Day 8
Catching up on Tues, 13 Jun 06, from the Peppermill Casino in Wendover, NV.
On day 8, we rode from Winnemuca to Battle Mountain, NV. With the wind in my face most of the day, I rode with Doug, I pulled most of the 1st hour and stayed down on my aero bars. After a quick SAG stop at 26 miles to fill the water bottles and grab a banana and some breakfast bars, it was on to the Golconda Summit and a 1000 foot climb. The downhill ride was a visual and physical thrill. The Pumpernickel Valley is exactly what the writer of the lyrics siting "purple mountain majesty" had in mind. As I move through Nevada at 8-44 mph, I am struck by the awesome beauty one would never see while listening to Sirius or XM radio, with the air conditioning on and driving 80 mph. I feel blessed indeed.
The constant headwind required me to focus on "spinning" and enjoying the "pull" of a passing 18 wheeler. It is not unusual to pick up 2-5 mph when those big boys go by just 6 feet to my left. I never thought I'd enjoy their closeness as I have crossing the Nevada countryside!
My "aha" of the day came when I began daydreaming for just a scant few seconds and had the rumble strips wake me soundly and harshly. I think every bone in my body got that wake up call.
Arriving at the hotel in Battle Mountain, we were all chagrined to find the pool with water the color of a Martian and the hot tub was empty. Consequently, I enjoyed the Reno Sun and, when Larry arrived, we went to McDonalds for a shake and fries. We then meandered over to a lush city park and sat in the grass watching the young bike riders of the future play at the city park.
Just before dinner, our ride leader, Mike Munk, put on a wonderful flat tire changing clinic. We all learned lots of things that will be helpful in the days ahead.
For dinner we had a filling meal at the Owl Club and then watched the Mavs dismember the Heat. It wasn't pretty. We then picked up a few magazines and a book at the local super market. We continue to enjoy ourselves, feel more healthy every day and we really are having fun in lots of ways. Looking forward to the push to Salt Lake City.
On day 8, we rode from Winnemuca to Battle Mountain, NV. With the wind in my face most of the day, I rode with Doug, I pulled most of the 1st hour and stayed down on my aero bars. After a quick SAG stop at 26 miles to fill the water bottles and grab a banana and some breakfast bars, it was on to the Golconda Summit and a 1000 foot climb. The downhill ride was a visual and physical thrill. The Pumpernickel Valley is exactly what the writer of the lyrics siting "purple mountain majesty" had in mind. As I move through Nevada at 8-44 mph, I am struck by the awesome beauty one would never see while listening to Sirius or XM radio, with the air conditioning on and driving 80 mph. I feel blessed indeed.
The constant headwind required me to focus on "spinning" and enjoying the "pull" of a passing 18 wheeler. It is not unusual to pick up 2-5 mph when those big boys go by just 6 feet to my left. I never thought I'd enjoy their closeness as I have crossing the Nevada countryside!
My "aha" of the day came when I began daydreaming for just a scant few seconds and had the rumble strips wake me soundly and harshly. I think every bone in my body got that wake up call.
Arriving at the hotel in Battle Mountain, we were all chagrined to find the pool with water the color of a Martian and the hot tub was empty. Consequently, I enjoyed the Reno Sun and, when Larry arrived, we went to McDonalds for a shake and fries. We then meandered over to a lush city park and sat in the grass watching the young bike riders of the future play at the city park.
Just before dinner, our ride leader, Mike Munk, put on a wonderful flat tire changing clinic. We all learned lots of things that will be helpful in the days ahead.
For dinner we had a filling meal at the Owl Club and then watched the Mavs dismember the Heat. It wasn't pretty. We then picked up a few magazines and a book at the local super market. We continue to enjoy ourselves, feel more healthy every day and we really are having fun in lots of ways. Looking forward to the push to Salt Lake City.
posted by Steve King at 3:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home