Prologue - Day 5

Well it looks like we are forced to make some serious changes to the plans we had for this trip. I was hoping to head out in the morning for the beginning of our trip east. As we came through southern Arizona yesterday, we realized just how hot it really is. The weather forecast for the southwest is daily highs of up to 110 and nighttime lows of 79ish for the next two weeks and who knows how much longer. I just heard today that Arizona will likely break heat records again this year. I thought I could start early in the mornings and get my miles in by 11:00 and then call it a day. However, by 9:00 the temp will usually by up to 90. There is really no way to ride in that kind of heat. If I were 50, I might say I could plow through the heat. If I were 40, I would suck it up and head out. If I were 30, I would believe I was invincible. However, as I look in the mirror, I see a 68 year old man and realize that it is probably a bad idea to try anything like that now. So we are scrapping the cross country trip and trying to figure out how we can still have a good trip and create another meaningful experience. The problem is that it gets really hot when you get more than 20 miles inland. We are planning to head out tomorrow for another small coastal town about 3 hours north of San Diego. We may continue heading north and try to get out of the heat sometime.

This change of plan leaves me 1. reminding myself to be happy with what we can do, instead of unhappy with what we can't do. I said, I was reminding myself, not that I am mastering it. 2. Scrambling to figure out what works and doesn't work in terms of seeing things in this part of the world. We would love to hit some National Parks, but they are all more than 20 miles inland and hence super hot. 3. I won't lie, I am disappointed. This trip has been on my mind for the last 5 years. In 2021, we rode the East Coast, which was somewhat of a compromise as there were more traveling and lodging options in comparison to the southwest. So, this is also a dream I need to let go. In reality, it is a small thing compared to dreams others have seen flit away, but it is what it is. 4. I have not been cheated, when it comes to bike touring. We have done more than most, so in this manner, I feel quite fortunate.

I guess the prologue was not really a prologue. I am not sure what to call it but William Shakespeare said, "What's past is prologue." I will rephrase that to say, "What's prologue, is past."

I will keep blogging each day, but it will not be a bike trip, but it will be another kind of trip.

This morning we pulled our bikes out of the trailer and rode some of the trails in the city. We found a coffee shop and had some drinks and a delicious bacon burrito. After the pitstop, we headed back along the water front. We enjoyed the ride but were ready for the coolness of our hotel, showers and a nap.

Thus ends to prologue to our past.Read more