July 23-25 - Ely, NV to Eureka, NV to Bob Scott Campground (Austin), NV to Middlegate, NV (Population 16)

Mileage: 80 miles, 65 miles,72 miles
Terrains: Very Gradual Long Climbs with very strong winds
Temperature: 85-100 ish degrees
Woke up at the KOA campground and tried to get an early start since it was a longer day and it was going to be hot. We stopped at the gas station on our way out of town and didn’t end up leaving there until 8:00 am. We rode through the water stops at 20, 40 and 60 miles. Shannon has titled herself as the water police and makes sure that we are drinking enough water as we ride. It is very easy to become dehydrated out here in the desert. So we have been trying to drink about 1 bottle every 10 miles leaving us two bottles for 20 miles which is how far every rest stop is. So we know that we are drinking enough due to having to pee while riding. So that means we have to stop to pee often. There is nothing to duck behind out here in the desert except sage brush so we usually try to find the biggest bush and pee behind them. We watch out for cars out here but there really aren’t many. We have been riding on highway 50 for the last few days and they have titled it the loneliest road in America. There were 3 climbs for the day, the second being the largest but along with climbs come descents!! However, it is rather windy out here. I think more so rather than Kansas. It seems that we fight head and cross winds all day long making it so that you still have to pedal downhill. Finally got to camp in Eureka which we camped at the town park. They allowed us to shower at the pool for $1 which we had to ride a few block to. We then went to the Owl Club to celebrate one of the riders birthdays. As we were hanging out at the park and had our tents set up the sprinklers went off. We quickly figured out how to turn them off thankfully. Slept well as we were very tired!!
Got up and were still tired so went and got coffee. Had about 5 cups and finally got on the bikes to ride. Got to the first rest stop and then moved on to the second. I would have to say that Nevada isn’t our favorite state. Every day the scenery looks just the same as the last here in Nevada. It is hot and there are about 1-3 climbs a day. At the end of the day there was about a 7 or so mile climb up to the campground that we stayed at. Unfortunately there were no showers however there was a spigot that we washed off in. Some of the group decided to ride the extra 6 miles into Austin and get motel rooms so it left only about 15 of us at the campground. Even though there were not showers it was a beautiful campground on the summit of one of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!! We all decided to get a pizza order ready and they took the minivan into town to pick it up. Have not had pizza but a few times on this trip. Chilled out at the campground. Was exhausted from the climbing and headwinds when we arrived there. Went to bed in my tent. In this case I was glad that I was in my tent. I have my own space in my tent and I am sure in the small town of Austin that the motel wasn’t exactly a 5 star. It was a beautiful night and when I woke up to pee in the middle of the night which I usually do I heard a bunch of coyotes howling. It sounded as if they were very close. Very cool!! Got up this morning and it was determined that there were two different routes for the day. One was on route 50 and the other on old route 50. The old route 50 had a big climb however was supposed to be more scenic. So the people that stayed at the campground took the old route 50 (alternate route) with the climb and the motelers took route 50 without the climb. The head and cross winds were not exactly ideal on either route. We got to the second rest stop at the summit of the climbs and our route leaders George and Amanda were kind enough to make us grilled cheese…mmmm. We then descended about 10 miles and then had to pedal the last 10ish due to the winds into Middlegate where we are staying behind a bar. But hey they have showers for $3!! Tomorrow is going to be a shorter day of only 48 miles. We really need one of these. We have had 70-80 mile days for quite a few now with ferocious head and cross winds with climbs and heat along with it.