Sunday 6:15 pm: Mom and I are camping at Clear Lake National Forest campground about 15 miles past Government Camp along Hwy. 26. I put the bike together, loaded the trailer, and took a test ride around the campground. My rear derailleur needed slight adjustment.

Pasta shells with Prego & French bread for dinner.

Good nights sleep in back of truck. Rose around 7:20. Had breakfast tacos, peach, and hot tea for breakfast. Mom gave me a ride up to the highway from the campground. On the road by about 9:20. Trailer inputs much greater wobble than expected or experienced during training rides (only during high speed descents, though). I later adapt to be able to control it well enough by keeping steering very rigid and applying brakes to keep speed down. Mom checks on me about 10 miles into ride. I continue despite trailer worries. About 20 miles into ride, right knee starts to bother me. It has bothered me only once before during a training ride. At 39.7 miles, stop for lunch at Warm Springs Museum picnic table. Apple, Gatorade, rolls, and beef jerky. Recalibrate cyclometer to match GPS. In Madras, stop at Safeway for camping food as well as Ace knee brace. Gorgeous views of Cascades: Hood, Washington, Sisters, 3-fingered Jack. Knee feels fine. Plan on riding all the way to Bend so can get good start on 2 day ride to Burns. About 5 miles before Redmond, right knee has excruciating pain. Now sitting in the Redmond Inn with ice on knee. I will try to ride to Bend tomorrow and see how it feels.

Bacon cheeseburger and fries at Mrs. Beasley's for dinner.
Energy bars: 4 clif.

Breakfast at Mrs. Beasley's: bacon, eggs, hash browns, biscuit, hot tea. 16 mile to Bend with flat. Marsha and her fellow employees at Sunnyside Sports bike shop were super nice. We discussed possibilities of my knee pain and determined that my legs were not extending enough. We installed a clipless pedal system, and I adjusted my frame to allow for greater leg extension. I installed 2 pair of chain links to compensate for the frame adjustment. Off towards Burns tomorrow.

Lunch: Wild Oats Sanoma chicken wrap.
Motel West.
Dinner: salad bar and cup of chili
Energy bars: 2 clif.

McDonald's: sausage McMuffin, 2 hash browns, juice.
Gorgeous day. Very chilly at first. Knees not a problem. Desert! Bumped into fellow cyclist at Brothers rest area:
Former bodyguard for the Pope.
He was going to the Brothers one room school to talk about his former job.
Wichita Falls, TX to Eugene, OR.
His 5th longest tour.

Lunch: trail mix, jerky, bread, apple.
Made it all the way to Riley. The BLM campground I was planning on camping at was a mile or two down a gravel road. Camping next to the road in an RV/tent lot. Riley consists of a gas station with general store and this lot, and that is all. $5 to pitch a tent.
Chili with pasta and bread for dinner.
Energy bars: 4 clif.

Cold last night! Little bit of frost on underside of rainfly. Woke around 6:20. Had tea to warm up inside the Riley General Store before having oatmeal and a peach for breakfast. A little hilly from Riley to Burns but not bad. Stopped at the BLM Burns district office to get a map and inquire about camping between Burns and Burns Junction.
Oh, what a great second half of the day! Flat, no traffic, good road surface. Cruised 12-15 mph with side/head wind and 16-18mph with no wind. Desert with irrigated farms. Steens Mountains to the Southwest. Passed by the "LIVINGOOD RANCH." I am camping off the side of Hwy 78 where an old lava flow / rocky gully crossed the road. State land rather than BLM I think.

Lunch: Subway in Burns.
Dinner: leftover dinner from last night and an apple and bread.
Energy bars: 4 - 2 clif, 2 Harvest

I think I am drinking about 150 oz. of water during riding and lunch, not counting morning and evening water. Maybe 32 oz. in the morning and 32 oz. at night??? Hard to say because I refill randomly.
Lots of stars. One shooting star. Coyotes kept me spooked and I didn't sleep too well. Saw two pronghorn during the day. One rabbit while making camp. Cute little birds while eating dinner. Hawks.

