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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