June 16, Day 16

June 16, Day 16
Green River, UT to Grand Junction, CO
Mileage: 95.4
Temperature: 70 to start and by days end the temperature off the road was over 100 (HOT!!)


Dear All,


OK friends, today we move into our fourth state. The ride was long, hard and HOT. God knows how many water bottles we drank but it was a bunch and we probably didn't drink enough.

The day started out at 7:00 am and given the length and the expected heat we knew it was going to be tough. By 7:30 the sweat was beginning to flow as we rode over long inclines which weren't enough to make one use a bunch of gears but were enough to get your heart rate up a bit and cause one to perspire. It was up and down most of the day. Luckily the wind was coming from the right rear quarter and at times it was a tail wind which certainly was a bit of a blessing.

About 20 miles out, John had his first flat. There were several riders around who assisted in a relatively quick change, although nowhere near as quick as Gerard, the mechanic, who, for those of you who have been following this ride, changed Amy's flat in record time.


By noon we are told that the temperature off the pavement was in excess of 100. Folks, that's hot. We passed the CO state line and into our fourth state. After passing the sign we had an uphill and then a bend to the right and it really was as if the whole state of CO just opened up in front of us. It was beautiful.
At about the 80 mile mark a women by the name of Sue was parked by the side of the road and she waved us down. We stopped and learned that she had ridden across the country seven times and at least once with America by Bicycle. She proceeded to open a cooler and provide us with frozen ice pop sticks. What a wonderful, unexpected treat. Given the temperature off the road we had to virtually inhale the things or they would have melted, but they were cold and wonderful. Amy called Sue “her angel”.

Just before arriving in Grand Junction the Colorado river appeared on our right and we waited to wave at a rafting trip. It was delightful.
We arrived at our motel somewhat worse for wear but after a shower began to feel human. Bed tonight by 8:30 (or earlier).

Tomorrow is supposed to be a “recovery day” before we attack the Rockies. Now I would have thought that a recovery day might be 30 miles or so. No such luck. In this world we find ourselves in, a recovery day is a modest 70 miles.

We sure hope the weather gods are blowing the winds from the west to make it just a bit easier since the temperature is supposed to be just like today.

Take care all and keep sending the good vibes.

Amy and John