I felt a lot better this morning. I think the rest helped.
I talked to this person who said that my destination of Vernal, Utah was downhill. That sounded great to me. So off I went on another sunny morning.
So where was this “downhill”? All I did was mimic the up and down routine from the previous day. As a matter of fact, at one point I even set a new high altitude mark for the trip. 8428 feet ASL.
And still no significant downhill. This guy must have picked me for a rube or something. Downhill, downshmill.
After about 18 miles I found the downhill. 9 miles of 5-8% downhill. What a ride. I would even now make Vernal for lunch (and lunch is always important to me!).
Now only 5 miles from Vernal, I saw a sign for Steinaker State Park and there was a swimming icon on the road sign. Swimming sounded good, especially since the temperature was climbing fast at this lower altitude. Probably in the low 90’s already. So swimming it was, and lunch could wait!
The detour for swimming was worth it! And I still made it to Vernal at a reasonable time. Time enough to inquire at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center for a campground, bike shop and restaurants.
I bought new cycling gloves and a new hat. The guys at the bike shop also checked my tire pressure and lubed my chain for me. The tires are holding up well. They estimated I was at about half the life of my rear tire. The front is barely worn at all at this point. Not bad for 1994 miles. Yep, just not quite 2000 Miles. That will be official tomorrow but I am averaging right at 50 miles a day. Ok, for you math nerds, it is actually 49.85.
So now I am cooling my heels at the Vernal Brewing Company Pub. Big surprise, huh? A couple of beers, dinner, then off to the campground and a shower. Life is indeed good. Broken down to life’s basics, but good.
Isn’t Vernal Utah where you were planning to go dig dinosaur bones after the Rockwell Relay a few years ago, but turned out they were not open on the day you were there? Oh wait, spoiler alert. A swim during a ride sounds magical, but I might have a hard time convincing myself to get back on the bike to continue riding. Nice job!
The place I wanted to dig trilobite fossils was in Delta, Utah. I actually did get there this last May and had a blast digging fossils. I found quite a few but not the “trophy” I was hoping for. I plan to return in the future.
Greg, looks like your still doing good. I hear their might be some fires in Colorado. Stay out of the smoke. Jim
That is exceptional advice! I will do my best to follow it.