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I get a very late start today after I wait for the cafe to open so I can have a solid meal before hitting the road. Utah is just seven miles away.
Wow, a windy seven miles takes about an hour! I loose an hour as I cross into Mountain Time.
I call Claudia from this pay phone and mention I may be camping along the highway tonight. There are zero services and 84 miles between Baker and Milford.
The wind is really beating me up and I'm thinking it's not too late to go back to Baker and try again tomorrow.
Mormon Gap is insane! There is no downhill after the climb, the road just plateaus on it's way to the next climb. It's still not too late to turn around!
I press on and ascend Halfway Summit which is ten miles shy of being halfway. On my way down I realize that I'm all in and that it's campout or Milford way late. As I turn the corner I notice a massive dust storm sweeping across the basin (and the road!) I'm starting to trip out about water now. I think I've got enough, but it'll be tight.
At the basin's low point I see a parked car and people walking around. I am totally asking these folks for water. Before I get the chance, a guy steps into the road and offers me a bottle of water! His name is Marcus and he's riding the same route. He's in the car because his bike has suffered a serious mechanical failure and he's on his way to the next pro shop to have it repaired. Thanks Marcus and good luck!
Entering the dust cloud....
Phew! Made it!
NOW I'm halfway there. Ahead is Wah Wah summit. Each turn reveals another climb! The great thing about these summits is that the wind dies off about midway to the top. This one has lots of little trees and camping potential but I press on- don't wanna bother the cows.
Into the last basin and it's the windiest one yet! The sun is setting and I'm beat. What is that smell? Oh, dead cows beside the highway. I gotta get outta here! Here's a view looking back at Wah Wah before heading up the last pass.
About two miles from the top, a girl pulls up in an suv with bikes on it and asks if I need any water- right on! Her name is Anne and she leads bike tours for a living (Escape Adventures). I thankfully top off my bottles and press on. Knowing the hardest part is almost over, I am washed over with an incredible feeling of relief and I'm glad I won't be camping in the wind tonight! As the sun sets orange and red on the desert landscape I groove to The Best of The Gypsy Kings. Que mas bonita? Nada!
The last ten miles into Milford is a cinch. I lazily peddle in high gear and let gravity do the rest. I flop into the first hotel I see at 9pm. I was on that darn bike for 11 hours today.
