Today's exciting trip news from the Coast-2-Coast USA team - a bunch of brave dads/uncles/brothers/friends of children from the UK, cycling across the southern continental United States from Oceanside, California to St. Augustine, Florida to raise donations for the Children's Hospital for Wales and the Noah's Ark Appeal . Show them your support with pledges and, if you're on their route - especially at the end in St Augustine, Florida - turn out and welcome them, put them up or feed them or just buy them a beer!

Tuesday 24th March 2009

Where are we now, what state is this, what day is it and what time zone are we in?

The questions that seem to get asked several times every day by everyone of us.

At time of writing we are just about to leave San Juan Trading Post in Utah where we stayed last night, right along side the San Juan river which cuts through the massive red rock here.

Yesterday we left Grand Canyon (Tusayan) in freezing temps and snow. The Sun quickly melted away any ice and the first 30 miles, which Andy and I did, was mainly down hill with some magnificent views and vistas of the Grand Canyon and surrounding landscape. Every day the place seems to through up another couple of wonders for us to marvel at.

The afternoon, saw us in fairly stiff winds and dropping temps reaching Monument Valley, famous for its red stacks and western cowboy film scenery. For many of us this was THE site that we came to see.

Ian has already filled a 2GB memory card with 1200 photos and the rest of the team probably have another couple of thousand. Were going to bore the pants off friends and family when we get home with them for sure.

Today we cycle from Mexican Hat (Utah) into our 5th state in as many days, New Mexico and todays destination of Dulce (219 miles). Tomorrow wil see us reach Taos and a police escort and civic reception. Cant wait..

Happy Pedalling

Phil (AKA Kanye Pork Pie West)

Congratulations from Paul and Grace Jones of Taos New Mexico (USA)

Congratulations from Paul and Grace Jones of Taos New Mexico (USA). Paul Jones will be performing Native American Style flute music for the reception for the Coast 2 Coast Cyclist, Wednesday March 25, at Taos Plaza, PM.

Paul Jones is a musician who is Welsh/British born in England on the Queen's Jubilee! Paul is married to Grace who is native American, they have 3 girls and live on the Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico. Paul and Grace have been working with Indian Education for 10 years, and Performing their music in California and New Mexico,for Pow wows, cultural events, and Ceremonies.

Paul recently performed for De Pak Chopra and Kevin Costner 2007 in New Mexico. He will be donating his music Wednesday afternoon to honor his fellow Welsh Cyclists.

Paul looks forward to also perform for the Queen mother on her next birthday! They both celebrate their birthdays together !!

Peace to All, Grace Jones and Family

Rich's #7

The day started at the Grand Canyon enjoying the views that the weather denied us yesterday and the detour that took us here from the most direct route was worth every mile.

Although dry and bright the temperature was still below freezing and by the time Phil and Andy set off there was still ice on the road. After just under 2 miles they stopped riding and we all went to get breakfast together to wait for the ice to thaw.

Having had their fill they resumed and Gar and I took our place in the van. It was still bitterly cold and so we sat well wrapped. However, 30 miles down the road when we got out to begin our stint it was into nice warm(ish) sunshine and so we hurriedly removed a layer prior to setting off.

Gareth was feeling good (as evidenced by the air drumming) and several times I had to ask him to take it down a notch, but we still made good time.

While Andy and Phil were back out on the road Chats interviewed us in the RV. Because of a slight vocal indiscretion Gareth requested a 2nd take, but Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in the pilot and co-pilot seats and me tried as hard as we could to make his 2nd take even less of a success.

Back out on the road again and we had a slight role reversal as Gareth took some time to get his legs going - not helped by him discovering after 9 miles that his front brake pads were rubbing slightly on the wheel.

Then it was on to Monument Valley for further photo opportunities and yet again the landscape was remarkable.

4 days in and I'm now into unknown territory in terms of consecutive days of cycling. Apart from some soreness on my behind (it feels like someone is trying to pull out the hair on my bum every time I sit down) I feel good.

Rich

We are all so looking forward to meeting everyone in Taos

We are all so looking forward to meeting everyone in Taos. The scenery so far as we entered New Mexico has been awe inspiring. The many e mails and good luck messages that we have had from the Taos community has made this part of the trip the main highlight.

Everything that Marilyn and her friends have arranged is more than we could ever have wished for.

See you all tomorrow

Andy and the C2C team

Gar's #5

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley. Day 4.

