San Diego to Dog Beach and back
9/9/17
This is the ride out to the beach to dip our front wheel into the Pacific Ocean. However, there was a hundred yards of sand to cross and we decided the wheel dip would have to be symbolic. No way we were going to wheel the bikes through that much sand!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 12:55; end: 14:23; avg:12.6; max: 22.1; climb: 141; miles: 10.7
SUNNY; wind: W 10; start  temp: 79; min: 66; avg: 84; max: 91; end: 84
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1970240364

Julian to El Centro
9/11/17
At the start of the ride we rode from the pines at over 4000 ft to the spines (cactus) at under 1000 ft in the first 20 miles. We continued to descend with a few bumps along the way, giving us over 1400 ft of climbing. With the avg temperature for the ride at just under 100 degrees, everyone suffered in the heat, myself included. However I suffered less than most meaning no cramping during the ride. I just found the heat to be ultra oppressive with a hot wind and ultra hot temperature to ride some 60 miles out of the 86 we did in a high level of heat. As they say, it is dry heat but at some point it is just as dangerous as heat and humidity! Between Julian where we started at El Centro where we finished we passed through Ocotillo Wells and Plaster City - not much out there - just Ocotillo cactus and cholla cactus and those towns in name only as hardly anyone lives there.  
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 8:14; end: 15:28; avg:15.9; max: 43.3; climb: 1496; miles: 86.83
SUNNY; wind: S 15; start  temp: 73; min: 68; avg: 99; max: 117; end: 111
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1972540402

Blythe CA to Wickenburg AZ
9/13/17
Day 4 of the Pac Tour Southern: we left California this morning and headed for Wickenburg AZ, 116 miles from Blythe. We climbed over 2 mountain ranges, each followed by very nice downhill runs. Sometimes we had a headwind or crosswind. But for the downhill, we had some strong tailwind! There was 3400 ft of climbing in total but it wasn't that easy. The temperature topped at 115. But thanks to some cooler air toward the end, and cloud shade at times, conditions improved. It was still 95 at the end but I felt better by then than I had the previous 2 days.
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 6:39; end: 15:54; avg:16; max: 34.6; climb: 3425; miles: 116.42
SUNNY; wind: N 4; start  temp: 70; min: 70; avg: 98; max: 115; end: 95
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1976425200

Cottonwood to Winslow
9/15/17
Day 6, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: Cottonwood to Winslow - the ride started with miles of climbing accompanied by fierce crosswind and headwind and gradients as high as 10%! After the long stretch of climbing there were several stretches of steep intermittent climbs with intervening descents. Finally, in our last 30 miles, we had nearly continuous descending with most of the gradient in the 1 to 2% range and a strong tailwind! We cruised for miles at 30+ mph. It was a fantastic way to end a long climbing day!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 6:48; end: 16:44; avg:14.2; max: 44; climb: 7152; miles: 116.89
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: SW 5-20; start  temp: 61; min: 52; avg: 73; max: 90; end: 77
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1979505522

Springerville AZ to Socorro NM
9/17/17
Day 8, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: This was slated to be a very tough day as the distance to be cycled was 155 miles! This called for leaving early, keeping the breaks short, and picking up the pace. So James and I were on the road about 45 min earlier than usual. I rode solo as James was nursing a sore knee. There were 5 sag stops, a lunch stop, the state line, Continental Divide, the Very Large Array, and highest elevation for the entire trip. These were all the places I stopped plus a couple random photo ops. I kept the stops very short to make sure I made the various time cutoffs. The very high desert scenery out there was beautiful - yellow and violet wild flowers were blooming as we maintained elevation above 7000 feet for most of the ride. The starting temp was low 40s, dipping into the upper 30s early on. It stayed cool all day with the usual assortment of headwind, crosswind, and tailwind. It even rained in Socorro just before I got there. So, a long day done successfully. Looking forward to a shorter day tomorrow!  
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 6:04; end: 16:17; avg:17.4; max: 42.9; climb: 4190; miles: 154.75
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: S 3-20; start  temp: 41; min: 37; avg: 71; max: 95; end: 79
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1984029627
 
 

