Day 24 - Four Corners: Closed?!

Really struggled to eat breakfast, Deano is the same for some reason. Felt good on the bike though - flat road, downhill, good speeds meant for swift progress. Lunch was awful and tasteless, left most of it but it was all we saw for miles. Visited Four Corners (where you can stand in 4 states at one time with a little contortion) but it was closed so we carried on into Colorado where we went uphill for the remainder of the day. Headwind also did not help - desperately wanted the day to end as felt hungry and worn out. Made a great moral boost for the final 20 mile though as this went rather quickly.

Day 23 - REST DAY in Monument Valley

Day off. We travelled to Monument Valley for a massive breakfast and to view the large famous rocks. Pretty spectacular! After travelling around for a few hours we headed back to the hotel we booked for that afternoon but received a blow out en route. Got to the hotel and went for a swim. Received a surprise phone call from mum, who had managed to track us down despite lack of signal so no communications for a few days. Had a meal later that night but started to struggle to sleep and eating after this day. Can never seem to sleep on a day off.

Day 22 - On A Roll

Woke up and tried to get a helicopter ride but all were sold out, so we drove to the Grand Canyon ourselves and did the tourist thing. After that we drove back to Cameron to start the day's ride - rather late start. Slightly downhill to begin with, really smooth and no wind. Got up to speed early then the road remained smooth but went slightly uphill. Did not stop for lunch as we were on a roll. After a brief section where the road was awful it then turned amazing and had a slight tail wind for quicker speeds. Spurred on by the thought of a day off I finally completed 100 miles in 5 3/4 hours. No hotel though so we had to sleep in the van.

Day 21 - The Wild West

Woke up at the side of the road, cooked bacon and eggs and headed off to find old Route 66. The road was terrible and I was struggling on the road bike, so finally got out the mountain bike. The GPS sent me back towards the highway, expecting to go 1 mile of rough terrain but ended up not being able to get over the train tracks, so ended up doing an 8 mile off road detour, before making it back to the highway (I40) and continuing on it from there on as bikes were allowed as long as it was on the hard shoulder. Decent road for a while until Williams where we had lunch in a real Wild West town. The rain started pouring after dinner and the hard shoulder on the motorway was as bad as route 66 earlier. After the rain finished I then had a flat tyre, then five mins later another and then more rain fell whilst changing it. I was not very happy by this stage and the road was awful. When the road did get better it was all uphill and the landscape changed from desert to forest. When i finally made it to the top, the rest of the way was downhill, the rain stopped and the road was in great condition. Covered about 35 miles in less than two hours. Day was the worst yet but then turned into the best yet. Spent the night parked up at the Grand Canyon after driving there at the end of the day's cycling!!

Day 20 - Hoover Dam

July 27th

We stayed at a casino hotel last night in the Hoover Dam - $25!! We looked around and Dean said I was a miserable sightseeing companion – it was ridiculously hot!! We then set off and took an exit down to the Colorado River – went swimming and had a BBQ on the beach! Then we drove back to our starting point in Golden Valley ready to set off about 2pm. It had cooled down a little by this time! We joined historic Route 66 – very flat with a good wind behind me! Was still hungry though so continually looking for somewhere to stop - all the petrol stations/ restaurants were deserted – it was like a ghost town. Dean stopped off at a small Route 66 museum which he said was good! Finally found a little café that was open – in the middle of nowhere! After that it got dark – and was nice and cool to cycle – probably for about 3 hours. It was rather eerie at times – just me on the roads – no lights or noise!! The cool breeze was lovely!!

Day 19 - Still Desert(ed)

July 26th:Day 19

When we left the restaurant last night after dinner it was still over 110 degrees outside – just insane! Realizing we would boil alive in the van overnight we found ourselves a hotel for the night! This morning we had a leisurely breakfast and organized the van – I replaced the gears on my bike and gave it a good clean!

