People say that Mt. Washington, NH is the windiest place on earth. Bull. They have obviously never been to Central Western Utah. We all understand that Utah gets a southern wind before storms come in, but apparently-and everyone seems to have known this but us-there is always a stiff, southerly wind in the areas we rode through the past three days.
The nice, mid-week "downhill" days we looked forward to have turned into three days of pure agony. It's like we've been stuck at a David Hasselhoff concert or Satan has been sneezing for 72 hours straight. Actually, Satan sneezing and David Hasselhoff singing are one and the same when you think about it. How else can you explain Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding? Anyway, for an idea of the type of wind we've been riding into, check out the below link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWTgKnU4alM&feature=related
Yup, that's exactly what it's been like; wicked witches and all. Pretty hard to pedal through that and feel ready to take on another day. However, everybody made it through today. We started about 90 minutes earlier than normal to try and get through the route before the wind really picked up. That sorta worked, but it did get us in to Cedar City early enough that everyone could have a nice 2-3 hour nap to help the recovery process.
Bottles are filled, bikes are clean, and we're ready to roll out of here bright and early tomorrow morning to tackle one more day of wind. 350 miles down, only 80 left. The palm trees await us.
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day Four - Delta to Milford
See Day Three, then imagine "cow pies" all over the road, add 15-30 mph to the headwind, and 25 miles to the route.
Take that scenario you have created and times it by 10.
Now by 100.
Long day, too tired to write, will do it later.
Take that scenario you have created and times it by 10.
Now by 100.
Long day, too tired to write, will do it later.
Day Three - Eureka to Delta
“There are two things I hate about cycling, headwinds and hills.” – Lloyd Hegland (Grandma M’s son-in-law)
So today’s “recovery ride” of 52 miles turned into 52 miles or pure cycling torture. The nice “flat” route that the route map showed was anything but flat. Roller after roller after roller after roller; you get the picture. Granted, by the end we had lost 2000 vertical feet, but had to climb almost 1700 feet in the process. Adding insult to injury, the entire day was spent battling a wicked headwind and the anticipated two and a half hour ride turned into four. Sore legs are now flat-out angry.
It’s all good though and a little food and rest should take care of the recovery. Nate and Ty’s full leg compression shorts should also help. If nothing else, the ridiculous “look” will help the group psyche.
Tomorrow’s route takes us 75 miles into Milford and it should be more scenic than today as we pass a lake in the process. The route map also looks friendlier than it did for today so we’ll plan on more climbing and hopefully be “disappointed” with a nice flat ride. We’re also looking forward to the accommodations in Milford as the diner that is attached earns rave reviews on the internet.
So today’s “recovery ride” of 52 miles turned into 52 miles or pure cycling torture. The nice “flat” route that the route map showed was anything but flat. Roller after roller after roller after roller; you get the picture. Granted, by the end we had lost 2000 vertical feet, but had to climb almost 1700 feet in the process. Adding insult to injury, the entire day was spent battling a wicked headwind and the anticipated two and a half hour ride turned into four. Sore legs are now flat-out angry.
It’s all good though and a little food and rest should take care of the recovery. Nate and Ty’s full leg compression shorts should also help. If nothing else, the ridiculous “look” will help the group psyche.
Tomorrow’s route takes us 75 miles into Milford and it should be more scenic than today as we pass a lake in the process. The route map also looks friendlier than it did for today so we’ll plan on more climbing and hopefully be “disappointed” with a nice flat ride. We’re also looking forward to the accommodations in Milford as the diner that is attached earns rave reviews on the internet.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day Two - Salt Lake City to Eureka
In stark contrast to Saturday's stage 1, today was not quite so epic. And that was a beautiful thing.
The route started in SLC with some nice "rollers" along Wasatch Boulevard before dropping us down in front of the state prison on Pony Express Road. Thanks to the road signs in the area, we were leery of hitchhikers and didn't bother to pick any up as we rolled through.
After that, it was over the point of the mountain and into the "bubble" known as Utah County. Pony Express Road dumped us into Lehi and from there we turned west to catch Redwood Road which followed the west bank of Utah Lake and eventually spit us out in Elberta. On a map, that section of road didn't look too long, but riding it was an entirely different story. It was the road that never ends; at least that is what it felt like. Those 32 miles were almost as long as The NeverEnding Story, which was 102 (source: IMDB) minutes longer than it should have been.
