Day 6: Headwinds and Happy Endings

What a day! We officially wrapped up our first full week of riding with Day #6, a 76-mile trek from Casa Grande to Tucson. It was a journey that showcased some of the most stunning scenery Arizona has to offer but also gave us a real challenge to chew on.

A Battle with the Breeze

The route took us directly southeast, offering incredible views of Picacho Peak and a parade of other beautiful mountain vistas. The roads were generally in great shape, making for smooth pedaling, and we captured a ton of photos of the iconic desert landscape framed by those majestic mountain ranges.

However, the desert had one tough curveball for us: a persistent, strong headwind. For most of the ride, we were battling a 15+ MPH wind straight into our faces. This was genuinely tough and really slowed down our pace. It was a true test of grit and teamwork, reminding us that on a cross-country ride, you have to be ready for the elements to dictate the day's difficulty.

Tucson's Treasures

A major highlight was the last 22 miles, which we spent on the fantastic bike paths in the Tucson area. What an incredible community resource! We were able to slow our pace, relax, and truly enjoy the sights. It was the perfect way to transition from the open road into the city. We even took a brief moment to refuel at a Circle K before the final push to the hotel.

Celebrating the First Week

Crossing the finish line into Tucson felt amazing! We celebrated the completion of our first week—and the start of our much-deserved rest day tomorrow—in the best way possible: with treats from the DQ right across the street from the hotel! Nothing beats an ice cream celebration after a week of hard work.

We’re taking Saturday to rest, do some laundry/run errands, and recharge. When we get back on the bikes, we’ll be starting the next major chapter of Project 2950; 8 consecutive days of riding that will move us out of Arizona, through New Mexico, and finally into Texas!

Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for following our journey! We appreciate all the support as we keep pushing east!

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Mileage and Climbing for the Week

Adam, RJB, Alex, Rich, Jim and George

Day 5: Desert Beauty to Desert Battle

Today, we punched the clock on 72 miles of riding, taking us from Gila Bend to Casa Grande, Arizona. This leg of Project 2950 was a perfect example of how quickly conditions can change on a cross-country trek—we had a beautiful start and a bit of a challenging finish.

A Brilliant Desert Morning

The morning was spectacular. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome change after the heat we felt yesterday. We enjoyed a gentle, steady climb into the stunning Sonoran Desert National Monument. This area immediately changed the scenery for us, offering our first immersive experience with the quintessential Arizona landscape: dense Saguaro Cactus forests stretching out across the hills. The perfect temperatures made the riding effortless and truly enjoyable.

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The Mid-Day Slog

Unfortunately, the post-lunch ride was a different story.

We stopped for a much-needed refueling break at the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, and let me tell you, that warm food was an absolute lifesaver. Warm food always beats the alternative when you're riding, and it really hit the spot before the final push.

As we headed east toward Casa Grande, both the pavement and the weather turned against us. A light, but persistent, rain began to fall—just enough to be pesky and make the roads slick. Adding to the challenge was a series of significant headwinds that turned the final stretch into a bit of a slog.

Despite the wet pavement, everyone made it into Casa Grande safely, which is always the most important piece of good news at the end of the day.

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Onward to the Rest Day

We're all looking forward to the next leg. Tomorrow, it’s a 75-mile ride to Tucson, which will be a huge milestone as it leads us directly into our first rest day! A day off the bike to regroup, refuel, and recharge is well-earned.

Stay tuned for the Tucson update!

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A great "Space Age" Breakfast to Start the Day!

Day 4: Welton to Gila Bend, AZ - Desert Miles and Americana Dreams

Day four was a long haul on the bike, covering the 88 miles between Welton and Gila Bend, Arizona. The heat, as expected, was a major factor—it was a solid 100∘F when we finally rolled into Gila Bend. However, we beat a good portion of the intense desert sun by getting an early start.

The ride itself was spectacular. We pedaled right through the heart of the Sonoran Desert, and the landscape was breathtaking. We grabbed some fantastic photos of the vast desert scenery and even got passed by quite a few long trains cutting across the plains.

Unexpected Encounters

One of the best parts of the day was the continuation of a friendship we made yesterday: Kent. He's a remarkable gentleman, 81 years old and riding self-supported all the way from San Diego to Jacksonville. He joined us for breakfast this morning and again for dinner tonight—it's inspiring to share the road, and a meal, with a rider like him.

Americana Found

As we pulled into Gila Bend, I finally started to see the Americana I've been looking for! Our team is staying at the perfectly named Best Western Space Age Lodge—you really have to check out the retro-futuristic architecture!

Dinner was across the street at Little Italy, which has its own claim to fame; apparently, Prince Harry stopped here in 2011 for a slice when he was in training at a nearby military installation. Naturally, I followed his lead and ordered the Meat Lovers Pizza!