Ruidoso to Roswell
9/19/17
Day 10, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: Today was what I would call a recovery day. Leaving Ruidoso, we had some steep climbs (as steep as 12%) and very fast descents but with significant crosswind, until mile 24. After that, the road turned east and we had an incredible tailwind as the road trended downhill, eventually dropping 3500 ft. I rode for long stretches at over 40 mph - fast enough to fly down one side of a roller, bottom out, and without pedalling, coast up the next hill and over with 20 mph still showing on the Garmin. What an amazing day! After 47 miles, we had some easy climbs as the road began to shift to a southeasterly direction, giving us more of a crosswind but we were still able to use that to advantage. As we came into Roswell, we enjoyed smooth pavement all the way to our hotel. So, 97 miles, 3000 ft of climbing, a good avg speed. We didn't work very hard on this one, so definitely a recovery ride!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 8:18; end: 15:23; avg:17.9; max: 45.5; climb: 2979; miles: 97.25
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: W 15-25; start  temp: 63; min: 59; avg: 87; max: 106; end: 99
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1987448882

Clovis NM to Amarillo TX
9/21/17
Day 12, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: Back in Texas at mile 8, we arrived in Amarillo after nearly 111 miles and the highest avg of the trip so far - 20.8 mph. We had an awesome tailwind allowing us to cruise at anywhere from 22 to 32 mph for the most part. Today I topped 10000 miles for the year, over 1600 miles for the month so far, 58000 ft of climbing for the month, and 256000 ft of climbing for the year so far. Today was the easiest day of the tour - our vacation within a riding vacation! We followed US 60 which in turn followed a busy railway line - freight trains galore in each direction. We travelled through Hereford Texas, self proclaimed as the beef capital of the US (if not the world) and as evidence we saw feed lots alongside the road with hundreds of cattle being fattened up (fortunately we were upwind!). There were enormous grain elevators along the road and in the towns we passed through - all I would say are the epitome of agraian Texas - ranches and support in terms of hay and grains. However, the predominant smell was of cow manure, not hay or grains just as in some parts of Texas the smell hanging in the air is oil! Either way, it becomes obvious what the regional industry is all about. It was hot, too, above average for this time of year but not nearly as bothersome as the heat of southeastern California or western Arizona. Or, maybe I'm just getting used to the heat. In any case, hope the heat moderates in the coming days. There is much more to look forward to during this epic ride as we still have 15 days left - looking forward to it!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 8:11; end: 14:56; avg:20.8; max: 37.8; climb: 974; miles: 110.86
SUNNY; wind: SW 10-25; start  temp: 66; min: 66; avg: 91; max: 102; end: 97
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1990928943

Quote from square_corners on Sep 22^nd, 2017, 9:49pm:

 
Daniel, Doug hasn't made any posts. How's he doing?

I was doing more or less fine (picked up a tonne of KOMs too)  until my numbers crashed in Roswell and I had to go home and have a marrow biopsy ..    I'll get the results next week and rejoin the tour as soon as I can (presuming I'm back to normal numbers wise and theyv'e been going up since I came down out of the mountains)  
 
  Quote from jayg on Sep 23^rd, 2017, 8:44am:

Quote from MrWizard on Sep 24^th, 2017, 9:44pm:

 
Hope you get some good news and can continue on the tour, Doug. Key told us today he had heard from you via a PM.

I second that regarding Doug - he has been missed! I didn't post anything about Doug as I felt it needed to come from him. Glad he's on here and giving the scoop!

Purcell to McAlester
9/25/17
Day 16, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: same as yesterday - In the last 5 days, we've had net elevation loss of over 3000 ft. Yet today, we climbed 4100 ft with a net loss of 239 ft in 113 miles. We never noticed the net loss - it all felt like climbing. The nature of the climbing was a continuation of yesterday's - rollers. Today's were easier than yesterday's. Our south wind was less strong, as well. The trees are very numerous now - much of what we saw was thick forest of hardwoods - not much in the way of open land in non-populated areas. This shift from treeless plains to forests took place in a relatively short stretch - 3 days, 300 miles. We are now in the part of Oklahoma influenced by the Gulf of Mexico. We are essentially straight north of Dallas, as well. Humidity is up and the trees and grasses look well watered. Tomorrow will be the most challenging day since Ruidoso - probably more challenging than that day!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 7:39; end: 16:29; avg:15.2; max: 34.3; climb: 4147; miles: 113.46
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: SSE 6-14; start temp: 68; min: 64; avg: 82; max: 104; end: 84
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1999018588

