Day 13 Hot, Hot, Hot

Hit 100 today (or pretty close to 100)!  It was a 85 mile race to beat the sun.  We started at 6 am and the ride was great - until the sun broke out.

Then we just melted.  For the first 40 miles we rode through a cattle ranch.  There were no fences and the cows were allowed to roam anywhere they pleased.  At least I hoped they were all cows - because there was one that did not appreciate us riding through her/his property.

I didn't get much sleep last night worried about today's ride.  I was thinking about it and started to think "this day is going to suck".  But the more I thought about it I realized I signed up for this gig.  So I said "Take it easy and enjoy yourself - as best you can in 100 degree heat".

To add injury to insult, the wind kicked up and we fought 20 mile headwinds for most of the ride.  Because we left early we were able to avoid most of the heat.  So all in all we survived and most seem to be in good health.  There are probably a couple of people that are going to take a day off and try to recover.

We have been slowly climbing for the last three days.  We are now at about 4500 feet.  In two days we will climb the pass up, and into, Jackson Hole.  This climb should be another 5000 feet with a rapid and long descent into Jackson Hole.

Got our first glimpse of the Foothills of the Rockies..

At about 30 miles we had our first water stop in an abandoned garage.  I thought these shots of our bikes resting against the building and gas pumps were pretty neat.

With the station being closed we had to make the most of what nature could provide us (while avoiding rattlers)...

We saw few cars and even fewer houses.  These are just bad lands with the only green being where the farmers use irrigation.  Lots of abandoned buildings..

Only passed one historical site today.  It was called register rock.  Pioneers signed it when the passed by it on wagon trains heading west.  

We all wanted to sign it but it is surrounded by a chain link fence.  There were lots of other rocks in the park where Register Rock is located - so perhaps next year America By Bicycle can start a new tradition.

As to my injury (hot spot on foot) my effort to double up my shoe insole helped a little - but it came roaring back at about mile 70.  So with the help of Jim, our bike mechanic we adjusted my bike cleats forward a little (they could not be adjusted back any further - so we are going forward).

In addition, I order some new pedals from Amazon and should get them on Tuesday.  Thanks for all the suggestions from my blog readers.

So tomorrow we are off to Idaho Falls.  It's going to be another 100 degree day so we are going to tryo to leave early before the sun comes up.

Hoping to get some more great pictures.

Cheers and good night.