Today is my rest day. It could have been a forrest, near lake, on a MT.
Nope in the desert. I must really love the desert or find it homey. At least there are no flying pests. I was welcomed with some morning overcast, which then diluted with the sun's slaughter. Still set in a high over cast the sun has evaded this area of capture now pouring the beams my way. The only reprieve is a windy hand sake greeting my sweating body.
I am perched in a parking lot of some sort of gas exploration. They have pipes stuck in the ground feeding someone's dream. All operating off Americas land by via permit. To bad they can't whisk me away huh?
Not that anyone is going to come out on the holiday weekend. Point of rocks is a gas station. A once thriving community I am sure when the rail road used steam or the settlers used the Overland trail.
Now a truckers haven. The overland trail now a dirt rammed road going now where. All of this lies in the valley with steep banks on each side. Wedged in between is the transcontinental railroad, town, interstate 80, Overland tr, and the old highway which acts a super bikeway. Like marriage they come together when things are tight, then separate as they're allowed.
No shade not even a tree lives here. The shrubs grow about two feet then understand there limitations. No one crowds each other like a battle ground with each root system. Get to close and wither away with a dry mouth. Equally spaced as if I went out and planted.
So here I sit every once in awhile a woosh sound comes from the pipes. A train thunders through a fast moving fence never letting the weather wear it down unlike its stolid friends. The hum of traffic flows like a river. All day long like sheepish white rectangle boxes follow the flock ahead. What is not on the train lies in those containers ready to delivered at 5 dollars a gallon.
I left some oats to steep and now mushy and semi warm I ate lunch with some raisins. Tonight Beef stew rather than cleaning my dish I just threw that in there to steep for the dinner. I am going to have some green beans also. Nice thing about eating all this food is I now am not hauling it. I will have dropped a half a gallon of OJ and milk seven pounds right there. Just because I am in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean I can't enjoy refrigeration. A lot of that is hype. "Refrigerate after opening". Some label to save their ass.
Rest days can be rather boring. Because a rest day in whole means you sit on your ass. If you go do something you have to ride your bike. Even hiking someplace takes energy. We all know you can't camp right outside the doors unless you want to pay for it. So rest days leave you antsy to cycle, yet at the same time your body is telling you to rest. If I get a signal, then the internet is there, but limited in a big way from speed to what you see on the screen. So you end up reading things on the internet with laborious results. So you get prodded to go back to the novel you're reading. I picked up The Rabbit is Rich by John Updike. Crafted in 1979, talking about the gas crunch. Yes complaining about 99 cent gas. How gas guzzlers are dead (suvs?), and how in 2000 oil will be gone ::ha!
On another note he talks about where he lives in Pennsylvania. To which I lived there even thinking I drove on some of those roads. Regional cities usually have similar themes to the street designation. Like Dwight Eisenhower (spelling) or Third street. (Spelled out)
So when he talks about row homes I know all to well about them.
The book is amazing in the literary sense. No flashy characters nor no need to look up every word in the dictionary. Yet he captures the characters in your mind doing normal things. Amazing.
So as I bake in my tent so does my dinner. My tent is not staked so I can keep up with the sun's movements. 14 hours of sunlight seems like an eternity. Whether your in a forest or in a desert. Like a nagging telemarketer, ready to ring your bell and remind of what you need to forget about. Today I slept right through my alarm. Tomorrow I will be up before it can blow its bugle.
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Saturday, July 5, 2008
So I finished shopping for my food, a thunder cell had moved towards me. I had to walk my bike for a couple blocks due to the cross wind. The laundromat was closed.
As I was headed into the food store I saw to bums asking for money. The sign " traveling broke and hungry. "
They were still standing there when I left. I gave them a good luck (you will need it). Looking like young slobs I wasn't going to give any food.
I bought enough food to last a week. I guess I get a little overboard when you know you are heading into a desert.
At any rate I went back to the park to eat some strawberries and OJ.
I rested most of the day here, watching families and friends picnicing. As another thunderstorm rolled by so did I. I didn't care if I was riding in the dark. I had a rest day comming up.