Yesterdays whiteout meant an early start today, up at 5.30, we were on the road by 6.30...and looking back, it was worth the lack of sleep. The views of the canyon at sunrise was truly breathtaking, visibility from the southern rim all the way to the surface of the Colorado river. The one problem though, following yesterdays whiteout and the freezing temperature...Ice on the road, and unlike those other blokes who wear Lycra on itv, our bikes had no blades, a delayed start.

Once we got going, phillipousis and the bear make good time on a 30mile descent, with a couple of steady continuous climbs chucked in to keep the legs warm.

Rich and myself take over, and although there was one SSDBMF, the strong crosswind, made the leg slightly tougher than it should have been, but good time was made, and after having to stop to empty our mouths of the sand kicked up by oncoming traffic a couple of times, Tuba City, (which is more like drefach velindre than an actual city), was done.

Andy and phil continue, which allows us the pleasure of a couple of Merv's dits, and listening to mr. and mrs. Jones Exchange Chuck Norris-isms. Did you know that there are no such things as lesbians, just women that chuck Norris hasn't met!!

The next leg is almost a carbon copy of the first, longs traight roads with continuous climbs, a good averge speed and we're back with the married couple on HMS Hwyl, this time, with yellow hats removed...(because lowri said so!! Chuck Norris then called and said they must be worn from now on).

We reach monument valley, one of the highlights of the trip no doubt. We cycle good portions as a 6, to enable duffers and his sidekick chatsy to do their thang! Photos as often as possible, trying to find that perfect shot.

For the last two years, this has been the image used to promote the challenge on posters, as well as being the motivational poster put in front of my trusty turbotrainer in the garage, we were finally in the frame. Such an inspirational place, yet other than the Navajo indians hiding in the hills, it is only us here.

This environment has either got me very excited, or the altitude is starting to take it's toll. Although not very strenuous, my heart rate is still screamin and my guts are making the same motions as our doby kit...and we've been off the road for three hours.

Having crossed to our fourth state of Utah, we have also lost an hour recovery, so tomorrows late start Is most welcome as we head towards the hills of our fifth state...new mexico. From here on in, it's south east, and although altitudes in excess of 10,000feet lie ahead, we are finally, heading in the right direction.

The trip back to civilization would be most welcome though, as after being away for a week, a mobile signal would bring the relief of soothing voices back home. 4 down, 10 to go.

Pop

Gar's #6

Mexican Hat to Dulce, New Mexico

Today we hit our fifth state in five days, and after the wonders of California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah... What would New Mexico have in store.

A day of almost perfect cycling is what, with all groups completing each of their legs in double quick time. Belcher boy and myself hit out from Mexican water and after the opening three miles of rustyness was behind us, the Tarmac just slides underneath our burning tyres.

A big factor today was the conditions, with only a slight crosswind to contend with on occasions, days like these are a cyclists dream. The temperature perfect, the cool air crisp, the only danger as had was of hungry dogs chasing us along the highways as they ran from their shaded porches.

The towns of Shiprock and Farmington soon flew by, and but for the smell of roast mutton being sold by Navajo Indians on the hard shoulder, nothing was holding us back.

As we flew by Farrington, the camper came into life, the mobile phone signal had returned, and everyone had an opportunity to speak to loved ones back west. You could see all the tension and frustration from previous days lift, and Hms hwyl was in full swing, similar to receiving mail on the old Hms eagle, was merv's dit of the day.

We are now in Dulce, New Mexico, and tomorrow sees us enter the excitement of Taos, where locals, led by Marilyn and Randy have pulled out all the stops. It promises to be an unforgettable occasion. The only thing in our way, another 150miles or so, and peaks of over 10,500ft, which will bring with it frozen winds and long climbs. I dont think anybody can wait.

A few figures
1... The number of cougars seen by Phillipousis
2... The approximate gallons of phlegm that now line the roads of Arizona thanks to the intake of copious amounts of sand.
3.. We're a third of the way through this trip, and everyone Geelong great
4... Four corners, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and new Mexico
5...the days into the trip, and states visited
6...the number of guys without whom this trip would fall to a standstill, (support crew in case you were wondering)
7...wonders in this world apparently, if monument valley and the Grand Canyon aren't on that list...they bloody well should be.
8..the number of days we've all been away from our families. Miss you all
9...tequila, southern comfort, Andrew Porth, say no more!
10...thousand feet plus tomorrow. Bring it on.