Anyway, the scenery looking east toward the mountains was fantastic, but the west side of Utah lake is pretty bare and the sun beat down without mercy. The other challenge was the "men" in diesel trucks working in the farming communities on the west side of the lake who felt the need to spew exhaust all over us as they passed, yell disparaging remarks about lycra (like we haven't heard those before) and show us that they could point their middle finger. If only we can one day be "manly men."
The day ended on a "high" note as we climbed 2000 gorgeous feet from Elberta into Eureka over the last nine miles of the day. It's never as painful going uphill when there is something decent to look at other than the road in front of you going up, up, and up. To top off the day, we decided those 2000 feet should be seen going downhill as well. Just in case you're wondering, the scenery was just as great even when flying 4o miles an hour (dang headwind, we could have hit 55) down the mountain.
Tomorrow is somewhat of a "recovery" ride; only 52 miles from Eureka to Delta. 165 miles down, 265 to go. Here's to keepin' the rubber side up.
The route started in SLC with some nice "rollers" along Wasatch Boulevard before dropping us down in front of the state prison on Pony Express Road. Thanks to the road signs in the area, we were leery of hitchhikers and didn't bother to pick any up as we rolled through.
After that, it was over the point of the mountain and into the "bubble" known as Utah County. Pony Express Road dumped us into Lehi and from there we turned west to catch Redwood Road which followed the west bank of Utah Lake and eventually spit us out in Elberta. On a map, that section of road didn't look too long, but riding it was an entirely different story. It was the road that never ends; at least that is what it felt like. Those 32 miles were almost as long as The NeverEnding Story, which was 102 (source: IMDB) minutes longer than it should have been.
Anyway, the scenery looking east toward the mountains was fantastic, but the west side of Utah lake is pretty bare and the sun beat down without mercy. The other challenge was the "men" in diesel trucks working in the farming communities on the west side of the lake who felt the need to spew exhaust all over us as they passed, yell disparaging remarks about lycra (like we haven't heard those before) and show us that they could point their middle finger. If only we can one day be "manly men."
The day ended on a "high" note as we climbed 2000 gorgeous feet from Elberta into Eureka over the last nine miles of the day. It's never as painful going uphill when there is something decent to look at other than the road in front of you going up, up, and up. To top off the day, we decided those 2000 feet should be seen going downhill as well. Just in case you're wondering, the scenery was just as great even when flying 4o miles an hour (dang headwind, we could have hit 55) down the mountain.
Tomorrow is somewhat of a "recovery" ride; only 52 miles from Eureka to Delta. 165 miles down, 265 to go. Here's to keepin' the rubber side up.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day One - Logan to Salt Lake City
EPIC: Extending beyond the unusual or ordinary, especially in size or scope (Merriam Webster).
If that doesn't sum up the first day of our "See Utah 2009" ride then I don't know what does. How else do you describe "high" temperatures 20 degrees below normal, pouring rain in the middle of August, and digestion issues that would put us more than 2 hours behind schedule? Yep, epic works!
It worked out alright though. The six of us rolled into SLC in great shape and with high spirits despite the challenges of day one. And to make up for the freezing temperatures and rain soaked morning, the cycling gods gave us a pass; not one flat tire between the six of us.
Ninety miles down, 340 to go. On to day two: Salt Lake City to Eureka, UT. Rollin', rollin', rollin...
If that doesn't sum up the first day of our "See Utah 2009" ride then I don't know what does. How else do you describe "high" temperatures 20 degrees below normal, pouring rain in the middle of August, and digestion issues that would put us more than 2 hours behind schedule? Yep, epic works!
It worked out alright though. The six of us rolled into SLC in great shape and with high spirits despite the challenges of day one. And to make up for the freezing temperatures and rain soaked morning, the cycling gods gave us a pass; not one flat tire between the six of us.
Ninety miles down, 340 to go. On to day two: Salt Lake City to Eureka, UT. Rollin', rollin', rollin...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Planning
One final planning meeting, putting all the little pieces together. Everything seems to be ready to go!
Leaving Logan on Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
Here's to a safe, scenic, happy ride!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
One Week Away!
The big ride is less than one week away! As it gets closer we are being met with a few challenges! We have one that has to go to court, one that broke his bike, and one with walking pneumonia. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong! The ride is still going on!
Wristbands are still available and are $2.00. You may also make a cash donation or donate per mile. All donations go to AMDF.
We are all getting excited!
Wristbands are still available and are $2.00. You may also make a cash donation or donate per mile. All donations go to AMDF.
We are all getting excited!
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