Of Waves and Cacti - 12/31/2006

 INACTIVE ROUTE

Route number	193
Route name	Of Waves and Cacti
Distance (km)	276 Unpaved: unknown
Shape	point-to-point
Climbing (ft)	7250
Climbing (m)	2209
Location	from Imperial Beach, CA to Yuma, AZ
Dates available	01/01-12/31
States Covered	AZ, CA
Date approved	2006/11/14
Last reviewed	2019/12/11
Description	Ocean waves to drifting desert dunes across California's Southernmost roads
Route URL	http://www.sdrandos.com/permanents.html

Hello Matthew,
Here's my initial write up of my ride along with
photos.  Some pictures are from the 2005 400 Km
Brevet.


Of Waves and Cacti

We would assume the 'Waves' represent the ocean, but
it could be the 'waves' of hay fields in the Imperial
Valley or the 'waves' from passerbyers and bicyclists.
Since I am a horticulturalist, I was thinking if I
saw any 'cacti'  Ocotillo and yucca are not cactus.
My brother tells me there were probably some small
Mammillarias.  Then I recall seeing some chollas.  OK,
cacti will pass.
It's been many years since I did not do a New Year's
Day Century.  My wife talked about visiting her friend
who just moved to Imperial. So I was trying to devise
a ride there.  This ride caught my attention and I
thought what a great way to start the year with, a
ride across California.  I've never ridden from one
end to the other.  So I decided to ride from Imperial
Beach to Yuma Arizona, turn around and be in Imperial
to celebrate the New Year.

Intended to start at 5 AM, and did not realize how far
Imperial Beach was.  Stopped at the first 7/11 on Palm
and notice the street # was not right.  Continued to
the wrong 7/11, parking on the side street.  Quickly
went to get a receipt as it was now 5:30.  I did not
know till now that the real 7/11 was further down the
road.  Need those glasses to read. Put on mittens and
wore a heavy jacket and long pants as it was cold.
Broke one of my red lights, so had to remount it.
Three red blinkers in the back should make me visible.
Two headlights up front.

Sunday morning traffic was scarce which made the left
turn on Saturn easy though I did the corner to corner
as I hate to stand in the middle of a turn lane
expecting a car not to see me.  The bike lane with the
arrows point against me could use some clearing as the
brush concealed the turns.  Took the first road up,
even when the route says not to go over the freeway,
but then I could not read the fine print.  Missed the
left on Anita, but Frontage turns into Stella and a
right on to Bay.

I am very familiar with Telegraph to Otay Lake with
the gradual climb. It was already getting light by
Otay Lake. The regular stop at Thousand Trails store
was close. 

94 was nice with recently paved road.  Pass the
Immigration Stop.  There were Border Patrol vehicles
constantly monitoring my progress. Dulzura cafe was
open. A good climb to the Summit and the nice down
hill to Barret Junction.  I fear downhills, but with a
nice wide shoulder, I felt safe.  I rarely go over 30,
but looked at the computer and had 34 and
automatically grab the brakes.  Watch out toward the
bottom, the big shoulder disappears.

Pass Barrett Junction with a mural of a bicyclist
leading a motorcycle and car on 49.  Like it should be.
Didn't go inside to read about the monster fish

Now the climbing begins.  On this ride there is
nothing steep.  Never had to take it out of my big
ring, but then I live in my big ring. 
Again, the road to 188 turnoff to Tecate was smooth.
There were some section where there was no shoulder,
but the cars were polite and passed easily.  Once pass
the road to Tecate, cars were scarce.
Potrero had a store and cafe, built in 1883.  There is
a Twin Lakes Resort and Cafe.  Just up a bit, you can
look across into Mexico and the town of Tecate.  I was
warming up and remove my jacket. 

The next big town is Campo with the Railway Museum.
There is a Stone Museum across the street.  And
further down a Feldspar Mill and Motor Transport
Museum.  This look like a junk heap to me surrounded
by a fence.  Did not stop for the Campo Diner where
‘Nothing happens until you stop'.  And they are
building homes out here as KB has a tract under
construction.  This place maybe a boomtown.  Went
under a railroad trestle which looked impressive and
rusted.

Next town is Cameron Corner and Buckman Springs Rd to
Lake Moreno and to Hwy 80.  I will connect with the
old Hwy at the end of Boulevard.  Now I'm treated to a
fast downhill, but did not stop for a treat at the
hand dipped chocolates candy store.  And last time I
went through here, I said next time I will stop. Stop
at a fire station to get water.  There are many fire
stations along the route.  Also there are call boxes
for emergencies.  The fireman wished me luck on my
journey.

