After yesterday’s headwinds I knew I need to get an early start to avoid the crushing winds. The problem with starting too early is that I am heading predominantly east and the sun rises in the east. Therefore as the sun rises I am not too visible. So I like to wait a bit so the sun is higher in the sky. Maybe that was not the right decision today. The winds picked up immediately and I knew it was going to be a tough 66 miles to Rawlins. First part of the day was straight east and directly into a easterly wind. Then my direction changed to the south and south east and later the wind changed to be from the south west. I really thought the last 40 miles would be done a pace of 5 mph because the winds were getting stronger. It is not unusual to get 40 to 60 mph wind gusts this time of year. However, when I crossed the continental divide for the first time I had a partial tailwind and then when I crossed it for a second time it was even more behind me where I could maintain a good pace going uphill. On the second climb up to the continental divide I passed a husband and wife team of riders doing the Great Divide trail. A primarily off road trail between Canada and Mexico.
The second uphill to the continental divide seemed it was looming because I could see it forever on this long straight stretch of road I was traveling on. At one point I pulled over onto what most would describe as a paved driveway apron, but was a driveway to ranch land. I laid the bike down pulled out the peanut butter and soft tortillas shells and had lunch with traffic zooming by at 70+ mph 30 feet away and drank a liter of water. I did not notice the traffic but I am sure they noticed me.
I am now oblivious to the fast cars zipping by 6 feet away. However, earlier today I was passed by a guide car that said wide load. For some reason I noticed that car and then I started to notice the vehicles coming toward me slowing down and pulling over onto the shoulder. I bailed. It was the first time I purposefully pulled myself off the paved shoulder and stopped. When I turned to see what was coming it was a house and it was well onto the shoulder I was riding on. My premonition was correct and it was the vehicles coming toward me, not from behind me, that gave me the clues. Crisis adverted.
Today’s states: total mileage 67.66 miles; average speed 11.9 mph; max speed 23.4 mph; total climb 1778 feet; total ascent 1247 feet.