It was an all-around excellent day on the bike. The teammates put in some strong effort, and we feel great as we look ahead to tomorrow.

What's Next?

Tomorrow is slated to be a slightly shorter, and hopefully, easier ride as we head to Casa Grande, AZ, which sits just south of Phoenix. From there, we'll be on the home stretch to Tucson for our first much-needed rest day on Saturday!

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What do you think of the Best Western Space Age Lodge's theme? It's definitely a unique place to rest up! 

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Kent - 81 Years Young and Self-Supporting Coast to Coast!

Check out the link above...pictures do not tell the whole story!

RJB, Prince Harry and Little Italy!

Great Vistas Today!

The Trains Will Blow Their Horn Too!

Day # 3 Enduring the Heat and Crossing into Arizona

 El Centro, CA to Welton, AZ

Another day, another state! Day 3 of Project 2950 saw us conquer 97 tough miles from El Centro, CA, all the way across the desert to Welton, AZ. The heat was our biggest enemy today—it was absolutely relentless, making this stretch a serious endurance challenge.

Crossing into Arizona was a major milestone that gave us a huge psychological boost! Beyond the constant need for water, the ride was smooth: a steady, determined grind. Now, it's time for a meal and serious rest. We're feeling stronger daily and are ready for tomorrow's 87-mile push to Gila Bend, AZ. Bring on the heat! 🔥

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Day 2: From Mountain Chill to Desert Heat

Alpine, CA to El Centro, CA

We knew this day would be a test, and Day Two of Project 2950 certainly delivered a full spectrum of climbs, descents, and extreme temperatures. Starting the morning in a crisp 54∘F in Alpine, we immediately tackled the ascent to Laguna Pass, summiting at 4,100 feet. It was a spectacular, personal record-breaking climb.

What followed was a thrilling, steep drop on Interstate 8 as we plunged down into the desert. We traded mountain vistas for the sunbaked flatlands and spent the afternoon riding near the Mexican border, where the temperature soared to 94∘F. 

Despite the heat, the scenery was incredible. We ended up completing 93.5 tough miles and 4,800 feet of total elevation gain, finishing the ride below sea level before we cruised into El Centro for a much-deserved dinner.

Up Next: We cross the state line! 97 miles tomorrow as we head east into Arizona, finishing up in Welton.

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Day 1: Pacific to Alpine, CA—The Climb Begins

After months of preparation, planning, and travel, we finally dipped the back wheel in the Pacific Ocean and hit the road! The first day of our journey brought us to Alpine, CA, and while the mileage was short, the ride was anything but easy.

We immediately tackled the long, steep climbs through the Laguna Mountains, navigating several small towns along the way. We managed to climb approximately 3,500 feet over 40 miles, making it a challenging but rewarding start.

We rolled into our hotel with plenty of time to spare, allowing for a much-needed break by the pool before dinner this evening. It’s great to be surrounded by the team, and I have found a few new cycling friends hanging close by while riding with some classic rock from my on-board speaker.

Tomorrow promises to be truly EPIC: 94 miles to El Centro, CA, with nearly 5,000 feet of climbing ahead of us. We'll need all the energy we can get!

San Diego to Alpine Pictures

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Back tire in the Pacific - Here We Go!1

"Repping" for UL Cards, #L's Up #L1C4

San Diego, CA - Day Zero - Travel and a Special Birthday!

Travel to San Diego was uneventful for me but unfortunately not so much for my bike which suffered some rough handling in transit and a cracked rear seat stay, putting the bike out of commission. 

Not to worry though, with the amazing help of Trek of Encinitas and transportation from our Cycle of Life Tour team (thanks Darryl!) I was able to get a new bike, transferred my gear and I am ready to roll tomorrow A.M. after taking the new one out for a 5-mile shakedown cruise along the San Diego River pathway.

Later this afternoon, we had our launch meeting, safety briefings and related activities, including getting to know my fellow riders, sharing hometowns, best rides and favorite music/groups, etc.  

The day was capped off by celebrating the birthday of our Tour Guide/Owner/Host Dennis at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. I had the Thai Snapper whole fish entree...spectacular and yummy! 

Tomorrow - Back tire in the #PacificOcean and the journey begins! 

#1 Rule Safety and Don't Do Anything Stupid!

All the gang, plus some spouses supporting too!

Happy Birthday Dennis - Our Fearless Leader!

Thai Snapper - Before Defeat!

New Trek Domane - Ready for Action

Beautiful San Diego! 

Oops...broken seat stay

Headed out from KY

Customer service in action by our AA Pilot!

Arrival in sunny San Diego!