Sparks, Nv - Day 5

Another very eventful and fun day!!! Woke up to 30 degrees this morning – long pants, arm warmers, head gear, and two pair of gloves. We left hotel and rode a beautiful bike path along the Truckee River – I could have ridden there all day! It was very calm and serene and absolutely gorgeous outside. My legs really didn’t feel too bad after all of the climbing yesterday, so I was quite pleased.

Next we rode on a highway that was very pleasant and took us a tour around part of Lake Tahoe – you see I had shed the jacket at this point and also look at mountains in background with snow cover – before I knew it, we had 25 miles in and stopped at a recommended bakery for a croissant before beginning to climb again.

Right before we started climbing, we passed into Nevada and immediately over the boarder was a casino. We thought about stopping in, but weren’t sure of our luck yet. Lake Tahoe is absolutely spectacular and I would have been very happy to ride the 70 miles around it all day.

However, there was this big climb coming up. And climb we did – it was 8.2 miles of 5-6% grade up Mt. Rose. ( Caledonia is about 4 miles at a 4% grade) Of course this was after yesterday’s many feet of climb too. I rode the whole way up with my friend Meiri stopping every ½ or so miles to stretch – just put it in the lowest gear and pedaled for ever!! You see most of these pictures – the views are fabulous – too many great pictures to choose from!!

The picture of Meiri and I with the lake in the background was about half way up. It became much chillier as we climbed. After a couple of hours, we did make it to the top and I was overcome emotionally just thinking of what I had just done. You see the picture from the top and hopefully can read the sign – we were at 8000 feet elevation at that point. They had a brief snow squall while waiting at the top for us.

Of course, part of the problem might have been my concern about the 16.7 miles of downhill with switchbacks. I did give an honest effort and came down 2-3 miles to stop at Mt Rose Ski ‘s Resort with my heart racing and my arms aching. Bottom line, I didn’t feel safe and got in the Sag Wagon and was very very happy that I did. What can I say, I am just not a downhill anything!! We stopped at an overlook part way down and I know picture doesn’t give proper perspective.

I decided just to go in to hotel and try to get organized and rest up for tomorrow’s adventure. Looking forward to 91 miles of minimal climbing, but 80 of it is on Interstate 80. I think we have a couple of long boring days coming up.
I want to say that the organization we are traveling with is wonderful and the staff are superior!! They know where we all are all of the time and do anything within reason that we request. I feel really safe with them watching out for us! We had 28 riders started – one sent home due to injury (may join us again in 6-8 weeks). One cyclist is a professor from Switzerland, one is a young lad from England, one was born in South Africa and now living in US and the rest are from different states. No one else, besides Dave Moore and I from Pa.

Today's hurrah goes to Gettysburg Bicycle and Fitness Shop for working so well with me over the past year to get my gear ready for this trip. Jess, Kent, Nate, Sean, and David thanks for all of your help. Hi to Iris, Laurel, and a special hug to Lexi!! Kent, you should be a mechanic on a trip like this - you would love it!!

Thank God for the safety, health, and energy.