Salt Lake City, UT - Day 11

Hello from Salt Lake City,
Another long day in the saddle – another rider and I were allowed to start at daybreak so we could try to finish on time this afternoon since we had 117 miles. The first rider caught us at 16.5 and then the rest were along and had all caught us by mile 40. It was a gorgeous morning – jacket weather and cloud cover with sun shining through – unheard of temps for this time of year here – usually 95-100.
The first picture is taken looking back from where we came as the sun was rising and was stunning!! We had many miles along the salt flats and they all looked the same with their own beauty. The only real issue was that there was no where to go to the rest room and sage plants aren’t very big – I decided to cross the road where there was a small embankment when along came a pace line of 7-8 people who shouted that they wouldn’t look?!?!?

Our first rest stop was at mile 40 – I forgot to tell you that our directions were to get on I-80 East and go for 106 miles – exit and go 10 more miles on a “frontage” road to the hotel.


Right before mile 71, I was very low on water and thunderstorms were threatening all over the place – we waited under an underpass for 10 minutes and headed out only to find that the SAG was sitting ½ mile down the road waiting for us. They loaded us and another guy who had a flat further down the road and we rode for 20 miles and then got out and started riding again. Two cyclists were in the van today for medical reasons and they thought they were going to be able to rest, but no time for that – they were kept very busy helping put people in and out of the van all day.


When we entered Salt Lake, the mountains looked more like they were geysers due to the clouds that were overhanging them. We stopped for lunch and then rode in the last 19 miles.
This is a picture of one of the storms we were trying to outrun!

It is difficult to see, but this is a picture of Salt Lake - notice the cars and how far out people had to walk to get to the water. As you might imagine, we had very grimy salty bodies until we got in today.

We are in a hotel for 2 nights this time – I am trying to do laundry, update blog and get things done so we can have time to sight see tomorrow – hope to go to Mormon Tabernacle and a few other places.
I counted 17 bunji cords on the road today!!
Today’s hurrah goes to my brother, Kirby, who had neck surgery today – hope all went well and you come home tomorrow and have a great recuperation!
Thank God for the safety, health, and energy!!