Day 8: Winnemucca, NV to Battle Mountain, NV

Day 8: 10 June 2007

Winnemucca, NV (4280 ft) to Battle Mountain, NV (4507 ft). 
56 Miles.

Blog Address:
http://bikeboyglovach.blogspot.com
 
Friends – feel free to encourage or make fun of me on this blog which my friend Mardo is keeping up for me (thanks Mardo!).  I mean, why slam me and keep it just between us?

Videos on the WWW
http://public.box.net//greg98266
Friends – access this link to view some videos I am making with my digital camera.  Not advised while riding, but, at least I have a helmet on…..
 
Specific Videos:
Day 4 – Robert, Greg, and Me on the American River Trail
Day 5 – Greg Riding in the Sierras
Day 5 – Snow in Truckee, CA
Day 6 – Greg Riding on Bike Path Near Squaw Valley, CA
Day 7 – Riding a Bike on I-80 East

Day’s Theme:
Go easy – rest for the next three days.

Weather/Terrain:
The weather gods have smiled upon us these few days in the Nevada Desert.  Generally, it is over 100 degrees here and incredible sun.  Today we had temps in the 70s and overcast – I even felt about 37 to 41 raindrops.  Most of today was also on I-80, with a moderate climb.  I was only on the road for about 4.5 hours today.

How I feel:
Good to better.  Today’s ride was not demanding, and I also took a 3 hour nap!  No alcohol today – but, no stretching either……….,.  I am feeling well, and am ready for our next 3 days which will see increased mileage before our first rest day in Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday. 

Notable Events:
Again, I failed to take a picture of this, but there was a very strange occurrence today.  As we all passed the 10 mile mark or so of the ride today along I-80, there was an old rabbit sitting at the end of the concrete near the road.  It didn’t move as 40 bikers rode by.  Cracka – it reminded me of that old moose that night we were snowmobiling in Pittsburg!!
 
Many of you have inquired about Arlene, the senior woman I photographed a couple days ago.  I will tell you more about her and all the riders soon – I hope to profile each of them starting soon.  Anyway, Arlene has rode every mile so far.  She is quite good.  She has a very heavy Trek hybrid bicycle, and when she was training at home in Alabama, she would fill a backpack with POUNDS of water and go ride.  She is quite amazing.  Well, today Gerard, our ABB Mechanic, set her up on a spare woman’s road bike he had and she road that today.  There will be no stopping this woman now – she is very fast, and has incredible endurance, and even more character!  She is an awesome woman.

Pictures:
What’s Happening:


Last night’s dinner was Mexican.
 
Yes I had tow margaritas if you must know!. 






This is Gene – more on him later.
 
He reminds me of my friend Marty Bates.
 
Well, except Gene is athletic and nice to people... 






Morning insanity – eat, throw all kinds of creams all over your body, and get the luggage on the trucks!






Back on I-80.  It seemed the landscape had a bit more vegetation.  And, in it’s own way, the desert is very beautiful.
 
Through the last few days, we have ridden between several of these little mountain ranges.






Some even have snow – the white stuff you see there.






Gary and I have rode a few miles together.  We stopped here and Andy gave us some water and Gatorade.
 
Hi Gator – are you reading my e-mails?






Desert.






Don’t know what this was.
 
The rumor was some sort of fire.






Day 8 Dinner @ The Owl Club in Battle Mountain, NV.
 
Food was OK actually.
 
Nice people.






Battle Mountain, NV.






Low, dark clouds in the evening hour.






Sunset in Battle Mountain, NV.






Dusk in Battle Mountain, NV.