Day 41 - New top speed! - 76.9kph
Day 42 - 77 miles, New Top Speed - 77.5kph, New state UTAH! Dove Creeks, CO to a secluded clearing 30 miles west of Blanding 10 metres north of HWY 95.
Alarms at 5.30 - we finally hit the road at 6.47am, still tired, we went to bed late after food and laundry. It got hot - into the high 30's, by 8.45, so we will try and leave even earlier tomorrow - alarm at 4.40. We cruised straight on through the first town, stopping only to top up water, munching toast and honey along the way. When we got to Blanding though, everything was closed - Sunday's really are a day of Rest in Utah. Luckily, a chinese restaurant had been employed to feed the National Guard, and they let us in too. The supermarket was also open, so we stocked up with huge amounts of food to tide us through the next 74 miles. We left with heavier bikes than we have ever had - I had 8 litres of water, and a kilogram of food. We eat alot, and drink a litre an hour, so the extra baggage is completely necessary. This meant that uphills were alot slower, 9kgs makes a huge amount of difference, and downhills were faster - but far more precarious, all the weight is on the back so it swings a bit. Nonetheless, the hills of Utah are steep, and I hit a new top speed.
Utah is a desert, harsh soils, serious heat but is stunning despite it all. The rock formations are awesome and widespread, and the sunset was fantastic.
We have begun estivation (hiding from the heat of the day) and slept under a park bench in blanding from 12.30 to 4. We will find a canyon to do the same tomorrow. This means we have to ride early and late, which means adjusting our sleep patterns to suit.
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