Another semi-tough desert run today. My general strategy is to start as early as reasonably possible so I "only" have 2 or 3 hours in the full desert heat and, sometimes, headwind. I plan food and water and breaks so I have the energy to do those very difficult 2 or 3 hours. I have, obviously, been making it to the goal each day, but there are definitely times at the end of each ride in the desert when I wonder if I will make it.

Today was a fantastic ride. The first 5 miles were a tough continuous climb out of the Green River valley up to the high desert plateau along the Flaming Gorge. Very similar country to that around the Grand Canyon. Not a house or a business of any kind for a full 50 miles of grass and sage desert. Very beautiful and awe-inspiring of course. Lots of wildlife, including the occasional pair or threesome of deer bounding across the road. Very little traffic.

I had a flat on the front wheel first thing today. I couldn't find a leak in the tube, so I just pumped it up and kept pumping it every 10 miles or so. The second to last time I pumped it, the head of the presta valve broke off, but it held air. The last time I did it, just having arrived at the (relatively) lush valley of Manila, Utah at the base of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the rest of the valve jumped out and I was busted flat--no way to fix it without a new tube.

I started walking the 3 miles into town and to my campground--a truly impeccable KOA--and these lovely people, Mark and Lonnie (in the shadows) stopped with their pickup to bring me to the campground. I wasn't hitching, they just stopped. The general store in town has bike tubes, but not this bike tube. There is a bike shop in Vernal (closed today) so me and Rustinante will hitchhike to Vernal (on my route) tomorrow am to get a new tube. think I'll actually get three tubes, if possible, plus replace the front tire. It has good tread but cracked sidewalls. I think it will make a great spare.