I thought I would have to use the interstate, but they have a service road. I might add I have the whole road to myself. Although I really debate which is safer?
65 on a two lane road, or 75 with my own 7 foot shoulder. There are some gaps on the frontage road and it looks like some unnamed roads will see.
The ride was pretty easy going. However I rode my ass off literally. Rest day for me.
Upon reaching Point of Rocks I saw my fireworks. And they kept going. For about an hour and a half. Since it was private I was right there looking at them real low to the ground. It was the biggest show with the fewest people maybe 20 at the most.
I then found the overland trail and walked my bike down the dirt road to find a camp site.
I beded down and got some sleep. It has been warm lately, I have been foregoning the rain fly for a ceiling of stars. Also mosquitoes have left the building how nice.
I was originally going to use I 70 in Co , but accordingly to the bike suitability map I am restricted from using it. So I choose I 80. So glad I did that. Let Wyoming get my money rather then CO.
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As I was headed into the food store I saw to bums asking for money. The sign " traveling broke and hungry. "
They were still standing there when I left. I gave them a good luck (you will need it). Looking like young slobs I wasn't going to give any food.
I bought enough food to last a week. I guess I get a little overboard when you know you are heading into a desert.
At any rate I went back to the park to eat some strawberries and OJ.
I rested most of the day here, watching families and friends picnicing. As another thunderstorm rolled by so did I. I didn't care if I was riding in the dark. I had a rest day comming up.
I thought I would have to use the interstate, but they have a service road. I might add I have the whole road to myself. Although I really debate which is safer?
65 on a two lane road, or 75 with my own 7 foot shoulder. There are some gaps on the frontage road and it looks like some unnamed roads will see.
The ride was pretty easy going. However I rode my ass off literally. Rest day for me.
Upon reaching Point of Rocks I saw my fireworks. And they kept going. For about an hour and a half. Since it was private I was right there looking at them real low to the ground. It was the biggest show with the fewest people maybe 20 at the most.
I then found the overland trail and walked my bike down the dirt road to find a camp site.
I beded down and got some sleep. It has been warm lately, I have been foregoning the rain fly for a ceiling of stars. Also mosquitoes have left the building how nice.
I was originally going to use I 70 in Co , but accordingly to the bike suitability map I am restricted from using it. So I choose I 80. So glad I did that. Let Wyoming get my money rather then CO.
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Friday, July 4, 2008
The animals have been very play full.
On the way to Rock Springs an ELK or deer ran alongside the highway only 100 feet ahead of me the crossed over. Eating my lunch a squirrel came up to me for five mins. About 6 inches away from me.
Douglas made it back in town.
Upon eating my lunch a biker asked if the power was on. - asked 'you in a band or something turns a huge bike rally is taking place on Saturday. He invited me to join in. Should I stay or should I go? I have the beard and the bike! I am in a serious debate. Finding a place to stay shouldn't be that hard. Iam sure I won't be the only one stealth camping. I will have to think this one over. The killer is I need a rest day.
I am super glad I got into rock Springs today can you imagine all that bike traffic? Bikers are the worst for cyclist. The small foot print and lack of a safety cage. Tends to have them share the lane no matter what. Equally frightening as the mass hurls by you. Within a couple, I can count the number of cyclist who went in the other lane on my trip. So here is my chance should I stay or should I go?
Damm the park has been lovely with the church bells in the background.
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On the way to Rock Springs an ELK or deer ran alongside the highway only 100 feet ahead of me the crossed over. Eating my lunch a squirrel came up to me for five mins. About 6 inches away from me.
Douglas made it back in town.
Upon eating my lunch a biker asked if the power was on. - asked 'you in a band or something turns a huge bike rally is taking place on Saturday. He invited me to join in. Should I stay or should I go? I have the beard and the bike! I am in a serious debate. Finding a place to stay shouldn't be that hard. Iam sure I won't be the only one stealth camping. I will have to think this one over. The killer is I need a rest day.
