Day 18 Burley to Snowville 138.1 km Uphill 3272 ft Downhill 2933 ft

Yes, 5 a.m. and I’m awake. How wonderful not to rush in the morning. We were on our bikes ready to roll by 6:30 a.m. The morning started off cool but the day promises to be a hot and long.

Yesterday Julie was there when we needed her and today Cory, the driver of our porta potty on wheels witnessed ‘the accident’ at km 15. We were all in a pace line clicking along at a good speed when all of a sudden Andy’s front tire hit my back tire. Thankfully, I didn’t go down but such was not the fate for Andy or Gerry K. Andy hit the pavement and Gerry who was behind him ran over Andy’s back rim and went for the ditch. Andy sustained some road rash on his right leg, Gerry looks fine. And the all important question, how is Andy’s bike? His computer cracked off so he will need to repair that once we are in a bigger city, but other than that everything is working well. Andy was able to bike the reminder of the day and really aside from a nasty looking knee, he looks as good as ever. After the first climb we tackled the highest climb of the day. Thank goodness for a granny gear. We had a short break ½ way up the climb and then once we hit the top we sailed down for the next 4 km. I didn’t even hit my brakes. Top speed of just under 70km. Besty, the day nurse was in her SAG vehicle at the bottom of the hill. We refilled our water bottles and continued on.

We pulled into a small town called Malta. If only we were 20 minutes later. They had just finished making homemade cinnamon buns but still had to pop them in the oven. Lucky for the riders after us. Coffee was only .50 and it hit the spot.

We had a miscommunication with our pace line when we left Malta. Barb, Gerry and I left ahead of the other guys because Julie was just 1km up the road and we needed to top up our water bottles. We stopped and then watched as John, Pete, Andy and Louie sailed by the SAG. That left Gerry and Barb to pull. Because of my slight frame no one benefits from me being at the front of the pace line…..not enough ‘drag’ off of me. I usually end up # 3 or 4 in a pace line. It was a slow ride up the final climb of the day (20 miles uphill). Walter’s SAG was at the top of the hill. How nice to sit in a chair (as opposed to the skinny, hard saddle I’m on for most of the day). Photo op…..we are entering Utah. Some cyclists are thinking of stopping in the town of Bountiful. I don’t think Mormons and spandex mix so I’ll just continue with the planned route.It was suppose to be a sweet 20 miles down to end the day. Instead we battled a head wind for the entire way down. It was tough. The wind kept switching. Both Gerry and Barb took turns with the lead and I just kept peddling. At the 80 mile marker we had to climb uphill to the small town of Snowville. Snowville has two diners, a Flying J, a variety store, and a campground. We are staying at the park. No showers and one washroom for the guys, one for the girls. Could be a long line tomorrow morning! They’ve set up a large blue tarp with a water hose and this is where you can ‘shower’. Girls first, then the guys. No warm water, only cold. I’ve decided to pay the $8.50 for a shower at the Flying J. Best $8.50 I’ve ever spent.

We’ve just come back from the peloton meeting. Several things happened today:
1) Three cyclists on the sweep team, Brad G, Theo and Nick E came into the town of Malta and seen the Pizza challenge. If you can eat a 15 inch pizza and a large coke within an hour it’s free. They went for it. It was a long hour. Two completed the challenge, the third had to pay. So if you’re ever in the town of Malta, look for their photos on the wall of fame.
2) Arnie Issette from Michigan tore his Achilles today and after a consultation with a doctor he will have to quit the tour and return home. He may have to have surgery. How disappointing for Arnie. We all feel badly for him.
3) Driving into Snowville the Pantry trailer became loose, and some groceries fell out. No serious damage…the people of Snowville probably think we have a strange way of donating food to the community.
4) And finally, poor Cory. He also experienced problems today. On his way to his second SAG of the day the porta potty let loose from the truck. It ended up in the middle of the road, upright. Len R witnessed the whole affair and then to his surprise as the porta potty was cruising down the hwy he witnessed, John, Johnny and Mark drafting behind the run away porta potty. (not very safe, but very fast.)

Now, it’s past my bedtime and I still have to go online and post.

Average speed 24.1km Total km 140 Bike time 5:47

Till tomorrow, Cynthia