Today we made it to Cedar City, UT! We started out the morning with a steep 6 mile climb out of Bryce Canyon and onto a plateau. Laughter could be heard from the top of the summit as 4kers approached the summit sign which read 7777 feet. For the next 20 miles we descended from the plateau down an amazing bike path through Red Canyon. The bike trail was long and winding and we could see fellow riders far below as we skirted the red cliffs and arches characteristic of Utah's rugged landscape. Our day ended with a 14 mile climb and two of the later groups found thunderstorms waiting for them at the top. The van drivers faced the dreaded task of informing some riders that they would have to cut their lunch stop short in order to outrun the approaching rain. Our consolation prize was a beautiful 20 mile downhill that ended somewhat unexpectedly 4 miles from the bottom of the hill as an 18-wheeler had crashed minutes before the first group arrived. It was around a sharp curve and it made us all appreciate our experience. The truck driver was fine, but the crash made us all really think twice about biking safety.
For all of you parents with a tendency towards nail biting who are reading this, all 28 of us made it into Cedar City safely and on time (at least for the most part.) Upon arriving, we were welcomed at the Episcopal Church where we will be spending the next two nights. We just came back from dinner at the Cedar City Catholic Church where we had a delicious dinner of lasagna, salad and as a treat for dessert, strawberries whipped cream and shortcake. Cedar City is having a fair tonight with live music, a car show and tons of vendors with various treats, jewelry and local goods. We are all excited to fall asleep in our warm sleeping bags, our bellies full of Utah hospitality, and our bodies rejuvenated for Zion National Park and all of the other activities that await us on our day off tomorrow. It's good to be in Cedar City!
-Sarah and Katie Biggart
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