1,015 miles - 16 hours and 49 minutes.

The SS fever has started anew for 2006. 

I was looking for a destination.  My riding buddies were unavailable, so I was on my own.  Some ZRXOA members in the Phoenix area were getting together to work on a bike that was donated to the club that day, so I found my destination!

I started out into the chilly morning at 4:36.  A quick stop at the local Chevron to get my start time, then it was off down the 5 to Encinitas.  Then on to San Diego, and eastward on the 8.  Nearing El Centro, it finally started to warm up, although near the watered fields just outside of El Centro, there still was a chill in the air.  I took off my windbreaker, and removed the jacket liner.  I also removed my balaclava, and my glove liners.

I left El Centro just before 8 am.  Next stop was in Dateland, Arizona.  I arrived just after 9:30, with my legs quite toasty.  I went into the bathroom at Dateland, and removed my long sleeve T-shirt, sock liners, and my thermal pants.  Finally I was down to my summer wear.

I eventually made it to the 10, continuing toward Tucson.  At Marana, I got gas and turned around.  I made it to the mod party at Kwick's house in Chandler at 12:55, after completing 603 miles.  It was over 100 in Chandler.  Whew!

I spent the next 2 hours enjoying pizza, ice cream, and the conversation.  I even did help a brief bit.  The A/C in the garage was great.

Soon 3:00 rolled around and I headed back home.  A quick stop for gas, then a long 144 miles to Quartzsite.  At Quartzsite, I did a brief detour up a short dirt road to the monument to Hi Jolly, who was the camel herder for the Army's brief attempt at using camels to cross the desert.  More about Hi Jolly here.

Another 141 miles brought me to the low desert town of North Palm Springs, and the last of the heat.  After a quick gas stop, it was back onto the bike and off to Glendora for a pastrami sandwich at The Hat.  I was dreaming of the sandwich since Quartzsite.  I normally only go once a month to the Simi location, but my eating partner was not able to go in May.  So I was still able to get my pastrami fix.

At 8:40 PM, I left for the last 35 miles to get home.  Gassed up for the final time at the Chevron in Sylmar, then 1 mile later I was pulling into the garage at 9:25.  My neighbor was working on his car, so he popped out of his garage to sign the witness form.

Another SaddleSore completed!  I need more wall space for all of the certificates!

As I was pulling my paperwork together, I found a small problem.  For the first gas stop, the address did not print on the receipt.  The rest of the receipt matches the last stop.  I also found that the on-line current activity for the credit card that I used in the morning does have the city name.  I believe that I have enough backup documentation to pass the IBA verification.  I sent off my paperwork on Thursday.