| Location: | Tucson |
We approached Salt Lake City in a thunder storm. Black skies, horizontal rain and winds virtually blew us off the bike. It is supposed to be 100 degrees here! The we hit peak rush hour. Road works and heavy traffic held us up for hours. Getting fuel is becoming an increasing headache too - three petrol stations so far have had "OUT OF GAS" signs on them. What is happening!
We hit Cedar City around midnight and discuss whether to carry on with the Interstate around Las Vagas or to cut across through the Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks. Our mind is made up for us when we are told that Las Vegas has suffered from flash floods and the Interstate may be closed.
This means heading off the Interstate, through some of the most impressive areas of Utah in pitch black. We pass by Powell Lake without seeing a thing, other than deer. The road is littered with hundreds of deer, their eyses flashing off the headlight. Fresh kill on the road reminds us to take the speed down, but at 45mph, we are not getting anywhere fast.
Around 4am, we stop at Cameron, so small I don´t even think it is on the map, and Kev takes a nap. I stay awake so that we don´t just sleep in the car park until sunrise. The next few hours riding are mind over matter, fighting to keep alert, eyes stinging, bones aching.
As sun rises we are boosted, but we are not there yet. At 8am and in over 90 degree heat, we are blasting around Pheonix and just after 9am, we arrive at Iron Horse Motorcycles in Tucson.
