I've done this route five times now. Today the weather was absolutely, incredibly perfect. Two of the other four times we were pounded with hail and freezing rain. Sunshine and warmth is definitely better!
Elizabeth is all smiles at Panguitch Lake.
Jann and I take a little break as we pass the 9,000' mark. I felt really strong and the altitude didn't slow me down until we neared 10,000' and the road pitched upwards...
Bow and I start to feel a little winded as we climb above 10,000'. It's no big deal really - but it helps to have that one bigger cog...
Here I am with my husband, Brian, and my father-in-law, Ron, at the summit at Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Cedar Breaks is like a super-mini Bryce.
The start of the 17 mile descent into Cedar City. The descent has amazing, diverse views!
One of my all-time favorite routes: 59 miles with 4,700' of climbing!
Day Five of our Tour is 109 miles with about 3,200' of climbing. But Bow and I didn't ride it all. We had to drive the van into Loa for grocery shopping and also to look for a hotel in town to host a time station for the upcoming Hoodoo 500. After running our errands we helped set up the lunch stop, and rode into Panguitch from there. It was 47 miles with 1,100' of climbing. And absolutely amazing, perfect, and NOT usual conditions. It was much cooler than usual, and we had a tailwind! Typically this day is super super hot with headwinds pretty much all day. So we all got lucky - and everyone was HAPPY!!!
A quick stop for water and snacks. I had a Starbucks vanilla frappaccino, and lots of folks had soft serve ice cream. Everyone was smiling!
Here's the group Bow and I rode in with. Front to back, Elizabeth, Vickie, Joe, Peggy and I honestly can't tell who's on the back...
Of all the places I've been on my bike, the road from Escalante to Torrey, via Boulder, is one of the top five on the list of my all-time favorites. Check out the photos to see why...
I've ridden this route five times. It's 61 miles with 6,500' of climbing; including a 14 mile ascent to 9,600' at the summit. Today it felt so much harder than ever before! I don't think I'm all that less fit this year... but it was close to 100 degrees, and the heat really zapped my strength, both physically and mentally. I think as I'm aging, I'm less able to regulate my core temperature. I had to slow down a lot, drink more, pour cold water on my head, and dig really deep to keep pedaling up the hill. But we made it! Here I am with Bow at the summit. 
The descent definitely makes the climb worthwhile!
The gang regrouped at a coffee house in Torrey. I had a delicious "four berry smoothy" and lots of homemade taffy. Yum! 
On the final stretch to the hotel at the edge of Capitol Reef National Park - Bow takes in the awesome sight!
The ride from Bryce to Escalante is the shortest of the Tour - just 47 miles with 1,930' of climbing. We get our first glimpses of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument - which goes on and on and on along Utah Hwy 12 National Scenic Byway.
Since we took it easy yesterday, riding slowly in the back with the ladies, my legs were super fresh and lively today - and I felt great! I started at the back, and slowly reeled in most of the other riders on the Tour.
Here's Lynn, from Monterey Park, California!
Here's Lisa, from Pecos, New Mexico!
A Group shot at the first SAG stop. Third from the left is Elizabeth, from San Diego, California. Elizabeth has done a bunch of Ironman Distance Triathlons as well. She's super strong!
The only super-steep climb of the day: 1 mile, with pitches up to 13% - but mostly between 11 and 12% Whew! It really took my breath away (as I was hammering to catch the 4 guys ahead of me!)
The awesome view at the scenic lookout at the top of the climb. It was all downhill from here!
Snow Canyon is the highlight of the day. It's all downhill from here!
Back in St. George, we arrive at our rolling home away from home! It will be GREAT to sleep in my own bed. Leading tours has its benefits - but sleeping in a different hotel in a small town every night is not one of them...
Elizabeth is all smiles at Panguitch Lake.
Jann and I take a little break as we pass the 9,000' mark. I felt really strong and the altitude didn't slow me down until we neared 10,000' and the road pitched upwards...
Bow and I start to feel a little winded as we climb above 10,000'. It's no big deal really - but it helps to have that one bigger cog...
Here I am with my husband, Brian, and my father-in-law, Ron, at the summit at Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Cedar Breaks is like a super-mini Bryce.
The start of the 17 mile descent into Cedar City. The descent has amazing, diverse views!
One of my all-time favorite routes: 59 miles with 4,700' of climbing!
A quick stop for water and snacks. I had a Starbucks vanilla frappaccino, and lots of folks had soft serve ice cream. Everyone was smiling!
Here's the group Bow and I rode in with. Front to back, Elizabeth, Vickie, Joe, Peggy and I honestly can't tell who's on the back...
This one totally cracked me up! Bow wants a good view too!
I've ridden this route five times. It's 61 miles with 6,500' of climbing; including a 14 mile ascent to 9,600' at the summit. Today it felt so much harder than ever before! I don't think I'm all that less fit this year... but it was close to 100 degrees, and the heat really zapped my strength, both physically and mentally. I think as I'm aging, I'm less able to regulate my core temperature. I had to slow down a lot, drink more, pour cold water on my head, and dig really deep to keep pedaling up the hill. But we made it! Here I am with Bow at the summit. 
The descent definitely makes the climb worthwhile!
The gang regrouped at a coffee house in Torrey. I had a delicious "four berry smoothy" and lots of homemade taffy. Yum! 
On the final stretch to the hotel at the edge of Capitol Reef National Park - Bow takes in the awesome sight!
Since we took it easy yesterday, riding slowly in the back with the ladies, my legs were super fresh and lively today - and I felt great! I started at the back, and slowly reeled in most of the other riders on the Tour.
Here's Lynn, from Monterey Park, California!
Here's Lisa, from Pecos, New Mexico!
A Group shot at the first SAG stop. Third from the left is Elizabeth, from San Diego, California. Elizabeth has done a bunch of Ironman Distance Triathlons as well. She's super strong!
The only super-steep climb of the day: 1 mile, with pitches up to 13% - but mostly between 11 and 12% Whew! It really took my breath away (as I was hammering to catch the 4 guys ahead of me!)
The awesome view at the scenic lookout at the top of the climb. It was all downhill from here!
