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Milford to Cedar City

16/5/2013

12 Comments

 
Yesterday was very challenging but also very rewarding and left me on a high.
Today's riding has brought me back down to earth with a bump. Me and the wind have had a major falling out. We're finished.
I afforded myself a late start today, thinking to myself 'it's only 55 miles'! And yesterday was a long day so a bit of extra rest was deserved.

Departing late (at 10) was the first mistake though, especially as the wind got stronger and stronger all day.
As soon as I set off it was there, against me it seemed, no matter which direction the road twisted and turned.
It got steadily worse and worse. After 4.5 hours I made it to the first and only pass, by the skin of my teeth. It was really strong - I averaged 6mph to that point. 6mph average over 4.5 hours!!!!!!!!
Once the pass was reached i hoped things would improve but they didn't. Normally once you start going downhill you get to freewheel and rest a bit. If I tried freewheeling down this mountain I would have stopped rolling forwards and started going backwards.
The whole ride truly sucked. I gave in 10 miles before the end and hitched into Cedar in a big 4x4. I'm not ashamed. I tried my best but it beat me. Had I known how strong the wind would be today I would have stayed at home.

There will be good and bad days I suppose :)

I'm really struggling to make a decision on my next move. My ultimate route is heading east from Cedar City through Panguitch, Boulder, Grover, Hanksville, Dolores, Placerville, Pueblo etc, etc, however,

Zion National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are about 60 miles and 200 miles south of my current location. That's nothing in the big scheme of things but still a big detour on a bike.
Option 1 - ride the round trip to Zion, Grand Canyon then back to Cedar City. This is the most expensive option as it's a round trip of at least a week and accommodation in both Zion and GC gets very expensive.
Option 2 - drive it and get a taster of both in 2 days and 1 night - Then come back to Cedar, collect my bike and continue the journey.
Option 3 - skip it. Save money and time but I will be gutted to miss both.

It's a nice dilemma.

To add to the mix it might be stormy tomorrow - I don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere on a bike experiencing a repeat of today, but chucking in some rain and lightening.

Any opinions will be taken into account.

Only picture today is some dust being picked up by the wind in the distance. Driving through it was crazy. A compete white out for 30 seconds and the driver decided not to slow down! Scary.

Picture
12 Comments
Studydog
16/5/2013 03:43:55 pm

Drive it. (Or hitchhike it). Option 2 If you don't see the Grand Canyon you'll have unfinished business in your life.

Reply
Ben Bennett
16/5/2013 03:49:57 pm

I like this suggestion. I feel a bit like I'm cheating but I'm not shortening the ride coast to coast.

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Piers
16/5/2013 04:59:35 pm

Drive it. Have a holiday within a holiday, your legs and brain will thank you. Loving the blog.

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Frank
16/5/2013 05:23:57 pm

It's got to be option 2. If you don't go you will always regret it.

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Ben Bennett
18/5/2013 04:58:03 pm

Very Pleased I went

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Toby
16/5/2013 07:03:04 pm

Hi Ben, I've been following you avidly every day, love your writing style, most entertaining.
I think you should hitchike, maybe a sign saying limey tourist might help?

Reply
Anita Gonzalez
17/5/2013 06:30:17 am

I would choose option #2, you can't miss it and it IS a big detour on the bike.
I had that kind of wind on one of the days I rode across Kansas last year. If the wind wasn't in my face, it was to the side and tossing me back and forth. I kept asking myself why I was doing it, I didn't have anything to prove to anyone. I finished my miles that day, but was totally exhausted.

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Ben Bennett
18/5/2013 04:59:19 pm

Wind is the worst enemy on a bike ride isn't it. Takes all the fun out of it. Hoping fit calm weather this week.

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Ben Bennett
17/5/2013 03:36:41 pm

Option 2 won the day. Zion has been fantastic. GC tomorrow :)

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Cara
17/5/2013 05:02:48 pm

Reply
Studydog
17/5/2013 05:29:49 pm

Where is your bike?

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Ben Bennett
18/5/2013 05:00:39 pm

I registered on couchsurfing website and found some lovely hosts who gave me a spare bed and looked after my bike while I was gone.

Reply



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