It was not long till I arrive to the first checkpoint
in Jacumba and Mountain Sage Market.  I've been here
before on the 400 Km Brevet.  The clerk was busy
chatting on the phone as I brought up my purchase.  I
asked him to please initial and put the time on my
card and also need a receipt.  He was occupied on the
phone and people were waiting behind me, and after
asking me why I needed my card signed, he did and it
wasn't till later I learn I left my pen.
There is a community park which looked like an empty
patch of ground, no grass, just dirt.
There is some agriculture and some cattle.  But later
on you would think they grew rocks.

And if you like rocks, there was a lot of them.  It
looked like someone came and placed them there.  Found
them interesting to look at, a draw for this ride.
Was tempted by the Caves of Mystery.  Next time.  And
then came the big thrill ride.  12 miles of 6% descent
to the desert.  Put my jacket and long finger gloves
as it would be a chilly drop into the desert. I fear
downhills and not anxious to get to this point.  But
with a light wind which slowed my speed, I did not
have to brake as much.  I rode into Imperial County
and back into San Diego County, back to Imperial,
again San Diego.  Can the road make up it's mind. And
just like the last time I came down this, a rock took
the air out my tire.

When I ride, I like to have company.  They can share
the pleasure and the pain.  Time flies by faster with
others.  But sometimes, riding alone is good.  As I
sat at the side of the road watching the cars go by, I
can take in the geological marvel surrounding me.  And
I feel so fortunate to be able to enjoy the scenery,
while people driving  fast only get a fraction of the
beauty.  Then I wish I had some people to share this
moment.

As the road flattens, it now toward Calexico and
practically flat across the Yuha desert. The R for
RAAM were still marked on the road, but now there is a
P which I assume is for a PAC tour. Ocotillos were in
flower.  I still wonder what's with the row of green
shade structure over what looks like Ficus which most
of them were dead.  And on top of a pile of sand is a
structure where a cross is standing.

Leaving the desert, the soil is used for growing hay
and alfalfa.  The road through the desert was
pristine.  The closer to town, the quality lessens.
And the traffic builds.  Hwy 111 is a busy road. I am
to find a place to get a receipt for my checkpoint.
There is a gas station at the corner, but I wanted
real food.  Heading to the right, I pass a Chinese
restaurant.  Across the street is 7/11.  Up ahead is
Jack in the Box.  Across the street is McDonalds and
Burger King.  Less than ½ a mile off the route.
I have a burger, fries and drink.  And drink I did as
there is not stop till the end. The place was very
busy and the clerk first started talking to me in
Spanish.  Since I have not shaved and my long hair was
all tangled, perhaps I looked the language.  The whole
place was filled with Mexicans but well dressed ones
and very cordial.  Well it's Sunday.  I tell the clerk
to mark down the time, 15:00.
I get change and call my wife.  "Are you in Yuma
already ?" "No, I'm in Calexico.  I'm running late, so
I'm not sure I will make it there tonight."  I was
expecting to finish by 5 and be in Imperial by 9.  I
just barely made the Jacumba stop by ½ hour, losing
time by goofing off.  But knew I would make up time
since the climbing will be finished.  The operator
says 75 cents for the next 3 minutes.  Time goes fast
on the phone.  "I'll call you in Yuma"

It's back with traffic and continue on 98.  Calexico
is a fairly large town and growing.  Leaving the city,
the area turns agricultural with cruciferous winter
crops.
Came to a border crossing and did not know there was a
curfew, closed from 10 - 6.
The road had a section where there was no shoulder,
but there was barely any traffic.  Mainly the Border
Patrol still checking on me.
Passing the All American Hydroelectric Plant, I notice
all the old wire on the poles are cut and dangling
with the newer bigger poles in the background.
I find I'm on the Juan Bautista de Anza Auto Tour
route and didn't know it.  And still don't know it.
It was getting dark and it was night by the time I get
to Interstate 8.

On goes the battery pack for my brighter lights and a
check to make sure all three rear blinkers are
glowing.
And as I enter the onramp to the freeway, there is the
sign 'Pedestrians, bicycles, motor-driven cycles
prohibited'. Well the route tells me to go on 8, but
the sign says no.  I don't see any other way to go, so
onto the freeway.  Figure if I get stopped, I will say
there is no other roads.  I will find out the next
morning there is a road that parallels on the other
side.
8 had a wide shoulder and there was a rumble strip
between me and the vehicles.  And the vehicles will
scoot over to the next lane when passing me.  That
means I am very visible which is good.  The road was
fairly clean and though I am cautious in the dark, I
was still moving along. Exited each off ramps and got
back on.