Queen Wilhelmena Lodge to Arkadelphia
9/27/17
Day 18, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: A day after the toughest day of the tour, I was somewhat wasted. My 'get up and go done got up and went.' I got it done today but with none of the usual flair. All the climbs were an ordeal and we had plenty of tough ones, 3 or 4 of them again reaching that ignominious 11%! That level of steepness is getting old. On the bright side, there was rain in the area today, but not on us. For the second time on the tour, it rained on the fast guys. One of them said we should have been either faster or slower. James was grinning from ear to ear as we speculated that it rained on the fast guys! Beautiful morning in the mountains today and not chilly. We had probably a dozen climbs after leaving the hotel before the long descent into Mena. Then it flattened out for awhile before more mountainous adventures took place, adventures being those ridiculous climbs. Fortunately, there was no significant wind. Scenery was nice but it was mostly close in forest on either side of the road. We passed some logging operations in the hardwood forest and a logging truck being loaded. But no full logging trucks passed us - only empty ones. Again, not much in the way of photos - a few in the mountains is about it. Very glad it was just around 100 miles today, not bloody 118!  
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 7:47; end: 15:58; avg:15.3; max: 39.5; climb: 3888; miles: 99.52
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: W 5; start  temp: 66; min: 61; avg: 80; max: 106; end: 90
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2008780619
This morning the Garmin decided to switch to Indoor Training, without telling me. I got 1.6 miles down the road when I noticed the mileage was not recording. I stopped the Garmin, noticed "Indoor Training" and switched it back to "Race" - restarted the Garmin and all was well, but that kind of thing is very annoying. The Garmin will switch screens with no apparent input from me. Hate that.

I've ridden across Missouri back in 1999 - roller after roller, at least 10% and the weather so hot the tarmac was melting making our tires stick to the pavement That didn't improve our ability to get up those hills! Each day in Missouri was misery, about 130 miles each day and 8000+ feet of climbing each day as well!

Quote from square_corners on Sep 28^th, 2017, 5:53pm:

 
When I rode coast to coast across Missouri, We had 22 rollers in one day and they were too far apart to get any kind of rhythm.

Monticello AR to Indianola MS
9/29/17
Day 20, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: On paper, it looked like an easy day. Practically no climbing, 108 miles. Reality: a mother of a headwind - changed everything! Highlight: crossed the Mississippi River! The bridge accounted for a third of our climbing for the day. We left the forest in Arkansas by the first 15 miles. After that, it was all agricultural land, flat as a pancake. The only crop was cotton. We had about 45 miles of that when we reached the Mississippi River levy and saw the bridge for the first time. It's a new bridge with a nice wide bike lane on either side. We took photos from the bridge, then descended into Mississippi (no state sign). Most of our roads in SE Arkansas were exceedingly rough - kind of like riding a rumble strip - terrible. Mississippi was no better - unbelievably rough roads and by then the headwind was stronger as well. Still in cotton country - wide open flat land with nothing to break the wind! Didn't seem like we'd ever finish as we were cruising at 12 to 15 mph for much of it. Cruising is not the right word - clawing our way forward is more descriptive of out effort. We did of course finally reach Indianola, our destination with 108.4 mles, a 14.8 avg, and 600 ft of climbing!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 8:14; end: 17:17; avg:14.8; max: 23.5; climb: 656; miles: 108.42
SUNNY; wind: NE 10-20; start  temp: 66; min: 61; avg: 80; max: 102; end: 78
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2017505495

