Yuma, Arizona to Calexico, California

Finally in California! In CA you can’t ride the freeway if there is a frontage road. The frontage road was the worst road I have ridden on the trip. It probably hasn’t been paved in 20 years. The weather started out ok but about 2:30PM a huge thunder storm rolled in and it started to rain, not just a little rain but in was cats and dogs.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 3 Hours 44 Minutes 40 Seconds
Travel Distance: 65.72 Miles
Average Speed: 17.5 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

→ URGENT REQUEST – PLEASE READ ←

Thank you to everyone who forwarded the blog link to their contacts. If you haven’t yet, I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Now, I really need your help... This ride is getting long and the money is getting short. I am requesting additional help from everyone that views this blog. I need donation to successfully complete this ride. I am running out of money and the success of the trip and the mission is in jeopardy. Your donation can make a huge impact in the success of A Generation Free. If you are not able to donate money at this time there are plenty of other ways that you can show your support. I am in need of media exposure. If anyone has contacts with the media please forward me the contact information...It would be greatly appreciated. Please be generous by giving anything you can or just spreading the word about my efforts.

To make a donation go to: http://www.agenerationfree.org/

Thank you so much for your help!

With love,

Mikael

→ URGENT REQUEST – PLEASE READ ←

Each and every one of you who visits this blog makes an extraordinary difference to me as I undertake this ride. I could not do it without your support – in fact, if it was all about me, I would have quit a long time ago.

Now, I really need your help. To attract corporate sponsors and corporate donations, I need to show how much attention this blog and ride are attracting. PLEASE forward this link to EVERYONE on your contact list and request that they visit the blog. Please support me in having 10,000 people visit this site by December. It will make an enormous difference in helping me complete the ride. Keep visiting the blog regularly there are going to be several changes and additions to the blog that I think everybody will enjoy.

Thank you so much for whatever help you can provide.

With love,

Mikael

Gila Bend to Yuma, Arizona

The weather conditions were perfect for riding but again the roads were good and bad. It was mostly flat with one mountain pass.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 5 Hours 28 Minutes 9 Seconds
Travel Distance: 114.68 Miles
Average Speed: 20.9 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Mesa thru Phoenix to Gila Bend, Arizona

Clear and mostly flat. Some of the best and worst roads of the trip!

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 4 Hours 32 Minutes 00 Seconds
Travel Distance: 90.65 Miles
Average Speed: 19.9 mph

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Superior to Mesa, Arizona

Finally the morning temperature was back in the 50’s, with an afternoon high in the 70’s. It was a clear with little wind.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 1 Hour 41 Minutes 45 Seconds
Travel Distance: 35.33 Miles
Average Speed: 20.8 mph

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Show Low to Superior, Arizona

Another cold, cold morning! Starting temperature of 26 degrees with an afternoon high of only 54 degrees! It was up and down for most of the morning with the elevation around 7000 ft. Then I dropped down into the Salt River Canyon. When I left the base of the canyon I had about an hour and a half ride out. The rest of the day was up and down. I ended the day at an elevation of 4600 ft. Hard day!

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 6 Hours 49 Minutes 15 Seconds
Travel Distance: 114.86 Miles
Average Speed: 16.8 mph

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30 miles east of Show Low to Show Low, Arizona

Cold and clear with a morning temperature of 21 degrees.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes 1 Second
Travel Distance: 29 Miles
Average Speed: 15.0 mph

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Quemado, New Mexico to 30 miles east of Show Low, Arizona

Clear, Cold and Windy! It was 25 degrees when I started riding. Again the wind was blowing so hard it was like I was riding in place. As you can see by the average speed I was barely moving. It was up and down the whole day with most of it being up. I had to stop early and drive into Phoenix to meet Amanda and Mikaila at the airport. They are joining me on the trip for the next couple weeks.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 5 Hours 3 Minutes 31 Seconds
Travel Distance: 66.63 Miles
Average Speed: 13.1 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Albuquerque to Quemado, New Mexico

Another cool morning at 40 degrees but again it warned up nicely in the afternoon. Another tough day of hills that seemed to never stop! I started the day at 5000 ft and climbed to over 8000 ft before dropping down to 75 ft. For most of the day I was riding out in the middle of nowhere, only a few cars passed me in a 3 hour period. Again, I had to finish the last 2 hours in the dark. Just so you know how out in middle of nowhere we were we didn’t even have cell coverage when we stopped for the night.

