Mexican Hat (click to enlarge for better perspective) at near sunrise.
More Red Rock Formations in Utah
Most of our group at the Colorado Border (Ricky Bobby missing as he was too fast for the rest of us, he was on his way to the Four Corners Monument)
Shipwreck Rock in New Mexico as seen from Colorado!
The long road to Cortez, CO, about 25 miles away!We didn't stay in Utah long, but it was magnificent. The red rock formations will be forever etched in my memory.
The restaurant for breakfast was a little country diner that got slammed with customers just after we arrived at 7:00 am. Fortunately, I got my order in before the stampede. Immediately after breakfast our warm-up consisted of a 0.4 mile incline at 8%! Not a fun way to start. Over the first 40 miles today we climbed nearly 2,500' but only gained 250' in elevation. We had one great downhill where I hit 39 mph; the long uphill that followed was on the same grade as the descent. Needless to say most of that climb was in the granny gear with a speed less than 10 mph.
The town of Mexican Hat is named after a famous rock formation that you will se in the photos above. Incredible that this rock stays perched as it does with the winds that blow through this place. The formations similar to Monument Valley continued for about another 10 miles out of town, then the rolling hills really started and the landscape become wide open fields.
By the time I reached the Colorado border, I had nearly 4,000' of climbing in, now with a net elevation gain of 900'. For the day the 100 mile ride had over 5,900' feet of climbing, our biggest day so far. Net elevation gain over 1,800'.
The hills took their toll today, especially as the day wore on and the temperature rose. I cannot believe how much liquid I'm drinking, fruit i'm eating besides all of theo ther food during the day and I am constantly thirsty. The wind dries you out. Now that we;re getting higher elevations, the air is cooler so you feel a certain coolness from your sweat. However when tyou slow down or stop, the sun bakes you.
No flat tires today, for any of us!
Burned another 3,000+ kcals today.
Tomorrow we climb to Durango. We top out at 8,400' before descending into town. Only 43 miles so we'll have the rest of the day to rest and explore.
3 comments:
Congratulations on completing another state! The pictures and the riding looks and sounds magnificent. Truly a life experience. I hope your ride up to Durango goes/went well today. Keep up the great work!
Hi Mark,
4:30 PM and I just got out of the OR to face a mountain of my own: paperwork from yesterday! My plan to swim at the Y was derailed by a gangbanger, thief with hepatitis C who decided to try to outrun a police dog. Bad decision. His arm was chewed up and I was called in to skin graft it. Makes your day sound better and better doesn't it? Durango is well known for great restaurants. There is a great Mexican in town and good sushi too. Bob Rolle's bike shop is in downtown so you might drop by and say hi. I think you will enjoy Durango.
Ride on......
Rick
Hi Mark! The mountains are beautiful in a car, we cannot imagine what they would be like on a bike.
We are glad to hear you were smiling when you rode that last mile. Wonder if you will make the front page of the local paper tomorrow with that smile?
Just think in another day or so the mountains will be behind you.
Keep up the good work!
Tim & Julie
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