Barstow Road to Apple Valley: an oasis in the desert

Sagebrush, Saguaro, and Sweat
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Statistics for today
Distance 44.40 kms 27.34 miles
Climbed 465 meters 1,526 feet
Ride time (hours) 3.75 -
Avg speed 11.9 kph -
Statistics for trip to date
Distance 883.54 kms 549.29 miles
Climbed 6,915 meters 22,687 feet
Ride time (hours) 74.74 -
On this page

Sunday, October 29th, 2017

I have all day to get to Apple Valley, which isn't too far away; I decide to make it interesting by going over the mountains on a dirt road. That should chew up some time.

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I start the day on the pavement, not much of a climb to get over the ridge I could see from Barstow.
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I turn off on to Stoddard Wells Road, it will be dirt/sand from here to Apple Valley.
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Some tough grades to deal with. On the hills the road is firm enough to ride all the way up.

I have a Warmshowers arrangement for tonight in Apple Valley. In all my years of bicycle touring, this will actually be the first time that I have used Warmshowers. I've always been a bit uncomfortable with the idea of showing up on the doorstep of someone I've never met, dirty and hungry from the road, to ask for free lodging. What has prodded me to give it a try is the solitude of all of this desert traveling. I just feel like having some human contact. I'm a little nervous about how it might turn out: what if I don't like them? What if they don't like me?

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Looking back on the progress I've made. Barstow is on the other side of yonder ridge.

I stop to talk to a Mexican family out riding quads in the sand. They are wearing full body armour. Looks like a lot of fun but there are so many people out on ATV's, trucks, and motorcycles on this Sunday that I find the ride a bit painful. I get a facefull of dust every time one of them goes by.

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The road is sandy through the washes. I have to walk the bike through a number of them.
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The water situation is getting tight again. It looks like I'm going to have to do the last 10 miles into Apple Valley with nothing.

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Little bird in the Apple Valley municipal park.
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I see this markers on several roads. Must have been for some kind of race.

I arrive at a gas station completely parched and starving. I buy a gallon of water, a liter of Coke, and a big bag of Cheetos to take to the local park where I re-hydrate and stuff my face under the shade of a big tree. I'm really tired. I think the

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I have a junk-food attack when I get to Apple Valley.

I arrive at the host's place in the late afternoon. I need not have worried, she is very friendly and we hit it off. Many hours of conversation, a big dinner packed with vegetables (I felt like I needed a dose of that), laundry, and a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed: just what the doctor ordered. Truly an oasis in the desert.

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