I am super glad I got into rock Springs today can you imagine all that bike traffic? Bikers are the worst for cyclist. The small foot print and lack of a safety cage. Tends to have them share the lane no matter what. Equally frightening as the mass hurls by you. Within a couple, I can count the number of cyclist who went in the other lane on my trip. So here is my chance should I stay or should I go?
Damm the park has been lovely with the church bells in the background.
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So now seeing the flamming gorge and then taking the tour which lead me into the bowels of the dam.
I continued on. Chelsa was a great tour guide. We went down the 400 foot dam in an elevator. It was so cool down there they needed heaters in the winter time.
They had only 7 floors. Some had access tunnels within the concrete.
We arrived and looked at the 3 turbines. One which was whirling away at the 1600 cfs. The river was green due to the algae. We then got to stand above the overflow. We could literally fell the power being generated by the gushing water comming out. The interior of the dam looked a time capsule from the sixties.
I continued on. Chelsa was a great tour guide. We went down the 400 foot dam in an elevator. It was so cool down there they needed heaters in the winter time.
They had only 7 floors. Some had access tunnels within the concrete.
We arrived and looked at the 3 turbines. One which was whirling away at the 1600 cfs. The river was green due to the algae. We then got to stand above the overflow. We could literally fell the power being generated by the gushing water comming out. The interior of the dam looked a time capsule from the sixties.
After that I headed to get some milk and eat lunch.
I then ascended about 10 hills and 3 moderate ones.
I crossed over into Wyoming. After 3 or 4 hills. Next up a 2 mile at 9 %. Then a couple more hills and my second hill less than a mile and about 10 %. That lead me around the mountain so I was riding on a cliff for about 4 miles talk about a view. It was un real.
After comming down the back side I saw snow. Its July 3 and snow!
Next up my last hill another cliff hanger only about 2 miles. The view again was stunning. The whole valley was green.
I did some walking up this hill even with out a shoulder I had no problems. As vehicles could pass.
I made it on top of the plateau and rode it to my camp site. Nice rolling steep. The road was so bad 1 inch cracks had formed. Causing me to slow down not wanting a flat or broken spoke. At one point before the 3 hill. Mark pulled over and asked if I wanted cool crisp water. He had passed me, then turned around compelled to offer. I was compelled to drink it. He offered another bottle and even was going to give me some gatorade, but they kids drank it. Wow!
Thanks Mark!
I finished both of in a hurry and was on my way.
Lots of places to sleep in Wyoming! From what I can see so far better than CO.
So far so good will make into Rock springs tomorrow for the 4th. Then onto Rawlings.
Amazing and free.
Ok so no parade nothing all this takes place in a town to far from me o joy.
I entered the downtown to find only myself and Warren. He take about how they killed the Chinese when they built the railroad and it was completed. He talk about stripper row. And gave some other history. The town is split by rr tracks. The town is a maze of angled streets like L street. I found a circular park to eat in and ate lunch. As I said there it forms a circle this town is amazingly old.
Only one grocery store. The library was closed for the weekend so dang!
Pretty food stop.
I am not able to post pictures. So get some groceries and leave.
The trip down to Rock springs was ok compared to yesterday. A few moderate climbs. 51 is great road to Rock Springs. However very few road signs left me wondering where I was.
I met Douglas out on his new bike. I gathered the important information, which Warren offered more in depth information as what was there. I confirmed I 80 has wide shoulders and water will be about 25 apart. With that I was set. 108 miles that should take three days and one day for resting. I was at the end of my rope having traveled for 8 days straight my longest so far. I also traveled over 300 miles in the same time frame.
With little to see and getting closer. Not wanting to fins a way to Denver. It full throttle, till I can get outside Rocky Mt park. Then relax.
I am headed up to Painted rocks another 24 miles. I should be in desert for most of the way. Wyoming has very few big towns. Rock Springs is one of them.
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Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Since leaving Vernal the longer way got a whole lot tougher. Three days of local MT thunderstorms, climbing, and cycling. One day I was heading to Vernal and could see that in the distance. Forecast storms / unstable weather should move through.
