Day 7:

Today was a physically exhausting day with dozens of rolling hills followed by a LONG steady climb up Richter Pass. The temperature was in the low 30's (Celsius) and the sun was just roasting me alive. When I saw the remains of this dead cow I made up a little hallucination/fantasy to describe it. "A poor touring cyclist, weakened by the hills and beaten down by the oppressive heat is no match for the road wolves (trucks) and is taken down by the side of the road. Subsequent cyclists passing the point have scavenged the fallen tourists gear until all that remains of the poor individual is bleached bones and a flattened circle of grass." Like I said, my mind was a little delusional that day.