July 20 Crossing America

Cedar City, UT – Milford, UT Distance 57 miles, rode 57
Distance traveled through today 3,149, on my bike 2,620.

Sometimes you just need to see the simple beauty in nature

After living through last night’s manmade monsoon, I still managed to get some sleep.  After breakfast with the other old guys I enjoyed a nice easy 20 mile ride on my S-Works first  time I’ve been able to ride my fast bike since before Pueblo.  The S-Works is
faster than Spirit but when it comes to climbing mountain passes its chore and very hard on my knees.  I struggled to climb a 14 mile pass and wished I’d stayed on Spirit.  That is until I crested the summit and began my descent, the S-Works is fast very fast especially when you stand up and pedal hard, throw in a nice 6% downhill with very few curves and I set a new speed record 57.6 mph.  What a thrill!  Having set a new personal speed record the ride from Minersville to Milford went by quickly and without any hills or mountains to climb that I can remember.

My new speed recorded on my bike computer which is matched to my Garmin and very accurate

Bridget and I arrived in Milford about the same time and I followed her to tonight’s
campsite.  Upon arriving at the city park I asked Bridget why we didn’t stop at the high school the block before.  Last night Mark with the Cedar City Lions Club had told me we were staying at the Milford High School.  Bridget said she didn’t know anything about
the school.  Shortly after Bridget and I were talking, Sheriff Deputy Shawn Higgins arrived at the park.  He informed us the city would send a maintenance man to unlock and clean the toilets for us.  He further stated if we would give the city a couple days advance notice they would have everything ready for our arrival.  He handed Bridget and I a business card of City Recorder Monica Seifers as the person to contact next year.  Before Deputy Higgins left, I asked if he knew who to contact at the high school to see if we can take showers.  He told us the principal was out of town but he would check for us and see what could be arranged.  Later that afternoon the head custodian of the high school came to Pepper to inform him our group was welcome to stay in the Home Economics room at the high school which had A/C, cook stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer we were welcome to use plus we could take showers in the gym. He finished by saying he knew we were coming but didn’t know what day.  Later I learned from speaking with Deputy Higgins and the custodian that the Lion’s club had contacted him a couple days earlier that we were coming and Deputy Higgins had phoned him.  Sorry if I sound negative but just
another example of the failure of this group to do the necessary advance logistics.  Come on crew leaders logistics is not rocket science.

The Milford Lions club served us up one of the best meals of our trek.  A smorgasbord of salad with all the veggies you could think of having as well as an assortment of fruit.  I have to say this meal was second only to the meal Shannon’s folksserved us at White Hall.  My body has been starving for fresh veggies and fruit.  After enjoying a great meal, we had a meet and greet with the Lions Club.  First each of our crew introduced themselves and why they are raising money for MS.   Then it was the Lion’s Club members turn.  How refreshing.  How refreshing to hear and see how many youthful members they have in their club as well as how active they are in the community.  The club is one of the oldest
Lion’s clubs in the Country but was on a major downhill slide until about a year and half ago when a dynamic gal took over the Presidency.  The club had 13 members when she took over and now has over 50 members who are making a difference in the community with many service projects.  The President said the club was considered a black sheep of the Lion’s club region.  I say you are an exceptional and a great asset to your community, if that is being a “Black Sheep” continue on with the great job.   Maybe the other Lion’s clubs in your area will get the idea to follow you.   Thank you for taking great care of our group!  You are my Road Angels today.

"Say did I tell you about the time" Chipper the standup chipmonk comedian

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