The beatdown started last night as I tried to move forward in the rain looking at a huge hill it was time to bed down. Not cycled very far and wet I threw all my gear inside. I read my shark book for a while and went to bed. Waking up with sunny skies. I headed out.
The hill was another little morning work out it took five hours of cycling. There was a mining operation going on. And then the hill lead into the Ashley forrest. Yep the same one I left like 90 miles ago. I was sweating so bad I felt like a leaky water balloon. Rest stops were only to recapture to my breath. At one point people were passing in a no passing zone right in front of me to get around the slow oncoming vehicle. I showed them my affection like they couldn't see me in the first place . I am a safety wart I error on the side of safety. Now upon getting to the top of the hill more thunderstorms. A brief descent and then I walked my bike up the second hill now raining. Little bush creek.
I paused for a minute before the third hill watching three 5 th wheelers caravan down a forest road. The rain wave had past. At 8000 feet it was rather chilly in shorts. I went from hot, freezing, to hot in one day.
After a small hill I found some shelter near a byway and waited for the next wave of rain. I ate some lunch. While eating I met with a lady who was traveling to the gorge.
Looking at the map I knew I was done ascending. Now rolling hills or descent? Either way I put my rain pants on and headed out in the sprinkling weather. I summited shortly after 8426 feet. With my gear I was warm descending. Until I got to warm and started stripping. A guy with a boat had stopped. I am fine I concluded. And we wished each other safe journeys.
I continued on ready to drop the 2000 feet. At the split into the recreation area I headed in. Speed limit dropped to 40 I was doing 30. I saw a huge line of cars the other way after a semi was going like 5 mph. Traffic was great not to antsy to pass me. At one point some people where having troubling passing me or didn't want to so I slowed around a U corner and let them pass. Continuing on I passed through the oak creak steel arch bridge and to the visitor center. Hearing about the fantastic tour I set that up for tomorrow in my plans. Crossing the dam was awesome. I could feel the power beneath me. People we're cheering me on. We were having a party on the dam as speeds were rather slow. I even got passed on the dam. Wow.
I found a gas store got some beloved milk and road to my next camp site. I couldn't camp (dispersed) at the recreation site so I had to get back to Ashley forrest. Upon climbing a hill I found an power line access road. The remnants of earlier campers had me pitching a tent. Nice only a few miles from the dam and ready for that tour tomorrow. I finished my shark book. Onto another. I ate dinner and went to bed.
I got a Colorado and Wyoming state map to plan my next adventure. Tomorrow I will be in Wyoming. I have now crossed from the southwestern end to the northwestern end of Utah.
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The beatdown started last night as I tried to move forward in the rain looking at a huge hill it was time to bed down. Not cycled very far and wet I threw all my gear inside. I read my shark book for a while and went to bed. Waking up with sunny skies. I headed out.
The hill was another little morning work out it took five hours of cycling. There was a mining operation going on. And then the hill lead into the Ashley forrest. Yep the same one I left like 90 miles ago. I was sweating so bad I felt like a leaky water balloon. Rest stops were only to recapture to my breath. At one point people were passing in a no passing zone right in front of me to get around the slow oncoming vehicle. I showed them my affection like they couldn't see me in the first place . I am a safety wart I error on the side of safety. Now upon getting to the top of the hill more thunderstorms. A brief descent and then I walked my bike up the second hill now raining. Little bush creek.
I paused for a minute before the third hill watching three 5 th wheelers caravan down a forest road. The rain wave had past. At 8000 feet it was rather chilly in shorts. I went from hot, freezing, to hot in one day.
After a small hill I found some shelter near a byway and waited for the next wave of rain. I ate some lunch. While eating I met with a lady who was traveling to the gorge.
Looking at the map I knew I was done ascending. Now rolling hills or descent? Either way I put my rain pants on and headed out in the sprinkling weather. I summited shortly after 8426 feet. With my gear I was warm descending. Until I got to warm and started stripping. A guy with a boat had stopped. I am fine I concluded. And we wished each other safe journeys.
