| Southern Utah Bike Tour |
We 
finally got underway early Sunday to start the long, 85 mile route to Cedar City, stopping first at the Bear Paw Restaurant for an excellent breakfast. There is a very good trail from St. George to Snow Canyon State Park, about 10 miles (left and right photos). As opposed to Rt. 18, the trail follows the contours of many short, steep hills. At the top of one of the rises I stopped to take a photo and talked for a minute to a portly Indian who was taking pictures. He had just cycled the length of the trail and was returning to St. George.
Near Veyo we could see a volcanic dome off in the distance. We didn't really notice the vegetation beside the road, and we stopped often to take pictures in the early morning light. Later we paid the price, by having a record number of flats.
I had 1 and Kerie had at least 5 and possibly 6; we lost count. We rode toward Enterprise and lunch, fixing flats along the way, and steadily climbing. When we finally reached the restaurant, it was closed, and had to rely on the tour van and cheese and crackers from the market for our snack.
By this time it was getting later than we expected, and we had been fighting a headwind most of the way. After turning onto Rt. 56, the headwind was still with us, as were the flat tires. There was a steady climb to about mile 70. On much of the climb the shoulder was very narrow, with cars and trucks blasting by on their way to Cedar City. When we had a flat, we had to choose whether to get off the road to fix it and risk further punctures, or use the shoulder. When we finally reached the summit, it was near dusk and several people decided to take the van the last few miles to the motel before the sun set.