Day Forty-One: "Howl" (11 February) 56 mi

I knew the winds would be bad today, but I figured they would be mainly from the north. I'm not used to variable winds in Florida, but today in Arizona I found out what they were. It seemed the winds would counteract every direction I went, blowing dust into my face and mouth. 12 mph on average, would gust up to 19 mph. It was dreadful, me sluggishly crawling at 9-11 mph. While it was mostly flat today, I did have some hills. And the worst part was that the day started off all downhill with no headwind, me going about 27 mph without pedaling. The winds tested me, howled in my face and aimed to tear me down like a tree in a hurricane. But I persisted, knowing that if I made it to Parker today, I would be rewarded with California tomorrow (and another century ride). But regardless of the mileage I'll put in tomorrow, at least it'll be in the place I have lusted after for four years. California. Wow, it's incredible to think I'll be there tomorrow. I'm so glad I decided not to drive there last summer; it only seems right to visit California by my own power. Maybe I should change this to Kyle In Cal.