I continued on ready to drop the 2000 feet. At the split into the recreation area I headed in. Speed limit dropped to 40 I was doing 30. I saw a huge line of cars the other way after a semi was going like 5 mph. Traffic was great not to antsy to pass me. At one point some people where having troubling passing me or didn't want to so I slowed around a U corner and let them pass. Continuing on I passed through the oak creak steel arch bridge and to the visitor center. Hearing about the fantastic tour I set that up for tomorrow in my plans. Crossing the dam was awesome. I could feel the power beneath me. People we're cheering me on. We were having a party on the dam as speeds were rather slow. I even got passed on the dam. Wow.
I found a gas store got some beloved milk and road to my next camp site. I couldn't camp (dispersed) at the recreation site so I had to get back to Ashley forrest. Upon climbing a hill I found an power line access road. The remnants of earlier campers had me pitching a tent. Nice only a few miles from the dam and ready for that tour tomorrow. I finished my shark book. Onto another. I ate dinner and went to bed.
I got a Colorado and Wyoming state map to plan my next adventure. Tomorrow I will be in Wyoming. I have now crossed from the southwestern end to the northwestern end of Utah.
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
So now Vernal is complete.
I stopped into the Golden corral to eat dinner before I leave. The rain performing its tricks. My ride in wet weather mode.
Annette, Gage, and mechanic K.P. We're all Gracious hosts. Offering me some cool crisp water on arrival. Knowing what touring is all about. Every day spent still is a day behind. Heading into the rockies I would need those days to walk up them hills. They allowed my gear to be stored while they attended to my bike. I headed down to the library. Letting the Doc have as much time as he needed. The doctor had too fix my hanger, how embarrassing. Mystified how that keeps happening. Now my worries subsided that there was something wrong. My shifting needed attention. K.P. even fixed my odometer and attended to the rest of the bike. A fellow tourer I am sure his Canadian tour will be splendid. Sight lines on the plains should allow for some good passing.
Gage is going to get into the action and spread his wings when graduated with school. Heading down to Mexico for some fun.
Just like Matt a few days back another shot in the arm and some fresh tubes is just what I needed. As I headed out they offered to store it from the rain. I kindly declined eyeing the Golden Corral.
(Thanks so much gang and happy trails.)
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I stopped into the Golden corral to eat dinner before I leave. The rain performing its tricks. My ride in wet weather mode.
Annette, Gage, and mechanic K.P. We're all Gracious hosts. Offering me some cool crisp water on arrival. Knowing what touring is all about. Every day spent still is a day behind. Heading into the rockies I would need those days to walk up them hills. They allowed my gear to be stored while they attended to my bike. I headed down to the library. Letting the Doc have as much time as he needed. The doctor had too fix my hanger, how embarrassing. Mystified how that keeps happening. Now my worries subsided that there was something wrong. My shifting needed attention. K.P. even fixed my odometer and attended to the rest of the bike. A fellow tourer I am sure his Canadian tour will be splendid. Sight lines on the plains should allow for some good passing.
Gage is going to get into the action and spread his wings when graduated with school. Heading down to Mexico for some fun.
Just like Matt a few days back another shot in the arm and some fresh tubes is just what I needed. As I headed out they offered to store it from the rain. I kindly declined eyeing the Golden Corral.
(Thanks so much gang and happy trails.)
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I am in Vernal!
Huge stepping stone. 300 miles from Denver if I take the easy way!
Of course no way am I doing that. I am headed up to Wyoming and the on through Steamboat springs Colorado.
Huge stepping stone. 300 miles from Denver if I take the easy way!
Of course no way am I doing that. I am headed up to Wyoming and the on through Steamboat springs Colorado.
I am a bit of a worry wart, so I took my bike into the shop it is missing on the lower gears. Which I can get away with that, yet if I can get it looked at why not.
I stopped in Red rock cycle after Attitude cycle was packed, they also didn't have any tubes. Which was more of the bummer. As my bike can still ride fine with air those tires. Red Rock had tubes thank god. I order two giving me three spares.