Kosciusko MS to Livingston AL
10/1/17
Day 22, Pac Tour Southern Transcon: Today was our 6th longest day and 6th highest climbing total for the trip. (The second longest day will be tomorrow.) We did nearly 115 miles today with nearly 5200 ft of climbing. At mile 102, we crossed into Alabama. This is a new state for me in terms of cycling. I'd been to Alabama before but had never cycled in the state, before. This brings my "cycled in" state count to 38. There was no "state line sign" welcoming us to Alabama nor even an indication we were passing into a new state. The only give away was that we were told the road would become rougher, and it did! Shortly after, though, we turned onto another road which was nice and smooth. There was no difference in foliage - pine forest rules in each state!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 7:43; end: 15:41; avg:14.3; max: 34; climb: 5194; miles: 114.81
SUNNY; wind: SE 10-15; start  temp: 63; min: 61; avg: 76; max: 100; end: 75
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2030097109

Headwinds?   i didn't notice    
 
i did find some hills though    
 
Just remember, if its flat, or easy, it wouldn't be pactour  
 
 
Quote from square_corners on Oct 2^nd, 2017, 9:35pm:

Eufala AL to Cordele GA
10/4/17
DAY 25, EUFALA AL TO CORDELE GA, PAC TOUR SOUTHERN TRANSCON: This was another day of strong east wind. It was a 12 mph forecast wind but the flags were stretched out taut! 12 my behind! It was more like 24! There were some beautiful views in Georgia and I didn't hesitate to stop and take pictures. The distance was 116 miles, 3900 ft of climbing. Most of the climbing was done by mile 82 (lunch) so then it was just the headwind and that was enough.
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 7:13; end: 17:19; avg:13.6; max: 34.4; climb: 3937; miles: 116.15
PARTLY CLOUDY; wind: NE 3-18; start  temp: 63; min: 61; avg: 76; max: 91; end: 73
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2044993987

We went right through Vidalia on the way to Metter. That's where we turned off of US 280 onto a quieter road for the remaining miles to Metter!

I know those roads very well. I would not like riding a bike along there with all the logging trucks. Are you going to end up around Savannah, GA? That is where I went to high school and college. Very neat city.

PAC TOUR SOUTHERN TRANSCON, METTER GA TO TYBEE ISLAND GA, DAY 27 (the finale!): I've had a saddle sore since the Texas Panhandle. Part of me thought of nothing else than this last day - an end to the agony. Fortunately there is so much more positive to completing a tour like this than what in the final analysis amounts to minor discomfort. This was a great trip! The people and crew on the trip make it great as does the organization and highlights of the passing scenery. It was challenging and yet satisfying! We left Metter long after the other riders had left. We thought, no problem, we always catch some of the riders. Today, with 24 miles to the first sag, I had a flat at mile 23, my 4th of the trip. By the time we got to the sag, she was closing shop. No one else was around. We needed to be at the next sag, 18 miles away, by 10:00. With our initial slow pace and late arrival, there was no way we'd make that time. Arrived at sag 2 at 10:30 expecting no one to be there. But there they were! Needed to be at lunch, 16 miles down the road by 11:30. I thought, no way, that's possible. We made it despite what felt like a massive headwind! It was 11:29:30. We had made up loads of time! But there was still work to do. We had to be at mile 82 by 1:15 PM and we had to get through Savannah with all those traffic lights. I thought, no chance. But we made many of the lights on green and skirted long lines of waiting cars by splitting the lane between them and the parked cars. After awhile we reached the causeway which starts with a 7.3% climb across a channel to a barrier island and a very strong headwind. Finally, we saw riders ahead and knew we would make it. About then, it started to rain. We got wet but it didn't matter. The coolness was refreshing. Finally we made the regroup point after a somewhat harrowing ride on the causeway with car after car whizzing by. We all rode as a group to the Tybee Island Beach where we trekked across the sand and dipped our wheels and enjoyed the warm water swirling around our ankles. Day was done and trip was done! Today, 86 miles and 900 ft of climbing!  Total trip mileage was 2910; total trip climbing was 103006 ft. I rode every mile and climbed every climb!
BIKE: Neuvation road bike; start time: 7:30; end: 14:03; avg:15.9; max: 25.8; climb: 922; miles: 86.07
PARTLY CLOUDY with rain shower near end; wind: NE 8-12; start  temp: 61; min: 61; avg: 74; max: 87; end: 86
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2053720038

Congratulations on an epic ride with a year's worth of mileage!  And thanks for "taking us along."