Arrival in San Diego

Friday, September 9

We arrived in San Diego this afternoon, thrilled that our bikes (that we packed in cardboard bike boxes) made the flight unscathed.  The perils of traveling with bicycles - it is never easy or worry-free.  First, you have to worry about your bike actually getting to the destination with you (we've all heard the lost luggage stories).  Then, you have to worry about how seriously the baggage handlers will take your "Fragile - Please Handle With Care" messages written in bold lettering on the boxes.  I had nightmares of the bike boxes being tossed about, landing at the bottom of a pile of heavy luggage and manhandled as they made their way from plane to plane, only to show up on the baggage carousel hardly recognizable and with various parts bent, broken or missing.  (Geez, I'm not too paranoid about the bikes, am I?)  Well, I'm glad to report that the bikes appear to have been treated quite well.
The weather is gorgeous here - sunny and about 68 degrees.  Perfect, as San Diego weather often is.  We checked into the Best Western and met a few of our fellow riders and some of the crew that would be supporting the trip.  We assembled our bikes in the parking lot of the hotel with relative ease. Both bicycles appear to be in working order, thanks to my great bike mechanic . . . who just happens to also be my husband.  : )
Tomorrow we will ride to the coast and dip our wheels in the Pacific Ocean to mark the official start of our journey.