Beaver to Bryson Canyon, UT with a Watermelon in Between

Stats Friday, Aug 13 – Beaver to Bryson Canyon. Day distance 72; ride time 6 (7 h 30 m); ave speed 12; total climb 8745; total distance 844.6

We are both feeling better today (following the 147 miler two days ago) and glad that we stopped in Beaver rather than pushing onto Panguitch. Our goal is Bryson Canyon. And we should realize such without difficulty.

We are eliminating Cedar City (going off route a little from the recommended route of Adventure Cycling). A 10,000’ pass lies in the path of the route right out of Cedar City. We said to ourselves “uuhhmmm…no – let’s pass on the pass!” We’ve done plenty in CA and NV and will have a couple of 10,000 footers in CO. This change of route required us to ride I – 15 for about 17 miles. This is usually not allowed. However, we had met Chris and Rena in NV who told us they rode I – 70 in Utah for about 70 miles. Then HC (a guy with two sons, Will and Alex) from the DC area, told us they also skipped Cedar City and rode I-15. So if we get stopped, we get stopped. But we never saw a Utah State Hwy Patrol while we were on the interstate shoulder. We are sure, however, that we were being talked about by truckers on the CB radio.

At the intersection of Utah Hwy 20 and US Hwy 89 a guy was selling jerky that you can’t normally buy in a store (elk, buffalo,and venison) and watermelon from Green River, Utah. We opted for the watermelon. It was great! We a ate small whole watermelon and didn’t feel the need to drink for the next ten miles.

After lunch at Subway in Panguitch we pushed onto Bryson Canyon and checked in at the campgrounds section of the famous Ruby’s Inn (est 1911). Tomorrow is Sabbath. YES! Rest!!