Not as cold as night before. Couldn't sleep much with the coyotes howling and running around, even with several sips of Scotch. Up by 6:00, on the road by 7:20. Almost 1000 vertical feet in the first 1:20 of the morning. Slow going. Once over the hills, gorgeous open range desert, no traffic, no fences or power lines, straight road, life is good. It is as if this road was put here through the desert just for me to ride my bike down. I think to myself how f-ing amazing it is that I am actually doing this, and how easy it is. Every so often I let out a loud "WOOHOO!"
Made it to Burns Junction just past 1:00 Mountain time. Having breakfast for lunch.
55 miles to McDermitt. I pack enough water for the possibility of not making it the whole way and having to camp. Slow going after lunch. Sluggish and slight head wind. But after a couple of hours I come to a significant hill (1000 ft. climb or so), have an energy bar and I'm in the groove again! Coming down off the summit I coast and pedal at about 20 mph almost all the way to McDermitt. The sun sets about 20 minutes out and I put on front and rear red blinkers. Hwy 78 ruled! Hwy 95 would have except for the damn rumble strips.
McDermitt - a few casinos and a motel.

Bloody nose at one point.
Bought a "Too Kool Collar" in Burns Junction. Soak in water for a few minutes, tie it around your neck, and it stays cool all day!

Dinner: Patty Melt, fries, and dinner salad (ice berg lettuce with ranch dressing).
Energy bars: 4 (I think) - Snickers, clif, 2 Harvest

Found the groove instantly! What a great day so far! I am 32.5 miles south of McDermitt, been cruising flats at 15-20 mph! Slight hills at 10-15 mph. I am having lunch at a rest area (beef jerky, trail mix, apple, bread). The rumble strips are a lot better in Nevada! Two types - one that spans the left half of the shoulder and shallow enough to cross, but not ride on, at about 15 mph or less. The second spans the whole shoulder, but are shallow enough to ride on at any speed.
I find myself yelling "WOOHOO" again and other exclamations of enjoyment. I got a tub of Vaseline this morning to lube the nostrils.
Smooth Smooth Asphalt!
The rest of the day was great. Made it to Winnemucca. Found the post office - closed. Found the visitor's center - closed. On my way to find RV park with tent camping couldn't pass up a $25 motel, as I was getting extremely hungry and it would have been awhile otherwise.
I'm in Las Margaritas, a "Fine Family Restaurant," munching on good chips, salsa, and that relish stuff like El Matador in Denton serves, sipping a margarita about to chow on chicken fajitas.

Energy bars: 2.5 - clif, 1/2 Protein Plus Power Bar (yuck! - threw 1.5 away), Nature Valley granola bars, plus apple and jerky for one break.

I pretty much have low traffic riding down:
I ride about 1/4 from the right white line out in the lane, constantly monitoring rearview. I wait until a rear approaching vehicle is 1/4 - 1/2 mile behind me, ensuring they have most likely seen me, before moving over to the:
A. white line, if they have already started moving over to the left to pass me.
B. Right side of the shoulder, if they have not initiated a pass or if there is a vehicle coming from in front.
C. Into the shoulder, if there are no rumble strips, no matter what the approaching car is doing.
And of course modified with much more shoulder riding when sight distances are poor due to hills and/or curves. I have yet to have a vehicle pass me that I have not already identified in my mirror and prepared for it to pass.

Pancakes, eggs, sausage, and tea for breakfast at The Griddle. On the freeway by 9:00. Brand spanking new asphalt most of the way. 20 minute, 5-5.5 mph hill climb fairly early followed by two rear flats. Both times small little wires probably from part of a tire. Strong side winds and head winds. Right lane was coned off for middle third of today's stretch so plenty of room between me and the low traffic. Other times had rumble strips on the far left of very wide shoulder. It was like having my own lane. Pulled in to Battle Mountain planning on tenting in an RV park for two nights, taking tomorrow off, but the only RV park turned out to be part of the Flying J Truck Stop and it didn't look too appealing. So I succumbed once again to the $20 motel room.
Cloudy most of day so not hot at all. Very windy in Pumpernickel Valley where the valley floor was sandy rather than grassy between shrubs. No ranching here!

Lunch: beef jerky, trail mix, bread, apple.
Energy bars: 3 - 1 Nature Valley, 2 Gatorade
Dinner: Pizza and salad at Mama's Pizza

I seem to be losing belly fat reserves. Need to fatten up tomorrow.

To do: eat, gamble, get pliers, go to BLM office, get maps, post office, razor, camping food, liquor, patch kits, sunscreen.

