Yesterday was a magic carpet ride from Riverside to Indio with tailwinds from the powers above. We flew thru 92 miles and counted our blessing for the moderate temps and tailwinds.  Today, well a different story, it got hotter and we fought some headwinds, 3 flat tires in our group, one of them mine. It’s was a 97 mile trudge with almost the entire 8 1/2 hours riding on interstate 10. It was tough day for a small hand handful of guys one ending up in the ER getting pumped back up with an IV and several others gave in to the heat and jumped in the van for a peace out. Most everyone has never seen or experienced a desert let along ride a bike thru one. Of note the woman in the group are all kicking butt, they all came in with backgrounds of pro cycling coaches and a ton of cycling camps under their training belts. These chicks can rock a bike ride for sure. 

Tomorrow will be our longest and most likely most challenging day of the tour, 116 miles with lots of climbing, oh and the forecast calls for temps to go up. 

All of that riding stuff aside, the Brits are hysterical. Here’s 2 of my favorite quotes so far. Riding along side my new favorite BFF, Howard a retired London policeman. He’s a rock climber and is telling me about how cool it is to reach a summit after a climb. He tells it like this” the afterglow is really quite lovely, you simply catch some clean fresh air, and have yourself a cup of tea, and it’s all quite nice actually”. 

Then today we stop for a Sag ( cyclists rest stop from our vans) stop and another Brit, Richard is looking over the PB and J sandwiches. He tells me ” I’ve never really had a PB&J, are they nice ? . I’m dumbfounded naturally and start to give him some jabs saying that everyone’s had a PB & Js. He says ” no truly he never has eaten one but, HAS seen them on the Tele ! 

After being a desert tour guide on the bike, last night I gave the group a short info fact session on interesting info on the Cochella Valley, Palm Springs Etc. Things like the aguafer, earthquake faults, and the Hollywood connections to the desert After telling them that Indio’s claim to fame, after music festivals are Dates. So I surprised them all with 31 Dates shakes  I had delivered to the hotel, and its was a big hit. A fun night for sure 

Having fun with the group and not sure if I’m ready for tomorrow’s trip into the pain cave. At least we’ll cross our first state line, which I am ready for. 

Cheers 

Finally, today we started riding, our group is 21 strong, including 5 lads from across the pond, the U.K. & Scotland, as well as 5 galant ladies.  It s a great group and today’s ride gave us a chance to get our feet wet together. Manhattan Beach to Riverside wasn’t the most scenic, especially for the Brits. They had enough of a challenge riding on the right side of the road. We did finish through a gorgeous section of Riverside, classic old California, orange groves, and beautiful old homes. Tomorrow we start to take on the desert, next stop downtown Indio.  

Friends, 

I’m officially and totally burned out from all the pre trip prep, training, working,  and trying to maintain time with family. But I’m now going to ask my least favorite question in regard to this endeavor. Please consider donating to our cause, I know, asking for money is difficult. But please support the challenge to end ALS. Your donations, will make it possible to continue ALS specific medical research.  Every penny we raise on this adventure will go directly to our friends at the ALSTDI laboratory. Also your donations are 100% tax deductible. 

Please consider making a donation, it will mean a great deal to me, to everyone at Team Godfather, and to the families who’s lives will never be the same because of this disease.  Thanks you truly from the bottom of my tired heart 

I hope I didn’t forget anything. 

I told my grandsons that they can pull a pin every day and in 52 days I’ll be back home. The pin pulling will start this Sunday.