At Gray's Well, there were a lot of vehicles.  When I
got a close look, they were dune buggies.  They had
long antennas with a light on top.  There were rows of
them.  Waited to watch them all pass and they might
have been looking at me, this lone bicyclists with
flashing lights. 
Back on the freeway and I'm suffocating from all the
dust.  On both sides of the freeway, these off road
vehicles were shooting dirt in the air.  It got in my
eyes and was very annoying.  And there is city out
there.  A community of campers and trailers.  They
were shooting off skyrockets and fireworks.  It is
quite a sights from what I could manage to see.

Eventually I reach Ogilby and it will easy to find if
I do this ride again.  Just before the exit, there is
a series of speed bumps, not intentional, just the
asphalt buckling up.
So I was thinking things will be great getting off the
freeway which as I wrote before was pretty good.  The
next road called Center of the World made me want to
continue on the freeway.  Well it's not really really
bad, just bad enough.  I would highly recommend a
sturdy bike and wide tires.  And good lights as there
are little potholes.  The funny thing about this road
is a section is rough and then a section is smooth,
then it's rough and again smooth, repeating itself.
There is a Center of the World Plaza which was closed
and next to it was the CHP headquarters and there was
no vehicles there.  It's New Year's Eve.  By the way,
the road was smooth in front of those places.

It's over the freeway pass a Shell gas station, an
open business and back on the freeway. 
The next exit is 186 and a sign 'Next exit Mexico'.
I can see the lights of Yuma.  There is a line of
billboards lit up leading into the city.
By this time, I'm not seeing clearly.  So I take a
right and continue down the road until I'm at the
border crossing.  An officer asks if I needed help.  I
did.  He tells me to go back to the freeway.  "If you
are going to Yuma, I'd stay on 8"  I have to follow
the route.  Told him where I started and he was
impressed.  He tells me ride safely and make sure I
have good lights as it's dark where I was going.

Up the road to the freeway and back on course.  And it
was not only dark, but very rough.  Or as I was saying
out loud, this road is crap.  I was sure something
would shake off my bike.
After the initial rough up, the road turns into the
regular bumpy agriculture roads I expected hence I
rode my steel touring bike.

A slower pace on this deserted frontage road along the
railroad tracks.  There is railroad tracks to cross
before getting to Yuma.  And there are railroad tracks
some place back on 80 which was not marked on the
route.
I come into residential and a store and bar where
music was playing loud and people were drinking.  I'm
thinking it might not be a good idea to be riding
later on.

And with the last turn, I'm headed to the Christmas
tree.  Over a bridge and I'm now in Arizona.  And
Yuma.  I would have thought Yuma was bigger than this,
but I'm probably on the outskirt of town.

Continue pass the intersection where the ride ends and
decide I will spend the night here.  There is a Best
Western which had a lot of cars.  On my side, there is
the Yuma Inn with one car and a motorcycle. I'm sure
they will have a room available.  An old Indian (from
India) woman comes out and I pay 50 dollars.  She
writes me out a receipt I requested.  And to mark my
card, 20:00.
The room was a dump.  There were two beds and one was
sunken in. The door had termite damage.  There was a
cup under the sink to catch the dripping water.  And
it smelled dusty like no one has occupied the room in
a while or at least get cleaned.

I left my bike inside and went out to get fresh air.
I found a pay phone, one dollar for 4 minutes.  "I'm
finally in Yuma".  Then came the discussion on what I
would do next.  "I don't want you riding this
late...I'll come and pick you up in the morning...Did
you eat?...  The line goes dead.  Without warning, we
are cut off.  So I try to call back, but the phone
won't work.  So I walk down the street to the gas
station and try a phone.  That don't work.  Finally a
phone that works.  "Let's get what we are going to do
fast"  She is going to pick me up tomorrow.  So much
for our New Year's Eve celebration.

Go to the 24 hour Jack in the Box.  The gal there was
impressed with what I had done.  Sat there munching on
my fish and chips, staring out the window and
reflecting on my ride. Was not happy with my time.
Was not happy that I did not do all the riding I had
intended.  But it was better I stayed in.  Don't know
what kind of people will be out tonight and if they
shoot guns in the air where the bullets may land.

I sleep with my biking clothes and jacket on.  I will
be happy that I rode across California. I slept
through any New Year's Eve celebrations.

Happy safe bicycling, David