| Distance | 133.40 kms | 82.64 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 681 meters | 2,234 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 7.09 | - |
| Avg speed | 11.6 kph | - |
| Avg climb | 1% | - |
| Max grade | 9% | - |
| Distance | 25,450.91 kms | 15,814.51 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 266,368 meters | 873,911 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 1,798.08 | - |
Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
Max speed: 44,5 mph
I'm up before dawn to get out of my camping spot before anyone comes along. It's much harder getting the bike back up to the road as it was getting it down. When I stop for a break 10 miles down the road I realize that I lost my last full water bottle when I was dragging the bike up that gully. I wonder if I'm coming down with a case of Alzheimer's... This means I have a ways to go with no water. Thankfully a store appears after 20 miles so I can finally quench my thirst.
The headwinds pick up from the store to the next town which is called Kayenta. First I look for a place that has computers. The library is closed, even though according to the signs it should be open, and a few people I ask say there is no other place that has computers with internet access. I find a payphone (not easily) and call 411 looking for the number of the restaurant I was at in Tuba City. The operator can't find it. 411 isn't what it used to be...I was probably the only person to call this week. I go to a visitor's center to see if they can look up the number on the internet, which they do, but calling them reveals that no one turned in my laptop. Oh well. I continue on into Monument Valley.
The ride through the valley is a long struggle against the wind but the scenery is amazing. I reach the small town of Mexican Hat (really just a collection of motels and restaurants) as the sun is going down. The first place I stop at wants 95 dollars for a room. No thanks. They tell me about a place up the hill that is cheaper. When I go there the woman says she has no rooms because there is no hot water. I ask her about the other places around, she rattles off the prices which are all upwards of 80 dollars. And for a room with no hot water? 25 she says. Fair enough, I'm too tired to go look for a place to camp. I'm installed in the room and relaxing when she knocks on the door a half hour later to tell me the water heater is fixed. Good news!