My 16th birthday party, what a great group of friends

Start of the day in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Out in the middle of nowhere off of Hwy 117

New Mexico Arch off of Hwy 117

Riding in the dark with my dad behind me in the truck, it got cold quick once the sun went down

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 8 Hours 24 Minutes 4 Seconds
Travel Distance: 138.83 Miles
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

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I look forward to hearing from you.

Santa Rosa to Albuquerque, New Mexico

Cool and clear with a morning temperature of 41 degrees. It warmed up in the afternoon to around 70 degrees. Today was a hard day with the first 4 hours mostly uphill. It got dark on me riding and I had to ride the last 30 minutes in the dark with my dad driving behind me in the truck. The starting elevation was approximately 4600 feet and I climbed to over 8000 feet before I dropped down into Albuquerque which is around 5000 feet. I didn’t know that New Mexico had this many hills. As you can see by the average speed it was a tough day.

My son Pearce and daughter Mikaila

The Blue Hole is a famous scuba diving place just outside of Santa Rosa

New Mexico hills, it doesn’t look like much but they just kept on going

The plains of New Mexico

End of the day in Albuquerque. Like I said I had to ride the last 30 miles in the dark.

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 7 Hours 58 Minutes 45 Seconds
Travel Distance: 127.21 Miles
Average Speed: 15.9 mph

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I look forward to hearing from you.

Amarillo, TX to Santa Rosa, NM

The day started out with a morning temperature of 48 degrees. It warmed up to a perfect 72 degrees. The starting elevation was approximately 2600 feet with and ending elevation of 4600 feet. Even thought it was up hill I was still able to make good time. Today I put in more miles in one day than I have the whole trip except for the Seattle to Portland which was the first day and a sanctioned ride with over 8000 rider. It is a lot harder riding all by yourself. If it hadn’t gotten dark I would have kept on riding.

State 4x400 Meter Relay Team 1991 Aloha High school

Start of the day in Amarillo, TX

Texas. I'm not sure why the cars are in the ground

Welcome to New Mexico

New Mexico scenery

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 8 Hours 25 Minutes 17 Seconds
Travel Distance: 172.33 Miles
Average Speed: 20.4 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Amarillo, Texas

A day of rest...

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Texola, Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas

It was a chilly 31 degrees this morning. It warmed up a little in the afternoon but the wind was blowing so hard it still felt cold. Amarillo is at about 2500 ft so I was riding up hill most of the day. Not only was I riding up hill but I was riding into a strong headwind.

Best friends Aaron, Jeremy and Jason

Start of the day in Texola, Oklahoma. Cold, Cold, Cold!

Welcome back to Texas. It doesn’t even look like the same state

Northern Texas

More of Northern Texas

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 6 Hours 48 Minutes 21 Seconds
Travel Distance: 104.79 Miles
Average Speed: 15.1 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Injury Report...

The only thing that was injured today was my ego.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

Today was one of the toughest days of the trip. In the past 11 days I have covered over 1350 miles. Just when I thought I couldn’t be stopped I came up over a ridge and right into a strong head wind. Life has a way of keeping me in check. I went from riding between 18 and 22 mph to riding between 10 and 12 mph. I was out in the middle of nowhere and feeling very discouraged. It took all I had to keep going. I wanted to stop many times but kept on pedaling. I don’t want to be the type of person that stops when things get tough. I want to be the type of person that uses the tough times to my advantage. Every challenge is a learning experience.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

El Reno to Texola, Oklahoma

The morning temperature was 55 degrees with an afternoon high of 62 degrees. There was a 35 MPH cross wind with guests of 42 MPH. I had to ride leaning into the wind so that I wouldn’t get blown over. It was uphill most of the day with an ending altitude of about 1800 ft.

At the summit of Mt. Hood with one of my best friends Jason

Start of the day in El Reno, Oklahoma. Check out the wind!

Riding in Oklahoma

Oklahoma scenery

Canadian River, Oklahoma

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 6 Hours 47 Minutes 9 Seconds
Travel Distance: 133.01 Miles
Average Speed: 19.6 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

With the wind blowing so hard it was difficult to think of much other than keeping my bike upright.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Springer thru Oklahoma City to El Reno, Oklahoma

It was a cool clear morning with a temperature of 54 degrees. The high temperature was 77 degrees. The wind shifted from the south to a strong wind from the west. The ride was slightly up hill most of the day with the elevation of Oklahoma City around 1200 ft.

My dad and I getting ready to run the Hood to Coast Relay

Start of the day in Springer, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Memorial in downtown Oklahoma City

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 5 Hours 31 Minutes 31 Seconds
Travel Distance: 107.33 Miles
Average Speed: 19.4 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Injury Report...

I had to ride some of the day standing up because my butt hurt so bad, not the easiest thing to do!

