| There are only a couple of bike routes doable | | | | and just before you get there you will take |
| from San Diego CA to Yuma AZ and they are | | | | Old Hwy 80 about 10 more miles, which then |
| indeed challenging, especially consider the | | | | connects to I-8 for a bit for about 10 miles |
| mountain pass. You go from Sea Level to just | | | | over the 4,000 foot pass, that is one heck of |
| over 4,000 feet in elevation. It is a wicked | | | | a climb indeed. Next you will get off on Hwy |
| ride with lots of hills and heat. Often there | | | | 98 and take that to Calexico about 38 miles, |
| are severe crosswinds and you get rather | | | | but it is most all down hill and refreshing, |
| sandblasted on a bicycle. The route is a | | | | well considering the dusty desert and winds. |
| little tricky for the first 22 miles, but may | | | | But you are now on the flats and you can make |
| I suggest you start out at the Hotel Del | | | | a good clip across the desert.After Calexico |
| Coronado to help work you into the route. The | | | | you ride another easy, but rather boring 20 |
| wind along the Pacific is brisk and always | | | | more miles to Evan Hewes Hwy, which is like a |
| blowing.Now then starting from the Hotel Del | | | | frontage road for awhile and then you will |
| you travel down Hwy 75 south about 9-miles | | | | come to the 186 Hwy and go North to Araz |
| and a beautiful ride with the wind at your | | | | Junction and follow Araz Rd. to Yuma Crossing |
| back. This will be the last of the beauty for | | | | State Park, where you will ride into Yuma, AZ |
| a while, the warm-up will be nice considering | | | | on Business 8 or Fifth Street. You made it |
| the future that lies ahead. Once you hit Palm | | | | 177 miles, not bad for 12-hour ride now may I |
| Ave. you are ready for your trek Eastward | | | | suggest cruising through the town to Barnes |
| across the bottom of the state. Take Palm Ave | | | | and Noble, as it is a great pick-up point |
| to Beyer Blvd North to Orange Avenue East, | | | | with an air-conditioned coffee shop, |
| which turns into Olympic Parkway. Turn left | | | | Meanwhile I will prepare myself for my second |
| onto Hunter Parkway 1 mile to East Otay Lakes | | | | day of riding into Phoenix on my Ride Across |
| Rd and then 7 miles to Hwy 94, which you will | | | | America.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank |
| endure.You will then take Hwy 94 to I-8 about | | | | forum board. |
| 50 miles of hard riding, dry, hot and long | | | | |