Day 22 July 21 Salt Lake City to Duchense 90.64 miles Sea to Sea 08

Day 22 Salt Lake City to Duchense 90.64 miles Sea to Sea 08

Total time in saddle 7.44 hours left at 7 AM got into camp at 515 Hank arrived at 615
Ascent 4630 Elevation 5540 Highest elevations was 9500 feet at mile 37.
11.7 average speed Temperature 86

Another hard and challenging day for both Hank and I, but we both finished the day on our bikes. We are both thankful that we are able to handle each day God has planned for us. We celebrate with fellow cyclists the accomplishments of each day.

Hank and I got up at 510 and were packed up by 545. We had to have our duffels loaded onto a pickup truck, as it was a half-mile walk to the gear trailer.

We managed to get out of camp by 7. I starting riding with Joan and Tony and Hank rode with Bill and Mary Drache.

The day started with over cast skies, which we really appreciated. It was a little on the cool side, so I left camp with my jacket on.

The scenery throughout the day was spectacular. Each changed in altitude or road change presented new display of God’s grandeur and majesty.

After going downhill for 5 miles we than proceeded to climb for 32 miles. The last 7 miles we had grades of 8% or more. Joan and I stopped every half-mile to catch our breath and to get our heart rates back to a reasonable level. I had trouble breathing up the hill as we were climbing to 9500 feet today. At the top of the summit we all celebrated that we made it and enjoyed our lunch at the top.

We proceed to go downhill for about 15 miles. It again was a thrill. The scenery going down was as spectacular as going up. We saw deer along the road and sheep in the fields. Several people saw a moose today. We did not.

At Hanna we stopped for a coffee. The café was overrun with cyclists and the poor waitresses were just beside themselves. When Joan saw this she immediately started to clear some of the tables and wiped them off. She than took peoples orders and went behind the counter to get coffee and ice water for people. She also got pie and ice cream for people who wanted that. She reassured the waitresses we would treat them well and no one would leave without paying their bills even though the waitresses had not taken their orders. It all went very well. The food was excellent. It is a great place to stop in Hanna as it is the only place for 70 miles and is frequented by motorcycle riders and cyclists.Betsy Fox head SAG driver preparing to load one of the bikes on top of the van to take the cyclist and bike into camp

Joan and I were both looking forward to being down for the day. When we made the final turn to go onto highway 40 and do the last 18.5 miles we faced a head wind. We asked Ralph Fladderus and Don Brunsting if they would help pull us into camp.

Having them draft us really saved us and we had an enjoyable ride the final 18.5 miles.

We arrived into camp at 515. I discovered Marti had setup my tent. Thank you so much Marti it is greatly appreciated. I could then go for a shower before supper, which would be served at 6PM.

Just before supper we again noted two rainbows in the sky. God is always reminding us he is with us, and caring for us.

I have discovered a number of cyclists had a very hard day today. Some have health issues that prevent them from doing the whole day. One person had an asthma attack climbing up to the summit and had to ride the SAG into camp. She was really upset and had to come to terms that she will not be able to ride as long as we are above 6000 feet altitude as there is not sufficient air for her to breathe. Please pray that she will have patience and be able to enjoy the tour from a different vintage point for a week.

It is now 930 and I hope to publish this blog before I go to bed. We are planning to get out before 630AM for the long 90 mile ride to Dinosaur Colorado.