We had finished yesterday in the middle of the dessert so drove back there ready to pick up where I had left off! Surprisingly enough we found a guy messing around with his truck in the same spot so he was our starting witness for the day! There we all were in the middle of nowhere!!

We weren’t sure if we could go on the Highway or not at first but according to the signs we were OK. Thank goodness – otherwise I would have had to get my mountain bike out again! There was a killer climb in the morning – followed by a really long downhill to Needles which was where we had stayed last night. It was unbearably hot there – the slight breeze had turned into that hot hairdryer in your face again. We had a late lunch in Needles and then set off. Dean had to stop every 5 miles as I was going through so much water – the worse thing was that the last few mouthfuls of the bottle are hotter than I have my morning coffee!!

We then travelled north from Needles along the Colorado River through Boar Head where there are lots of casinos. The river looked so welcoming – I just wanted to dive in! After that we started on our first proper hill – into the mountains – went up about 1000 m – it was getting dark as I went down the other side. We finished for the day in Golden Valley and are now in the van driving towards the Hoover Dam!

Day 18 - Welcome to the Desert!

OMG – Wow!!

That was a hard day and I am seriously tired!!

Set off from Desert Springs – no Desert HOT Springs – with HOT being the main word – this morning. There were wind turbines everywhere. Left in the scorching sun with a lovely cross wind – not helping much on a bike. As Dean said its like a hot hairdryer aimed at your face! Turned and was then riding in a headwind – there was a town after about 10 miles and another after about 25 and then got in to the desert big time! Went round the side of a small mountain – with the van only just making it. There was a great downhill into a massive flat plain – surrounded by mountains with a salt farm in the middle. Quite fascinating to see the piles of salt and all the fields which had been drained!

I was desperate for food so Dean stopped and cooked mac and cheese at the side of the road – then just around the corner there was a café – though turned out it just sold crisps and cakes and coke – anyway we snacked out on all they had!! We were hoping it would cool down a bit as it got later but no chance!! Dean stopped again and cooked rice and tuna – and eventually the sun set and it did get a bit cooler. I cycled two hours in the dark and probably did more than in the previous 4 hours!

I am seriously tired today – Dean is seriously tired!! We reckon I drank about 20 litres of water plus milk, Gatorade, juice etc. 2 water bottles about every 5 miles!!

Day 17 - West-to-East: The Beginning

Just finished a long, long day! - started at about 10.30 this morning from LA City Hall (as required by Guinness) but at first couldn’t find anyone to act as starting witness – we eventually got hold off a couple of police officers so that was OK. There was the usual madness trying to get out of LA – loads of traffic lights.

It was slightly uphill all day out towards the mountains – I had the wind behind me for the middle part of the day which was good – however it got hotter and hotter as the day progressed.

Towards the end of the day we arrived at a private Indian Reservation and at first the lady at the gate would not let us through – however when we explained what we were doing and showed ID she eventually gave us a visitor’s pass for the day. It all seemed very strange though – some very grand houses – not at all what I expected! On the other side we were able to ride along the Highway for a while – but then had to leave it and got to a point where we just ran out of road. We decided to get the mountain bike out for a ride but still just kept getting stuck with closed roads etc. It was all very frustrating! We finally found a route through and after several hours arrived here in Dessert Springs where we have just found ourselves a room for the night!! It’s going to be a hot day tomorrow!!

Day 16 - Dean's Day: LA Style

Many thanks to Matthew’s friend Sophie De’Sellier for letting us crash at hers for two nights! It meant a late night after we found each other and then had a chat! Sophie is very busy training to ride her HORSE across Mongolia (wouldn’t catch me doing that one!!). We had a lie in and then after breakfast went star searching (as you do) – went to Hollywood Boulevard, Beverley Hills, saw lots of fancy houses – all the things Dean had on his list (I am not much fun to sightsee with) – the traffic was a nightmare! We then went down to the beach – unfortunately a little late to paddle board as planned – but we did watch some excellent surfers as there was some sort of exhibition going on. We were really surprised at how cold it was – we had originally thought it would get hotter as we travelled south but that hadn’t happened. California had been very chilly – I suspect we might miss that feeling when we get to the desert!

