Day 4: Yuma, Arizona

 First, we need to thank our friends at Verizon.  While many of our fellow riders have been struggling with weak/slow or nonexistent WiFi connections, we have been able to maintain communication and update this blog.  We have been able to share Verizon's generosity by allowing our fellow riders to access the hotspots from the tablet and phone.  The camera included in the Samsung Note 4 has also produced some incredible photos. 

We left Calexico with a mild headwind and 60 degree temperatures, which approached 90 as the day progressed.  The sixty-four mile, mostly flat, journey was shared with Alan, Bob, Joe, Roger, Udi, Ken, and Bruce.  We saw the irrigation system used to grow our winter vegetables, huge sand dunes, and were surrounded by mountains as we cycles through the Imperial Valley.



It only took us forty miles to reach the Center of the World in Felicity.  We endured forty miles of rough road to reach our lunch stop.  We thought it was the roughest road ever.  Unfortunately, after leaving Felicity the road conditions degraded to what must be the worst "paved" road in the world.  There were a few patches, but most of the damage was from wear/erosion.  The wording painted onto the road to warn drivers of upcoming stop sign were raised from the primary biking surface at least an inch.  All bikes and riders survived the teeth rattling experience.

The highlight of the day was crossing into Arizona.Notice the Arizona state socks.

Two states down, six to go.




Note: The Yuma sports teams are nicknamed the Crims (short for criminals).

Do you know why?  After there high school burned down and was being rebuilt, they transitioned the territorial prison into a school facility.  In true Yuma fashion, they overcame the hardship.  They rise to the occasion and celebrate their success.  Their teams are lead out by police cars.