Today, we had a road closure due to the road undermined and washing out/collapsing. We loaded up the van for a detour, bikes on top and us inside. But in order to get back on the route, we had to travel over 100 miles. Today's plan was to ride to the summit, but the road was closed on this side due to the road condition. Instead, we rode down the mountain with a very gusty wind out of the west. We welcomed the wind when it was at our back, but the route down twisted and turned. During a stretch with a crosswind, Steve and Sharon (riding ahead of me) were leaning about 20 degrees to stay upright-not just bent at the waist, but the whole bike was leaning. We went from going 30+ mph downhill, to about 5mph. Some people clocked 40mph; I clocked 38.3mph. That was fast enough for me. On some stretches of the road, there were steep drop-offs on both sides. The last seven miles were due west, directly into the wind. It was a true slog. It’s about dinner time and the wind is still blowing hard. It is always something different. It was also fun putting up a tent in the wind. Hope it abates by tomorrow. Note my MAX speed of 38.3mph on my bike computer below.
Comments