| Distance | 21.87 kms | 13.67 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 301 meters | 988 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 1.82 | - |
| Avg speed | 7.4 kph | - |
| Avg climb | 3% | - |
| Max grade | 8% | - |
| Distance | 26,949.59 kms | 16,745.95 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 283,071 meters | 928,711 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 1,913.17 | - |
Monday, May 5th, 2014
First thing in the morning I ride down to Ruby's Inn for breakfast. They have an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet; I do some serious damage to that thing. The waitress chuckles every time she comes by to remove another plate from my table.
On my way back to the campground I stop in the National Forest to load up on wood again. I drop the bike at the campsite and go hiking along the Rim Trail, very cool views of the canyons below and the "hoodoos" (that's what they call those spires of rock in the pictures).
Next is chore time. I replace yet another broken spoke nipple on the back wheel, true up the rim, adjust the brakes, and clean the drive chain. It turns out there are showers here, near the lodge just not in the campground, so that's my next task. I put in my money (2 dollars for an 8 minute shower) and am all ready for a slice of hot water paradise when I realize I left my soap back at the campground. I let loose a string of obscenities. The only thing I have approximating soap is a little vial of dish-washing liquid so a Dawn shower it is. A badly needed shave ensues. I haven't shaved since Hanksville and my beard is driving me nuts.
Thus I chew up my day. I make a run to sunset point but there are clouds to the west, a bit of a disappointment. When I'm making dinner I get talking to one of the guys at the campsite next door. He is French/American, grew up in Paris, has lived in Barcelona, and likes to travel so we have some things in common to talk about. I stay by the fire to keep warm as long as my wood lasts before retiring to the sleeping bag fully clothed against the chill.
