Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Day 4: Palo Verde to Salome, Arizona 83 miles

Today we completed our first state as we crossed the Colorado River from California into Arizona.
Because of the spring rains, the desert is in full bloom with poppies and cacti blooms.
This area is so desolate that the only paved road is an interstate highway, I-10, and so we rode along the wide shoulder dodging pieces of old tires for 25 miles.
We stopped at Quartzsite for lunch which consisted of mostly desserts.
Today's ride ended with a nice downhill run into Salome, Arizona. Dinner was at the local ice cream and burrito shop. Of course we ended the day with another dessert.

I gave up sweets and in a month I lost 10 pounds.... and my will to live! - Quote from Quartzsite Bakery and Pastry Parlor.
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6 comments:

  1. John B.March 24, 2010 at 9:20 PM

    Reminds me of the Rodney Atkins song:

    I gave up smoking, women and drinking last night
    It was the worst fifteen minutes of my life

    Love that jersey.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EvieMarch 25, 2010 at 4:36 AM

    Yum...sweets.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaxannaMarch 25, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    Oh- I love MEXICAN FOOD. Did they have great burritos. And love the wild flowers. What a great time to be riding across the desert:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Becky, Jon and Madeline SchneiderMarch 25, 2010 at 5:12 AM

    I love how you end every post with a quote. :) This quote is especially fun, and true! I also like how John B quoted a country song. Niiice (as my daughter would say)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMarch 25, 2010 at 4:52 PM

    Congratulations on checking one state off of the list! I love that the Quartzite bakery was ALSO a pastry parlor...much more decadent that way :).

    Happy rolling!

    ReplyDelete
  6. DonMarch 25, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    Congrats on crossing the Colorado. I think the next major drainage river is the Mississippi. Keep your heads down and your pedals moving.

    ReplyDelete

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