Day 4 - Mile 122 - 198 (76 miles, 609 ft ascent, 237 ft descent) - Brewery Count: 2

El Centro, CA to Yuma, AZ

Daily Route (Missing 3.9 miles)

Daily Elevation

Another morning waking up at the AirBnB.  I love sleeping in a tent, but staying in a house is so much easier.  I took a shower this morning just because it was easy, unlike taking showers at campgrounds.  Patrick came to pick up our bags just after 8 AM and the rest of the riders showed up soon after and we were ready to ride by 8:30 AM.

As usual, it was a chilly start of the day and the temperature didn't rise above 60 degrees all day, but the sun was shining and the wind was to our backs, so it was an awesome day.

Our first stop today was at Old Fogey Hot Spring around mile 21.  We didn't bring swimsuits, so we just stood around and had a snack. 

Not the hot spring, but beautiful

Taking our first break

Today's treat is that we are meeting Patrick at a rest area on I-8 around the 45 mile point, so we were anxious to get back on the road.  From here we are supposed to ride on a frontage road for 19 miles.  About 2 miles down the road, it looked like the road was closed and we would have to ride back and find an alternate route, but we noticed another sign stating that the bicycle route continues through the construction.  Before we knew it, we were riding along a newly paved, protected shoulder with a tailwind allowing us to cruise over 16 mph for about 10 miles.

Great stretch of road

The shoulder then turned into a newly paved road with no one but us on it.  It was so luxurious.

Bill & Mel enjoying our private road

Taking a break on "our" road

Enjoying it while it lasts

Loving the tailwind

We then got on Interstate 8.  We have 5 miles to ride to get to the rest area where we are meeting Patrick.  This part of I-8 goes through Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area.  These dunes are pretty incredible looking.

Sand Dunes on the side of I-8

We are really close to the Mexican boarder.  I thought you might like to see a view of Mexico:

Mexico is right over the wall

Finally we arrived at the rest area and Patrick was there waiting.  We were able to hang inside and make sandwiches for lunch.  Rest area's have never been this good!

Hi Patrick

Jackie and Patrick

Hanging in the RV at a rest area for lunch break

The next planned stop is a brewery in Yuma, Arizona 19 miles ahead, so let's get going!

Jimmy & Mary riding past sand dunes

Felicity...population 2

Jim & Tim riding along I-8

Jimmy & May are happy that we are off the interstate and almost to Arizona

I can't believe that we have already crossed the boarder into Arizona.

Happy to make it to Arizona

Group shot in Arizona

One last photo at California-Arizona boarder

Finally...Prison Hill Brewing Company, Yuma, Arizona:

The obligatory flight

We still have almost 13 miles to ride today, so we drank our flights and pints and got back on the road.

Thanks for the tasty beer Yuma

We finally made it to Shangri-La RV Resort where Patrick, Mary, Jimmy, and Jackie are staying.  They don't allow tents, so Bill, Mel, Tim, and I road the 0.7 miles to the Comfort Inn and Patrick followed close behind with our bags.  After an awesome shower, we walked back to the RV for dinner.  Tonight is Mary's turn to cook and she made a wonderful meal of bulgar, broccoli, and chicken/beans.  It made for a great Buddha-type bowl dinner that was incredible.

Patrick enjoying some wine before dinner

One big happy family

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel.  It is really hard to appreciate not pitching a tent tonight since we were in an AirBnB for the past two nights, but it really is hard to beat a bed with an easy walk to a bathroom.  However, we will enjoy it since the next time we are in a bed is in almost a week.

Tomorrow should be similar to today, but only 60 miles.  It is supposed to be pretty chilly in the morning, so we are planning on waiting till after 9 AM to ride.  Sounds good to me!