quasigeostrophy | Part 2: Badwater (-282 ft) to Mormon Point (sea level), 14 miles

I lead out from Badwater. J actually gets on the road first, but doesn't mind that I take over. I mention to E that I figure we need to average over 11 mph through Mormon Point and the following stop, Ashford Mills, and that we were not doing badly, but needed to pick it up a bit. It isn't a race, but we were determined to be allowed to complete the entire course. We were told on Friday night that certain cut-off times would be in place to ensure riders can make it back to Furnace Creek before dark. The cut-off for riders who want to do the full 105 miles was to be at Ashford Mills, 45 miles in, by 11:00 AM. If we didn't make it, we'd be turned back. We could finish, but only with 90 miles completed. Neither E nor I wanted to let the sun dictate how much we could do, so when I lead out, I'm cranking. The first part of this segment was not bad - some nice descents allowed me to get up to 16 mph in a few places. I actually thought I was going to leave E and J behind for a few. After about three or four miles, I don't know what possessed her, but E moved in front. I think she may have regretted it, because here is where the wind turned really sour. We were fighting 30 mph winds from varying directions all morning so far, but now they became a steady headwind. Not fun for a lead rider. Not particularly fun for any of us. Average speed dropped, as expected. We hit a series of low, sloping s-curves on the last few miles into Mormon Point, and it seemed like the wind changed with us to remain a headwind.

Mormon Point should be at mile 31 according to the chart we were given Friday night. Hmmm... not yet. Around another turn? Nope. Aha! At 34 miles we see the SAG tent. Mormon Point isn't really an attraction stop in the park, just a marker at the end of a mountain on a turn in the road. The tent and porta-johns were set up in the gravel shoulder. We pull in to a slightly smaller crowd, but still have to wait in line for the two potties. I decide not to pull another badwater stunt - nothing here but open valley. After we finish our business, we start to grab some grub from the food tables and hear someone I recognize as another chapter president for JDRF announce that it is 16 miles to Ashford Mills, and remember the cut-off is 11:00. Eek! It is 10:00 now. 16 miles? My chart says Ashford Mills should be at 45, which would be 11-something. Of course, it also listed Mormon Point to be three miles earlier too... E and I look at each other wide eyed. I get out of the food line, unzip my handlebar bag, and grumble that I'll open a Clif Bar and Power Gel and eat on the road. We've got to MOVE!! One hour. To do anywhere from 11 to 16 miles. In this headwind. Fuck fuck fuck.

Next: Part 3 - Mormon Point (sea level) to Ashford Mills (?), 11 miles