Today started out a bit chilly. I woke up late as the sweep in the heat yesterday really got at me - so I left an hour later with Jim. The first 20 miles were just a joy as we were on the interstate, except for one mile of real steep gradient, which warmed our legs up good. We jumped in a swift double paceline after turning off the highway, and clipped along at 35 -40km/h. Difficult to pull at that speed as we were climbing gently, especially for girls, but we all did our best, but took shorter turns. We went by a rocket exhibition park of the ATK company, where a huge Minuteman and a Trident were on display, as well as a reusable solid fuel rocket booster of the space shuttles. Great Kodak moments happened when cyclists mounted the TU 875Mk 104 missile, pretending to ride or fly it.
The route passed many more ranches, and the vast open valley country with distant mountains presented many beautiful landscapes. Soon we started to see tha salt lakes, some with salt crystals the size of watermelons. Much less irrigation here than yesterday, but the sage brush looked greener than before, so the rainfall must be better on this side of the mountains. Closer to Brigham City and a range of gorgeous mountains we rode through orchards of all kinds, and many fruit stalls. I stopped at one as the apricots looked so inviting, but they were all far from ripe. Brigham is a lovely town with huge trees and some nice architecture.
The campsite was at Pelican Beach, where we got to swim in the fresh water at the beach. A dyke seperates the huge lake body from the swimming area, and apparently keeps most of the salt water out too. It was extremely HOT, and we had no shade except a picnic pavillion which we gratefully swarmed into. It was hot enough to cause some road bike tires that stood in the sun to pop. Exhausted, I put up my tent, took a swim and went to sleep on one of those narrow picnic benches for a couple of hours.
The mountain behind us is really spectacular. The sunset over the water even more!
Tomorrow we have the most demanding day yet, as after 120km, we have to climb up a 6 or 7% mountain pass for a total of 153km. We are passing through Salt Lake city and we hope to go see the famus temple. The local CRC will treat us to lunch....great!!
We are all hot, sunburned and tired, but are hanging in there and we are encouraging each other. The tour is a fabulous experience for sure! To bed now, as we start half an hour earlier tomorrow.
2 comments:
Hi Marti!
What an experience! I envy you from the embarrassing comfort of my airconditioned, immobile office chair as I read about your adventures day by day. Your blog is on my desktop where I can be sure to think of you daily and say a prayer for the safety of the bikers. God keep you all, as you journey toward your goal.
Sarah Wiggers
Hi Marti,
I hope that Saturday was not too hard on you. Sunday must be so special when you can all relax and absorb the events of the past week. From what I read in the blogs, the hills were sure difficult and just in the hottest part of the day, and at the last half of the ride. It must have been a time of working together and encouraging each other.
When I just looked through your pictures I noticed you have some beautiful ones. It is good to see pictures of the riders.The ones of Gail, Claire and also the tandem with Bill and Rita and many others gives me some idea how they are doing. I am slowly getting to recognize certain people. One thing though, I did see my brother George and it looks like he is inspecting or helping to fix Claire Elgersma bike.
It is Sunday here in Toronto and it has been raining all day and still on the warm and humid side. We have lots of mosquitoes here now too. I am sure you would love some of that rain but not too much.
My sister and I are hoping to be there in New Jersey and are starting to make out plans.
I enjoy each day seeing what news your blog brings. Prayers for strength and safety this week as the distances get longer.
Corrie
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