My Solo Bike Ride Across America - Main Index
Daily Reports From San Diego, CA to Jekyll Island, GA (February 1, 2008 through March 16, 2008)
In February-March 2008, I bicycled across the southern tier of America by myself in 45 days.
Riding my bicycle across the nation was something I wanted to do for many years.
In all, I cycled 2,465 miles from California to Georgia.
I had plenty to overcome. If this trip was a poker game,
I probably was not dealt the greatest hand. I endured a painful case of shingles in my midrift
three weeks before beginning at the Pacific Ocean. I had two incidents
of mechanical problems in the desert that nearly ended my ride. Having my bike stolen in Phoenix, AZ was probably
the worst thing to happen. I had 11 flat tires. I faced unnerving experiences
with unleashed dogs, roads with no shoulder and the occasional obnoxious trailer truck driver - all in the deep South.
Boredom, loneliness and tiredness were all matters to contend with as well.
Despite the challenges, I certainly had the time of my life.
I encountered interesting people and witnessed the kindness of so many strangers.
Looking back, I feel honored and touched that some of my friends who lived along the route
(included in my daily trip reports below) were part of my journey.
I snapped a plethora of pictures. I enjoyed beautiful scenery in every part of the country.
Thankfully, I have few regrets and feel so strong inside because I accomplished this feat for myself.
Below is my story. Thank you for reading!
-Steve
Personal Web Site: www.coloradoguy.com
Facebook: ColoradoGuy.com Fan Page <-------
For people who love my Colorado photography & stuff. You're welcome to join if you like my BAA story. ;) *Do not* ask bike across America questions on my fan page; Ask those on the forum!
Twitter: @stevegarufi
Bike Across America Forum: www.network54.com/Forum/321456/
<-------- Ask BAA questions here
Extra Trip Articles:
Going Alone -
About The Route -
Planning For The Trip - Thank You Page -
What I Brought With Me
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Day 1: San Diego, CA to Julian, CA 56 miles
(Del Mar Beach, Scripps Poway Highway, Julian) |
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Day 2: Julian, CA to Brawley, CA 75 miles
(Downhill, Anza Borrego Desert, Flat Tire #1) |
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Day 3: Brawley, CA to Blythe, CA 82 miles - Biked 44, Hitchiked 38
(Imperial Sand Dunes, Broken Derailer, Super Bowl Sunday) |
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Day 4: Rest Day in Blythe, CA 0 miles - Bike Mechanical Problem
(Waited for bicycle shop to open.) |
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Day 5: Blythe, CA to Quartzsite, AZ 22 miles
(Greg in Blythe, Bicycling on Interstate 10, Quartzsite) |
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Day 6: Quartzsite, AZ to Salome, AZ 41 miles
(Desert Views and Saguaros) |
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Day 7: Salome, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ 55 miles
(Arizona Highway 60, Wickenburg) |
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Day 8: Wickenburg, AZ to Phoenix, AZ 54 miles - Bike Stolen
(Phoenix, Flat Tire #2, Bike Stolen, Friends Shocked) |
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Day 9: Rest Day in Phoenix, AZ 0 miles - Bought New Bike
(Desert Botanic Garden, Landis Cyclery) |
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Day 10: Phoenix, AZ to Florence Junction, AZ 36 miles
(Superstition Mountains, Florence Junction, Flat Tire #3) |
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Day 11: Florence Junction, AZ to Superior, AZ 15 miles
(Joel and Brandi, Gonzales Pass, Picketpost Mountain) |
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Day 12: Superior, AZ to Safford, AZ 102 miles
(Queen Creek Tunnel, San Carlos Indian Reservation) |
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Day 13: Safford, AZ to Glenwood, NM 86 miles
(Mt. Graham, New Mexico State Line, Lonely Ride) |
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Day 14: Glenwood, NM to Reserve, NM 33 miles
(Catron County, New Mexico) |
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Day 15: Rest Day in Reserve, NM 0 miles - Poor Weather Conditions
(Reserve New Mexico, Ella's Cafe) |
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Day 16: Reserve, NM to Datil, NM 68 miles
(Continental Divide, Horse Springs, Plains of San Augustin) |
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Day 17: Datil, NM to Socorro, NM 61 miles
