Today we rode from our dispersed campsite near the Vermillion Cliffs to a motel in Kanab. We had blue skies all day, and the damn wind again. The road was paved for the first 10km, follow by gravel, good and bad, and the last 20km was also paved.
Riding statistics: on Thursday May 23, 2024, the 15th day on the Western Wildlands Route route, it took 10:31h (07:47h moving time), between 06:44 and 17:16, to cover 103 km (64 miles), including 1094 m (3589 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13 km/h (8 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 27 °C (84 °F) with a minimum of 13 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 35 °C (100 °F).
Totals: So far, it took 4 days, 18 hours, 26 minutes and 42 seconds of cycling time to cover 1560 km (970 miles), including 19284 m (63271 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.9 km/h (8.6 mph).
We were up when the sun started to rise. We packed our stuff and left before 6. We first had to continue the paved road from yesterday. Fortunately, no wind and hardly any traffic. We made good progress and after 10km we had to take a turnof onto a gravel road. It was a road that was half of the time excellent to ride on, the other tome it was severe washboarding and/or rocks. The views on the Kanab plateau was amazing. After about 15km it was time to. Limb into and over a mountain range. The road uphill was difficult and combined with the wind gusts made the climb incredibly difficult. The wind gusts even pushed us of the road, and the headwind made balancing on the rocks a challenge. However, we had beautiful weather and amazing views. After completing the climb, and riding the ridge for another 8km, we could start the downhill. The way downhill was as much as a challenge as getting up. Steep section could be freewheeled, less steep sections had to be pedaled because of the headwind. After changing first positions over and over again because of the headwind, we reached the main road again.
We had to follow the main road for 10km to reach Fredonia, the last small town before the Arizona / Utah border. We got some cold calories before continuing to Kanab. 5km after Fredonia we reached the state border. Check! First state done. Another time zone, the clock changes 1 hour later. Another 5km later we arrived at Kanab where we first check the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to get a back country permit to sleep on public land in Grand Escalante territory tomorrow. Unfortunately, the office just closed. We’ll check back in the morning. Next, check for a bike shop, Fons would like to have something checked and tightened. Unfortunately, just closed as well, and only opens after 10am, that will be too late for us. Next stop, motel. Check-in, laundry, shower, etc.
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