Jordanelle State Park, Utah

Wow! The day is over, and I actually made it. It was by far the most difficult day, and I confess I was too tired to take a lot of pictures. In fact, I only took one. Breakfast was earlier today, as people were encouraged to leave in time for what we all knew would be a very long day, with 3 significant climbs.

The first 90 kms were easy, and brought us into Salt Lake City. The First CRC in Salt Lake treated us to refreshments, and it was hard to leave because we knew, and feared, what was coming. It began with a very short 14% grade, impossible to bike up the whole way, so most people (including myself) walked it. After that the grade became more gradual but steady. The first climb was known as Emigration Canyon, which took about an hour to scale. The picture below was taken from half way up, and if you look carefully in the lower center of the picture you can see the road below where we had to come from.

After an amazing downhill run we hit the interstate and faced a 9 km 7% grade climb. Combined with the heat - over 100 degrees F on the blacktop - it was totally brutal. There were umpteen transport trucks pulled over and overheated. When we finally hit the summit it was another glorious downhill run where I hit 72.9 kph (what a wimp, because a couple of kids hit over 85). The trouble with downhills is that they're always followed by another uphill.

When at last we were only 5 km from our destination and turned onto US highway 40, there was yet one more 7% grade, though not as long. But from conversations that took place once we finally arrived, it was clear that a record number of not so nice words were used when people saw that final grade. That number did not include me, by the way. I used up my share when I fell off my bike while trying to park at a gas station to get some more Gatorade.

All agreed it was the toughest day by far; and there were almost 40 people who had to be picked up by SAG vehicles because they were done. Now we're looking at next week, and thinking already about the first 4 days which will all be 140 km+ days.

At the moment, I'm not even at camp, but Diane and I and 2 others are staying for the weekend at the home of Pat Van Heist (nee Dykshoorn - you were right, Esther & Heather!) We've been royally fed with pork burritos and melon, and I'm currently enjoying my second ice cold Corona. Pat will be giving us a tour of Salt Lake City tomorrow, as I opted not to tour the city today, knowing the climbing we needed to complete. So we look forward to sleeping in a real bed, being able to pee in the middle of the night without having to worry about snakes and mice and thorns, etc., and enjoying a day of rest and worship with the folks in Salt Lake. It's hard to believe that the first 3 weeks are done, and we've all survived.

Diane's day was also very busy with shopping. Another $6000 was spent to feed the hungry bikers for another week. And man, do we eat, and eat well. Still, I'm losing weight (did I hear you say "hurray" mom?). But now we're off to bed, and can't wait...good night, all. And keep your comments coming; we love hearing from you.

Today's stats:

Distance: 158.87 kms
Average speed: 20.7 kph
Maximum speed: 72.9 kph
Time in saddle: 7.38.39
# of flat tires on tour: 2