Day 5 - Jim Frondorf - Rock Star

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  Buckeye, Arizona, United States
Friday, June 6, 2008

Somehere (hopefully) you will see a picture of Rubio. About 8 hours in I come to a rest area, stop for a shade break and to replenish my fluids. There are maybe dozen shaded tables, all empty. I pick one, lean the bike against a nearby pole, and sit down. Two minutes later, some guy (Rubio) approaches my table, "Is that your bike?". There I sit, dressed in my dorky bike stuff, 2 feet from the bike, the only person in sight. What I wanted to say was "No, I've never seen that bike before. I just like to deck myself out in lycra and hang out at rest areas." But, the new socially skilled Jim that I am, just said "Yep". Big mistake. Thirty minutes later, I knew more about him than I know about Patty. Ex-Coast Guard, High School teacher, 4 boys, knows John McCain, used to coach a bike club, has a dream of going to the Netherlands and ride a bike, and much, much more. Eventually he asks if I want to see his bike, and, before I can say no, he goes and gets it out of the back of his truck. Finally, he notices that I'm trying to leave, and asks if he can take my picture

Did I miss a turn?

. I say ok, he goes back to his truck to get his camera, but its out of film (film?), but he has a second one. While all this is going on two hippie looking girls slow down, lean out the window and ask Rubio whats going on. He says "This guy is riding to Florida!". Now they are waving their arms and screaming things like "awesome!" and "you f...n rock, dude". Which of course now has other people coming over...and I can't get out of there fast enough. Should have went with my first instinct.

I did put in about 125 miles like I planned, but I'm not in Wickenberg, I'm in Buckeye, Az, maybe 40 miles from Phoenix. The day started with me riding on I-10 ( yes, it's legal), but when it came time to get off and take the backroads, I saw the sign that said Phoenix 140 miles ahead, and decided that the Interstate was the place for me. Must have been that geometry lesson where they explain about the shortest distance between 2 points. Come to think of it I-10 goes all the way to Jacksonville... Just kidding. I couldn't carry enough inner tubes. Got 2 flats today due to roadside debris. Not fun changing those in 100 degree heat on the shoulder of the interstate. But, I made up a little for my off day yesterday.

Most drivers were courteous and respectful. Not a lot of trafffic. Truck drivers especially gave me a lot of room. A few cars honked as they passed, which was very irritating, at least at first. I couldn't see who was driving as they zoomed by, I initially assumed they were just not wanting to share the road. I felt much better after it occured to me that they were actually cars full of girls who just graduated from college, on their way to celebrate their new freedom, who naturally assumed that I was some fit, studly college age dude myself, as they approached me from behind...

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Had to hold back today	One of my 2 sets of clothes	and I wanted to run with the Big Dogs	Greg's roadkill
My view today	Right back atcha, Easter Beth	Rubio!	So many choices...so little time

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