August 25th – Day 57
Today we knew was going to be one of the last big real BIG climbs of the trip, let alone Utah. From the moment we started pedaling this morning, the climbing did not stop until we had climbed about 4000 ft. The good news was after all that climbing we could coast our way 20 miles into Cedar City, our home for the night.
What we found was there was no better way to start the day than an unlimited pancake breakfast put on by Panguitch’s Lions Club. Many pancakes, bacon, and sausages later we were fueled to do some climbing. Along the way we met the Red Burro Racing Club from Las Vegas out for a ride around the mountain. The overall climb was nothing too spectacular (compared to the past few days at least), just long, gradual, and surrounded by pines and aspens. But the reward for three and a half hours of climbing was very brilliant and worth all of the work. The top of the peak opened up to the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The whole other side of the peak has eroded to reveal very dramatic red rock spires for several miles. Not only was this a great view but we were able to see Zion National Park off in the distance which we had visited nearly two weeks earlier.
The descent down the mountain didn’t last nearly long enough but was fun to scream down some fairly steep road through several canyons and forests. Soon enough we pulled into Cedar City, which is probably the biggest town we have been to in Utah and are getting ourselves ready to tackle the remote state of Nevada.
-Brent
RSS Feed