends. Love, love, loving it.......... Keep the comments coming.

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Thanks

Thanks for comments Lyndsay and Scott. You inspire me and make me laugh. Can't seem to get into my comments to reply properly.  Love Janiski.

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Freezer to Furnace on the Road to Brawley. 67.6 miles

Had good early morning start at 6.00am. More organised now. Dismantled tent etc before b'fast to warm me up as it was below freezing brrrr. Straight into the hills again but ' muscles macmillan' was fit for it. Felt good. Passed close to Mexican border, high wall and fence disappearing into distance. Custom patrols everywhere. Next, 10 miles of very steep descent which took us into Yuha Desert. Long flat road for the next 37 miles. No shelter. I began to flag after a while and had to take a break under the only tree in sight. The fact there was a dunghill there didn't matter. Temperature reached 94 deg and we are not even in Gulf.Actually, quite rich farmland in places. Hay bales piled at side of road waiting for transportation. Rich crops growing fed by canal irrigation. Meeting interesting people, 86 year old man originally from Netherlands. He was translater for Hitler and now he and his family own big ranch out here............ Jackson on traffic duty telling us about Mexican infiltration. Staying at compound tonight with swimming pool. Got in just after 3.00pm boiling and jumped straight in pool. Lovely.  Love my tent but hate it in the morning when I have to pack it. Bike and me fine, I can see the heat is going to be a problem, but I am not the only one. Think I will call the bike Spike, long story that involves an iguana. Lisa has knee problems so rode in the van today and tomorrow, hoping it improves. Still loving it....

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Alpine to Boulevard 35.8 miles. Up, Up, Up.

Brrrrr.... it was cold this morning, below freezing.Quite a bit of condensation in the tent not helped by the fact I knocked over a water bottle and soaked some of my clothes. I was fairly warm through the night, certainly not cold. We were very cold having b'fast out in the open but once the sun came out we quickly warmed up.  Made lunch, cheese and meat roll plus banana then departed straight into the hills and it was constantly up.  Quite relentless. Just like cycling to Lamlash but going on for 40 miles. One or two downhills today though which was nice. Legs quite burnt.  Scenery was lovely, trees, scrubland looking out over hill ranges to Mexico in the distance. Customs officers constantly patrolling road but not interested in us. Spoke to firemen at their station in Pine Valley and had photo taken.  We were cycling on Old Highway 80 and a local explained its history.  This road opened up the route west. Staying tonight in another Indian Reservation camp site. This one much nicer, clean with hot water. Todd and Merv made dinner, tuna pasta. Todd reminds me of Stanley Baxter, looks and mannerism. Feel fine and recover very quickly when we stop. Still loving it.

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Fantastic First Day to Alpine.

Great first day. Cycled to Ocean Beach where Dee's cycling club gave us a rousing send off and escorted us out of town. Plenty photos of us dipping our back wheels in the Pacific. Sunny day again in the 70's. Did 43 miles today and it was all up. No reprieve, constant steady climbing. Coped well although when I was on my own took wrong turning and gave myself steepest climb of whole day. We have our own maps so do not ride as a group. Usually in pairs but I had left my partner on the hill. Had to turn back and go down hill again ahhh. Pitched tent no probs and am now nice and cosy, although dark. 8.00pm. Went to nearby casino for buffet meal. Eat as much as you like, and I did. First nation people, Indians, main clients in casino. It was a beautiful ride today through some lovely parkland. All managed although a few suffering tonight. I would say I am in the top half of the group especially on the hills. We climbed about 2000 ft. Camped in Vegas Indian Reservation, wide open space with white fences. Still loving it.

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Last Day, Holiday Over

Visited 'old town' in sunny SD today. Fascinating hearing about American/Mexican war of Liberation. This is a beautiful city with plenty to offer, history, scenic, beach, music, arts. Sorry to leave but tomorrow is the big day. There are now12 of us with 2 leaders. 4 women and 8 men. 2 from NZ, 1 Norway, 1 England, 7 Americans and me. Some seem very experienced touring cyclists so I hope I hold my own. Had team talk tonight but no surprises. Head for Pacific first thing in the morning,dip back wheels then go 'east young woman'. Next stop the Atlantic.  Bring it on. Excited but nervous. Still loving it.

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