Day 5 - Alone Again on a Long Boring Stretch

Thursday, Sept 3
Torrey to Panguitch with Planet Ultra
3940' feet of climbing
106 miles of biking

The Boyfriend and I set off together. Today's journey involved a long mostly flat stretch and a lot of wind. Basically, a day to get us from Point A to Point B. We were fortunate though that the wind today was maybe 10 mph. For those of us who have biked South San Jose in the late afternoon, the Utah wind was piddly. However, I was cold and appreciated that The BF was out in front protecting me. What a way to keep the romance alive!

The BF joined the tandem at around mile 20 and left me. What a way to keep the romance alive.... nah, I wanted him to get a move on after babysitting me. [p.s. on one descent, somewhere on our trip, the tandem people hit 60 mph]. I make a tactical error, talking to S.A.G. support and soon found myself in the back of the pack. It is today on a long boring stretch in which I planned to do my first 105 miles that I suddenly feel alone, wondering where I am, what day it is, tired of consuming gels, PowerBars, and so forth. Okay, I was feeling sorry for myself having no one to flirt with.....

The ride leader told me that if I was too slow, they would have to pick me up and take me to the hotel. Well, people, let me tell you, I kicked ass. Yeah, I had a plan to Motor West and I got my kicks but not on Route 66. Well, not really, but I tried to keep my spirits up. The road was uneven and dull with a lot of farmland and an exhausting climb of 10 miles.

At mile 65, I hung up my shoes. The weather turned funny, once again, with threatening dark skies. I made a very wise choice. Almost all of the other riders got caught in the coldish rain and many got flats. The BF got two flats! But his slimy gel stuff sealed up the punctures and got him home. [p.s., he is now experimenting with tubeless tires]. Me, I enjoyed yakking away in the comfort of the warm van with the Canadian and the retired military man with the broken wrist who were providing S.A.G. support today.

Stats:

65 miles
35 max
12.4 mph avg

Day 4 - Time to Climb

Wednesday, Sept 2
Tour of Southern Utah with Planet Ultra
Escalante to Torrey and Capitol Reef
6240' climbing

Once again, I start off early knowing that the gang will catch up soon. A few people leave earlier than I do. Like most of the trip, the roads are essentially free of automobiles. Today's ride involves about 45 miles of climbing but at a gradual incline (6% with a few steep bits). The photo above is around 6200 feet.

This section took my breath away. It was like the last bit of Mt. Ventoux. Shortly afterwards, The BF caught up to me. We ride together. We pee together. Yes, what a way to keep the romance alive.... :) It becomes a running joke with other riders that I have no issue pulling down my panties to take bathroom breaks anywhere I see fit. I am a wateraholic and this trip demands that I drink a lot. It is so dry and hot that often we show no signs of sweating.

I am no longer a dough boy! The swelling and rash have gone. Five minutes after this photo, I got a flat! No, you say, on your Specialized Armadillo tank tires! I was so lucky to have The BF with me to change it. What a way to keep the romance alive .... Of course, this delay means everyone catches up to me. Sigh. [p.s., the good looking retired married man from Los Altos has Continental tires. He never got a flat on the trip]. We head off on another climb and my chain slips. The BF, unaware of this mishap, keeps going and leaves me in the dust. What a way to keep the romance alive .... It took me 15 minutes to get it back on and on top of that, my hands were covered in grease and my water bottles tumbled down to the river. Let us just say I was not a happy camper.

Around mile 28, I slow down considerably and stop on the side of the road (yes, you figured correctly, another blood sugar dip). I meet some motorcyclists from Canada. Naturally I use the time wisely by flirting. Next up, the aspen forest but more climbing and I'm feeling a bit pooped. Suddenly, I hear a loud crackling rumble. Lightening strikes. The sky is black. I am frightened. I say to myself, "Yo Bitch, get a move on." Can we talk self-preservation! Before long, I see the cyclists who started before me! Wow, I caught up to them. This is around mile 40. I pick them off, one by one.

At the summit! It's cold and windy. Get this, the faster riders (as I learned later) were rained and hailed upon. Sometimes, being a slow rider has its advantages..... We descend but encounter only a few sprinkles.

The last 20 miles is mostly descending. The scenery changes again as I make my way towards Torrey and Capitol Reef.

The BF and a few others who still had some climb in them went into Capitol Reef. Me, I was just happy to get to the Rim Rock Inn in one piece. The photo above is just one of many of our views from the Inn.

Stats:

66 miles

36.5 max

10.1 mph avg

6 hrs 35 min.

Day 3 - Bryce to Escalante

Tuesday, Sept 1
Tour of Southern Utah with Planet Ultra - To Escalante
1800 feet of climbing

Considered firing The Boyfriend because he wouldn't let me stay in and watch the James Bond marathon on television.




We begin the entry into Escalante. This ride started at noon after the hike in Bryce Canyon. It was a short route. Oh get this, one of the cyclists recognized The Boyfriend - what a star!



Blood sugar dipped, thus, I ended up biking about 8 mph on a flat stretch for a bit. The BF babysat/chaperoned me as I churned along at a pathetic pace. But I made it to the summit and beyond.



Stats:

47 miles
33.5 max
14.5 mph avg
3.14 hrs