Pops

Rich's #8

Strangely I awoke feeling fresher than any day on the trip so far - including day 1. The copious amounts of radian b I'd massaged into my legs had worked wonders and today was my best days cycling.

The scenery was not a patch on yesterday but the lack of wind and relative gentleness of all the slopes (with the exception of the last one that Phil, Andy and Ian had) meant that good progress was made all day through to Dulce in New Mexico, our resting place for the evening.

Top marks to the Dit Meister General for some fantastic lunch and the whole team really for pulling together really well.

Spirits were good today as along with decent roads mobile phone coverage resumed and we could all catch up with news from home.

Tomorrow promises to be an extraordinary day taking us to our highest point as we climb up to 10,500 ft and then on to Taos where it seems the whole town is coming out to welcome us.

Time for more radian b.

Stoneys viewpoint Day 5

We have just arrived in Dulce after a glorious cycle/drive from Mexican Hat, via Monument Valley the scene for our webpage and logo.

After a dreadful nights sleep, (where I ended up on the floor, freezing and aching all over, after Henry The Kitten Jones and Tomos Onslow Wilding managed to pinch the beds in our room, whilst I was drying the clothes for the team!!!!!!!) we set off after a hearty breakfast to Dulce. We weighed anchor of HMS Hwyl, with Kitten at the helm and Admiral Cooper organising the bridge and my good self in the navigation chair, whilst Tom was at the wheel of the Media Carrier, with Porth riding shotgun.

We made a quick stop at Monument Valley (again!!!!), for Dyffers and Craig to do the camera work, catching the Intrepid Four with our logo panorama in the background, whilst, in fairness, we took a fair few photos ourselves.

When we finally managed to grasp the camera away from the Media Kings, we continued onwards (and upwards) to Dulce. The scenery was, once again impressive and the climate most favourable for cyclists (so they told me before I was daft enough to find out for myself).

After a quick stop at Farmington, we finally managed to get a telephone signal for the first time in 3 days. I received a few texts from back home, with morale support from my good lady wife, Eileen and Sian Maud (plus a gloating e-mail from Buster because England finished higher than Wales in the 6 Nations). I even managed to get through to Eileen for a quick chat, and I must admit to feeling homesick for the first time on the trip. She also had a quick chat with our nephew, Gareth Seren Evans, which was a major achievement, as it was not on camera!!!!!!

After a hundred or so miles of excellent times achieved by the Intrepid Four, I was roped in 35 miles out, for a leg with The Bear and Pork Pie. What I didnt realise was that after an initial downhill (where I failed to keep up with the larger cyclists, me being the new, slimmer version of the Milgi) we had to climband climb..and climb!!!!! In fairness, they monitored the speed for me to keep up, although we maintained an average of 19mph for the leg. Not bad for 7000 ft!!!!

Can you believe it? 17 miles out from Dulce, Seren and Tricky Dicky decided to do the last leg. They must have wanted yet another photo opportunity!!!!! We had hoped to cycle the last leg together, especially after the long climb, but alas, it was not to be. So we three had to climb on board HMS Hwyl, sweat pouring through my USA bandana from my shining dome and onward to Dulce. The problem was, I didnt see one more hill (at least not upwards!!!!) until we reached Dulce. 17 miles downhill and they had the cheek to doubt my integrity after my unexpected 20 miler downhill. Was I impressed? I dont think so, as my shipmates on HMS Hwyl can vouch. The air could be described as seriously Anglo Saxon, although I saw the funny side by the time we arrived.

We arrived at Best Western, Dulce and after the usual post cycle ablutions, we adjourned for our evening tucker and post mortem of the day. I have just received my best meal in America Tacos and Enchiladas combination, with Spanish Rice and Beans, washed down with some Coors. Just got time to try and beat my roommates to grab a bed!!!!!

Another great day. 14 to go and Taos tomorrow, where we are anticipating the welcome of the trip!!!!!!!

Happy days

Stoney

10 things i won't forget from the trip....(so far)

1. Sleep deprivation - thanks Stoney.
2. The problems encountered at altitude.
3. Porth's altercation with the fire alarm.
4. Cycling behind Kanye 'pork pie' West isn't a good idea.
5. Merv's many Dits.
6. Grand Canyon in the snow.
7. Always to check the brakes on a bike before going down a hill.
8. Monument Valley in the sun.
9. Complete lack of mobile signal or wi-fi in most of Arizona.
10. Amazing photo opportunities round every corner.