Gar's #5

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley. Day 4.

Yesterdays whiteout meant an early start today, up at 5.30, we were on the road by 6.30...and looking back, it was worth the lack of sleep. The views of the canyon at sunrise was truly breathtaking, visibility from the southern rim all the way to the surface of the Colorado river. The one problem though, following yesterdays whiteout and the freezing temperature...Ice on the road, and unlike those other blokes who wear Lycra on itv, our bikes had no blades, a delayed start.

Once we got going, phillipousis and the bear make good time on a 30mile descent, with a couple of steady continuous climbs chucked in to keep the legs warm.

Rich and myself take over, and although there was one SSDBMF, the strong crosswind, made the leg slightly tougher than it should have been, but good time was made, and after having to stop to empty our mouths of the sand kicked up by oncoming traffic a couple of times, Tuba City, (which is more like drefach velindre than an actual city), was done.

Andy and phil continue, which allows us the pleasure of a couple of Merv's dits, and listening to mr. and mrs. Jones Exchange Chuck Norris-isms. Did you know that there are no such things as lesbians, just women that chuck Norris hasn't met!!

The next leg is almost a carbon copy of the first, longs traight roads with continuous climbs, a good averge speed and we're back with the married couple on HMS Hwyl, this time, with yellow hats removed...(because lowri said so!! Chuck Norris then called and said they must be worn from now on).

We reach monument valley, one of the highlights of the trip no doubt. We cycle good portions as a 6, to enable duffers and his sidekick chatsy to do their thang! Photos as often as possible, trying to find that perfect shot.

For the last two years, this has been the image used to promote the challenge on posters, as well as being the motivational poster put in front of my trusty turbotrainer in the garage, we were finally in the frame. Such an inspirational place, yet other than the Navajo indians hiding in the hills, it is only us here.

This environment has either got me very excited, or the altitude is starting to take it's toll. Although not very strenuous, my heart rate is still screamin and my guts are making the same motions as our doby kit...and we've been off the road for three hours.

Having crossed to our fourth state of Utah, we have also lost an hour recovery, so tomorrows late start Is most welcome as we head towards the hills of our fifth state...new mexico. From here on in, it's south east, and although altitudes in excess of 10,000feet lie ahead, we are finally, heading in the right direction.
The trip back to civiliaation would be most welcome though, as after being away for a week, a mobile signal would bring the relief of soothing voices back home. 4 down, 10 to go.

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