The Best Nine: Day 3: Milford, Utah

Team Lounge reunited this morning at the campsite diner. I ate the Fisherman's Special which was delicious. Sometimes you just have to take the morning before a 102 mile day easy.

Team Lounge took down the first ten miles in record time. Then there were hills and headwind. Doug pulled us along for a good 10 miles, and upon arriving to lunch we noticed the big climb ahead. It was a struggle even after a good peanut butter sandwich. After catching my breath I got in the zone. Vant and I zoomed down the hill and caught up with some of Team Lounge. Eventually it was just me, Nic, and Vant conquering the land.

We rode with Mark and Matt for a few miles, but I was feeling great so we kept moving on. Once we got to Milford, Nic, Vant, Mark, and I got some Mexican food. I just love chips and salsa and tacos.

Tonight we're actually staying in a hotel. It's only a few rooms, but It's a nice break from camping.

-Sarah

The Best 9:Day 2: Otter Creek State Park

Today we took our time before departing the campsite. Brian, Doug, Vant, Nic, and I drank some hot beverages in preparation for our 62 mile day. With the caffeine in my bloodstream I was ready to roll. At first it was really cold, but I warmed up quickly. We pace lined through the wind for the first 10 miles and saw some buffalo! There ended up being a lot of climbing, but we worked together to reach the summit around mile 25!

We descended for the next 6 miles, and finally we reached lunch! I took a nice nap because it was a tiring 62 mile ride, and I decided I needed some time to relax. For the last half of the ride I rode with Vant, and Matt. Matt was sweep so he had to hang back other riders about 10 miles from our destination. We pushed each other through the wind, but arriving at Otter Creek was delightful. The area is so beautiful. Rachel and I did some core and push-ups together.

It's amazing how varied the land of Utah is. I went swimming in the lake, and it felt fantastic.

It's a perfect summer night for a campfire and s'mores. 

Another century tomorrow! 

-Sarah

Red Rock for Days

Today was another shift in scenery. I rode with Hannah, Mark, and Nic. We breezed through the first 20 miles of our ride, and the canyon was beautiful.

There were more uphill climbs than I expected though, but I took a break and got a picture with a giant rock.

Together the group of us made it into Utah! i thought this new state would be flatter, but I was deceived. 

It was fight to climb a 9% grade hill rift before lunch. I've never eaten a peanut butter banana sandwich so fast! After lunch there was another 3 miles of climbing, and we made it to 7700 feet. It was a pretty tiring 85 mile day, but the land I have seen is unlike any I have another seen before. It's amazing how these canyons formed so many years ago.

Now that I'm in Moab I'm ready got build with an organization that constructs straw and clay homes. It should be an interesting day!

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 1: Capital Reef National Park

106 miles. Today I rode 106 miles. The first 74 miles flew by. Hannah, Mark, Lydia, Matt, and I rode together for most of the ride. Eric and Jason joined our crew towards the end of the ride. We saw some great sites in the morning.

We woke up at 5 in the morning, but I was feeling pretty amped for our first ride of the Best Nine. The Best Nine involves 9 straight days of riding,mostly through Nevada. We'll be riding more than 800 miles during this timespan. We're also camping out most of the nights, and we dot have many hosts. So it's really important that we work as a team during this week. I think we can do it though.

I'm still amazed by the land. It really is like viewing a painting. Second lunch was awesome because there was a swimming pool to jump into! After that lunch our ride became tough. There was wind and climbs. Entering Capital Reef National Park was great, but it was a tough last 20 miles!

We stopped at a Subway for some water, and the workers ended up giving me, Lydia, Mark, Hannah, and Jason free subs! It was a blessing because we were so famished. The campsite is pretty nice. I'm definitely stoked to get some good sleep tonight.

8 left of the best 9!

-Sarah

Early Rise and Slip N Slide

This morning the group work up at 6 AM for the build day. It was an early start because had to work on shingling a roof before the heat became too intense. There was a dog at the home, and I instantly fell in love with him.

Brian, Doug, Vant, and I were the dump crew for the morning. We carried all of the old shingles to the dumpster. It was a beautiful morning, and we were pretty productive.

At lunch I had a delicious sub, and then there was good news. They needed some volunteers to help out with the Boys & Girls Club for a water fun day during the afternoon. I'm all about children and water. Dexter, Lydia, Michelle, and I were stoked to be helping out in the community. There was a slip and slide and water balloons! We played a bunch of relay races with the kids. 

There were a good amount of kids for the low population of the area. I've  been sleeping on bunk beds the past two nights, and they are super comfy. 

100 miles of riding tomorrow and camping!

-Sarah

The Road to Green River

Yesterday I was part of honorary sweep with Hannah and Doug. I had to get my bike fixed so I had to stick around Moab for awhile. Then the other Sarah's tire was broken so we stayed in Moab even longer. Chile Pepper Bike Shop was awesome, and they really helped me out. For the first 15 miles of the ride there was a fantastic bike path.

It was crazy because it was cut through the canyon. I'm still in awe of the terrain that I have been riding through, but man it is hot! When we finally got to lunch there was a car from the movie Cars. I though it was pretty cool.

The second half of the ride was all downhill. Hannah and I spent a lot of time singing. Doug got a flat so we had a dance party and photo shoot.

We rode into Green River, and soon after we had a great Mexican dinner. The group is working with Epicenter. It's a company that focuses on affordable housing and arts and culture revitalization. I'm stoked to be working with them. They're really treating to make a positive impact in a town of 952 people!

-Sarah

We're Going Through the Rapids!

Today was our day off in Moab, and a group of us went white water rafting! It was a little bit overcast, but overall it was a good time. 

I captured some rafters with my phone. Waterproof iPhone cases are glorious. I rode in a ducky with Yudi. It's basically an inflatable kayak. We banded together with the other duckies and made it down the river together. We had an awesome lunch stop at some red rock structures.

Brian, Vant, and I pretended to be tea pots. It was cool. The sights around us were amazing. It was strange to be isolated from so much of the ongoings of the world.

One more:

I couldn't stop staring at all of the cool rocks! Going through the rapids was pretty exciting, but they weren't too intense. After we got back I went swimming at a sweet recreation center. Then the host made us another delicious dinner! I definitely enjoyed having a day off.

Off to Green River tomorrow!

-Sarah