I've been in contact regularly with Rick Mason who lives in Sacramento CA. Rick is very organized. All of the SAG drivers are lined up to drive the support van. His website www.transamericanquads.com has an organized timeline with a realistic daily mileage goal of 50. The other rider Aaron Roux is a Marine Veteran. I've never met an unorganized or unprepared military veteran. Both drove down to San Diego a few weeks ago and road the 1st days route just to make sure know the route out of the city well.
On my end plans are progressing well. The leave of absence contract with work is all signed and I've paid my health insurance premiums while I'm away. I've been refining the packing list (used the GBA list as a base) and making a few last minute purchases. I've been concerned about running out of power for the droid phone (mini laptop really). I'd hate to run out of power and not be able to call family. I'd also want access to google bike maps, google latitude, google blogger app, email, weather/satellite links and other technological wonders that allow one to be anywhere but still in touch. Frequent use kills the battery in about 24 hours. Having 2 batteries is handy but with frequent camping planned it could be a pain finding places to charge up. I started researching solar charges but the technology for a portable and effective unit isn't there yet. After some research I found a high powered New Trent battery pack that will recharge the phone 9x before the pack needs to be recharged. No more worries about being without power now. The Verizon Coverage map is the only concern in less populated areas.
Travel to California is booked. I've picked Amtrak to minimize bike packing hassles and lessen bike damage potential. Just remove pedals, turn bars and drop into a huge Amtrak supplied box with wheels attached ($20 bucks covers the box and handling fee...what a bargain over the airlines). Amtrak wins in the reliable winter travel department too. (An Amtrak employee couldn't recall ever having a train cancelled due to weather) The train will take 2 1/2 days to arrive in Fullerton California (30 miles from LA). The slower travel will give some extra time to decompress and prepare for the trip. I've sprung for the private sleeper car experience and hope it's a restful way to travel.
The Train pulls into Fullerton Monday at 6:30am. I'll meet Rick and Aaron in San Diego on Saturday. That gives me a week solo to explore the Southern California Coast. I've picked up the last section of the Adventure Cycling Pacific Coast route. The 1st day I'll strap on the saddle bags and bike out of the station just a few mile to the San Gabriel River Bike Trail that heads straight to the Pacific Ocean at Seal Beach. From their I'll ride the coastal route (total of 60 miles for the day) and setup camp just outside Camp Pendleton Marine Corp base at the San Onofre State Beach (famous for it's excellent surfing and tall sandy cliff trails). The 2nd day I plan to stay at the state park hiking the trails and hanging out at the beach. The 3rd day will be on the bike for a 50 mile coastal ride to Mission Bay Park in San Diego. Their is a plush campground right on the water with a public golf course across the road. The next 2 days I'll explore San Diego using the campground on Mission Bay as a base. Their is a 8 mile bike path direct from the campground to a bike only ferry (well pedestrians too) and continuing onto the tiny strip of land that makes up the Silver Strand State Beach. I may check out the famous San Diego Zoo on the other day. Then Saturday morning I'll meet up with Rick and Aaron, dip the rear wheel in the Pacific Ocean and start the Ultimate Bike Adventure!
