Milford UT to Cedar City UT - 54 miles WIND, WIND, WIND

 Have you ever had to peddle hard in lower gear to go down a long hill?  The riders did today.  The mileage was only 54 with one long pass, but the down hill was just about as hard as the upside, WIND, WIND, WIND. The pic above is Pete getting resupplied with liquid from Phil the water boy.  It was exhausting but we made it to Cedar City UT.  I never heard of it, but it's big.  Big enough to have some auto glass shops.  A semi threw a stone at the windshield a couple of days ago and we now have a ten inch long crack.  Dave is out to see if the windshield can be replaced.  The KOA camp wants about the same rate as a Motel 6, so guess where we are tonight. This trip is getting expensive. But who cares since this is part of the bucket.

Kim asked:
Why this as a bucket list trip? Were you looking for something that pushed your physical boundaries a bit? What all appealed to you about the trip you decided to take... about bikes as your transportation mode and about the route you selected?

Phil chose that name as a joke. It was an acknowledgment of what Pete has been saying to his family and the South Christian staff.  "The first thing I'm going to do when I retire is ride my bike across country."  He retired on May 31 and left on this trip on June1. He says he wanted to do it because of the physical challenge and to see the Country at a bicycle pace. (We would never have see the rattle snake if we were in a car.) Dave and Pete rode together to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.  They said at the time that when they retire they were going to to it. (Does that make a bucket list item?)  Two years ago Pete, Dave, Judy, Phil, and Jan rode around Lake Michigan on our bikes - 1200 miles.  We discussed this cross country trip then, but Jan and Judy opted out.  All of us have been taking bike trips for a long time.  This happens to be the longest and most demanding one ever for Pete, Gary, and Phil.

The route is laid out by Adventure Cycling.  Tomorrow we are wondering why they chose this segment because we have to climb to 10,500 feet from 6,000 in 20 miles. Someone told us there are some 12% grades. Pete is going to get his challenge. Biking is an acquired taste.

Phil with Pete looking over his shoulder.

PS  Dave just got back and we now have a new bug free windshield.