Day 2: Dessert or Desert?

El Centro to Blythe

09/09/02

Grupetto:

Notable: Josh and Doreen almost freeze and drown in the desert.

Doreen Note: Momma is VERY happy. We had a great adventure today.

Josh Note: The day began on a real blessing. We were to ride across the most desolate and hot part of the American South West....the Imperial Valley. However, the skys were overcast and there was a little surprise in the air. Heavy and I mean cat killing, gully wash downpours. Parts of the road were under water with torrents of water stopping all traffic. Tiny dry washes became raging rivers. Mrs. "Queen" Doreen was not daunted and was the first to wade across several of the washouts. All in all it was quite the adventure....who would think you could freeze your fanny off and drown in the middle of the desert?

Otherwise this was a recovery day, very flat terrain and only 107 miles. Nice riding with small groups and a really spectacular 30 mph sprint between flooded gullies with Lon on a single speed bike.

Pictures (below)

Imperial Sand Dunes, Meyers (tandem) coming up hill in the dunes, Desert

Police Shut down the road due to flash floods, Doreen in the Dunes, Meyers Looking good baby.

Stopped by rushing waters, Doreen and Lon, Doreen...about to lead the charge....let's get this show on da' road.

Looks Deep, Is deep (Lon), Testing the current....looking for snakes.

Lon, Grupetto, Queen Doreen Stoker Supreme

Lon finds the depth, Trudgin' across the wadi

It really was sort of treacherous...but nothing will stop these guys.

Mrs. Ames playing in the river, Machinery clears debris and PAC tour riders follow.

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