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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