Snoring stopped at SIX AM

Snoring stopped at SIX A.M. this morning zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz went to geeeezzzzzzz…… because today was a century ride, 100 miles through death valley – Barstow to Kelso. The first challenge was getting the riders ready and on the road by nine a.m., and I would like to brag a little and say R4WH hit historic route 66 at 8:45, way to go TEAM! By now, you may be wondering what historic route 66 really entails…has it been repaved? Does it have a nice shoulder with a clear line marked for bikers? Nope, but as a driver of the lead van, I have to say there were lots of smiling faces under a death valley sun for the first down ward sloping thirty miles. We also had some great scenery – lots of long trains winding through the vast array of dirt and shrubs with various mountain tops as a backdrop. Although we were warned that today would be remote, at the first rest stop, we were still able to count the number of cars that passed on one hand. Before lunch, Leah and Kristen, were busy with the cargo van doing a health fair at Barstow community college. They had a great time with fun facts and also had some donations! At about 12 p.m., riders made it up a gigantic climb – one of those I can see it all the way to the top and why am I not there….ughhhhhhhhhhhhh…. sort of painful ascents - and ate some lunch. We made TUNA – the right way with relish, mayo, and wheat bread. I am pretty certain the tuna fueled a new sort of cadence as riders pulled out around 1:30 p.m for the last 55 miles. But the sun hit hard, faces started getting a bit to fire-truck red and we had another pit stop 15 miles later. A pit stop really means power bars pulled, water-bottles filled, and sunscreens lathered. We are starting to learn the routine and riders are really getting stronger (seriously). At the end, we had long stretches through the desert with a gradual incline. We managed to do a moving water bottle fill next to Ryan Walsh – a bit advanced for our taste, but we decided we are getting that good J Tonight, we are staying at a place called Hole in the Wall campground. The desert air is brisk, but our stomachs have been fed again, with some grilled burgers and boiled beans. We might just sleep like rocks tonight. The tents have been set up and the manly men built a fire roaring fire which will soon produce some SMORES ! I am so impressed with the dedication and commitment riders took today to finish the ride. We are all VERY proud of each other. Thank you for reading. We really love your support and prayers. So far, soooooooooooooo good!

Day Highlights:

1) Ryan Walsh rode with a butterfly for part of the ride.

2) The support crew also made a quick stop at a historic dairy queen on the route….yummy.

3) We passed a tree littered with shoes…near Joshua Tree National Park.

4) High Temperatures caused a water shortage at the end – thanks to the vans and a spicket at the campground, riders finished relatively hydrated.

5) Riders avoided wandering Bulls upon our entrance into Hole in the Wall campground.

-Rachael