Stats Tuesday, Aug 17 –Hanksville to Blanding. Day distance 126; ride time 11 h 18 m (15 h); ave speed 11.39 ; total climb 7867; total distance 1131.6
We planned on a big ride today, so we were rolling at 6:00 am. The weather report indicated no or little wind. We thought it best to take advantage of that. As we pedaled out ot Hanksville the sign said 122 miles to Blanding. The first goal was Hite Marina at Lake Powell (50 miles). About 30 miles into the ride Mickey was attempting to locate the source of a strange noise in his front wheel or tire. He discovered that his front tire had a bubble in it and it appeared that the tread could “unply.” We are a hundred miles or more from a bike shop. We decided to “super glue” the weak area and then duct tape it. That solved the problem for the time being.
However, my rear tire started losing air. Every 10 miles we would stop and I would pump it up. I did not want to change tubes until we got to Hite Marina at Lake Powell. But two miles before we got the the turn off for Hite Marina I had to change the tube. Fortunately we found a little shade as now it was about 11:30 – and it was hot.
Taking a 45 minute break at Hite Marina we watered up with every container we had and then set out for 70 some miles to Blanding (with no services – meaning no available water on the way). I think we both were a little concerned that we were doing something foolish. It was hot. Really HOT!! Little or no wind. The sun was intense. And we are on a climb out of Lake Powell. No shade. But we didn’t want to say anything that would discourage the other.
Eventually the road evened a little. But we took it slow. We did not want to get overheated.
The traffic was lite. Mostly RVs and pickups / SUVs with boats in two. About 2:30 a large pickup with a 5th wheel trailer hauling motorcycles was parked on a pullout in the oncoming lane. The couple in the pickup, Lee and Lori Skeem, saw us coming and stopped to see if we had enough water. They gave us 6 bottles of water (3 each). At the moment we had water. But later on as we consumed all our water, we realized that their gift of water was critical. Without their water we could have been in trouble.
At 6:00 we stop and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and an apple. We still have 30 miles to go. But a long downhill awaits. (We had been on a 20 mile ascent –climbing and leveling – for most of the afternoon.
Finally we crest a summit and start a 10 mile downhill. Downhills are great. But eventually you have to go up again. And after a day like this when you stop pedaling for even a little while and then start again your leg muscles just scream with lactic acid. It takes about 2 minutes for the acid to work its way out.
At the bottom of the 10 mile descent – sure enough we have a series of ups and downs. The final 6 miles into Blanding contain what felt like 8% climbs. It’s getting dark. And we finally finish about 9:30.
By the way – it’s not 122 miles from Hanksville to Blanding. It’s 126 miles. The signs and the mile markers did not coincide. Not a big difference in a car. But psychologically it’s a lot on a bicycle!!
We’re tired. But we had no wind to deal with. It was worth it. And thank you Lee and Lori Skeem. Thanks for the water. Enjoy your motorcycles!!
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