CANTBIRD’25, Day 7: El Centro, CA, to Yuma, AZ

(Wed, 2/19/25, 65 miles@12.4 mph, 751 feet of climb)

Day 7 was epic — 65 miles! And I made it to ARIZONA!! It was the first day of “normal” biking in the entire trip: No laborious climbs, no lunar landscape roads, no headwinds. In fact, I even had a slight tailwind (6 mph from NNW as I headed east).

As a result, I averaged 12.4 mph for all 65 miles! Suddenly, all this extra weight I’m carrying does not seem to matter as much. My effort was the same as yesterday, as measured by average heart rate (116), so the much faster average speed (vs. 10.2 mph yesterday) just shows how important the terrain is.

It helps that I was coming off a rest day. I learned relatively recently in life the benefits of planned rest days. On GUMBIRD (Gulf of Mexico Bike Ride) last year, I planned a rest day every ten days. This year, I have learned from other bikers and upped it to roughly once every seven days. Of course, it needs to be coordinated with a good place to take a day off.

My rest day on Day 6 was in El Centro, California, the most populous city in the Imperial Valley, and the largest city in the USA to lie entirely below sea level (-42 feet)! Since its big enough for luxuries like theaters, I thought I could go see a movie or something, but I ended up doing pretty much NOTHING all day, other than the hotel breakfast downstairs and walking across the parking lot to Panda Express for dinner. It was welcomed down time, and helped set me up for a great day today.

The first town I passed today — actually, the ONLY town — was Holtville, CA, the self-proclaimed “Carrot Capital of the World,” and one of the sources for Bunny Luv Carrots.

My original plan was to stay at Buttercup Campground tonight, 46 miles from the start. I was dreaming of a KOA vibe, with a shimmering pool, hot tub, game room, snack bar, and lots of green grass for tenting. What I found was pretty much just a parking lot in the sand for RVs.

I can survive without a shower if there’s no choice, but I felt like I was in extra need today after biking in the desert sun all day. So I decided to go for it and push on for another 19 miles to get to Yuma, the largest city on the route between San Diego and Phoenix.

At mile 51, the ACA map told me to get off I-8 and take a side road. I dutifully obeyed, but after a very short distance, I started feeling PTSD from memories of the rough roads after Ocotillo on Day 5 where I was limited to 6-7 mph due to the surface. I quoted out loud from George W. Bush: “Nope. Not gonna do it.” So I turned around and went back to the lusciously smooth Interstate shoulder.

I raced the sunset to Yuma and WON, and was surprised to find a decent Quality Inn on Priceline for $69! And guess what was right across the street? TEXAS ROADHOUSE! This was a perfect way to celebrate my biggest day yet, since I hadn’t eaten much other than breakfast, due to lack of towns. And I enjoyed my first beer of the trip. I don’t think a cold beer has ever tasted so good.

Other tidbits of the day:

I got stopped by a California Highway Patrol cop! He told me that bikes are not allowed on the freeway. When I told him that the ACA maps told us to do that, he conceded that you could bike on I-8, but only when there are no other options.

When there is a side road, like the lunar landscape I had just ditched, you’re supposed to take that. Fortunately, he let me finish the next two miles to the Yuma exit, and he said that in Arizona, biking in freeways might be allowed anywhere. (I had forgotten that I am now in a new state!)

So I am thrilled to be in a hotel where I can get some good sleep. My throat is still pretty sore, and I am still stuffed up. Looks like another NyQuil night. 🙁