I rode through the desert on a horse with no name la la ;laaa ....

If yesterday was the opening shot in our desert experience today the cycling gods did themselves one better. We went out this morning with full water bottles, full camelbacks, and enough electrolye capsules to supply a small army. Leaving the hotel at 7:15 there was a bit of what passes for cool in Indio but once that sun came up the heat came on quickly. At mile 6 we went onto Interstate 10 and stayed on it for virtually the entire way-there simply is no other way to cross the Mojave Desert. I've been in deserts over the years but always in a car and usually with the A/C going full blast. Sitting on a bike seat fully exposed to the real world is a whole different experience. The heat, the intensity of the sun, the sheer barrenness of everything in sight is incredible. The Interstate is not an ideal bike path but not as bad as one may think. The traffic is constant but not heavy-lots of trucks but a very wide shoulder so we felt comfortable in our own lane. The major problem is avoiding the debris that the trucks leave behind-their re-tread tires have a way of exploding with the combination of high speed and heat. And when they go they leave not only the rubber but all the little bits of wire that are in the tire. These can work their way into the bike tire and destroy the tube. Tom and I were lucky but I'm guessing half the group had flats. And of course you find yourself cruising along at 15 to 20 mph trying to spot every single bit of debris in the path-a real obstacle course. Our big climb for the day was 11 miles and it began at the 0 sea level sign. We spent the day targetting the next sag stops. There were virtually no services along the way-an occasional gas station with a little store, two or three highway rest areas with a drinking fountain and bathrooms. And shade? Forget it-no trees, no buildings, not even the usual highway signs. And where there was shelter in the rest area it brought the temps down to 105 from 110 in the sun. I wish I had a count of how much water and gaterade (sorry Steve but I am brushing a lot) and electrolyte pills I consumed... For the record we did 100.5 miles today at 14.5 mph average, not bad considering...Tomorrow is more of the same but a bit longer and on that note I'm climbing into bed in hopes that I have legs tomorrow....