March 6

Day 2 Alpine to Jacumba, CA
46.6 mi
4200 ft elev. gain
11 mph avg

Cold all day, cloudy.  SAG, loaned me a vest so I could get warm.  Stopped for apple pie in Pine Valley. Tour truck happened by while we were there so we took out our bags and added more layers of clothing.
We rode primarily on Old Hwy 80. Shoulder was wide, but un-rideable(did I just make that word up) in some places.  I rode most of the day with Rita, except when going down long hills.  She was more daring than I am.  Max 30mph for me.  Sometimes I caught her on the uphill. Rain in last 8 miles, lucky us, only for short time.  (Definitely miss the visor on my helmet).

The later ones came in very drenched.

Rita is from Minnesota. Retired middle school math teacher.

Still raining.  Weather doesn't look promising for tomorrow's ride.

After an amazing dinner cooked by Linda out of the back of the trailer, everyone is showered, warm and happy.  I sure can't drink wine and beer and then ride the next day like these women can.

Jacumba is very close to Mexico...yes, there is really a fence.  I was told that there are Americans who own the land on the other side of the fence and used to walk into Jacumba...now they have to drive a long way and my guess is they don't bother to come here. 

 We are staying at a funky place that hasn't been updated since it in the 50s.   Mineral bath jacuzzi, Sauna warmed me, shower was perfect. There are other guests here who have said they have been coming here for years...for the power of the mineral bath, I imagine. http://www.jacumbasprings.com  I think the website makes it look a bit different than reality.