5-23-09 ~ Today's ride was easier, being as it was only 30 miles from Yucca Valley to 29 Palms and our next connection Mike Mark was friendly and let us take over his living room for the afternoon in order to prepare for our planned night ride. We tried to sleep in the sweltering heat, and managed to get a few hours before a massive spaghetti dinner. We were impressed by a huge bown cloud looming over the mountains that stretched on for miles and was apparently the smoke from brush fires. Mike's family waved goodbye to the team at the end of his driveway, and we headed out into the dark. Traveling on Amboy Road for 51 miles, we were passed by no more than five cars. Other than the lights on our bikes, there was nothing but darkness silence. Our pitstop on Route 66 at Roy's service station provided us with a much needed break and cold sodas. Over the following 41 miles, we fought sleep through conversation and the numbness of bike shoes. The milky way was very clear and we saw many shooting stars as well. Finally arriving in Essex (consisting of a gas station, not a real town) at the break of day at 4:30, we ate what we could before completely crashing in the parking lot. stats: 12 hours of biking, 120 miles, 2 flat tires, 2 bloody noses ~ Dietrich
breakfast: 3 honey buns, fig newtons, 2 hotdogs
Photos:
1. bloody nose 2. Bobby grillmaster 3&4. Amboy pitstop in the middle of the night
5. Mike Mark's house in 29 Palms 6. Yucca Valley 7.Mike Inglish 8. Blue, Mike's dog