Day 2 - 46.5 miles - Ocotillo, CA

I felt much better this morning. The plan for now has to be start early and finish early. I'm thinking sunrise or before. The temperature looks to be 100 degrees in this area for the next ten days. That worries me, but I just have to use my head and be smart. I started this morning in Pine Valley, CA. As I was saddling up, I notice hundreds of road bikers. I found out it was the San Diego Triathlon Club group ride. I had an amazing meeting with the Competitors Podcast co-host Bob Babbitt. He is a legend in the triathlon world. I listen to his podcast every week and know of him very well. So when he yelled out to me from the side of the road and I recognized his voice, I just had to ask, "Bob Babbitt "! Yes, he said in a surprised voice. I spun around and we talked and took photos. He said about calling me tomorrow for an interview on his podcast. He gets the very best of the best in the endurance world to interview. It would be amazing to be on the show. Then I had company the next 25 miles riding with two local riders who were also on the side of the road talking to Bob. I cycled into Jacumba, CA which was just feet from the Mexico Border and the huge fence that runs Along it. I saw a lot of border patrol officers on ATV's and trucks looking for illegals. I ended up talking to one officer and he told me that he arrests 5 to 6 Mexicans a day in just his area a day. I didn't see any Mexicans myself. Going westbound, I met "Bob" another touring cyclist who has come from Tampa, FL. Bob started on March 6th, and is going to San Diego with hopes of also riding the coast to Canada. When I arrived in the Jacumba, CA, I met "Kevin" who is also cycling to Florida. We talked awhile and had lunch together, then biked the next 20 miles together. Kevin is taking a more southern route than I am. We rode until Ocotillo, CA where I called it a day early because it is 105 degrees. I ended up in another cheap hotel tonight. Kevin pushed on another 30 miles where he was staying with someone he met on couchsurfers.com. I stopped at 2pm today but it is just to hot and not safe to cycle into the blazing afternoons here in the Yuha Dessert. Overall a far better day then yesterday. At least I don't feel sick to my stomach, dizzy, and dehydrated like yesterday. So it's early to bed, and early to rise.

Photos - Triathlon guru Bob Babbitt and I near Pine Valley, CA - In-Ko-Pah Gorge at 3,300' elevation near Ocotillo, CA