Another Extreme Vacation

I'm off for another extreme vacation.  Where is the hottest, lowest and driest place you can think of in the United States and that is where I will be for the next week.  I must have been not myself when I agreed to join friends Pam and Dave Semanik for a week of cycling in this place.  The place I am going is the Death Valley National Park where I will join 50 some cyclists who will ride throughout the park. These rides are meant to prepare you for the last day which is to ride either a century, ultra century or double century.  Of course it is hard enough to do a century but I guess there are some who are willing to go to the distance and push themselves.  I guess I am of a mind to get in a long satisfying ride but get back in time to have a nice beer or glass of wine.

This trip is filled with more extremes then one can plan for.  First there is the weather since I am told it can change from 40 to 80 in a day.  Then there are the possible winds that can be so hard to ride against that you can try and pedal but you won't go far.  Finally there are the climbs.  Although it is the lowest place in the US, there is only one way out and that is up.  So it is the climbs that probably worry me the most.  I haven't had to do climbs like this since 2006 when I rode through Utah.

I am packing for a trip that will offer all sorts of extremes.  I thought I would take a picture of the items I packed but I am almost too embarrassed to show how many things I am brining.  I am just afraid that I won't have everything I need but I guess it is going to have to be good enough.

Well I am off.  Wish me luck and let's see where this trip takes me this time.