Big day in the mountains
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Mileage: 146.7miles, Start: 6:30am, Time: 12hr:04min,
Avg: 15.4mph, Rolling: 12.2mph, Climb: 6,742ft,
Weather: Hot, Temp: 65-102°F
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Today was all about the Big Horn. A 30 mile climb over a mountain. It was a challenge and a half and we'd all been anticipating it for a few days.
The day started easily enough with a quick 50 miler to the base of the mountain range. After a brief photo stop we set off on the climb to dinner. It would take anything from an hour and half to three hours. It started ominously, with a headwind blowing over the shallow part of the climb. This meant I was knackered before hitting the start of the ramps. Then it started. It was one of those climbs where you can see the upper reaches from the base and it looked an awful long way away. I settled in for a long grind. I hadn't fully recovered from yesterday's ride, so my pace was pretty slow. 8mph...7mph...6mph. It took me 2hrs 15mins to do the 18 miles.
After lunch, the climbing continued, as we made our way up to 9,300ft. The views of the Big Horn Bowl were stunning. After such a hard climb, I deserved a good downhill. Unfortunately, the wind spoilt that, so I ended up pedalling down! Then I got a first and second of FOUR punctures, so my mood was rapidly going downhill (at least something was!). I mended my punctures while being sucked dry by flies.
Eventually there was a good 11 mile downhill and it was enjoyable, although as you descended the heat was building back up to furnace temperatures. It was in the hundreds again for the last 25 miles into Sheridan. I was on the road for over 12 hours.
A bit of an epic day. Very hard, but enjoyable in a masochistic sort of way!
They weren't kidding...
Stunning
Looking back down
The gory details
Four hours later...
2 comments:
Well done, you must take care to avoid those spikey bits, they tend to cause punctures.
Keep the photos coming, they are great. R & A
Do you have to mend your punctures or does the support van do it for you :-#
Seriously 4 in one day is rubbish. Not good.
Whereas the cycling and the scenery are still amazing.
Mx
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