Just spent 9 days cycling and hiking in Utah. This was a change from our annual Colorado summer tour. Utah delivered as the climbs were every bit as challenging and spectacular as its' neighbor. This years riders included Bob F. Bob A. and Dr. Bob. The rest of us had common names like Kevin, Mark, Trina, Vince and Dennis. We also were accompanied by a van and motor home that carried some of the wives, Tina, Denise, Maggie and Sharon. We started our tour on the 5th of June in Panguitch, Utah. The first days ride would take us to Bryce Canyon National Park for a two night stay. Along the way we rode through red canyon a spectacular red rock formation area that would be a prelude to what Bryce has to offer on a grander scale. The ride up Red Canyon was on a very picaresque bicycle path that was a blast to ride. It is always nice to not have to deal with automotive traffic on narrow winding roads.
Once in Bryce we all set up camp and then decided to take a hike into Bryce Canyon. The path was good but the decent was steep and in little of no time we found ourselves staring up at the magnificent hoodoos. The weather was a little warm and shade was always welcome. It was surprising to still see spots of snow still left from last winter.
On our second day in Bryce, Bob A., Bob F., and I all decided to ride south to the end of Bryce. It was a very nice ride but had more climbing than any of us had imagined. By the time we had gotten back to camp we were very hot and tired but were glad we had done the ride. The rest of the crew decided to take the day and ride the shuttles and take short walks with their wives.
The third day was a ride from Bryce to the small town of Escalante, Utah. This stop was logistically appropriate. The ride was 48 miles and the last 20 was all down hill. What a blast. Escalante was hot and dusty and a bit breezy. Most of us hid out in the laundry room of the RV park where we stayed till evening.
Day four would be our most challenging day. We found our selves leaving Escalante early. Today's ride would only be 45 miles but we would gain 7000 ft in elevation. On top of that a couple of places had short 17% climbs over what is know as the Hogback. After the first climbs of the day we stopped in the town of Boulder, Utah and ate lunch. The weather was still very warm as we rode out of Boulder and began the longest of our ascents up to 9600 ft. The heat seem to make it almost suffocating at times but Bob F. Kevin, Vince and myself were determine to climb to the summit and on to Pleasant Creek campground completely under our own power. The rest all hitched rides some where along the way with the van or motor home. During the climb I noticed a small water fall near the road so I took a few minutes to indulge in a quick shower. It was snow melt but with the heat it felt great. I felt revived and the rest of the ride to the top went much easier. Kevin was not far behind me and so we decided to ride on into the campground together. Vince was the king of the mountain for the day as he passed over the summit way ahead of Kevin and I. Pleasant Creek Campground was just that. A very nice place in the cool pines.
I could have been happy staying on in Pleasant Creek but our agenda called for an easy nearly all down hill ride to Capitol Reef National Park. Total miles were only 29 so we arrive very early and spent sometime roaming around the Visitors Center. After that we rode on down to the campground and set up our tents. I picked a very shady location as I could tell that our decent had landed us back in the heat.
We would spend Two days at Capitol Reef riding and hiking. For me the high light was the Cohab Trail. Bob F. and I got up early and hit the trail. The first part was a steep climb but soon we entered in to a canyon that was a wonderland of rock formations eroded by water, wind. and time. During our hike we found a small cave with a pond in the middle. A favorite spot for the local varmints I am sure.
From there Bob and I hike on over to Hickman's Bridge; a 133 foot tall natural Arch. Soon the heat was upon us and so we slowly made our way back to the campground, were I spent the rest of the day fighting off gnats and biting flies. According to the ranger they had a bumper crop of the pests this year.
Kevin and I got up at 3:30 AM the following morning and packed up, by 5 we were on the road headed to Loa, Utah. The weather report was for severe head winds and rain. We both decided to try and beat the storm. For the most part we did, although we did experience a little head wind on the climb out of Capitol Reef. Loa had not been our original destination for day 7, it had been Fish Lake but Fish Lake was up at 9000 feet and was probably receiving snow. Loa had an inviting motel with a nice little Italian restaurant. Kevin and I arrived in Loa at 7:30 AM with very cold feet and hands. Loa its self had been a climb. We were now at 7200 feet elevation. First on the agenda was to find a coffee shop or cafe. Well with a short ride down main street we found just such a place. Kevin and I both took comfort in a second breakfast and I don't know how many cups of coffee.
Slowly through the day the other riders began to wonder into town. We directed them strait to the cafe. This was also Kevins 40th birthday so that evening we all join together in the Italian restaurant for a nice meal and to sing happy birthday. Shortly after the festivities the power went out. The storm had arrive only a few hours late. A bunch of us sat in the lobby telling ghost stories. The power remained off till after midnight. The next day would be a later start because rain was on the menu for the whole day and the first 9 mile were still climbing to even higher elevations.
We awoke to gray skies, it was sprinkling and cold. It is always good to have a climb when it is cold because it really warm you up. Vince and I took the lead after a couple of miles into the climb. Vince is an amazing climber but I was really feeling good and so we both began to challenge each other and really poor on the coal. This kind of climb was in my favor because it would almost level off for a short distance and then would begin climbing again. The recumbent I ride can really pick up speed on these lesser grade section and soon I had built up a sizable lead. Vince doesn't like to be beat and he was really working hard to try and catch me. Finally the summit and I had gotten there first. Vince was not far behind me and so we both stopped to catch our breath. The rest of the ride was suppose to be down hill and the next few mile were just that. The only problem was that we were riding in thick fog on wet rainy roads. I decided that this was no place to play around and so I proceeded with lots of caution. Not Vince, no he shot around be doing over 40 mph down a steep decent. I guess he wasn't going to let a recumbent beat him again. Only thing is that down hill is were a recumbent can just fly. They have so much less wind drag. As soon as the fog broke I bolted and in nothing flat I was passing Vince. I slowed up so he could catch up and so we could make a turn off of hyw 24 and make our way over to hwy 62 by way of a short cut. The slope turned up again as we dropped into the high prairie. Vince and I had both seen the elevation charts on this section and they looked down hill, but we now had a small head wind and the ride felt anything but down hill. Vince had really burned himself out on the climb and our horsing around. Soon he was really dragging along. I suggested that he pull in behind me and draft and so he did. I rode the rest of the way to our evening stay at Otter Creek letting Vince draft me. Vince only has 21 years on me. He still rides amazingly well. I hope to be doing that well when I am 75. All the rest of the riders were still miles behind us or they had jump into a vehicle to miss the rain and cold.
Otter Creek would be our last night and because of the rain we rented an old house for the night. It was functional and keep the rain off our heads and our gear stayed dry. I was a happy guy. Not everyone was so happy. The beds all creaked terribly and their was a lot of people trying to live in a small space with only one bathroom. To stop some of the noise a few mattresses found there way to the floor, everything worked out.
The next days ride would be our last; we just had 44 miles to ride back to Panguitch. The first 10 miles were a gentle decent but the rest of the ride would be a gentle ascent. The weather was still a bit unpredictable and cool but for the most part was dry. I had started riding with the group and had planned on doing so but in little of no time they began to spread out. After a few miles miles I came upon Dr. Bob who had left earlier than the rest of the group. I rode with him for a while but then he stopped to take a break and I still felt fine so I just keep on riding.
Before I knew it I could see Panguitch off in the distance. A few minutes more and I was riding down the main street of town. All I had to do now was wait for the motor home to arrive so I could load up my bike. After all the others arrived in Panguitch we all said our good byes and headed for home. With in minutes I was asleep and content. It had been a great ride and a great trip.
318 cycling miles. For more pictures follow this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/Denrnr/20100614UtahTour#