The sore on my butt is getting bigger so I had to cut a bigger hole out of my saddle.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

When the ride gets tough and I need motivation I think about all the people that are still stuck in their addictions. I couldn’t have made it this far if it was just about the ride. This ride is about so much more.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

A Special Thanks...

Thank you Bicycle Alley for taking the time to tune up my bike. If you are in Oklahoma City and need a bike shop Bicycle Alley is the place to go.

http://bicyclealleyokc.com/index.cfm

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com
I look forward to hearing from you.

Burleson thru Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas to Springer, Oklahoma

The day started with thunder showers and cool temperatures. It cleared up and warmed up in the afternoon. There was still a strong tailwind. It was mostly flat in Texas but when I crossed over into Oklahoma there were some rolling hills.

Start of the day in Burleson, Texas. Today was the first time since Massachusetts that I had to wear my rain jacket.

Downtown Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Cowboy’s new 1 Billion dollar stadium

The Red River, the Red River separates Texas from Oklahoma

Welcome to Oklahoma

Rolling hills of Oklahoma

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 6 Hours 2 Minutes 39 Seconds
Travel Distance: 131.06 Miles
Average Speed: 21.6 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Injury Report...

Nothing new to report.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

A number of people have asked me along the trip what my favorite place has been. The truth is that I don’t pay to much attention to the scenery. When I ride I’m thinking more about the difference that I would like to make in the world, than the areas that I am riding. Don’t get me wrong, there have been many beautiful places along the way, but the beauty doesn’t give me the strength to keep going.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Austin to Burleson, Texas

The morning temperature was 64 degrees and cloudy. It warmed up to 81 degrees with afternoon sun. The terrain was flat with a slight tailwind. Fasted average speed of the trip, if it hadn’t gotten dark I would’ve kept on riding. I still want to try and ride 200 miles in under 10 hours.

My beautiful daughter Mikaila
Start of the day Burleson, Texas
Riding a corner in Texas
Texas highway 35, nice and flat
Texas Scenery

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 7 Hours 16 Minutes 36 Seconds
Travel Distance: 166.49 Miles
Average Speed: 22.8 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Injury Report...

When I get into a groove I tend to forget about the pain. When I think I can ride faster than I have before my competitiveness comes out and all I can think about is riding fast. It’s to bad I can’t get into that groove everyday.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

It's days like today when everything is going well and it makes me think I can do anything I put my mind too. Unfortunately, some days are harder than others and the doubt sets in. The farther I ride the more confident in my abilities I become.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Harwood thru San Antonio to Austin, Texas

It was warmer this morning with a temperature of 70 degrees and a high temperature of 86 degrees. The terrain today was more rolling hills. There was a head wind in the morning but when I turned to head towards Austin the wind was slightly towards my back. What a difference it can make not riding into a headwind.

Family photo

Start of the day in Harwood, Texas

Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

Texas State Capital in Austin

Texas rainbow at the end of the day

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 6 Hours 36 Minutes 10 Seconds
Travel Distance: 126.64 Miles
Average Speed: 19.1 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Injury Report...

Today my Achilles hurt for some reason.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Thought of the day:

When I am riding I wonder what people that are following my trip are thinking or if they have questions that they would like answered. If you have a question for me or are curious why I am riding 12,000 miles please send me an e-mail and I will answer it on the blog if you would like. If not I will just answer you in an e-mail. Send your comments or questions to mdluman@800meters.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

A Special Thanks...

Thank you to all the people that have sent supportive e-mails and let me know that what I am doing is inspirational. It makes the riding easier to know that I am touching people lives.

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Sealy to Harwood, Texas

It was foggy and humid morning, 65 degrees with a thick fog. As soon as the fog cleared it warmed up quick to 87 degrees. Very strong head winds today. The terrain became a little more rolling after I left Houston. I stopped riding early today because we needed to drive into San Antonio to have a new shifter and derailleur put on my bike. I have been having problems shifting since about the 3000 mile mark and we finally narrowed it down to the shifter and derailleur.

The Hood to Coast Relay with best friends Aaron and Jeremy, what a great time!

Start of the day in Harwood, Texas

Rolling hills on the way to San Antonio

Texas scenery on the way to San Antonio

Sunset driving into San Antonio to get my bike fixed

Daily Travel Stats:

Travel Time: 4 Hours 56 Minutes 25 Seconds
Travel Distance: 83.01 Miles
Average Speed: 16.8 mph

To leave a comment, just click below on "Comments." Also, if you would like to send me an email you can email me at mdluman@800meters.com I look forward to hearing from you.