Salton Sea Flatlander

Garmin Stats from Salton Sea Flatlander

Keith Olsen was nice enough to meet me at the Escondido Transit for the early drive out. We rolled out at 5:10 and drove the Hwy. 78 route to Westmorland. Troy Buss was picking up Sam and Ben from Escondido and meet us for the rando start. Troy and Ben would drive to Calipatria and do the ride from there. OFR rider, Bruce Tipton was to meet the group at Mecca for the one-way south.

We arrived at the Westmorland start before 7:30. Keith unpacked as I went to the Circle K and got a start receipt. A quick cell call to locate Sam on the way. Soon he was unloading his bike and we were off on the bumpy road northward. It's about a 13 mile ride to Calipatria on farm roads of different texture passing through acres of cropland. A few trucks and vehicles passed us as we skipped from smooth roads to rougher stuff on the way to Calipatria. Once there, Ben and Troy were still getting ready. After about 15 minutes, we were able to finally get underway. I had stopped to get a overpriced bottle of Gatorade at the local Circle K for a total of 3 bottles for the ride to Mecca. Keith, Sam, Troy, Ben and myself were ready for the ride to Mecca.

Sam & Keith on "crackola" road

Soon a left turn onto Hwy. 111 put us into a unwelcome headwind! It seemed to pick up power as we shuffled into some kind of pace line, of sorts. After passing Niland, the road slowly swings westward along the RR tracks. Now a menacing headwind from the right as we took a break in the bushes and soon passed Bombay Beach. A short section found us some quartering tailwinds for a relief of some note. Soon the Sea was in plain view as the road followed it around westward. Now the winds were from the West, mostly driven by the mountains to the west and the narrowing valley ahead. Date palm plantations and citrus groves blocked most of winds and soon the end was in sight. Bruce Tipton rode a mile out from the AM/PM turn around to greet us. Ahhh, 12:30 and the halfway point at last.! Garmin temp was 84F, with high overcast.

Shimmering Salton Sea

Nice busy truck stop with different food stores inside, including Subway, a burger place and the usual large AM/PM stuff. I opted for some ice, a bottle of Vitamin Water and a ice cream bar. I was still carrying the super sweet Gatorade, which I diluted down again. Ben packed in a big burger and a jumbo Gatorade. Sam was munching chips while sitting in the shade. We were there a good 30 minutes. Ben and Sam were asking Bruce if his wife was still around to ferry them back to Calipatria! No such luck. Suck it up, boys!

We finally rolled out together, with fresh-legs Bruce leading the way. Two miles down the road, Ben pulled over near a shop. Bruce and Sam followed. Keith and I slowed up a bit, stopped and then rode southward. Ben seemed OK, no flat. I'm sure they would work it out.

Keith checked out Fish Fry!

Keith and I motored along the Sea southbound. No anticipated tailwind developed. Soon the headwind diminished. We took a roadside breather 12 miles in. I stopped at the Bombay Beach turn to take a picture of the unique sign. Keith rode past me kept going seaward! Guess he was checking out Bombay Bay? A slight tailwind and magical downhill ahead. I calculated it was around 13 miles to Niland, our next break stop. I cranked it up to a steady 19mph with the tailwind. Later down the road, I soon discovered the mileage was off... 3 more miles to Niland! Bummer. My camera batteries sucked, so I did a quick stop for replacement.  I must have taken 30 pics of all the different "Washes" signs.

At Niland, I stopped at the market. Lots of stuff in there. I got a ice cream sandwich and waited in line. Seemed everyone was buying beer there. Six-packs, twelve-packs and carts full of beer! I rode across the street and chatted in the shade with a guy in a wheel chair. Seems he just took the cast off after having some foot tumors removed! Keith soon rode in and sat down, took off his shoes and said he hadn't drunk enough water, but feeling good now.  I don't think he needed the water as bad as the break off the bike. The headwinds and rougher roads eventually take their toll on the body.

Palms near Niland

After 10 minutes we left Niland for the smoother ride south to Calipatira. More late traffic southbound than earlier in the day. We turned at Calipatria on S-30. 13 miles to go. Troy's car was still under the flagpole. They wouldn't get back till dusk. Hope they had enough rear blinkies!

More traffic on the farm roads back to Westmorland. Field workers were off work now and farm implements were being moved field to field. Sunset over the hill was yellow nice, so I took a few shots as we paced in to the finish at 17mph with our rear lights blinking. This Circle K didn't have the usual cheap item for receipt. Guess I got a pack of gum instead. Time was 5:40 and the sun just set in the west. We loaded up Keith's SUV, iced up the recovery drinks and headed west. A long eventful day at the Salton Sea. Thanks to Keith for ride and the chocolate recovery boost at the end.

-randorides.