12th June 2018 Tuesday – Nice easy day after “planning” rest day in Dove Creek

- May 22, 2018

Hello Everybody!

Route: Dove Creek to Blanding

For the non-mathematicians out there:

Distance: 47 miles (Total 2,539)	Average speed: 12.3 mph
Calories: 1,095	Cycling time: 3h 49min
Average cadence: 71 rpm	Climb: 1,919ft, Descent: 2,559ft
Heart (yes I have one): Max 146 Aver 111	Aver Temp: 32C, Max temp 38C
Temperament: Enjoyable day back on the saddle

Nice start to the day with either tail or no wind all the way to Monticello, which is famous for dunking small rodents in single malt whiskey and then seeing which one falls over first. Odd custom but they don’t have cable TV so what can they do?

I had a very nice lunch in the drunk mice place. I had a Sandy with bacon, avocado and side salad – it was on the right. Also a very, very nice vanilla milkshake. This was just as well as the wind gods (small g just in case) were not sleeping off their lunch, oh no, not asleep. I also decided to cycle up the reasonably sized climb rather than going in completely the wrong way – as if.

Climb done then a really pleasant descent of about 5 miles, then flat, then arrived at Blanding.. Blanding is a very nice place – I met a road cycling group just going for an evening ride although it was still flipping hot for an evening. I had salmon and chips with raspberry lemonade – yes I am in Utah now and Blanding is a no drink city.

I nearly went to the local cinema which was showing Solo in 3D. Instead, I decided to remove some extra weight and space for the coming weeks. I now have a little plastic bag full of stuff Ruth made me take, that I have not used and will never miss. Oh dear, this might come back to haunt me when I suddenly have the need for a new microwave internal light. The bag is saying “so what I have done wrong?”. Sorry, I’m referring to the plastic bag in case anyone was in any doubt, especially Ruth.

I will be at the US Postal Office at 7.30am tomorrow and will see how much they take of my retirement funds this time. However, I am sending the stuff to our San Francisco Airbnb host so should not be that expensive.

Weather is very dry and very hot. Obviously, this is causing problems with my complexion so I have decided to grow a beard but not on my face. My numb left hand seemed to respond to me not using it much today – I stayed in the largest front ring all day as the hills were not that bad really.

Anyway, time is precious and I have a bit of a day tomorrow. The campsite is next to a large reservoir but I’m not sure if the associated store will be open i.e. I will need to get some water at the very least, so should be fun trying to find some.

The landscape is also getting very cowboy style. I think Utah will be a very enjoyable state to cycle through and I am looking forward to seeing the next version of American scenery.

L&K, A & F xx

P.S. I’ve worked out that in 3 days time I will have less than 1,000 miles to cycle. I am now at 68.8% of the mileage and I think my mojo is back. Thanks to some certain friends who know who they are, don’t they Ian?

SOME PHOTOS: