07 March 2014
Point Loma, California

We’re savoring the salty rims when we realize that even at Happy Hour prices, this second round of Tequila Smashes have done just that to our travel budget. We’ve only been in San Diego for two hours and two drinks and we are already over-budget. I’d say NOW we’re on vacation.

We’re enjoying these afternoon beverages from our stools parked in the sun. The sky is blue, the birds are singing, and we are pleased to be right where we are, with our bike bits next door where they will be re-assembled by tomorrow afternoon. Yes, this is usually a task we do ourselves – one that could have actually helped our budget – but with over 3,000 miles of cycling ahead, why risk the chance that one of us, and by one of us I mean Me, might forget to tighten down that all-important screw or cable or thingamajig, as I refer to most parts of the bike. Probably a good call on hiring a mechanic.

We’re also enjoying a mini Death Valley reunion. There is Carl in his tricked-out Sportsmanmobile, collecting us from the airport, giving us the tour of his neighborhood, hooking us up for a lovely dinner with his lovely wife, and promising us an ‘easy’ training ride before we head out of town. This is the same Carl who wanted to ride back from Dantes View in Death Valley, so ‘easy’ probably means something like hot, hilly, and hellacious. We might have to vote Carl off the island.

There is also Murray, our Canadian friend who slowed his pace to pedal with us a time or two on the trip and whose camera made us famous as Adventure Cycling’s poster-children for the steepest Rest Day in history.

We can’t say too much more about Murray as he’s probably reading this blog … and may even be able to read my screen from the few feet away he is sitting.

And then there’s Paul, one of our two fearless leaders on this trip, who pulled us along one of the hottest, longest stretches in Death Valley and even more fearlessly, is about to undertake his third trip as leader with Gina as one of the guests. I think our next round of Smashes better include Paul.