Day 57/27 – to Fallon, NV

Here I am in Fallon, NV.  48 miles today, which is the shortest day I’ve ever had with this group.  Still a long day, it was mostly flat except for one little climb at the beginning.  Our rest stop was Sand Mountain, really cool in the middle of nowhere:

Sand Mountain is a Singing sand dune 20 miles (32 km) east of Fallon, Nevada along U.S. Route 50. The dune is two miles long and 600 feet (180 m) high.[2] The sand originates from the ancient Lake Lahontan, that for the most part dried up 9,000 years ago.

So, if you are wondering how we ride when we have a hangover, the answer is you just do.  I was up really late last night and the vans left at 0830 this morning.  So…… I woke up at 0800.  That’s totally not like me.  I had a bomb breakfast at the restaurant (remember it’s literally the only thing in Middlegate Station).  It’s so out there that they don’t even have electricity running to the site.  The bar, motel, homes, are all run from generators.  CRAZY.   So breakfast was eggs, bacon and two giant pancakes.  Started riding around 0915 or so, and it was a slow, painful ride.  Drinking lots and lots of water, I made it over the little mountain and to the first and only rest stop.  Drank more water and decided to take off to the camp for the night, which was only about 25 miles away.  25 flat, boring miles.  So, Kip to the rescue!  Kip is the guy that rode my bike for most of the trip while I was back home working, so my bike is now named Kip after him.  When you ride right behind another rider you take advantage of the drag and they “pull” you since they break the wind and it reduces how hard you have to work.  So, Kip pulled me all the way to Fallon.  It was glorious.  Along the way, we picked up Kristen for awhile, but she decided to back off and then Sully came along and picked us up while we stopped for water.  He pulled for awhile, then Kip took over again and we picked up Shanon, who had a tough day herself with a flat and some general sluggish riding thanks to the drinks last night.  So, off we go, Kip, myself, Sully and Shanon.

Now I’m at a laundromat, waiting for my clothes to dry and wondering what is in store for tonight.  There are casinos in this town!  🙂