Day 15 - North-South Leg: Done

Day 15

So I am now at the border of the USA and Mexico - which means one thing: I have completed the first leg of my journey, on schedule and so far (fingers crossed) without incident.

I started in Laguna Beach right on the coast - it was a pretty miserable morning (I was cold) but that did not prevent a ton of surfers out enjoying the waves. The journey was fine but I got into a bit of chaos while in Sand Diego - stoplights everywhere, stop signs on the bike lane, bike lane taking me onto an interstate - all part of the days ride!

I cycled past a Comic Book Convention - which brought me quite a lot of amusement, although I would not be surprised if some of them thought I may also be in costume.

I finished around 3.30pm right at the border and we managed to get a border patrol man to sign our witness form (I think thats basically as proof as you get that I got there!). It was quite amusing - you could see the massive fence at the border and then on the other side was the biggest Mexican flag!!

Me and Dean went and chilled out on the beach before packing the van up for the short drive to Los Angeles (if the traffic is bad I may have to get my bike out and meet Dean there!).

Day 14 - What a (flat) tyre'ing day!

July 21st: Day 14 – What a (flat) tyre’ing Day!

Left Cliffhouse Inn, Ventura this morning for an overcast but very flat ride along the coast road – the ocean was calm and crystal clear. The morning went well, although I had a flat tyre which I had to change without Dean. We stopped in Malibu for lunch – what a great place with a beautiful beach! Then we reached Los Angeles which was a nightmare to travel through – so many red lights! I must have spent an hour standing still looking at lights! I also had my second flat tyre not far from LA airport and earlier in the day I had stopped to help a fellow biker who also had a flat! So quite fed up with them by this time!!

Got through Long Beach, where I was worried I might get my bike stolen, and the surroundings started to improve again! Huntington, Newport and Laguna beaches all seem inviting. We stopped as it got dark – not far from Laguna and are now off to dinner! Looking forward to tomorrow and the last day of our first leg!!

Day 44 - A New World Record!!

The final day and just a short distance that had to be travelled from upper Manhatten to City Hall. It felt funny to not have to push myself at all seeing as I had to arrive after 12:00pm in order to set the new World Record at 44 days.

I cycled on a bike path along side the Hudsen river nice and slowly – for the first time this trip people were over-taking me and I had to restrain myself to not go pedaling after them,

It was a really nice day with the sun shining brightly and the path was busy with runners, walkers and cyclers. I noticed the statue of liberty and for the first time it hit me that I had just cycled from one side of America to the other (its actually quite a long way I realized).

With a mile to go I really was on the home stretch now, then I saw a large group of around 50 plus people standing next to my van. It was a strange but good feeling – I wanted to let go of my handlebars and pump the air in triumph but I had a horrible vision of me falling off my bike – would not be a good way to finish!

I rode through the finish line tape and then this large group of people started taking photo’s of me – this was weird but I enjoyed it and everyone wanted to say congratualtions personally.

I had made it! Some how me and Dean had not killed each other and we warmly congratulated each other.

Once Morgan (our Guinness Adjudicator) can gone over the last set of data I was presented with a World Record plaque – I was officially a World Record holder!!

Day 13 - Lions and Zebras and Flaggs - Oh My.

