Woke up in my bivvy this morning - it was great - I was nice and warm and not at all wet! I woke at about 7.30 am and as I was so cosy decided to stay in a little longer - but about 5 minutes later it started to rain. I was going to try to wait it out but eventually got up at about 8am with it still raining a little - bit of a nuisance trying to pack away wet things! But all was well. Had some cold pizza for breakfast - really missed the ice on my ankles and the shower for my saddle sores - a baby wipe shower is not quite the same!! Riding was a bit slow but at least there was a tailwind. The trail turned east then south, then east then south and so every now and then would turn into a cross wind for a while. Really rolling hills again but no climbing today really. Scenery is amazing! A huge basin where you can see for miles and miles - huge mountains in the distance! But it seemed to be taking me a long time to cover the miles. The road got a bit sandy and I was slipping around a bit - some of the small downs were a bit scary!! But I carried on and reached a supposed reservoir - although I didnt see any water (and I was getting a bit low) Then the trail headed south into a bit of a wind for a while and then east on to a paved road with a tail wind - so that was good! It was the loneliest paved road I had ever been on - not a single car for about 20/30 miles. Then I reached a busier highway with cars (which I'd seen from about 10 miles back!) then a nasty little climb and across the basin towards Rawlins. It was now beginning to rain heavier and I was pretty much out of food and water. I needed to get there - also had the added incentive that I wanted to watch the final few holes of the US Open!! Finally rolled in to Rawlins - was going to stop at the first motel but it looked as though it was going to fall down - so I carried on to something decent looking with a name that I recognised - a Travel Lodge! Got myself a room and a shower!! Also managed to see the final three holes and McIlroy win the golf!! Ordered a pizza and am ready for bed!!
I need to evaluate this trip and what I am doing! I have to be in the UK the end of next week so have a fairly tight schedule even if things were going better. I have cycled 1400 miles in 9 1/2 days despite having felt ill since Day 1 so to be honest am not enjoying the trip as I had hoped - I always knew it might be more a training trip than anything else and I have certainly learnt a lot!! It is an amazing trail and challenge!! I think I just have to decide how much more I can get out of it by continuing!!
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