23. The Great Basin #2

In the morning, after a short night, I see cyclists stopping at the spring. I was only 100 m away 😆. I set off at 10 a.m.; I have 180 km left to reach the town of Rawlins. Will I make it there today?

The Diagnus Spring

It’s incredible to have fresh water like this in the middle of these arid expanses. I fold my tent and have a good breakfast at the spring. I put my head under it to refresh myself well, and then I’m off. It’s already super hot. Three cyclists have left ahead of me.

Mischievous Wind

Riding in the desert makes me reflect. It’s different from solitude. I’m in action; I know what I’m leaving behind, but I don’t yet know what I’ll find ahead. And yet, I focus all my efforts to move forward. The odometer slowly ticks off the kilometers. The wind is often head-on or from the side. It’s scorching hot. I pass the first cyclist, exhausted on the side of the road. Then the couple a bit further on. The wind picks up, and I double my efforts. It’s already 3 p.m., and there are still over 100 km to go!

The Invisible Hand

The track is long, turning, then headwind—20 km. I see big clouds ahead; a storm is coming. Rain and lightning. I ride as much as I can, hoping to reach the end of my straight line, then turn left to have a tailwind. But the sky darkens, and the wind becomes tempestuous. In the last 5 kilometers, I’m at my max. The first drops fall; I don’t want to be caught in lightning with no trees on the horizon. I’m not exaggerating; in the last 100 m, every pedal stroke was a feat. With one final push, I’m in the storm, and I can turn the handlebars. I find asphalt, and finally, the wind pushes me! I give everything I have left, and with the wind, I hit 40 km/h. 40 km in front of me with this invisible hand I feel on my back. Slowly but surely, I escape the storm. The hand pushes me all the way to 10 km from Rawlins.

I arrive dry in town, stopping at the first motel suggested by the map. $80 a night, special cyclist rate, friendly welcome. I fall asleep exhausted after a good bath. Tomorrow I’ll wake up early: I need to take care of this derailleur and plan the next steps. I will have crossed the Basin in a day and a half. That’s like doing two laps around Lake Geneva, leaving Saturday at 2 p.m. and arriving Sunday at 8 p.m. Big effort 💪!

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