Day 71 – 5/23/16
75.4 miles biked
332.5 total
None of us slept well because that damn cow mooed all night long. It sounded like it was giving birth. We got packed and were ready to leave by 7am, but then decided there was really no reason to rush. We had only 104 miles left to Moab, and we wanted to still be far enough out of town to easily camp tonight. So we got coffee and killed an hour in Hanksville before saying goodbye to Pinup and getting in our way.
This whole bike touring thing has been a really good post long-hike transition. It feels so luxurious compared to hiking, what with the daily town stops and frequent cell service. But we’re still moving along just slowly enough to take in more than if we were flying by in a car (we saw a kit fox and an antelope today). And we’re still ruled by daylight and weather and our bodies (I’ve been way more exhausted from biking than any day of hiking). I like our “ending” of this Hayduke adventure.
Up until today, our route was very straight forward – following a mapped ACA route (Western Express). But going from Hanksville to Moab via Green River without riding on I-70 required a bit of trust in Google Maps (not a good idea) and some Haydukesque on-the-fly alternate creation. We turned off highway 24 onto a “deteriorating paved road”. It was actually really nice riding. A few miles in, Google said the road would fork, and though they would meet up at pretty much the same place later on, the left side was a couple miles longer. When we got to the split, the shorter right fork that Google said we were supposed to take was only a really faint sandy track. We took the longer route.
In the town of Green River, we stopped for milkshakes and loitering at Burger King. Leaving town we had 12 miles on frontage road, which we thought would be the best of the questionable roads, but turned out to be quite annoyingly cracked and potholed. The final unknown road turned out to be a pretty good dirt, save for dips down through washes. I got off my bike for all of those. Bubs was more brave and rode through them, eating it only once.
We stopped to camp, our last night, on a little knoll with a fantastic view – the La Sal mountains, the Henry mountains, whatever mesas are north of I-70.
Have loved reading your blog and will miss it. What a fantastic adventure!
I don’t want your adventure to end. I’ve read every blog since you began this wild trip, and I will miss being in the wilderness with you. All the best, and I hope to follow you again!
We too have followed you on your journey. It is so great to see the beautiful scenery from our comfortable home, except for those times you told me not to look! I should have listened.
Love the alpinglow over the mountains! What a fitting way to reconnect with where you started, coming back to the places and towns that were part of the hike. And the different perspective that a bike saddle offers. A much gentler re-entery then often happens post trail.
I’ll miss my weekly doses of DNR and Bubs (and now Pinup!) in beautiful places pursuing life affirming endeavors. But there are fluffy cats and leafy greens in your future and those are very good things too!
If it is hard for your followers when you end a trip, I imagine that you are already planning what is next.
I still have Brown Girl not so far into the PCT currently.. but will miss the two and the three of you!
What a beautiful view from your campsite. Can’t believe this is about to be a wrap. You two are so rad. Keep the energy burning and can’t wait to see what you plan next.
I bet you may enjoy biking more as you’ve turning this way back to the car into a new avenue of fun. Both of you should be able to ride a hundred miles easily now with your supreme hiker legs. I know that Rockin’ has the bug a bit as well though she hasn’t posted anything bike-related in a while.
Enjoy the moment! And of course, God Bless.
Congrats! Another great accomplishment to add to your resumes. So glad all went well and you are safe and sound. Now, unfortunately, time for you to go back to work.