DAY 16- a real long pull
There is not really much I can say about this corner of the American West that I find myself in, it has its charm, and it also has its histiry that plays into the making of America. With all of that said, after 11;00am and up until about 5pm it is just flat homely hot desert with all character remioved by the baking sun above.
So, its best to get up early, pack as quick as you can and get to pedalling, and that is what I done. I rode the I-70 for the first twenty or so miles and hated every mile of it. The noise, the traffic, the very slow pace you can hold on the type of pavement used in UTAH. By the time I had hit Cresent Junction, my ODO was reading the first 1000 marker so I called my wife to celebrate my making it this far. ALso talked to my older brother Niel, and got soem advice and encouragement from him.
Decide at that point to attempt to ride the OLD highway that runs next to I-70 its called Old hwy 6, and bow howdy is it old, matter of fact its so old in some places it really isn't there anymore. I waould say that more of it is gravel than paved any more. But once you are on it, all you can do is keep pedalling.
Finally got to a shady spot called Thompson Springs, I believe. So I got something cold to drink, and took a few pic's of what was left of a quickly developing ghost town and thenroad on towards Cisco.
Now let me tell you as towns go, Cisco is gone, and it looks like it. I road up to that point where we meet I-70 once again and there is an overpass that offered shade and cool cement to take abreak on. The bike was reading 106 and I was feeling sorta toasted.
Itsabout 2:15pm, and I took a swig of 100 degree Gatorade and ate about 5 fig newtons, then lay back on the cement and quite promptly fell asleep. The agreement I had made was to wait out the hottest part of the day, wait for a change in wind direction and then get up and ride on another 20 miles or so. It all happened at around 4pm, I felt that constant tail wind I was looking for, and the temp was down a bit as well. SO I mounted up and started riding !-70 once again.
It wasn't very long and I got to the Colorado State sign so I had to have a pick. Bt dang my tourist luck, just when I got there it decided to try and fall over on me. I had to actually hold it up long enough to get a picture. I set it back up the best I could, but hey, I had to get riding as well. I sure hopeit doesn't fall on the next tourist coming by. But hey thats the way it goes, traveling is a dangerous business!!!!!!!
I was actually feeling quite fresh with having had a nap, and a few cookies which then gave me the idea to look and see if there may be a few stale goodies floating around in the darker corners of my rear seat trunk. Voila, my favorite.........Orange Slices. And just the way I like them, dry as a bone , hard as a rock, and orange flavored. That way they last a while...........well,longer than the teeth you chew them with. Anyways, I had renewed power and told the Lord if he would give me the strength that I would pedal and maybe we could make it to Grand Junction today, only 43 miles left to go and it was 5:35 or so.
Thats just what we did, pedalled like crazy and just kept doing it over and over. You must know that the road surface plays into this sort of thing so much, I was riding at 9-12 MPH and riding till I was exhausted in Utah, but once I crossed the line into Colo, the roads are harder and smoother so the same pedaling produced 16-17 MPH average.
I got to Grand Juction by about 6:45 and was nusrsing a near flat tire so it was time to pull over. I camped at an RV park and called it a night.
Comments
Dude, as the Kinder kids scream at me, I'd take the pedaling in an instant! God Bless!
Posted by: Mike Walker | August 30, 2006 4:28 PM
You seem to be meeting some amazing people! What an oppertunity! Your son is probably relaxing in Hawaii right now, and Nevada's poison oak is probably really irritating her! Well God bless, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Posted by: Darren | August 30, 2006 5:17 PM
gosh dad i didn't know you were that strong.keep safe and if you need me i will always be here.i know you can do it.i love you. your loving daughter nevada
Posted by: gorgeousa.k.a nevada | August 30, 2006 5:22 PM
Hello Dear,Just sitting here at Starbucks with your loving daughter and using our ultra fast wireless internet connection trying to pass some time before Nevada heads to her babysitting job. We had a fun time moving cattle last night,ran out of light so continued this a.m. and completed the job. Have some brand new calves so we moved them extra slow this a.m. While Nevada did her run I rode up Roy's hill thinking of you every pedal stroke. Anyways did you get the photo out of the box and look for the sweets in Denver. Love yah a whole bunch and real proud of yah-Take care and ride with the Lord. Colleen
Answer to comment: This is just a test to see how Jeremiah can comment back to all his commentors.
Posted by: Your wife- Colleen | August 30, 2006 5:32 PM
Awana is tonight. It will be my only visit this years as far as I can see. You will be missed. But Your Missions Trip is important. Going and spreading the gospel and meeting with God in a special way that only comes with a trip like this. There are not many manly men left in the world. Most men conquer the world through violent and/or manipulation. But manly-men conquer the world with patience and perservence, just like this trip.
Looking at your pictures of the old hotels, I am reminded that my house/room in heaven will never fall into disrepair like that.
While I know that you are funny guy and that you have a great sense of humor. I am just now starting to realized how bless I and we (those that know you) really are. A tree that waves at you on the ET highway... a man that proves your sins will always find you out(can I have a cold one)...a man that holds a state sign above his head...a skinny dipper on the run..(I can't help you if you get caught on that one...sorry)
I am sorry that I did not make the time to see you off personal. But you sent a jolt through my body when you grab my hand that Sunday morning...
So lets pray... Dear Jesus, thank-you for our brother, Jeremiah. Thank-you for his life and his witness. Lord we ask that you continue to protect him has he travel the road that you have laid before him. Lord, we know that you will continued to bless his hard work and time with you. We know that this journey is important in more ways that we will understand, and the lives that will be affect by this journey. Lord, we asked that you bring Jeremiah back to safe and sound. Lord, we asked that you continue to prompt our heart when Jeremiah is in need and that your angles will go before him and prepare his way. We ask all of this in your Son precious and holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.
God bless brother.
Posted by: Robert Schlosser | August 31, 2006 2:29 PM
Hi Jeremiah -
You sure did some good miles lately.. Way to go.....
Hey dude - watch out, some of them Pro Tour teams might soon wonna sign you up...!
Keep the faith.
Cheers
Per
Posted by: Per Kronvold | September 1, 2006 12:02 PM
Oops - almost forgot. You mentioned them cowboys starring at your spandex the other day... Don't let it get to you, you hear..
It might be all right for a fella to wear them 13MWZ's riding some mighty fine QHs, but we both know it sure won't work on the thing you're riding these days.... :-)
Keep up the good work, and don't loose faith..
Per
Posted by: Per Kronvold | September 1, 2006 12:30 PM
HEY UNCLE JIM, HOPE ALL IS WELL AND YOUR BUTT ISN'T TOO SORE!! GOTTA GET BACK TO LARGE ANIMAL SURGERY SO PEDAL HARD ADN GOD BLESS
LOVE KIRBY
Posted by: Kirby Watt | September 1, 2006 4:01 PM