So I went down to the library to chill.
Coming into (I just found a quarter!) Vernal was all down hill after my 83 mile ride. I took the old mail route for the 2100 to 0300 portion of my ride. Nice and quiet.
Less traffic and with the darkness resembling the black hole the less oncoming lights the better. US 40 was another Utah death trap. While I won't complain about the interstate speeds everyone did by me nor the tiny three foot shoulder. I will complain about the rumble strip. If your not going to invest in providing safety to a cyclist. Please don't take away what little I have to work with so a stupid motorist has additional safety. Not only is the rumble strip on the edge, but also in the middle.
I wish we could sue them for making a road so dangerous.
To make it even worse there was no oversight in the rumble at times leaving me with a rumble strip right in the middle of the shoulder. When ever there was a guard rail I would be pinned by rail and rumble threading my 80 pound bike n trailer between. All the while traffic zoomed at70 mph. How pathetic. At one point I was run of the road into the rumble which was on the edge of the road.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Roosevelt a four lane had emerged. Having spent the last 3 hours having life flash before my eyes. I took the wide and was ready to kick some ass if anyone objected I was fumming. I think I could have beaten up king kong at that point.
One person managed to yell to get off the road right in the middle of town. He didn't take my challenge.
Upon reaching the fort I started on the mail route. Ahhh what a fine route that was leading me right to the National forrest at 0300 hours I settled down for brief 4 hour nap. No bear trees so cross those fingers.
The rain clouds had again begun to north good thing am chillin in Vernal.
I had a productive day.
I bought my plane ticket and I enrolled in all my classes. Having dropped a cool 1500 in the process.
If all my classes run and I know I am gonna pass. Then I will have only one class left. OMG!
I have taken two classes already before yet had to withdraw.
Things are starting to heat up. I have about a month to make it Denver.
So now off to collect my bike and head north into the rain.
I am going to rest a couple days and into the Flamming gorge.
I still might go the easier way since I have to climb the rockies, yet I need to map the extra distance first.
I am just happy to be here on the edge of an end.
This trip has been unreal and now I know I can do it.
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Monday, June 30, 2008
Getting ansty and really no place I wanted to spend another night I moved on.
I can see where are headed for more Thunder storms today.
I coasted all the to Duchesne whic was nice. 30 more miles to Roosevelt and another 30 more miles to Vernal. It is going to be another where the heck do I sleep day.
I am in Indian reservation land through out till I get to Vernal.
I found a park in Duchesne and will stay here a couple hours. Have a picnic.
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I can see where are headed for more Thunder storms today.
I coasted all the to Duchesne whic was nice. 30 more miles to Roosevelt and another 30 more miles to Vernal. It is going to be another where the heck do I sleep day.
I am in Indian reservation land through out till I get to Vernal.
I found a park in Duchesne and will stay here a couple hours. Have a picnic.
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A day in the life.
So I leave my overnight resting spot at 0530. I take US 191 through Indian Canyon my first climb seemed like miles and miles of climbing. I didn't receive my sun light until 0730 due to the canyon walls (0600) . Even then there were spots the sun did crest and greet the canyon.
Along the way 3 state troopers screamed by separated by the distance they were covering. The first one didn't have any lights on, so I just pulled over moving at the slow pace of a climb. I am sure he radioed in that there was a cyclist along the path, because both of the other troopers had lights on but again no sirens. I moved over and put the foot down to allow a pass.
One trooper used his siren as he went around a blind curve in the oncoming lane.
The other trooper passed as any motorist should using the lane it would take to come back. Even though I was off onto the shoulder. Why not give as much space as you can even if it that means 20 feet I am not locked behind a steel cage with my seat belt on?
Here is my rant. While perfectly legal without. Taking the extra steps will increase ones dedication to safety at the same time making me look like a clown.
Which is not to bad at least I am a iving clown. My rear view mirror clued me in right away to the upcoming troopers as I could hear the roar of the engine reverberating off the canyon walls. My bright colored clothing allowed the troopers to first see and then plan far in advance for the pass.
