Cycle Across America – Day 76

Empire to Bear Lake

46miles / 1,594ft

As soon as we set off this morning, we were faced with a long hill and further long hills recurring rather too frequently for our liking throughout the rest of the day. Having had a relatively flat couple of weeks of cycling around the lakes, this has to be good training for the Appalachian mountain range which we will face on the latter part of our journey before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Having spent the last evening checking and revising our route, we expect to complete all 4,500 miles on 30th August. 🤞

Having set off with no breakfast, we were ready to stop and enjoyed a leisurely brunch at 20 miles in a little town of Frankfort, with a bustling market in the town centre and a lively volleyball competition on the beach. Brunch ticked all the boxes for us and we left satisfied and nourished.

The ride after brunch was much hillier than before, but again our legs and lungs coped well with the challenge.

We arrived at our motel in Bear Lake late afternoon.

Sitting outside in the early evening sunshine we waited for David Armstrong a friend who had cycled LEJOG and Boston to Bar Harbor with us. He is going to ride with us tomorrow and it’s great to see him again. A quick cycle to the only diner for supper, a game of fives and off to bed.

I had initially booked the one and only room available at this motel and forgot to check back to try to add another room in the interim. With the motel full and no other accommodation, the four of us are sharing a room. A little too close for comfort but there are no other hotels within a 20 mile radius. Thankfully as with most accommodation in America, the room is large, with two large queen size beds. So, it’s just the two snorers amongst us that have to be on their best behaviour and we may actually get some sleep!