Day 3, Monday, 3/9/15: Live Oak Springs, CA to Calexico, CA – 62 miles, 1155
ft of elevation gain
Today was a day of extremes:
The weather: Blessed
with our third straight day without a cloud in the sky, I woke up at 5:45 in
Alpine (We camped two nights in a row in Alpine leaving our bikes in Live Oak
Springs at the end of our ride yesterday.) with a temperature of 37º F. 62 miles later, we completed our ride in
Calexico at 88º F. A 51-degree temperature change in one day is HUGE.
Elevation: During
the first 15 miles we biked to the highest elevation thus far on the trip,
about 4100ft. In the next 7-mile stretch, biking again on Interstate 8, we
descended 3400 feet. I averaged close to 30 mph over this 7-mile stretch
hitting 35 mph several times. When I reached Calexico, the welcome sign stated a
population of 32,000 people at an elevation of -1 foot below sea level.
Geography: The
first 15 miles we biked in the mountains, the next 7 miles we went down out of
the mountains to the Yuha Desert. 35 miles through the desert and we hit the
irrigated Imperial Valley, an extremely rich agricultural area.
Tonight we are sleeping in the gym at the Calexico Mission
School literally across the street from the Mexican border. Tomorrow we leave CA and enter Yuma, AZ.
Here are few pictures from the day.
The last uphill climb for many days to come.
Our tax dollars at work. The border fence (the black line behind the drones) with drones in the front used to patrol the border.
The beginning of the 7 miles down hill descent.
While riding 35 mph as I headed down hill. Luckily I didn't need to us the runaway truck ramp.
Wind farm at the bottom on the 7 miles descent on Yuha Desert.
Memorable moment: Stopping in the Yuha Desert and having no
traffic on the road. It was totally still and completely quiet. Just the desert and me.
Make it a great day.
John
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