June 10, Day 10

June 10, Day 10
Elko to Wendover, NV
Distance: (see the photograph below)
Weather: low 50's to high 40's to mid 60's depending on where we were

Dear All,

Here we go on Amy's first century ride. Most of the riders on this trip have done a century in the past. Amy is one of three who have not done so. It turned out to be a bit more than a century (see the photo).

We were scheduled to be on the road at 6:30 given the distance so we got up at 5:00. After showering we panicked since we could not find our chamois creme. For those of you unfamiliar with such things let us give you a quick education. The chamois is built into riding shorts at the very spot where your anatomy meets the seat. Putting some creme on that chamois is pretty important to prevent saddle sores which can sideline you for days if they are bad enough. In any event we couldn't find the darn stuff at 5:00 am. We dumped the suitcases and with a shout of joy that probably woke the folks in the next room we found the stuff. I guess this begins to let you know what becomes important if you are riding your bike day after day after day.

Off we went at about 6:45 am. The weather was chilly and cloudy. We rode in a pace line for about 20 miles straight toward the Ruby Mountains. Those mountains just kept getting bigger and bigger as we rode closer and closer. At one point Amy said “Are we going over those things?” but it turns out that we took a slight left as it were and found ourselves going between two sets of mountains (thank God).

At about the 50 mile mark we stopped and picked up a chicken sandwich and put took them with us on the theory we didn't have a lot of time to hang around McDonald's.

At about the 58 mile mark we started a heck of a climb. It went on and on and on and the grade kept getting steeper and steeper and the temperature kept dropping. It was a dandy. Luckily the wind was at our back and it was pretty strong so it helped. As we climbed the vegetation changed a bunch from earlier in the day. Everything became greener and greener and the mountains which continued to be all around us, had real trees on them right to the top. Amazing difference from Elko. But nothing compared to what we would see later (keep reading).

We finally reached the summit of Mount Pequop where the temperature had really dropped. At the SAG (support and gear) stop,we eat our chicken sandwich and a whole bunch of fig newtons and climbed on board again.

By now the wind had really picked and, thanks to all of your good vibes and prayers, it was coming from the west. Boy oh boy did it make a difference. Thanks a bunch.

The downhill lasted forever (but we had paid for it with the climb), and, with the wind behind us, the pedaling was easy. Then with on small climb (600' or so) we reached the top and turned left. WOW. There, spread before us were the salt flats. As far as the eye could see, there was white going until it met the blue of the sky. We simply can't describe that view.

We took pictures, but trust us, they don't do it justice.

By now the wind was howling at well over 40 mph from the west. The final downhill was to the north meaning that the hurricane was coming from our left. It was so strong that Amy was leaning at an incredible angle to the left just to keep the bike upright. One of the women riders was literally blown off her bike and ended up with 13 stitches in her chin and a whole lot of road rash. It was a hair raising ride for about one-half mile. We made it.

Tomorrow is another even longer century ride. Two centuries back to back. The scheduled ride tomorrow is 111 miles. Again, we need your good vibes for winds from the west.

Take care, friends, we'll talk to you tomorrow.
Amy and John