Day 11, Wednesday, June 15,2005

Wendover, NV to Salt Lake City, UT
116.4 miles, 13.6 mph, 8hr 32min 21sec

Up at 5:15, 6:00 breakfast at our Rainbow Casino restaurant - scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes , juice and coffee - excellent, 7:00 Load luggage, 7:15 on the road.

Weather this morning was probably the warmest yet and from 10 AM on was mostly sunny and about 70F. We entered I-80 at 2 miles out and stayed on it for most of the day. For the first 25 miles we rode over part of Great Salt Lake that has dried up and now is just a salt deposit. We could smell and taste it on our lips. The road just seemed to go on forever - quite boring, salt deposits on both sides of the road. This section obviously must have been very shallow and flat. A large section of the road was very rough and bumpy, really annoying to ride on for a long time. It was a relief to get to the first SAG at 42 miles. By this time it was very hot and uncomfortable. Several cyclists had flats from tiny wires that come from the chunks of broken up truck tires that you see on the side of the road. These wires are impossible to see in the road and take a while to work their way into the tire. If we can remember to stop and check for wires often enough, we can sometimes avoid getting a flat.

After leaving SAG 1, I became aware that the muscles in my backside were sore. All this time in the saddle was taking effect, and I still had about 80 miles to go. The air seemed to be getting heavier and hotter. I took several pics of the salt deposits close up and far away. It was a 50 mile ride to SAG 2 and several riders were not feeling to well. It was good to get there but the air just seemed to be pressing down on my body. I snacked on energy food and cool water and then pressed on for twenty six more miles to the hotel. Traffic got very congested and fast- we were still on I80. We finally got off I 80 onto a frontage road with no traffic. This was nice for a change. It was great to get to the hotel after spending over eight and a half hours on my bicycle!

The hotel had a complementary happy hour for us. I drank five Cokes. The name of the hotel, Airport Comfort Inn, Very nice! Very definitely high class.

Dinner and rap was at seven. I hung out after dinner to 'chill' and socialize, something I rarely do. After this I tried to do some journals but didnā..t get too far, too tired, went to bed at ten. Tomorrow- no alarm- REST DAY!

Dried up part of Great Salt Lake

Dried up part of Great Salt Lake

Rt. 80. dried salt flats on both sides of road

Lake bed salt deposits

Lake bed salt deposits

Lake bed salt deposits

Lake bed salt deposits

SAG 1 - Jim, Steve, Doug, SandiBeach, George

Hot and tired at SAG 1

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Salt deposits

Salt deposits

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

Scenic country view

SAG 2 - more salt.

Great Salt Lake

Shrinking Great Salt Lake

Happy in room - end of a long ride

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