(Dave Ortiz, Very Large Array, Socorro) |
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Day 18: San Antonio, NM to Carrizozo, NM 64 miles
(Rio Grande, Carrizozo Peak, Town of Carrizozo) |
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Day 19: Carrizozo, NM to Roswell, NM 88 miles
(Capitan, Lincoln, Bella in Riverside, Last Day of Mountains) |
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Day 20: Roswell, NM to Tatum, NM 73 miles
(Chavez County, East New Mexico Plains) |
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Day 21: Tatum, NM to Brownfield, TX 63 miles
(Texas State Line, Plains, Brownfield) |
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Day 22: Rest Day in West Texas 0 miles - Toured West Texas With Friends
(Glenda and Shaun, Basketball Game, Sunset, Evening Barbeque) |
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Day 23: Brownfield, TX to Aspermont, TX 126 miles
(Post, Jayton, Aspermont, Strong Westerly Winds) |
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Day 24: Aspermont, TX to Haskell, TX 32 miles
(Town of Rule, Haskell, Dairy Queen) |
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Day 25: Haskell, TX to Graham, TX 73 miles
(80+ degrees, Throckmorton, Vetoni's in Graham) |
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Day 26: Rest Day in Graham, TX 0 miles - Poor weather conditions
(Graham Texas, Another Dairy Queen) |
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Day 27: Graham, TX to Decatur, TX 66 miles
(Jacksboro, Decatur, Dinner with Cheyenne Rose) |
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Day 28: Decatur, TX to Sherman, TX 72 miles
(Wise County Courthouse, Gainesville, Sherman) |
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Day 29: Sherman, TX to Paris, TX 65 miles
(Northeast Texas, Bonham, Paris) |
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Day 30: Paris, TX to New Boston, TX 69 miles
(Last Full Day in Texas) |
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Day 31: New Boston, TX to Magnolia, AR 76 miles
(Arkansas State Line, Flat Tire #4, Magnolia) |
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Day 32: Rest Day in Magnolia, AR 0 miles - Rain All Day
(Tornado Watch, Mule's Cantina) |
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Day 33: Magnolia, AR to El Dorado, AR 35 miles
(Downtown El Dorado, Hair Salon) |
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Day 34: El Dorado, AR to Lake Village, AR 92 miles
(Loose Dogs, Strong, Crossett, Race Reflections, Flat Tire #5) |
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Day 35: Lake Village, AR to Greenwood, MS 73 miles
(Mississippi River, Flat Tires #6-9, Indianola, Itta Bena) |
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Day 36: Greenwood, MS to Winona, MS 28 miles
(Cold weather in 30's, Winona, Charles Smith) |
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Day 37: Rest Day in Memphis, TN 0 miles
(National Civil Rights Museum, Downtown Memphis, Corky's BBQ) |
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Day 38: Winona, MS to Columbus, MS 85 miles
(Piggly Wiggly, Mathiston, Starkville, Columbus) |
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Day 39: Columbus, MS to Brent, AL 91 miles
(Alabama State Line, Flat Tire #10, Pastor Glenn, Tuscaloosa, Bibb County) |
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Day 40: Brent, AL to Montgomery, AL 74 miles
(Talladega National Forest, Maplesville, Trailer Trucks, Montgomery) |
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Day 41: Montgomery, AL to Eufaula, AL 87 miles
(Union Springs, Midway, Friendly Convenience Store, Bullock County) |
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Day 42: Eufaula, AL to Dawson, GA 49 miles
(Lake Eufaula, Jimmy Carter, Quitman County, Cuthbert, Flat Tire #11) |
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Day 43: Dawson, GA to Tifton, GA 62 miles
(Cycle Word in Albany, Boiled Peanuts, Worth County, Preparing For The End) |
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Day 44: Tifton, GA to Waycross, GA 75 miles
(Willacoochee, Worth County, Dunkin Donuts, Memories) |
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Day 45: Waycross, GA to Jekyll Island, GA 61 miles
(Nahunta, Glynn County, Jekyll Island, Altantic Ocean) |
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Extra Trip Articles:
Going Alone -
About The Route -
Planning For The Trip - Thank You Page -
What I Brought With Me
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