Day 14 - Provo, UT to Price UT- 76.0 miles

Hi All,

Well, it was bound to happen. Today was a why day. I woke up kind-of cranky. Perhaps it had something to do with having to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, ...and I asked myself...why? Oh yeah, to eat breakfast at 5, and be out the door by 6.

We were out the door by six am... the weather was nice and cool, and it was obvious it was going to rain. There were a few detours we had to take due to construction, and by mile 12 we were on our way...then it happened again...mile 13...we hit strong STRONG headwinds! I am sure a group of snails could move faster than what we were traveling....what? maybe a measly 8 mph down the road against the wind....and I again asked- why?

We made our way through the the headwinds, and down the canyon, and after having to lift our bikes at least 3 or 4 times over cement blocks to protect us from the traffic (there were no shoulders for us to ride on) we made it to a sag stop for food. Re-energized with oranges and almonds, I made my way up a 5 mile climb, which was a piece of cake to ride up, just long. But, as the cold rain started to pour down on us about half-way up to Soldier Summit, I again had to ask myself....why?

We all made it to the summit, and we stopped off at this local convenience store at the top of the summit. The owner was kind enough to let us take off our wet clothes, and hang them in the closet where there was a heater. We all bought hot chocolate and stayed in the store for nearly 20 - 30 minutes to warm up, and we waited for some of our clothes to dry.

We all got our gear and headed out, knowing the rest was downhill. Still raining, but now warm, we made our way down the road, the road with rumble strips, a narrow shoulder to ride on, lots of traffic, and even more rain than before. Mile 48 now, and some of the people in my group felt at this time, they wanted to call for a ride. I still wanted to continue, but again, I had to ask myself--why?

Leaving the others behind as they waited for their ride, I continued to pedal along, in the rain, my shoes, socks, and feet completely soaked. Avoiding the rumble strips, and the traffic, and riding on the detours - which were dirt roads- wet and sloshy, I felt I was mountain biking.... and I still asked myself-- why?

Back on the road, all construction behind me, I continued to ride downhill for 16+ miles in the rain avoiding both the rumble strips and the traffic. The view reminded me of riding through Boulder canyon or the Poudre canyon, except in the rain (which I've never done before in either canyon btw).

12 miles from the hotel, Michelle, one of the staff members offered me a granola bar...starving I took it and kept on going! And, finally made it to the hotel just as the rain stopped.

The hot shower never felt better. And by 4 pm, I felt like myself again!

So, I really don't have an answer to my question- why? I have no idea what motivates me and pushes me to continue on on days like today, but inspite of the wind, the rain, my fatigue, my lack of sleep.....I absolutely LOVE the challenge and am still having such a great time fulfilling this dream of mine!!!

As for my question -- why? I think it is the same answer to the question: "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop?" -- the world may never know!