June 20 and 21.
The ride from Salt Lake City to Heber City, Utah started out with two long climbs and then a beautiful ride along a bike trail that went past Park City, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. This was no rail-trail. Rail trails typically have no greater than 3% grade except where they intersect roadways. This went up and down quite a bit. It was a lot of fun. The morning climbs, though, had worn me out. We went up for eleven miles straight, then a downhill run followed by more climbing—about five miles along the interstate again. (We were told that going into Salt Lake City was our last interstate stretch, but that was an error) As the day wore on, it also got hotter. Reaching the rest stop at 30 miles out, I decided to call it a day. This turned out to be a smart move. After reaching our destination, people kept asking me if I was doing OK—so I must have looked terrible! I felt a little better after a shower and some ice cream, but still totally wiped out.
I have had heat exhaustion/sun stroke before, to the point that I couldn’t even take a sip of water or Coke without throwing up, and went to the emergency room to get an IV. I wasn’t there this time, but I think I was close to entering the danger zone. I’m glad I am not trying this without a support vehicle! Anyway, the time that I got the hospital visit heat exhaustion, it took me a day and a half to recover, so I decided to ride along with some of our support people on the 21st, the trip from Heber City, UT to Roosevelt, UT. We got up at 5 and started out a little before 7 when it was still cool. Now, instead of Interstate 80, the ride is mostly along Hwy 40. I am not sure which is better, to tell the truth. I was tired of interstate riding, but Hwy 40 still looks very busy, and has two way traffic to contend with. I will be glad to reach the more populous states with paved rural roads, I think.
I didn’t think to take as many pictures as I should have, but the change in terrain in that 100 miles is just astounding. We stayed at Mountain View Fellowship in Heber City, a very aptly named Church which does, indeed, have a beautiful mountain view. We passed through a wooded area going up a mountain to Daniels Pass (8020 ft). Coming down the mountain we saw a reservoir and the Strawberry River valley. Shortly after that, we were in mountain desert terrain once again. I think, from what I learned in school long ago, that the rain clouds typically drop their moisture on one side of the mountains while the other side doesn’t get much, depending on which way the wind blows way up in the sky. But a real meteorologist could give a more detailed explanation, I’m sure.
At Starvation Lake, we had gone about 65 miles and had seen all kinds of terrain since morning. It’s really pretty amazing. The view from the Starvation Lake rest stop was pretty—a lake in the middle of the dry hills. We also saw a boat with water skiers behind. Riding into Roosevelt are huge boulders right behind the buildings along the highway. We also saw a sign advertising a hospital—Don’t let joint problems prevent you from enjoying life! The picture was of two people riding bicycles. I find this interesting, because we have a couple of people on the ride who have had joint replacements. I didn’t know it was possible to do a bike trip like this after joint replacement, but apparently it is.
Tonight we are sleeping in a high school gym in Roosevelt, Utah. Tomorrow we travel 61 miles to Dinosaur, Colorado. And it’s going to be hot again tomorrow.