The longest 6 miles....& there is such a thing as bad weather!

Day 10. Today was just hanging on to survive. 66 miles in 8 hours with the same vicious wind as I had on day 4. This time no panniers so I managed to survive & get to Kayenta before dark. The last 6 miles, just when you have the end in sight & the wind gets even worse. The mind games one plays in these circumstances. It is fatal to be watching the odometer when moving so slowly so I only allow myself to look no more than every half hour. Then there is always some progress.
The road was fine with a reasonable shoulder although I had to often dodge the broken glass from the beer bottles thrown out of car windows.(we learned at dinner that alcohol is not allowed on the reservation!) With no wind I could have covered 100 miles without difficulty-8 hours at 12-14 miles an hour. So distance is a bit deceptive. If we could measure energy expended that would be a truer indication of the days work. I will have to come up with a plan if this wind persists. I still intend to cycle 1,000 miles but may occasionally have to ride with the wind rather than into it. With Hazel sagging we can make a plan. It was tough for Hazel watching me ride under these conditions. My eyes were bright red at the end of the day & the desert wind dries you out. Can't fight the wind indefinately & win.
Yes Clive I have to admit that there can be bad weather & best avoided when it happens.
My thanks to my son Ari for the magic powders he drinks on his triathalons which he gave me. Also the head cover & jacket have been put to good use. From now on it's getting warmer so will not need all the winter clothing.
No cell phone contact here so photos will come later.
Today I passed the half way mark of the ride. Tomorrow nearly 80 miles to Tuba City.