I got a text from Kate, one of my riding buddies, this morning after inquiring how everyone was doing. Yesterday, Kiwi John and Cathy crashed after being chased/attacked by 4 dogs!! We had all been plagued by loose dogs several times during the ride – one actually got hit by a car when he dashed in the road after us! (He hobbled away.) But yesterday was the first crash due to dogs. I guess John chipped a tooth and bent his derailleur – not good!
I texted Kate that if John needed parts, I could probably find them here in LA somewhere, given the number of bike shops – and then we’d figure out how to get them to him. I really hate the thought of him starting across the deserts of Arizona and California with a bike in ‘iffy’ shape – damned dogs!!
I’m recovering well and, in fact, went out for a 30+ mile ride on my road bike today. It felt really weird after riding on a bike loaded with 40 to 50 pounds of gear for the last several weeks! It felt like I was on a rocket! More to come!
Hi Mike: where did they run in to the dogs? We had a similar experience in the Mojave – I will have to tell you about it when I see you.
I’m not exactly sure. I’ll get all the details when I meet them this weekend. I’m heading back out to Mojave to help them over a stretch where there are minimal services. I will be providing dinner one night and food for breakfast and lunch the next day, in addition to lots of water and Gatorade. I’m looking forward to it – should be fun. And then I will meet up with them again in San Dimas on Nov. 3 and ride with them the last leg into Santa Monica on Nov. 4th.