Oh, my gosh, what a terrible day. I never ride in these conditions. Last nite we took a vote on whether we wanted to ride the route of 71 miles that would have taken us through the Petrified Forest National Park in heavy rain all day or ride 51 miles of interstate and still ride in the rain but shorter and less hilly. It was unanimous to ride the interstate and am I ever glad. It was 41 degrees when we left and I was able to ride 10 miles before the rain hit. But the last 40 miles were relentless.
I changed gloves twice and finally had to flag down the van to get other gloves. I could not feel my fingers and I had 20+ miles to go. As it was, I had to stop five miles from camp at a gas station and warm them up again. I had every piece of clothing on I could wear today in anticipation of it being even colder than yesterday with the rain. Once you get wet and add a little wind, it doesn’t take long to get super chilled. I pedaled as fast as I could and prayed for a couple hills so I could get warm. I was really on the edge when I got here. And I was first to arrive today. No lollygagging on my part.
A couple times I was hoping for a flat tire so I could get a sag. I could never have changed a tire with cold fingers in the rain along the interstate. I wouldn’t even have tried.
Obviously, I didn’t take any pictures today. Once the rain started, it never stopped. I had my pannier covers on and my panniers still got wet from all the puddle splash. Everything is wet tonite. I’m doing laundry and with all my dirty clothes and wet stuff from today, I could hardly find enough clothes to put on. So I’m standing here in the laundry room shivering. I just want to go back to my cabin and crawl in my sleeping bag.
Yesterday and today we had a tail wind which was the only redeeming grace of both days. Consequently, I rode 14.3 mph yesterday and 15.0 today. I wasn’t even trying. Just rode downhill with a desire to get to camp. The wind was an awesome benefit.
Several riders today had flats, a couple multiple flats. I was lucky and am very thankful that I made it, frozen hands and all. Several riders also sagged today and I don’t blame them at all. It was on my mind half the ride. I was so worried about my cold hands and just kept hoping for more hills. We had very few and they were very gentle so hard to work up heat. But I figured if I pedaled line a mad fool, that would warm me up. It did, all but my hands. When I got in my cabin, it took 10 minutes or more before I could get my helmet off because my fingets just wouldn’t work. Kinda scary and very frustrating.
Tomorrow is a much needed rest day and we are in KOA cabins here in Holbrook. We have a little space heater in our room of a double bed and two bunks. It”s just us two ladies so it will be fine. I may sleep as if I were in my tent. Not very warm in here right now. Just glad to be inside.
46.9 miles today .5578.1 total
BikerAl Across America 2018 