Day 27: Torrey, UT

Day 27

June 12, 2015

Miles: 37

Boulder to Torrey

We woke at 7am and started packing up our stuff right away.  We wanted to get an early start because we knew today's ride was going to start with a 13 mile climb with grades up to 10%.  After we finished packing we went across the street to get coffee from the small grocery store.  We came back and we had cereal with a banana for breakfast.  We thought we were being efficient, but we still didn't start our ride until 9.  I think there must be a some subconcious impulse compelling us to delay our ride each day because we always seem to start later than we want.  Maybe that's called sanity.

Di enjoying a simple breakfast

The first few miles of the ascent weren't too steep, but even so, we found that we had to take breaks every few miles.  It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and we needed to take a lot of water breaks.

Di is a dedicated hydrator

After the first few miles, the ascent turned much steeper.

Another break on our steep climb

Taking a quick break to catch our breath and take a drink helps our legs recover, but I feel a rest is not a true rest unless you are off the bike and sitting or lying down.

What a real rest looks like

We were sharing the road with a bunch of runners that were in a relay race.  They started in Zion and were going 250 miles over three days.  There were volunteer stations along the route and they had support vans going up and down the road.  Every time a van rode by us they would roll down their windows and yell encouragement and clang cow bells at us.  I loved it.  I kept thinking, "More cow bell!  More cow bell!"

The climb just kept going on and on with the steeper sections between 8 and 10%.  I guess our legs were still tired from yesterday, because it was very tough going.

Still climbing

One of the strange things about the climb is the road often looked like it was descending, or at least level.  But it was just an illusion, because each time Di and I stopped pedaling in anticipation of gliding down the decline, our bikes would immediately slow and were in danger of falling over unless we started pedaling again.  I didn't like this.

  

Yet another break

A placard at one of the scenic lookouts explained that Aspens propagate through their root system.  Because of this, each Aspen in a group is a clone of each other.  I looked across the street and saw two groups of Aspens that proved this to be true.

Two Aspen clone copses

We kept slogging away and after four hours finally reached the summit. 

We made it! (picture taken by racing volunteer)

It was really windy at the summit so we pushed on.  I was looking forward to a great descent, but I was to be greatly disappointed.  The profile map shows a 70 mile descent after the summit, but it didn't show how you would descend.  We found out the way you descend this particular stretch of road is to descend steeply for two miles, then ascend steeply for one mile.  Repeat.  Those ascents, after the 13 mile climb earlier in the day, were brutal.  We were forced to take frequent breaks descending just as we had when we were ascending in the morning.

View from one of many breaks on our descent

We stopped around 2:30 to have lunch in a camping area.  Di made us almond butter and jelly sandwiches.

Di happy to stop riding for a while

Di at work making lunch

We resumed riding and it was as before: two steps down, one step up.

Another break, another view

Di on the descent (1/3 ascent)

Another break (sigh)

Sometimes the descents were steep:

A 10% descent (good thing we are going down!)

The last few miles into Torrey were a little easier.  We still had to ascend frequently, but the climbs weren't as steep as the earlier part of the descent.

A few miles from Torrey

Di knows the day's ride is almost over

At least the scenery was pretty

Just a couple of miles to go...

We got into Torrey around 4:30.  Going 37 miles in 7.5 hours isn't that great, but at least we made it.  The first thing I saw in Torrey was a cafe, so of course I got an iced coffee.  Di and I sat outside while I drank my coffee, trying to muster up the energy to go the 3/10 of a mile to the motel.

Post-coffee elation

We made it to the Broken Spur Motel, where their motto is "Kick off your boots and stay a while."  Yep, we are in cowboy country.  We reined our bikes, kicked off our biking shoes, had dinner (beef, of course), and now we are staying a while.  Well, the night, any way.  We are on to Hanksville tomorrow, population 271, so its one of the bigger cities we've been to recently.  Looking forward to the crowds.