Now I had to cycle for a good hour and a half to get to the accident so by 45 mins into cycling. When two more troopers screamed by I knew it was bad.
A semi lost control on the hill I was going up. This would be my second climb of the day.
He crashed through a guard rail, scraping the pavement as he went, then flew off a 500ft (approx) steep embankment. Which tore into his cab. Must have landed top side. Like going over a hill on a roller coasting. Then bringing him upright and resting. The trailer was bent in two sitting with now a right angle and detached.
At this point in the climb I was walking up the steep hill. Little did I know he almost made it down the entire hill.
Trooper stated "tough climb."
"Better than nothing." I exclaimed.
"Yeah you could roll down like that." as he stared at the wreckage.
"Definitely!" I proclaimed.
It didn't take long in the trucker world. All day long trucks were extra care full using the engine brake, not wanting to be the next dead person.
On this climb I was roasting , the head wind was gone and so was the frigid temps created by the lack of sun and fronting wind.
I climbed all the way up to Ashley National Forest. At roughly 9000 feet.
My mother was right again. Get past Helper and find a resting spot. Even with rest it still took 5 hours to get to my camp site and ascend both hills.
Of course I also knew she was right, I knew about climbing something some where and that was all I needed to find a suitable spot.
Once at the summit and at the entrance to the forest. Now finally after 5 hours of walking and riding, now descending, I then received a flat tire doing 25 mph. I could barely get the thing too stop in time. With my trailer wanting to push. The bicycle felt like I was riding on jello or pudding unable to steer whell. Was I going to be going down the embankment next to me? Taking control now and pulling to a dead stop on the 8 percent incline the brakes gave a last resounding squeal. I looked for answers. The rims felt hot to the touch. I looked on the back tire. Flat as a pancake. I had to now walk my bike down the hill a short way to a pull out. Oh the irony.
After removing all my gear and then trailer. No small feet considering I needed to prop it against something.
I then dropped the back wheel. I grabbed some food and tools and headed to the shady side of the road down my side of the embankment. Where tall pines encased me in a shadowy grave.
I threw my tire on I got from Bryce Canyon and inserted a 27 inch tube from Bike Route Cedar City, Utah. Changing a flat is like brushing my teeth.
Unaware some people called the troopers and reported bicyclist now done possible injuries. That didn't take long. I was half way through pumping up the tire, when he showed up. He thought I summoned a trooper as he was asking if I had enough waterand could repair it. Now a little confused looking a little mad at the end. I mentioned I was in the shade putting a tube in. I went back up to pump the tire. Hard to argue with that logic. I said "thank you and I am sorry".
"No worries. " He added. And he was off.
Then comes the ranger sees me whips into the pull out with his jeep and spins around in an arching turn using both pull outs on each side. I again state I am fine and he continues where he is headed in the first place. Now taking a more cautious three point turn (which in a jeep is one and half).
As I replace the tire back onto the steel frame another guy in mirrored aviators pulls up again to ask, are you ok do you need any water?
"Nope I am fine". I say.
"I hate being stranded". He adds.
"Amen to that." I provided and he is off still driving in the same direction.
Nice to know so many people care. Thanks gang.
So after 28 hours of very little sleep, a fixed flat tire, I walked down the dirt road and pitched my tent I had it. Yet my day wasn't done I had not had enough excitement already.
I noticed as my eyes ached and felt as heavy as submarines ready to dive. The clouds were thicking and bunching together. I set my alarm clock. I need a few hours to just frikin rest. Both of my climbs were direct assaults. Only straddling the bike to rest. Seeing how I wanted to end my day quickly.
