July 24 Crossing America

Eureka, NV – Bob Scott Camp Ground Distance 63 miles, I rode 43.
Total distance traveled through today 3,449 miles, on my bike 2,886 of them.

Cowboys herding cattle

Even though last night was most likely the coldest night we’ve had to date, it made for
great sleeping.  I unzipped my sleeping bag for the first time, inserted my fleece liner and bed sheet, the last two is all I’ve been sleeping under, snuggled up inside them and slept like a baby until 4:30 when the local garbage truck came along and empty every container
behind every business across from the city park.  Finally at 5:15 got up, broke camp and headed to Owl Club, a local casino/bar/café for breakfast.  Mark, Aaron and Pepper joined me.  I was on the Loneliest Road by 6:50.

Today we only had to climb one tiny summit Hickison at 6,546’ and the Bob Scott summit at 7,267’, piece of cake.   Nothing has been a “piece of cake” on this adventure and these two summits are together at the end of this day’s riding. Wow, I surprised myself!  For the first hour I averaged 17.8 mph a new record for riding Spirit, normally I’m down around
10-12 mph.  Maybe I am getting stronger?  The second hour and 15 minutes I had a little more grade to climb and my average dropped to 14.4 still nice averages for me.  This put me at 43 miles and part way up the first little summit so I decided to take a break before
getting into the serious climbing of the day.  Thus I laid Spirit over on the gravel shoulder got out a Salt and Nut bar and a bottle of water.   OK, I’m ready to do my time on these two climbs.   As I stood up I saw a pick-up truck coming and I stuck out my thumb but it whizzed past me, I waved at the folks as they went by just to let them know I had no ill feelings about them not stopping to give this old guy a ride.  Picked up Spirit and prepared to mount when I saw Bridget coming toward me in my mini-van and decided I should fill up the empty water bottle I just drank.  She pulled over and as I was filling my water bottle she told me the Bob Scott campground was only 20 miles away.  The campground is in a National Forest managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) it has flush toilets and drinking water but no showers.  I told her since we had showers last night; guess I could forego a shower tonight.

As I was once again preparing to mount Spirit for the ride up the pick-up which had passed me a few minutes earlier comes back down the road and does a U-turn.  The driver rolls down his window and asks if I’d like a ride.  I started to say no but then thought all I’ll be doing for the next couple hours is watching the pavement in front of the bike which as you know by now is not one of my favorite things to do while riding.  I’d rather meet new friends and these folks were eager to give me a ride.  Bridget was heading back toward Eureka to supply folks with water and probably wouldn’t be to camp for couple hours so I
asked the folks if it would be alright to bring my computer and overnight bag with me and they said sure.  The driver even got up inside his pick-up truck bed and made sure Spirit wouldn’t get damaged on the ride.

Once inside the pick-up the driver introduced himself, Greg and his wife who was not
sitting in the back cubby of the pick-up introduced herself Claudia.  I told them I was Frank the old guy on a bicycle and they got a charge out of that.   What a great couple to visit with, certainly glad I chose to ride with them.  I learned they are from San
Francisco, had decided to vacation in Denver but instead of flying they wanted to drive and make this a road trip stopping at National Parks and various communities along the way to explore.  Oh yea, my kind of folks.   After telling them about my adventure, they shared with me they have a relative who is a true adventurer.  He first soloed a sailboat from New Zealand to America.  Then sold the sailboat and bought a bicycle and set out on an around the world bicycle adventure.  Currently he is in Patagonia on his bicycle.  Now that made me envious of him.  I asked if he had written a book of his adventures as I’d love to read it.
Claudia said he’s in the process.   All too soon we arrived at the campground.  Greg drove me right to our campsite.  While Greg was getting out of the truck Claudia asked me what was the #1 sight or experience I had so far in my crossing of America.  I looked her
straight in the eye and said meeting nice folks like you.  I think this surprised her and she was pleased.  Ike was at the campsite and I introduced him to Greg and Claudia, we visited a little then before they left Greg gave Ike a soda pop, I’d already had one he had given me when we first got in the truck.  He then took out large chuck of Imported Gouda Chees from Amsterdam for us to eat while we waited for the rest of the crew to arrive in camp. I  then handed Claudia one of my Old Guy On a Bicycle cards for them to follow my adventure on line.  Claudia said she’d do it and added she would even make a donation to MS for me.  At this we said goodbye, it felt the same as saying goodbye to old friends.  I know you’ve heard me say it before but it is true one of my primary objectives with this adventure is to meet folks like them.  Greg and Claudia when you read this know you did make my day.

Bridget arrived at the campground about an hour after me.  I immediately got out my tent and gear and set-up for the night.  Then began working on today’s journal.  A short while later Pepper showed up with the big van as all the riders had passed the last water
stop.  Pepper said he was going to town, Austin, to get ice and pick up some beer for the night.  I gave him a twenty to buy us old guys a 12 pack and a bag of ice.  While Pepper and
Bridget went to town the rest of the crew began arriving.  When Aaron, Chet and Trish arrived they asked if I wanted to get a motel with them in Austin for tonight.  I said I’d already set-up my camp.  Trish then said, “You do know we aren’t going to have shower facilities tomorrow night, too”?   No was my reply and I said OK, I’m in call to see what is available and we need to invite Ike and Mark to join us which we did.  Ike was in but Mark stayed at the campground.  We decided between two motels with reasonable prices but wanted to check both out before committing.  Our game plan; the four of them would ride
their bikes to town, throw what they need for tonight in my mini-van, I’d load my onto my car, I would ride up and over the summit in the van since I’m the slowest rider, once in town I’d check out both motels choose one and reserve three rooms, Pepper would drive me to town in order to have the mini-van in camp as most of the crew leaders have their gear stowed in my vehicle.  I liked the plan especially since I wouldn’t have to ride up the summit.  Everything worked as planned and the five of us got a shower, laundered our clothes and good meal and get to sleep in a comfortable bed tonight.

This has been a very good day the section of the ride I did was easy, rode my fastest of the
entire crossing so far and met two new friends along the way.  Yes indeed a good day.

My shadow is still with me

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