For the fourth year in a row we find ourselves biking east from Borrego Springs on S22, the lonely, dramatically beautiful road to the Salton Sea. As we always do, we just ride out until it feels like the time is right to turn back - dropping all the way to the Salton Sea would make for a long but manageable 63 mile ride, but the closer you get to the Salton Sea the less appealing the ride becomes - once we cross the border into Imperial County the shoulder disappears, the sea itself isn’t all that attractive in our experience, the road surface deteriorates, and traffic worsens as we approach the sea - so we never plan on biking that far. And besides, with an expected high of 80 today and a complete absence of cover for the entire ride we want to get the off the road before the day heats up too much.
Even though this ride seems to be turning into an annual Team Anderson tradition now, we aren’t remotely tired of it. And today might be our best experience with it yet. Visibility is good, winds are mild but generally favorable - we have a modest tailwind helping us up the climb from the west, it it reverses direction once we cross the crest and helps us out on the way back too. Best though, we’re seeing the desert in a way we’ve never seen it here before. That look at a blooming sand verbena last night was just a harbinger of what’s ahead for us today. In spots the ground is blanketed with wildflowers, a colorful mix of verbena, brittle bush, desert sunflowers and evening primroses.
We make it back to the motel by 1:30, just when it starts feeling too warm to be out any longer. Time to grab a beer and sit outside in the shade instead.
Three miles from town we come to the first of the dramatic wildflower displays we’ll enjoy today. I wave Rachael on and tell her we’ll meet up in a few hours.
While I was stopped for that red ocotillo Silvan pulled up and stopped for a chat. He’s on his way south, hopefully to Argentina if he gets that far. He’s from southeast Portland but reveals that he hasn’t biked that whole way. He actually started 15 miles to the south of there, in Milwaukie. So, not that impressive after all.
Bill ShaneyfeltThey got a good soaking a few weeks back. I was hoping for more to get a superbloom, but it looks unlikely. Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Some may find this interesting. There’s plenty of climbing here if that’s what you’re after, but there’s a lot of flat, relaxed, quiet riding in the basin here too.
Ride stats today: 49 Miles, 1,700’; for the tour: 348 miles, 16,000’
Today's ride: 49 miles (79 km) Total: 348 miles (560 km)
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Kelly IniguezWe drove through Yuma and the Imperial Valley. I found it interesting to see the area where Cesar Chavez was a rights activist. The movie with Michael Pena was excellent, if you are in the mood. Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Scott AndersonTo marilyn swettThis looks like it would be a good winter for it. They had a bit more rain last night. Tucson has been seeing some rain too, so we’re excited to see what it’s like this year. Reply to this comment 1 year ago
