100 miles ridden – 2713 feet climbed.

Today was the hardest bike ride I have ever done. I experienced despondency and (mild) elation in equal proportions and surprised myself which was nice. However bliss it was NOT.

It all started so well. Luggage load at 5:20, breakfast at 5:30, and we were on the road by 6am partly because it was a long day and partly because we knew it was going to be very hot. The sun was not quite over the horizon as we cycled along quiet, wide roads with a slight tailwind and then we hit our first obstacle – we needed to cross over some railway tracks but there was a train stopped blocking the crossing entirely and the train was at least 500 or 600 metres long. We worked out a detour and about 12 of us worked our way around and all seemed to be going well until Heather had the first of three punctures today. On that first one she also got her chain jammed which took about 20/25 mins to sort out.

At this stage the forecast tailwind became a headwind. Although this slowed us slightly I found it actually helped me cope with the heat because it acts like a fan – albeit a very warm fan – and takes the edge off the furnace-like heat.

By the time we got to the first SAG stop at 29 miles it was 9am and approaching 28C/83F. We have two mechanics in the support team and at this first SAG Jim dismantled Heather’s back wheel and found the reason for her repeated punctures which while fabulous obviously slowed us down further. Then on the next 31 mile stretch to the second SAG she had another puncture but managed to get to the SAG where that too was fixed. By now it was approaching noon and according to the store in Hagerman was 33C/92F with another 37 miles to go.

As many of you will know Pannamans do not do heat and I found myself repeatedly stating this to no one in particular as by 70 miles I had become separated from Darin, Murray, and Heather (another puncture while I was a little ahead and couldn’t see them) so I was on my own. So, by now it’s around 1:30, well-over 38C/100F, and I have been on the road for 7.5 hours. Thanks to the phenomenal support team I was well-hydrated and snacked up but starting to suffer. At 77 miles with 20 still to go I was pretty much spent but kept going.

Somehow I managed to switch off and keep pedalling. Miles seemed to pass quicker (maybe I was delirious?) and then I caught up with a few of the other riders, the road surface improved (at least for a bit) and thankfully the temperature dropped due to the sun disappearing behind rather dark clouds. By the time I arrived at the hotel I felt elated, relieved, knackered, hungry, sweaty and in desperate need of a shower and some SIFI relief. (Remember Saddle Interface Friction Issue). However my Garmin said I had completed 98.85 miles, obviously more than the intended 97 miles but tantalisingly short of a century. After all I had gone through today I was not going to be robbed of a century so I then cycled around the hotel car park until the Garmin showed 100.1 miles. I probably was more affected by the heat than I thought.

Anyway, I have had a good dinner and with tomorrow being a short day we don’t have to be in breakfast until 7:30 so it’s a potential lie-in. More pictures below:

These are of the Snake River as we approached the second SAG stop in Hagerman.

This is the Snake River canyon as it passes Twin Falls – pretty spectacular but as you can see a bit cloudy. The thunder and lightning arrived about 8PM.