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Day 3: Warner Springs to Palm Desert, 100 miles
Seasoned cyclists say “rollers,” “risers,” or “false flats.” Call ’em what you will, they
all spell “huge, painful hill” to me. Today, we had a choice between a relatively flat,
100-mile route or a 66-mile route with a 20-mile “gentle climb.” I chose the longer ride
to avoid any “false flats.”
I had completed a century ride only once before, and set out solo to get a head start on
the many miles ahead. Along the route, I caught up to the “Michigan ladies,” Pam Flint of
Newaygo and Ginny Dewey of Grand Rapids, 40-something friends who discovered the tour on
the Internet and were eager to give it a shot. With two tours in Michigan under their
belts, neither had anticipated such hilly terrain. Each day, they set out at least one
hour before the group in order to arrive by nightfall.
I also caught up with Nathan Shapiro, 52, an Atlanta periodontist. Although this was his
first AYH tour, he had completed bike tours in 50 states over the past decade. Nathan also
left early each day and stopped frequently. We agreed that this was a group of
athletes-in-training, not casual folks who liked to poke along and stop often.
Lesson #6: Watch Where You Sit When You Take a Desert Pit Stop
I had a thorny introduction to Anza Borrego, California’s largest state park, when I
seriously misjudged a cactus during a pit stop. Soon the spectacular, lunar-like landscape
distracted me from my pain. This portion of the ride was the most fantastic, with its
funky rock formations and winding 12-mile descent into the desert. The pack whooshed by me
at breakneck speed. I felt grateful to be solo—free to gaze, take pictures, and stop
when I wanted.
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Gear List |
- Ear plugs: Best to block out snoring of fellow cyclists.
- Eye shade: Catch a nap when you need it.
- Dietary supplements: You may want to stock up on items that are scarce in
small towns, such as energy drink, vitamins, herbal teas, etc.
- Book, cards, journal: If you find time between cycling, setting up camp,
showering, and eating.
- Cell phone: Often out of range but can be useful in those one-phone towns.
- Hydration device: Many riders were struck by the dry, desert-winter air. Have
at least two waterbottle cages on your bike and consider using a backpack
hydration system as several riders did.
- Triple chainrings (for extra-low gearing): This was a lifesaver for me in the
hills.
- Dress in layers: I found arm and leg warmers extremely valuable. You can put
them on or take them off quickly and they fit easily in a jersey pocket.
- Disposable camera, extra cash
- Saddle-sore gel!
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—K.K.
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Lesson #7: On a Tour, Snap As Many Photos As You Like
After the splendor of the desert, the century dragged. I pedaled alone for 20-some miles
pondering the pros and cons of riding solo versus with the pack. I didn’t hesitate to join
a group of seven riders with whom I spent the rest of the day. Turned out to be nine hours
in the saddle by the time I pulled in, totally beat, at 5 p.m. Riding with my group had
given me the energy to make it.
Lesson #8: An Occasional Hotel Can Be Refreshing
When I discovered that our facility that night, a church in Palm Desert, did not have
showers, I quickly hatched a plot. I would take the courtesy shuttle to a hotel for
showers, and I would spend the night at the hotel rather than shuttling back.
I joined others at the hotel hot tub. What a treat after the 100-mile ride! Then, with a
bit of guilt, I checked into the hotel for the night. I taxied back to the community
center the following morning, feeling refreshed and delighted to discover that others had
indulged in a hotel stay as well.
Day 4: Palm Desert to Hemet, 60.45 miles
This was my strongest day of riding so far. I started with the group in the morning and
stuck with riders all day, especially my friend Bill Clark, a strong rider from the San
Diego Cycling Club who was keeping an eye out for me. Bill kept his word and did not let
me get dropped from the group.
The highlight of the day was the lunch stop in Cabazon, a small town northwest of Palm
Springs along Interstate 10. I was hungry, but I knew I wasn’t hallucinating when I saw a
bright green Tyrannosaurus Rex poking its head off the highway.
We pulled up to admire T. Rex and his neighboring four-story brontosaurus, stretching the
length of a football field. A visit to the brontosaurus belly revealed a wonderful gift
shop. These two beasts, and a smaller one, are the vision of a local artist, Claude Bell,
who set the project in motion in 1964.
With visions of Jurassic Park dancing in my head, I rode happily to Hemet, our destination
for the night. I had hung with the group and felt strong. I walked into the community
center, proud to have finished cycling at 3 p.m. I was dumbfounded by what I saw in the
gymnasium: a game of basketball in full swing, a group bouncing on the trampoline and one
woman performing aerials on the gym mat. Where did these people get this energy? Awed, I
decided to investigate.
Group leader Ralph Elliott filled me in on some details. He had been on the AYH tour for
32 years, and his mother had organized the trip for two decades, ending in 1989. A former
state cycling champion, Ralph told me that our group included world, national, and state
champions in track riding and military competition, as well as a half-dozen riders who had
recently competed in the grueling Paris-Brest-Paris ultramarathon ride in France. Add to
this mix several top-notch marathoners, ultrarunners, a former elite gymnast, and racers
training during the off-season. Suddenly, I felt better about my performance.
Day 5: Hemet to Fallbrook, 55 miles
Lesson #9: Train Seriously Beforehand
The pack rode slowly and stuck together, which was a treat for slower riders like myself
who rarely glimpsed the main group. The group took off before I had finished my tortilla
salad, but no big deal. I looked forward to riding with Manuel Ramirez, 38, of Palo
Alto.
With 50 pounds of gear loaded on his bike, as part of his training for a solo ride to visit
all the California missions, Manuel was not in a hurry and I could keep up for the most
part. Manuel and I had smooth sailing until the final 15 miles to Fallbrook. There was a
relentlessly windy uphill all the way to our facility, which was cruelly placed at Hilltop
Center.
I arrived feeling fairly miserable, but managed to pitch my tent at Fallbrook and hike to
the showers at a neighboring gym. My spirits soared that night, our final eve together,
when a friend nominated me during the awards ceremony for my courage in completing the
ride.
Day 6: Fallbrook to San Diego, 55 miles
When I woke up, I couldn’t breathe and felt nauseous. The flu had nabbed me, but it was
still a tough decision not to ride on our final day. I was saddened as I watched the group
roll out together, but determined to honor my original pact with myself: to preserve my
health at the expense of my ego.
I secured a spot in the back of the support vehicle, which followed the riders’ coastal
route. There were no problems that required stops that morning, so I was back in San Diego
by 11:30 a.m., the first time I had arrived before the pack. I welcomed and congratulated
my friends as they rode in tired but triumphant. I was sorry to have missed the ride, but
knew it was the right decision.
Lesson #10: Don’t Hesitate to Use the Support Vehicle
Would I do it all again? Yes. I would recommend the AYH Christmas Ride for recreational
riders with one major condition: seriously train for this trip. The terrain was hilly and
the pace fast for an average rider like myself. I met wonderful cyclists to ride with, but
it was tough.
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