19th June 2018 Tuesday – Rest day, tick, easy day cycling, tick

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Hello Everybody!
Route: Cedar City to Milford

For the non-mathematicians out there:
Distance: 55 miles (Total 2,877)
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Calories: 1,075
Cycling time: 3h 55min
Average cadence: 74 rpm
Climb: 1,470ft, Descent: 2,551ft
Heart (yes I have one): Max 129 Aver 108
Aver Temp: 23C, Max temp 32C
Temperament: First proper desert day should be OK and good test of me, Blossom and water

Started at 8am and the first hour was nice and steady downhill. The wind was from the north which was unusual, especially as going into Cedar a few days back it was coming strongly from the south. Either way, it did not impact the journey.

A funny thing happened after 8 miles – a dog attack. Now I had completely forgotten about such events and I was more surprised than scared. The dog was very canny, coming at my form the front and I just managed to get off before he got too close. Once Blossom was protecting me, I thought how funny this was, I’ve never even seen a dog for the last 3 weeks I think. I decided I would take a photo of the mutt and when it saw my camera it got a little frightened itself. I know the dog looks very un-fierce in the photo but trust me it was going full pelt.

I kept an eye on the next few houses but that was the last I saw of anything with four legs other than cows – and they look at you in a very weird way in my view. I remember Alex in Gunnison who cuts trees and manages forests in Colorado who is happy with bears, mountain cats etc. but does not trust cows at all – they kill quite a few people in America apparently. Either way, I am taking NO chances. I am also thinking of not drinking milk any more as I do not wish to give them any motive to attack or otherwise mess with Blossom.

Although I was going to stay in Utah all day, I was still a little apprehensive about leaving Cedar City as I was now only a day from Nevada and proper remote USA. The day was fairly uneventful and the only climb of the day took me a bit over 1.5 hours. After that, it was all downhill, fast at first and then more sedate.

I arrived at the Travelogue in Milford around 1.30pm and a thought had entered my head. Given I had quite a bit of time in hand for the day and I was going to cycle 83 miles tomorrow, I thought about carrying on and maybe doing another 20+ miles, which would complete the first climb of tomorrow’s route. At this point, I wasted Ian White’s time discussing options and him doing research on where/why/what I could be getting myself into. My initial plan was to stay at the Travelogue for a few hours till it cooled down and then set off for another 3 hours. I looked at the 83-mile route in my room and finally decided that it would be better to stay in AC land, with 24-hour diner, nice bed and bedroom that I do not need to build myself vs tent option.

Thanks, Ian and sorry for your wasted efforts but at least we gave it a very good shake.

I slept soundly and happy.


Regards, Alan & Franklin.  xxx

PHOTOS OF CEDAR CITY

Magic Brian's cycle shop




I was very, very drunk







I've decided to start an electronic repair business
combined with a furniture business

PHOTOS OF THE ROUTE 


I agree it doesn't look very scary does it? But is was.






A flash of knee for the ladies










PHOTOS OF MILFORD




PHOTOS OF DINER



Comments

  1. Alan Swinhoe2 July 2018 at 02:29

    On behalf of Angela Jordan....
    Hi Alan
    We are enjoying reading your blog from the comfort of our sofa! We have been following your route on our large map of the USA but wondered if you could change course as you are now on a fold in the map and it is making our task quite difficult. It should only add an extra few hundred miles to your route and would be greatly appreciated!!
    I am glad that the Americans are enjoying your sense of humour.........good to know that somebody somewhere finds you funny!
    Hope the next part of your journey goes well and we look forward to hearing that the flags are out in San Francisco for your arrival
    Love from the Jordans

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alan Swinhoe2 July 2018 at 02:33

    Angela, I wish you had mastered the technology beforehand so I could have answered a clear "YES" to your request. A few hundred miles would have been a pleasure. Perhaps I could turn around and start from your map fold if you'll pardon the expression? Your humble servant, Al

    ReplyDelete

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