Cedar City to Ruby's Inn (Bryce Canyon)

Cedar_City_to_Ruby's_Inn_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 15

Cedar City to Ruby's Inn (Bryce Canyon)

Distance: 81.50 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 7:44:39
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 10.52mph
Start Time: 10:12
Finish Time: 20:05
Total Time (w/ breaks): 9:53
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 8.25 mph
Maximum Speed: 41.3 mph
Maximum Temperature: 84 F
Total Trip Distance: 859.19 miles

I left late. There was a 4,800 foot climb at the start, straight out of Cedar City. The signs said 8% grade, but it was really 4% or 5% for the first 12 miles, then it got steep in the second half. For the first 5 hours, I only averaged about 5 1/2 mph, but things sped up after I reached the plateau near Cedar Breaks. Lots of stops for pictures along the way. The highest point of the ride (and this entire ride) was at about 10,520 feet. The ride back down the other side was quick.

Since I was running late, it was starting to get dark as I neared Bryce, but it worked out great because I rode up Red Canyon during magic hour and took lots of pictures. There was a 800 foot gain while riding through Red Canyon, on the new bike path next to the road, so it was about 10 mph through the canyon, but then things sped up once I reached the plateau. Arrived at Ruby's Inn just as it was getting really dark.

Rest Day in Cedar City

Day 14

Cedar City Rest Day

Distance: 0 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 0
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 0 mph
Start Time: N/A
Finish Time: N/A
Total Time (w/ breaks): 0
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 0 mph
Maximum Speed: 0 mph
Maximum Temperature: 81 F (Thunderstorms/Rain)
Total Trip Distance: 777.69 miles

A planned rest day, I worked on finally getting these blog entries up, and bought a new rear tire and some supplies to try and put together a pinhole camera for Bryce (we'll see how that goes -- I ran out of time to actually build anything today...)

There were thunderstorms and rain in the afternoon. We'll see what the weather looks like tomorrow...

Milford to Cedar City

Milford_to_Cedar_City_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 13

Milford to Cedar City

Distance: 56.76 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 5:26:57
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 10.42 mph
Start Time: 9:32 (MDT)
Finish Time: 15:44 (MDT)
Total Time (w/ breaks): 6:12
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 9.15mph
Maximum Speed: 28.3 mph
Maximum Temperature: 88 F
Total Trip Distance: 777.69 miles

5 to 15 mph headwind the entire leg. Slow. At least it was shorter. My legs feel dead -- I definitely need the planned rest day for tomorrow.

After the climb in the middle of the day, on the gentle descent into the valley near Cedar City, there were thermals popping off to the left and the right of me the whole way -- visible as dust devils. At one point I counted 5 of them. Where is my hang glider when I need it? :-)

Baker to Milford

Baker_to_Milford_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 12

Baker to Milford

Distance: 84.70 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 7:34:49
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 11.17 mph
Start Time: 7:27 (PDT)
Finish Time: 16:47 (PDT)
Total Time (w/ breaks): 9:20
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 9.08mph
Maximum Speed: 37.2 mph
Maximum Temperature: 95 F
Total Trip Distance: 720.93 miles

Cold headwind for the first hour, only managed about 10 mph on relatively level ground. Then it lightened up, but a flat tire, two big climbs and the length of the ride (this is the longest leg of the trip) made this a slow day.

Also, the road surface changed in Utah. Most of Nevada had smooth roads (though with rumble strips, which I usually road to the left of unless there was a large shoulder to the right of the rumble strips), though there were a few roads that were basically rocks with oil on them. Those seemed to sap about 2 mph off of my speed on level ground (more on descents, less on ascents).

Unfortunately, it looks like most or all of Utah has roads made this way, so it is significantly slowing me down. It is still very ridable, but 2 mph slower on an 85 mile day like today adds about 1 1/2 hours to the ride.

I remember reading on a website about the human powered speed championships that Nevada was going to make more of their roads this way. That sucks. I wonder how much money is being wasted in extra gasoline burned and shorter-lived tires in order to make these (cheaper?) road surfaces?

The next-to-last pass was called "Wah Wah Summit". As I went over the summit, I of course had to put some Jimi Hendrix on my iPod!

At the summit, I met Mark and Sarah who were parked in their RV at the top. They are from Canada and winter in Phoenix. Sarah is recovering from back surgery, and she had a similar disc problem to mine (though her impinged on her sciatic nerve, so needed surgery), so we chatted about that for a while. They gave me some water, which it turned out I needed as I hadn't counted on this being such a long day (there were no services the entire 84.5 miles).

Ely to BakerDay 13

Ely_to_Baker_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 11

Ely to Baker

Distance: 63.50 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 4:59:36
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 12.72 mph
Start Time: 8:22
Finish Time: 14:01
Total Time (w/ breaks): 6:51
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 11.24 mph
Maximum Speed: 33.3 mph
Maximum Temperature: 83 F
Total Trip Distance: 636.23 miles

Eureka to Ely

Eureka_to_Ely_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 10

Eureka to Ely

Distance: 78.74 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 5:37:27
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 14.00 mph
Start Time: 8:18
Finish Time: 15:23
Total Time (w/ breaks): 7:05
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 11.12 mph
Maximum Speed: 38.2 mph
Maximum Temperature: 82 F
Total Trip Distance: 572.73 miles

Still a bit chilly today, but it warmed up after a while. Lots of climbing today. I had a slow leak on the rear tire, so I replaced it before the next big descent.

Austin to Eureka

Austin_to_Eureka_smallest, originally uploaded by alec_p.

Day 9

Austin to Eureka

Distance: 74.07 miles
Total Time (wheels spinning): 5:02:28
Average Speed (wheels spinning): 13.98 mph
Start Time: 8:27
Finish Time: 14:27
Total Time (w/ breaks): 6:00
Average Speed (w/ breaks): 11.75 mph
Maximum Speed: 40.7 mph
Maximum Temperature: 72 F
Total Trip Distance: 493.99 miles

Cold! After the initial climb out of Austin, I wore leg warmers and a jacket most of the rest of the day.

The initial climb out of Austin was steep, after that it wasn't too bad. A good day.