I felt the first rain drop hit my face. For being so exhausted I still can wake up with the snap of the fingers. Like a soldier ready to march. I exited the tent with out looking up. I scrambled for the gear. Taking a quick glance I noticed the overcast. Quickening the pace now rain was coming whether I like it or not. I studied weather in college. I knew I didn't have much time. Having organized my movements in my sleep and through real time practice near Flagstaff. I grabbed my front painiers. In one swift ballet move both were on the ground ready for transport. I hosted my backpack up on my shoulders, grabbed my gear bag and painniers and I was off I had placed my bike near the entrance. I dumped the gear inside the tents unique salute, and now attended to my food bags. The only bags not in the now smaller tent. I had pulled my poncho out of my pack as I pushed it into the small doorway. The rain was pricking the blue plastic as though a new car smell penetrates stale air. A few heavy slush drops made its way onto the tent.
Completing all of this I paused and sat down to eat something incsase the storm 's intensity increases. Now the blacken clouds lay overhead as far as I could see. Thunder could be heard in the distance and eventually closer. I finished snacking and prodded over to the tent. Smiling at these sandals which didn't matter how wet you got them. Earlier I had dipped my feet in the ice cold MT stream which bordered my camp site. Still at altitude I felt the cold introduce itself into the mile high radiator. I felt a sense of calming now. As the atmosphere reacted to the violent weather. A safety valve on the pressure cooker. The over cast wouldn't let up, and the rain arrived with waves of guest ready to greet with gifts of raindrops honoring the tent. I hadn't seen dark skies so early since the memorial day snowstorm.
The rain subsided and the creek became swollen with sound. I peeked through my tent admiring this rare beauty of early nocturnal afternoon. The fresh rain sweetened the air with an evergreen scent. While the aspen's happiness waved their leaves in acceptance to the absent remaining five hours of sunny exposure in exchange for rain.
I am ready for a long night sleep. I woke up hours later to go hang my food. After seeing the tracks of a (bobcat) I has renewed effort. Now in bear country.
There are things you can do when not hanging your food. I had placed my bags inside a thorny shrub. If your going to my food I want you to work for it.
Now rested I read a little on the shark and drifted off to sleep.
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Sunday, June 29, 2008
Yea 0400 I am still awake. A trucker has join the campsite for most of the night. Of course we kept separate of each other.
The win is no picking up and the temps have been dropping off. I manage to put on almost every piece of clothing.
Wool socks check
Two shirts and a sweater.
Long under wear
Pants
Face mask
Gloves
Poncho
My brain numb from lack of sleep. Come on one more hour at least should start to see some light and head out.
The waiting is the hardest since I know I can generate a ton of heat cycling.
Eyes as anchors casting into a sea of a distant nothing. Searching for the light house which burns from the sun.
Rob sent me a newsie article to lift my spirits. It was about cycling commuting. I read it glinting eyes, nodding in agreement.
I was cycling to my current location. On a side road next to the highway a truck was bearing down on me. I was riding left out in the lane as the shoulder was inconsistent and treacherous. There standing in the oncoming lane a German sheppard right in the middle -i point to it to no avail, the almost run right into it. Avoiding it as the slam on the brakes. From what I can remember there was no shoulder at this point of my trip. Of course they yell at me. To get off the road. I tell them to Fuck Off.
Typical jackass. Maybe they should get off the road if they can't share.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
The win is no picking up and the temps have been dropping off. I manage to put on almost every piece of clothing.
Wool socks check
Two shirts and a sweater.
Long under wear
Pants
Face mask
Gloves
Poncho
My brain numb from lack of sleep. Come on one more hour at least should start to see some light and head out.
The waiting is the hardest since I know I can generate a ton of heat cycling.
Eyes as anchors casting into a sea of a distant nothing. Searching for the light house which burns from the sun.
Rob sent me a newsie article to lift my spirits. It was about cycling commuting. I read it glinting eyes, nodding in agreement.
I was cycling to my current location. On a side road next to the highway a truck was bearing down on me. I was riding left out in the lane as the shoulder was inconsistent and treacherous. There standing in the oncoming lane a German sheppard right in the middle -i point to it to no avail, the almost run right into it. Avoiding it as the slam on the brakes. From what I can remember there was no shoulder at this point of my trip. Of course they yell at me. To get off the road. I tell them to Fuck Off.
Typical jackass. Maybe they should get off the road if they can't share.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
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