Price to Green River, Utah
66.6 miles
4 hours 47 minutes
1,913 ' climbing
3,014 calories
13.9 mph average
31.8 mph max speed
Billed as an "easy" day, we left hotel at 8:00 to head towards Green, River, Utah. If we arrived at hotel early, we could catch a shuttle van to Arches National Park leaving promptly at 2:00. Piece of cake. Except for the winds, the incessant winds in our faces or coming from our right pushing us int the traffic lane.
The day went without a lot of time spent on breaks as I wanted to make the shuttle to see one of my bucket list national parks. And despite most of the day spent in long downhill sections, we all hd to pedal hard as it felt like if we didn't, we'd be blown back uphill.
Despite he winds and predicted rains which did hold off, I did make it back to hotel by 1:30. Ran up to my room with bike, retrieved luggage from lobby, got a Mr Pibbs soda out of the vending machine, found a PB&J sandwich in my pack from a couple days ago, downed them and went to jump into shower. But something was amiss...No shower curtain.
Nothing was going to keep me from missing that van to the park so, towels on floor, shower head pointed towards wall, delicate washing to keep downstairs folks from getting grumpy and as I was about finished, there was a knock on the door.
"Occupado" I said. Finished drying off and phone rings. Only 7 minutes to get downstairs...
Front desk wanted me to let housekeeping in to put in new shower curtain.
"Too late. I just finished my shower and I gotta run. Leave it by the door and I'll get it when I leave."
Dressed and dried and out the door with 2 minutes to spare. Yes, shower curtain was left on the doorknob so I just tossed it into room before I headed downstairs. So tired but like a kid on Christmas Eve, I couldn't wait to see the park.
Drive was about an hour from hotel, head count of 10 of us and two staff. Ride to park was hypnotic meaning I went into and out of mini naps along the way. Helped to revive me. We got into the park on my Senior Park Pass that I got on the Northern States Tour in 2016.
We spent about two hours driving from pullout to pullout and from feature to feature to takes pictures of monuments too huge to be captured. It was as immense and almost reverent an experience as I've had. Similar to the day we rode up to Mt Rushmore in 2016. Thought I was a jaded old guy but I guess I can still feel the wonder.
We made it back in time for rout rap and dinner. (Pork chops, baked potato, and salad bar for me).
We're told tomorrow will be a tough day, so Breakfast at 5:15 and Ride by 6:00. So tired. So tired. Got everything packed and clothes laid out for next day before turning in. Hoping I don't bonk.
Mostly overcast but no rain
St. Pete John taking short break on windy climb
I'm right there with him...
Ole, Aussie Jerry, Paul, taking some snaps in Arches National Park
Great shots everywhere...
The Three Judges on left
Simply massive in scale
Closer to Three Judges
Hiked in about a mile to get better views along one trail.
Not too crowded on a Sunday afternoon
Balancing Rock aptly named
One of the more photographed arches
From a distance....
Would be another mile and a half to get to it and we're about out of time...
...and it's hot
I had a great seat in the van.
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