Wed 9th June - Tuba City to Kayenta (5812'). 73miles, 18.5mph ave, 3.55.54 ride time, 2000' climbed. Another early start saw morning temperatures at a cool 20C but by the time we reached Kayenta it had risen to 37C even though it was still only 11.45am!! The usual pattern of wind building through the day pushed us along hence the high average speed despite some long hills to ride. When we arrived at the hotel, which was run by Navajo Indians, there was a meeting in progress concerning compensation claims for the lack of cleaning up of Uranium mines....nice!! Kayenta was very windy in the afternoon and nestled between spectacular red sandstone to the north and limestone to the south.
Thu 10th June - Kayenta to Mexican Hat (4114'). 63.5miles, 13.5mph ave, 3.52.33 ride time, 2093' climbed. We had heard that sandstorms can blow across the route for this ride so yet another early start ensured we avoided the winds that pick up through the day. Within a couple of miles of leaving Kayenta we were riding through Monument Valley. This was c. 30miles of the most breathtaking wind sculptures red rock landscape you could imagine. By far the best way to experience this was on a bike so, given that it was a short day to Mexican Hat, we rode slowly and took in the sights. We arrived early in Mexican Hat (so named because of a nearby rock that looks like a Mexican wearing a hat (original??) so had lunch, dumped the bags and set off sight seeing to Goose-neck gorge. Another amazing sight; on arrival you look down 1000' feet to the worlds most perfectly formed entrenched meandering river (San Juan) gorge. The river San Juan also flows through Mexican Hat and eventually joins the Colorado just before the Grand Canyon as it flows on to Lake Powell to the west. As usual, we met and chatted to lots of people during the day including a very interesting Navajo Indian artist. After dinner, the most amazing thing happened; we went for a stroll to the river bridge and a cyclist came hurtling down the hill who on cross-examination (!) was trying to beat the record for cycling around the world. His name was Vin Cox (Google him if interested) and he had done 12000miles with 6000 to go. But then the lead woman in the Race-Across-America (RAM) bike race came by with support crew...how amazing was that!?
Fri 11th June - Mexican Hat to Montichello (7199'). 71miles, 15mph ave, 4.43.04 ride time, 4965' climbed. No breakfast in hotel so a very early start (5.45am). Leaving Mexican Hat we met up with the rider and support crew of a Lady doing the RAM and had a chat. Then along came a two man relay team doing the shorter race that finished in Durango (Colorado) so Derek and I set off and caught one of their riders (called Cheney). We rode with him until he handed over to the second rider (Tim...a Brit resident in the USA) and rode with him for a while before stopping for breakfast at Bluff. We then left the RAM route and had lunch at Blanding before starting the long climb up to Montichello and low-and-behold we came across another bike race! This time it was a four person relay race of c. 500miles from Moab to St George...they were going in the opposite direction straight into a strong head wind!! As we climbed the usual elevation in temperature didn't occur and we finished the days ride at a chilly 25C!
Message for Rhonda - we need home made cake!
Message for John - we don't count the down-hills!
Thu 10th June - Kayenta to Mexican Hat (4114'). 63.5miles, 13.5mph ave, 3.52.33 ride time, 2093' climbed. We had heard that sandstorms can blow across the route for this ride so yet another early start ensured we avoided the winds that pick up through the day. Within a couple of miles of leaving Kayenta we were riding through Monument Valley. This was c. 30miles of the most breathtaking wind sculptures red rock landscape you could imagine. By far the best way to experience this was on a bike so, given that it was a short day to Mexican Hat, we rode slowly and took in the sights. We arrived early in Mexican Hat (so named because of a nearby rock that looks like a Mexican wearing a hat (original??) so had lunch, dumped the bags and set off sight seeing to Goose-neck gorge. Another amazing sight; on arrival you look down 1000' feet to the worlds most perfectly formed entrenched meandering river (San Juan) gorge. The river San Juan also flows through Mexican Hat and eventually joins the Colorado just before the Grand Canyon as it flows on to Lake Powell to the west. As usual, we met and chatted to lots of people during the day including a very interesting Navajo Indian artist. After dinner, the most amazing thing happened; we went for a stroll to the river bridge and a cyclist came hurtling down the hill who on cross-examination (!) was trying to beat the record for cycling around the world. His name was Vin Cox (Google him if interested) and he had done 12000miles with 6000 to go. But then the lead woman in the Race-Across-America (RAM) bike race came by with support crew...how amazing was that!?
Fri 11th June - Mexican Hat to Montichello (7199'). 71miles, 15mph ave, 4.43.04 ride time, 4965' climbed. No breakfast in hotel so a very early start (5.45am). Leaving Mexican Hat we met up with the rider and support crew of a Lady doing the RAM and had a chat. Then along came a two man relay team doing the shorter race that finished in Durango (Colorado) so Derek and I set off and caught one of their riders (called Cheney). We rode with him until he handed over to the second rider (Tim...a Brit resident in the USA) and rode with him for a while before stopping for breakfast at Bluff. We then left the RAM route and had lunch at Blanding before starting the long climb up to Montichello and low-and-behold we came across another bike race! This time it was a four person relay race of c. 500miles from Moab to St George...they were going in the opposite direction straight into a strong head wind!! As we climbed the usual elevation in temperature didn't occur and we finished the days ride at a chilly 25C!
Message for Rhonda - we need home made cake!
Message for John - we don't count the down-hills!
What coincendences you could not have planned them if you tried, must be some experience to ride through the such scenery...great stuff.
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