Day 13

Set off in the cold after breakfast with me wearing my rain jacket, along the flat coast road. Sent Dean back to check out the sea lions I had seen yesterday and look out for the zebras from Hearst Castle (Dean said he preferred Castle Donington!) I didn’t see any zebra – but Dean did through the fog – not clear enough for photos! Road was smooth for a good many miles – after about 50 we stopped for lunch in a really nice Italian restaurant. There was a good tail wind and lots of activity in the fields which was interesting – lots of pickers in some and others being ploughed. However the GPS went crazy again and took me off the planned route and so Dean and I were separated and I was on my own for about 55 miles – thankfully Dean eventually found me with some food – which was brilliant as I was about ready to pass out at that stage. After Dean left there was a big climb – at the top was ~ 130 miles. On the way down was a group of people waving and cheering – “Very nice” I thought – but strange Dean wasn’t with them. I went whizzing by! At the bottom was another group of people – I was a bit confused as to who and why but hey it was great - however I went storming by again – not really quite with it after 130 plus miles and the steep climb which really exhausted me – I guess I was a little punch drunk. Anyway I slowly realized it was the same group and when I stopped at the traffic lights they caught up with me to say hello. Mike and Kathy Flagg and family from KC in Roswell!! A huge thank you to Mike and my apologies for seeming rather dazed! The support meant so much and really cheered me up and spurred me on for the next 25 miles or so! Thanks Guys!!

Went through Santa Barbara – really, really nice – first place we have passed through that I would like to return to! (Did you know Michael Jackson’s Neverland is up in the hills just here?) The last part of the day’s journey was pretty awful – ended up on the Highway as it was getting dark. However Dean found a nice hotel overlooking the ocean in Ventura where we are going to stay tonight! It’s been a long day with the GPS probably adding 15 unnecessary miles to my journey!! Never mind – good night!

Day 12 - Pebble Beach Golf Course

Day 12

Rode the 26 miles to Pebble Beach where we paid $10 for the privilege of seeing not very much really! Checked out the first and 18th tees (thought about all my fellow Polar Bears!) – and the houses there are pretty amazing – but it was time to set off. Rode through Carmel and then finally back on the coast road for a while. It was an up and down road – up about 100m then down the same – this went on for ages! Had a late lunch at a river Inn where there were lots of people tubing. Then back on the coast road – same sort of terrain with lots of rolling hills – also a little bit of a tailwind which was very welcome! However it would get very cold going down and then hot going up!! The views were great and we saw sea lions (or maybe elephant seals apparently) along the way! Supposedly we might see some zebras in the morning in San Simeon??!!!

Day 11 - What goes up, must come down.

Day 11

Set off from the southern end of the Golden gate Bridge – not really a road here – so followed the bike route.. My GPs was going crazy – kept trying to send me along Lombard Street – so I ignored that and drove along by the pier next to the ocean. Finally I turned inland – Dean had very cleverly managed to track me and so we eventually met up and arranged the day’s route from there! It was really hilly, went past a lake and then the road went straight uphill (never mind Lombard Street!) – went for about 10 miles! At about 750m altitude we thought it was the top – but no it kept going! We rewarded ourselves with some hot dogs when we did eventually reach the top. Of course the 10 mile downhill was great!! A quick Burger King stop in San Jose and then off around Santa Cruz. There was lots of farmland in this area – very flat with a wicked bad headwind!! We realized Pebble Beach was too far for today so stopped at the next town for the night where we found a great Texas BBQ – really cool – ate lots of meat!!

Day 10 - San Francisco Restin'

Day 10 – Rest Day in San Francisco

We planned to have a long lie in this morning but were actually both wide awake by 8.30 so went off for breakfast! Our first job was to organize the van and trailer which took much longer than we thought but really needed to be done! Then we went to the bike shop to get my bike adjusted – the cables had been rubbing – so that was good (although I thought I had 480 loyalty points and was going to buy some much needed shorts and shirts and they said I only had 48 – bummer!). We then tried to send Dean to Alcatraz but unfortunately there was no availability for a week!! Popular place? Off to Best Buy for a failed mission. Decided to ride a little way up the steep part of Lombard Street – just for the fun of it – but it was very crowded so didn’t stay long! Anyway – that was our day off!!

Day 9 - Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Day 8 - Avenue of the Giants

Day 7 - Trees of Mystery

Day 6 - Welcome to California

Day 5 - Oregon Dunes

Day 4 - Pacific Grind Cafe, OR

Video Diary - Day 1-3

Day 2 - 3

DAY 1: Start Blaine, WA