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| Jacamba outskirts |
The most exciting—or scariest—part of today’s ride was the 10-mile, white-knuckled descent into the Yuha desert along the stretch of I-8 leading toward Calexico.
The grade was 6%, which in itself would be no big deal. But the fierce wind gusts blasting down through the steep canyon cuts rocked me hard on several occasions. So I took several breaks on the descent to shake out my hands and to let my brakes and wheel rims cool.
Loved Hwy 98 until I got closer to Calexico, where the road’s shoulder narrowed and the traffic increased dramatically.
IMHO, both Calexico and El Centro should be high on everyone’s lists of places not to go.
I am particularly glad I decided against spending a night in the Jacamba CA community park. What a grim horror story that looked to be.
I think it makes more sense for me to stay in RV parks or other paid venues in the desert along the border, especially while traveling alone.
Simon, an Austrian I met today who is also doing the Southern Tier, said he was not inclined to camp in the free spots either. Too rough, he said.
Hope to run into Simon again down the line. But he seems to be riding faster than I am.
Near Jacamba, Old Hwy 80 runs very close to the border. Indeed, the road almost brushes up against the wall.
The Border Patrol sweeps the desert roads near the border with old tires to make it easier for them to check for the footprints of illegal immigrants.
DM: 73.4 miles, from Boulevard KOA camp to El Centro; TM: 157; 6.54 hrs riding; avg. spd: 10.6 mph; 1,427 ft climbing
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| BP tire drag |
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| The wall |
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| The wall, II |
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| I-8 east toward Calexico |
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| Simon |
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| El Centro Motel 6 |
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