(Frank) Pete and Adam went onto Zion, and I am staying with Alan. He is seeing a doctor this morning. I plan to do a little shopping today, and ride a 20-25 mile loop thru a canyon. This is a very colorful desert around St. George, and I like the town itself. While walking to the bank last night I had a view of their Mormon Temple with a full moon behind. The temple was all lit up with white lights. Why do I never have the camera when I really want it. One of those perfect pictures that would have completely changed by the time I had walked back to the motel to get the camera. I'll just have to chalk it up as another wonderful memory that can't really be shared. You just had to be there.
(The photo at right is from Wikipedia.)
(Still Frank) This is probably a good time to write down a few of my feelings about this ride. We have now been riding for two weeks, had hard cold rain, high heat, head winds, tailwinds, lots of mountains, and flat deserts. Also I've had my fair share of flat tires. I have previously been thru all the areas we have ridden in, but I still look forward to seeing what's ahead each day. It's so different from the cyclist's point of view. We stop more often, talk to lots of people, and struggle with each hill. Each day is a little accomplishment.
When planning this trip I talked with Joyce from the Santa Rosa Cycling Club who has crossed the US unsupported and solo. I didn't think crossing the US solo would be much fun, but now I'm starting to understand that you're never alone. You're alone in a car when you drive to a restaurant, go in, leave, get in your car, go to a motel, etc. On a bike, people wave hello, stop to chat, offer assistance, and are really interested in what you're doing. Riding alone means you always get to choose the speed, and never worry about how long you stop. You also have to battle ALL the headwinds. But solo you have more freedom to not travel, or get up at 4:00 am to travel before the winds start. Traveling solo would not necessarily be bad.
On the other hand I miss having Ellen with me to share all this with. There are times I would like to hold her and just enjoy some of the scenes we have passed. There are times I wanted her near so I could tell her what I was feeling. I miss my family. While I have also really enjoyed the riding, the sore knees and bottom have dampened it a little. Riding day after day is much different than just riding on weekends and commuting 7 miles to work. There's not much time for your body to repair the damage when riding every day, and one day off makes the muscles feel good, but nothing else.
When we started this trip we were planning to average 75 miles per
day. Based upon my weekend rides I expected this to be fairly easy.
Well, riding 75 miles is easy, but when you also spend a couple of
hours eating and sight-seeing along the way, and have to fix flat
tubes in the evening, plan tomorrows ride, and do a little
shopping, it's a full day. We have had less free time than I
expected. I feel it is still a reasonable guide, but I no longer
think of 75 miles per day as easy.