Day 2 - Four Flat Tires!

Departure: Pine Valley, CA      Finish:  El Centro, CA        Distance:    75.6 miles

Elevation gain:  2,531 feet (But, we descended a total of 6,097')

Winds: Gusting between 10 and 25 mph. 

            (Dangerous crosswinds on descents. Max speed 53.9 mph.)

Weather:  Mostly sunny and cool.

On bike duration:  4 hrs, 16 minutes. Average speed: 17 mph

We began the day at 3,730 feet. We ended the day at 26 feet below sea level. It was 38 degrees when we departed Pine Valley and 75 degrees when we arrived.

The day was marked by comfortable tailwinds, very uncomfortable roads and a dozen flat tires. The group was plagued by flats, mostly because of pinched tires on the very rough roads. I had four. One of our members asked me when was the last time I have four flat tires. I responded that I haven't had four flats in the last 8 years! The very remarkable thing I will never forget was the road between Ocotillo and Seeley. It is "Old Highway 80", a frontage road paralleling I-8. We had a 25 mph tailwind, which normally I would cherish and pedal as fast as I could. On this road I actually travelled several miles without pedalling a single stroke. That road was so rough and pot-holed that I didn't want to go any faster that the wind would push me. 

The distance was 75 miles, with three very steep climbs, but many miles of descending turns down to the Imperial Valley where we are tonight. Long day, but exhilerating! I'm running out of spare tubes. I am considering converting back to "tubeless" which I have used for the previous four years on this bicycle with minimal flat tire frustrations. (The tour organizer recommended tubed tires.) 

 We passed by miles and miles of the "Border Wall" today. It's impressive to see it in person.

At one point there was a barrier across the road. We had to walk across and lift our bikes over it, to continue on.