August 17, 2017
With a night of camping ahead and no services for about eighty kilometres, I drop into town for supplies. This kind gentleman, in passing, just casually mentioned that in the direction I'm heading there is a climb out of town.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Cycling anchors me.
Felt like it really ship anchored me here!
Nothing too unusual for this trip, but these 1,400 ft over the six and a half miles bit me.
Riding heavy. Even deep down I know I can always scrounge up some water on route, I didn't take the chance and took plenty, too much fluid and grub?
Between some power rock and my mantra of:
If the mind is strong,
The body will follow,
I get my sorry ass over all climbs with a certain degree of respect, but here..........
Early gel time.
Probably didn't take me that much longer than my generally climbing @ 6-7kph.
To me suffering is a part of life.
I'm really living here!!!!!
I know its bad when my conversation with myself is every one minute:
"are we there yet!"
"are we there yet!!"
"are we there yet!!!"
"are we there yet!!!!"
Two hours plus later......
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much success.
The pass elevation puts climbs in perspective.
On paper, I've summited seven, eight, nine thousand foot passes where I've felt twice as good as i did here.
Like a lot of things in life, its where you start that counts.
One of many farms, ranches, front yards,..... that is catering to eclipse crowd.
My day will end at just over eighty kilometres.
Nice ride but always cautious/concerned with enough fluid intake regarding the sun and heat.
Its nice to meet nice people.
We both had stories that interested each other.
My benchmark is myself.
He spoke of his travel plans that included already having clocked eighty MILES for the day and in order to get home to Eugene for his daughter's send off to college, he scheduled himself another forty-five MILES (into the wind, gradual up-hill) before days end.
With clearly no organised campground or services, I was prepared to stealth camp.
Felling the day and my legs, I did manage my goal of the visitors centre where I knew they at least will have water.
My oasis.
This rather remote and beautiful visitors centre (and amazing washroom, and air conditioned movie hall,....) was all mine after the days activities finished.
Table for one with a view please and thank you.
As hot as the day was,
the high desert night will almost border on cold.
With as much respect to a day use facility as I could, I'll tucked into a far corner.
The night brought on an amazing sky and in the distance, the serenade of coyotes.
The night brought on an amazing sky and in the distance, the serenade of coyotes.
