July 15 Crossing America
Hite Rec. Area, UT – Hanksville, UT Distance 52 miles rode them all.
Total distance traveled through today 2,855 miles, on my bike 2,395.
Sunrise on Bluffs across from Hite Camp
What a wake-up call I got this morning. I heard this loud cracking sound, sat up just in time to see a huge section, maybe the size of a full size car, of limestone drop off the bluff across the river from our camp fall into the river with a loud kaboom! If I hadn’t been watching I would have thought the military had fired a cannon round.
Camp is quiet when I depart
I got on the road by 6:20, wanted to get as many miles in before the day heats up. After pedaling uphill for 10 ½ miles I came to a scenic overlook of Hite. Would you believe the campground as a crow flies (in straight line) the campground was less then a half mile away, though across the Colorado River. I bet I could have talked one of the many boaters to haul me across the river had I known how much time and distance I could have saved. Again the climbing is slow going but not as taxing on the body as our Ozark hills.
Shadow my faithful riding companion
The Rockies are majestic while Utah has a rugged beauty all of its own. The bluffs and canyons of sandstone are truly all inspiring. Mother Nature (God) has created a masterpiece of bluffs and canyons over the last 180 million years. They are so beautiful with the first rays of sunlight glimmering off of them. It does make me feel so insignificant in the scheme of life comparing my brief 65 years on earth to 180 million years. This is a
good day.
Bridge over CO River
As I continued to climb out of Glen Canyon onto the mesa I can see for miles upon on
miles of plains and mountains 50 miles and beyond, get to climb a biggie tomorrow. The last 16 miles today a sweet downhill, increased my average miles per hour from 7.7 to 11.7, there were spots I cruised along in excess of 30 mph if it could only be this easy
all the way to San Francisco?
Colorado River running thru Glen Canyon
Tonight we get to stay in a cheap motel still beats a tent and I appreciate a comfortable
bed. I do have to admit last night I had one of my best night’s sleep so far. Nice breeze blowing from the river kept me cool, even left half the rain fly turned back on my tent and slept under a sheet only.
More proof how kind and caring folks are. I stopped for a break about 25 miles into today’s ride. I had only been passed by two vehicles since camp until now. I was at the intersection Hwy. 276 going to Bull Frog which is on Lake Powell and had considerable amount of traffic going there. The first vehicle a young couple in an SUV stopped and asked if I was OK or needed any help. At first, I said yes and then thought maybe I should ask if they had any water as I was almost out and didn’t know if our support vehicle would catch up to me. Sure enough they had water and filled both my water bottles for me. That was really nice and could be a life saver. I had consumed almost 100 ounces of water in 25 miles and would probably need that much to finish today’s ride. The helpful couple no more thenpulled away and another vehicle stopped, this time a young gal by herself. She too asked if I needed help and even offered to turn around and give me a ride the rest of the way to Hanksville. I said thank you but no thanks and told her how much I appreciated the offer though. Maybe I look like I’m half dead, I don’t know but it is nice folks care enough to stop. Whatever it makes my soul feel good with the offers of help.
Getting late and tomorrow promises to be a very hard day we have a 5,000′ elevation climb, so the Old Guy is saying Goodnight and God Bless the USA!
My bike Spirit taking a break from my butt
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12 Comments
larry covington
July 16, 2011Great pics Frank! Glad to hear you enjoying the tour a little more. Anticipating your arrival. Have a massage therapist lined up to work your kinks out, prime rib and Michelob Amberbock chillin. I will only be able to sag/ride with you on Friday, Sat, and Sundays, but will work it to where I can do it most of way to San fran. We can work the details out when you get here.
admin
July 17, 2011Wow! U are going all out 4 me. That IA fantastic I thought with new job we wouldn’t be able to ride together. Please let Joyce majors know when ur going to b able to ride with me. I think u have her email address from ore iOS email? If not let me know and I’ll resend to u
larry covington
July 17, 2011I figured that you could use a good massage to straighten out the kinks after riding 3000 miles continuously. Don’t believe I have Joyces email or can’t find it. Would be good to coordinate with her when you get here and determine a tentative schedule. Be nice to ride a tentative schedule won’t it? 🙂 When I rode the coast in 92 I was in a lot better shape and 40 mpounds lighter but averaged about 90 miles a day, some more some less, and stopped often to take in the sites and eat. So think 75 mile a day average wouldn’t be too much. Hills are short and steep. 0-1000 ft elevation in a few miles. a grind on the way up and like coming off a rollercoaster on the way down. But should have a 5-10 mile hour tail wind most of the way to San Fran.
admin
July 17, 2011Hi Larry, you are the man. I can hardly wait to get to your place. I’ll send you a regular email with Joyce’s contact info, she lives in Seattle, too. I’m going to plan only 60 miles per day and adjust as terain and weather dictates. Having my van will allow a lot of flexibility for going forward or back on the route as necessary. Forgot to tell you the wind has been brutal on us many days since entering Kansas including through now.
admin
July 17, 2011I thought replied to this but must have messed it up. Looking forward to visiting u aaug 3 or 4
Jack & Connie Odell
July 16, 2011Happy Birthday! Bet it feels like weeks ago. We’ve been watching the Tour de France concurrently with your journey through the Rockies. Our guess is that you’ll probably be biking the Pyrenees when you turn 70. By the way, Connie’s birthday was July 13th – we spent it at a beautiful beach in South Carolina – but rode our bikes when we got home in honor of your birthday.
admin
July 17, 2011That was so nice to ride in my honor, I’m humbled. Tell Connie Happy belated Birthday! Really looking forward to visiting u in Sept.
admin
July 17, 2011Happy B’day Connie! Great day to B born luck will B with U forever. It was nice of U to ride in my honor . Looking forward to visiting U in Sept.
Sandy
July 16, 2011Happy belated birthday, I have been busy with Grandkids and the youth fair. Sorry that you lost a friend, but if you can not be honest about your feelings that is not good. Sandy
admin
July 17, 2011Thank u for B’day wish it was a good day. Always regret losing a friend but u r right it is my journal and unlike some I share my feelings good and bad. Thank u for caring and being my friend
HENRY OSTI
July 15, 2011Frank,
It was a pleasure to meet tonight & thanks for not only signing up on the bone marrow registry but for being the first to do so and acting as a catalyst for the next 7 ! Look me up when you are coming through Miami. Dinner on me ! Way the wind be at your back (as long as it’s westward from Hanksville & eastward for me !!). Off to my ice bath to get my legs ready for tomorrow. Henry
admin
July 17, 2011U r welcome it was my privilege to try to help save someone one day. I’ll try to hook. Up with u in Sept