Hotter and higher today

If Ollie thought there wasn't enough climbing then think again, we are in the land of big and Today we had it hot with lots of climbs. One climb went from 165m to 1207 m with a road temp of 40, full sun and little wind. Needless to say we drank a lot.

Thanks to those whom helped plan the route but with the addition of on the ground knowledge, local help and Google maps we have been able to select routes that have less traffic and are easier (sometimes) to remember. Thanks to the guys at the Tri Sports bike shop in Fresno for some bike bits and help with the route.

First up we decided to add a transit stage to avoid riding through Fresno and ended up in N Fresno where we had coffee and donuts for the first time and then visited the bike shop. A memorable moment was when the Grand Duke standing 10 m from the Save Mart super market asked a woman where the super market was. Besides being an entirely silly question the woman also only spoke Spanish,but we got a laugh out of it. He later redeemed himself speaking the tongue of his loyal subjects to a fellow subject who was also checking in at the time.

Here we are transiting 70 km from Hanford to N Fresno, with M2 doing the driving.




While we were supposed to ride 70 km the ride turned out to be a very hard and hot 92 km.
It started out on great cycle path to the Millerton Lake where we had roast chicken and avocado sandwiches.



The after we inadvertently checked out the Indian Reservation Casino we headed in the right direction up the 211 which became a hot climb of a ride with one part reaching 16 per cent. At the same time a fire started back near the Lake and very shortly fire assets were on the road going from ahead of us to the fire. A short time later to red California Correctional Authority vans of 'fire crew' went past. I guess they might get shorter sentences by helping to put the fire out.

Back to the climb, we stopped at the corner of 211 and 200 in the shade and a big thanks to the Elementary school sec who offered us access to the ice water machine. Of course we all filled up. This is Rocket and me relaxing while I radio to the Grand Duke that he might be going the wrong way. Tom Tom sorted it out,while the radios have been very handing in busy areas to keep us in the right direction.



The terrain started to change as we climbed up into pine forest on the southern approaches to Yosemite.



Then it was a massive downhill into Oakhurst where we are now recovering in our expansive hotel room.The picture below is not even the beginning of the downhill, notice how the on coming cars are on the left and I am on the correct side of the road.



Tomorrow we have 105 km to ride and we might add another transit stage so we can get in before 6 30 and get to the pool.

As for the points, Ferdy was off like a greyhound on the final climb eager to defend his yellow jersey, he is now comfortably ahead of Pedals with Goose poised to have a crack next time there is a long flat stage. Rocket has 'red' pretty much sown up.

It wont be so hot tomorrow as we are at altitude we hope.

Pw

Location:California 41,Oakhurst,United States