Monday 19th Sept. Palm Springs to east of Twentynine Palms

Another hot day expected so leave before dawn heading north out of Palm Springs past a huge wind farm and over some truly awful tarmac. Flat at start but when we turn onto California highway 62 we start the first of several large climbs and some long gradually drags. We stop for a late breakfast at Denny's with Chris not being able to resist strawberry pancakes and fry up which are ordered as one but arrive on two plates.
While we eat a cover of cloud comes from nowhere but temperature remains at 101 F. Near the end of days ride Chris overheats but after applying crushed ice under a cap he recovers. Pass many poor shacks out in the desert. Don't know what they do but they aren't living the American Dream.
83 miles today to give total of 188 miles from the start.

Leaving Palm Springs at dawn. 

Tarmac that even Herefordshire would be embarrassed about! 

The last of the flat before the climbs