DAY FOUR BLYTHE TO WICKENBURG, AZ

Another difficult day of riding.  Michelle tried to ride today but still experienced pain in her knee.  She's going to head into Flagstaff to see another orthopedist and hopefully get an MRI to see what's going on.  I hope we can get the knee fixed so my biking partner can ride with me.

Today's distance was 116 miles.  At 70 miles in, the heat was getting to me so i made the decision to take a bump to the SAG stop at  the 89 mile point.  I wanted to complete the entire ride but I decided to air on the side of caution.  The 19 mile van ride allowed me to get out of the sun and re-hydrate.  At 89 miles, I jumped back on my bike and completed the final 27 mikes.  I had my third flat tire about 50 yds from the hotel.

On to day five.

Best,

Michael and Michelle

DAY THREE INDIO, CA TO BLYTHE, CA

MICHELLE SAT OUT TODAY TO REST THE KNEE.  SHE'LL BE BACK IN THE SADDLE TOMORROW.  MICHELLE TOOK GREAT CARE OF ME DURING THE SAG STOPS TODAY AS I SLUGGED THROUGH THE 97 MILE DAY.

I'VE NEVER TACKLED ANYTHING SO HARD AS THE RIDE WE DID TODAY.  THE HEADWINDS REACHED 35 - 40 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 100'S AND THE RIDING WAS AT TIMES ON POOR PAVEMENT.

WE RODE MOSTLY ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY (RTE 10E).  I HAD MY FIRST FLAT TIRE TODAY AT MILE 33. 

BEST REGARDS,

MICHAEL AND MICHELLE

DAY TWO AND DAY THREE

DAY TWO:  RIVERSIDE, CA TO INDIO, CA

A VERY TOUGH DAY.  MICHELLE WAS UNABLE TO RIDE TODAY BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH HER KNEE.  MICHELLE WAS ABLE TO GET IN TO SEE AN ORTHOPEDIST AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, FOLLOWING A CORTAZONE INJECTION, SHE'LL BE BACK IN THE SADDLE AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF REST.

I RODE THE 93 MILES, MUCH OF WHICH WAS INTO A STRONG (25+ mph) HEADWIND.  EVEN WITH THE STRONG HEADWIND, I WAS ABLE HOLD JUST SHY OF A 15 MPH PACE.

ON TO DAY 3

BEST,

MICHAEL AND MICHELLE

DAY ONE LOS ANGELES TO RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA

Day one is now behind us; only 45 to go.  Today we pedaled 85 miles much of it into a strong head wind.  With some short SAG stops it took us about 6 hours to complete the distance.

Tomorrow is another day of similar length but we're heading into the desert where temperatures are expected to be around 110 degrees.  We'll be wearing our hydration packs (thanks Condy) and special white leg and arm coolers.  Our water bottles will be filled with water and frozen tonight.  The hydration packs will be used to hydrate us and our water bottles will be used to cool our bodies.

I've heard the first week is the toughest.  It will be nice to get over the mountains and through the desert,

On to day two.

Best Regards,

Michael & Michelle

We've had a great time in Santa Monica meeting up with family and friends prior to the start of the Tour.

Mimi and Ted were kind enough to pick us up at the airport and shuttle us to dinner and our hotel.  They gave us some goodies that will come in handy on the ride; cooling towels like the one I used in the Boston Marathon 3 years ago when temperatures reached 90 degrees.  We wish you guys could meet us in Boston!

Dr. Mike's (and our) friend Colin Morawski (pictured with Michelle and me) met us for a drink and dinner (at Blue plate Taco).  It was great to catch up and hear about his impressive sub 12 hour Ironman run in New Zealand.  I decided Colin should quit his job and become a professional; I guarantee he would win his age group. 

Our friends Sue and Kim that we met on the BackRoad Crotia trip.  They announced their new position as our surrogate daughters.  Now we need to find them husbands and get them off the payroll.  Interested, unattached gentlemen should contact me to arrange a date with these beauties.
It was great catching up and thinking about our next bike trip.

Off shortly to meet the Tour family.  We start pedaling early tomorrow morning!

Best,

Michael and Michelle

ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES

 The weather in LA is beautiful but temperatures in the Valley are forecast to be in the 100's this weekend.

We finally get to meet our biking family on Saturday.  Sunday we dip our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean and start heading East.  We can't wait to get the show on the road.

Best,

Michael & Michelle

Pictures from Manhattan Beach, where we dipped our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean and headed East

May 3 / 4


Just three more days until we depart for Los Angeles.  We dip our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean one week from today and start pedaling East. We're excited and anxious; ready to get the trip started.

We had a send-off party tonight.  We were honored to have our family and dear friends join us for a drink before we depart.  We so appreciate their kind words of support and encouragement.

We feel so fortunate to have found Carlos Restrepo of PODIUM CYCLING.  Carlos has pushed us, encouraged us and strengthened us.  Carlos and our friend and trainer Tom Holland of TEAM HOLLAND have us well prepared for this incredible challenge.  We wish you guys could join us!

Thank you to all who have supported our trip with donations to Team Continuum / Future 5 and those that have supported us in so many other ways.

Michelle and Michael


https://www.teamcontinuum.net/support_the_cause/fundrasing_page/86936

www.futurefive.org/donate-now/