Average Speed: 9.39
Max Speed: 27.25
Total Miles: 1,460
Bike repairs at REI this morning. Tire problems caused by wires (again) picked up on the road left by exploding truck tires. The shoulders and sides of roads are strewn with all sorts of hardware - bolts, nuts, screws, nails, various types of hasps, glass, twisted metal trim, hubcaps and gravel in various density. Can't see the damn wire. Anyway, outfitted now with spare tubes and tire, bike tuned to like new and front panniers added to redistribute the weight forward. Makes a huge difference in how the bike handles - wish I had done it from the outset.
After REI I rode downtown to take a look at Temple Square. I had to get out west of the city to Stansbury Park and was told by everyone I asked I couldn't ride bike out here. I Google mapped a bike route from downtown which went way south and over a mountain range - it was an easy decision to take a bus.
I think I'll spend tomorrow at the Great Salt Lake state park near here and ride the 99 mile desert to the Nevada line the next day.
City & county office bldg - the kids are reciting the pledge of allegiance - don't know who it is on the spire - maybe Moroni
Entrance to Capitol complex and Temple Square
Capitol dome
The Temple - Moroni is definitely on the this spire but I see I missed him, to my chagrin
Temple Square is a beautiful garden
Engraving high on the Temple facade
Most men in the area were in dark slacks, white shirts & dark ties and the women in dresses or skirts - no pants or shorts. There were hundreds (thousands?) of pilgrims in and around Temple square as there certainly are at any other so-called holy place, actually seats of economic and social power of some cult ascendant usually by force of arms and sustained by some sort of appeal to folks' primal tendencies backed up by veiled threats of doom.
Links to revised routes:
Slow Bike Ride - UT
Slow Bike Ride - NV
Slow Bike Ride - CA
I'll be glad to put Utah behind me.
What creeped me out about Salt Lake City had less to do with Mormonism and more to do with my unease among shiny, happy people. My advice: smile, back away and get yourself to West Wendover.
ReplyDeleteThe LDS is a fine example of the phenomenon that some people will believe anything. I even have good friends that believe there is no God.I actually like the Mormons I have met. They mostly leave me alone and are not obnoxious when they don't. When Nic was busted in Castle Rock, Utah,(Mushrooms, hash, and grass) I found they have more enlightened and progressive drug laws than Minnesota. Users get a choice. Eighteen months in jail or eighteen months of effective rehab. Nic paid a $700 fine and got $350 back a year later. Nic was on tour with one of the groups he does artwork for and the junk was gifted on him by groupies. The Mormons have a serious youth drug problem, especially meth. Utah's drug laws are hard on producers and sellers but not users. Maybe because it's their kids.
ReplyDeleteLet it out Steve. It's not good if you try to hold that stuff inside.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and commentary. What an Epic trip.
I was on my bike ride loop in Cape Elizabeth, head down, peddle to the metal (for me any ways), and I spied a guy slowly climbing the hill I was about to book down. His bike was decked out like yours, patiently making his way on up; smiling.
I sat up to wave at the guy thinking of you.
Broad smile, big wave.
The funny thing is, most cyclists I pass going the other way decline to wave or even wave back. Not this guy.
Take your time, enjoy the view and connect where you can.
Peace