DAY 5 MAR 28 OCOTILLA TO BRAWLEY, CA 17 MILES; TOTAL MILES 144 MILES

Flat tires woes continue and consumed much of the day. Tom repaired his flat again but to no avail.  By wiping a klenex inside the tire-first one way, then the other, Jeff found a near microscopic wire in puncturing Tom's tire that was causing the greif.  After exhusting Tom's supply of extra tubes and several unsuccessful patching attempts, concern was heightened by the realization of being stuck in the desert 25 miles from the nearest bike shop with an unreparable flat tire.  In walking though town, Jeff found a new found friend from the bar the night before who linked us to Jimbo who drove us and our bikes and gear to the bike shop in El Central in his pickup. Thank you, Jimbo. 
After a couple of hours and the fine work of Pepe and Paul of the Finish Line Bike Shop, we were back on the road-good as new.  Jeff had his stem replaced and we both had tire liners install after the strong recommendation of Pepe.
Today, we crossed from desert to the Imperial Valley on the way to the bike shop.  From the bike shop in El Central,  we continued on to Brawley, by bike though some of the most productive farmland in America.  In one day we went from 4200 ft above sea level and wearing winter gloves to 200 feet BELOW sea level and near 90 degree. temperatures.

The journey continues....