A year later, I continue my ride along Route 66. But this time I know what to expect. I left Pasadena and drove to Amboy, where we spent the evening under a beautiful desert sky. The weather was warm, no surprise since it was September. It had been raining recently and the small streams were still damp in spots. I watched the stars as I fell asleep.
Morning dawned too early but the weather was lovely. It's going to be hot today, so we headed to Roy's for breakfast hoping to get on the road quickly. The omelette and coffee were good. Food for the ride. I got the bicycle setup, repacked the pannier and hit the road. I love riding through the desert, the stark landscape, few cars and time to think. The pavement was reasonable, better than the stretch between Ludlow and Amboy. I tried to stay off the roughest parts to avoid being jarred to death.
I passed several abandonded gas stations and cafes. Signs of the past when this road was well traveled. Now I just saw the occasional house or trailer and signs offering desert real estate for sale. Could I live out here? I love the road but I'm not certain I could handle the isolation.
As I passed the turn-off for Kelso Dunes I spied the trailer owned by a couple I had talked with during the Death Race. After I had my i.v. to combat the dehydration I had suffered, we stopped to chat and use their portapotty. (Funny how the body promptly gets rid of the fluid you receive when you get an i.v.) I didn't see any signs that they were around or I would have stopped for a chat. The memories of that race came back and the thought of suffering dehydration again slowed me down. That was an experience that I never want to have again!
The day was heating up quickly. My water was rapidly disappearing. Paul was driving my truck as a SAG. I was wondering where he was because I wanted to fill my water bottles. I heard the beep of the horn and he shot past. "He'll stop", I thought. Nope, he kept going. Arggg.
The road climbed up the alluvial fan. The grade adjusting itself to the underlying terrain, unlike our modern roads. The climb wasn't too bad but in the desert I find the grades are deceiving. You're pedaling hard and hardly moving at all. You think you're just tired but in fact the ground is sloping. As I reached the summit I saw my truck parked off the road. Good thing, as I'd finished my water on the way up.
It was still early, around 10 a.m. but it was hot and I was feeling the effort of riding. My head felt a bit light. I was concerned. I drank some gatorade and rested in the shade. It was flatter now that we had reached the summit. I'd ride on and see how I felt.
Outside of Essex, Paul had pulled off the road. Time to pack up and drive to Oatman for the Burro Biscuit Toss, the reason I was back out in this part of the country to begin with. I'll have to come back and finish this ride across California. I know there are people who would have ridden the whole distance in a couple of days, but I'm not one of them.
Next trip, Essex to Needles.
Route 66 Page
Route 66, Part 1 Pasadena to Amboy, California (March, 1997)
Route 66, Part 2 Arizona (September, 1997)