Well, I tried to have left-over pizza for breakfast, but the motel fridge had frozen it. I got out on my bike and found the post office, only to have yet another flat rear tire. And of course I had left my pump in the motel room. I walked it to a Chevron and luckily had my presta adaptor and used the $0.25 air compressor to fill it up. I heard the leak, wrapped it with electrical tape and had to undo my rear brake. I made it back to the motel no problem.
After fixing both flats (the one from yesterday) I got out again (this time with pump and tools) and went to the BLM office to get maps, the library to check email, now sitting in a good little family-owned Mexican restaurant, El Aguila Real, for lunch (two taco platter and iced tea). Next, to the hardware store for pliers, patch kits, and then to the grocery store for food, etc.
I switched from #15 to #45 sunscreen. I also decided to shave, so I bought a little travel size shaving cream and razor. I adjusted my rear derailleur. I lubed my chain and pivot points. I sat around the room watching TV most of the afternoon, and am now at the Nevada Hotel Restaurant eating my dinner salad (again, ice berg lettuce with ranch), waiting on my chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes (the special!), and am then going to play some slots. My dinner came with what appear to be canned green beans. The potatoes could be instant, the gravy a mix, and the steak is just okay.
I have already readied everything for an early departure in the morning.

Oh yea - I found out today at the Chamber of Commerce (next to the library while waiting for it to open) that next week Battle Mountain is hosting the 2001 World Human-Powered Speed Challenge along Hwy 205 which I will be on all day tomorrow. And of course they race on recumbents!

8.9 miles today.
I had to refill the flask with Seagram's Canadian Whiskey.
$2.00 in gambling losses.

Sitting at the Valley of the Moon Rest Area about 40 miles south of Battle Mountain. Woke up at 5:00 to get an early start, and found that my front tire had a slow leak. After changing it, went and had my standard breakfast down at The Colt, and was on the road by 7:20.
The morning started out slow with a brutal head wind that went away for a while, but seems to be starting up again. It's been really pretty - cloudy with sunrays shining through. I am munching on my standard lunch - beef jerky, bread, apple, and trail mix.
My left leg was killing me right above the knee for awhile. I am prepared to camp before Austin if necessary.
Well, made it all the way to Austin by 6:00, having no idea I would be climbing to 6570 ft.! Felt good this afternoon. Had a front flat again at one point. Now sitting in a cafe (I am the only one!) waiting on my cheeseburger and fries before heading up to the RV park to camp. For the last hour or so climbing in to Austin, I had a really strange sensation. Visually, it looked like I was on flat or slightly downhill grade, when I was actually climbing several hundred feet. Weird feeling! Maybe I'm tired and in need of fuel.
Camping at the Austin RV Park at the Baptist Church.

5 energy bars: 2 Gatorade, 1 Tiger's Milk, 1 Balance, 1 Harvest

Up at 5:20. Showered. Had breakfast at the same place I had dinner - the usual. After breaking camp, on the road by 8:15. Immediately up two passes. Had the road to myself coming down the second, as there was construction. Down into the Big Smokey Valley. Made pretty good time for awhile. Stopped for small lunch (jerky, apple, trail mix) around noon. Had a rear flat not long after. And then had winds! Made it to Carvers around 3:15 where I am presently having a tuna salad sandwich and fries.
Forest Service camping was 9 miles up dirt road.
I am camping in the middle of nowhere off the road a little ways across the highway from a road that you have to have a permit to go down. I opted not to disobey.

Chili and pasta for dinner
Energy bars: 2.5 - 1 Tiger's Milk, 1 Harvest, 0.5 Balance

Up at 6:00. Leftover chili and pasta plus part of an icky nectarine for breakfast. On the road by 7:20. Good morning of riding. Slight head wind at times. Several vocal WOOHOOs. 570 ft. climb or so into Tonopah. Grocery shopping and lunch at McDonald's. Gonna be a hot one! And windy too!
I'm sitting on the side of the highway at mile 51 for the day, 14 miles from Tonopah. I have resigned to hitchhike, as there seems to be 20-40 mph head winds. We'll see what happens ... 2:36 pm.
Way too dangerous to have kept going on Hwy 95 with the high winds, rumble strips across the whole shoulder, fast trucks, etc.
I gave it until 4:00 to get a ride. One guy stopped right at first but was only going to Goldfield, a few miles further. I decided to head back up the 1200 ft. hill to Tonopah. It took me the same amount of time to go up as it did down. I cruised at 20 mph up some slight inclines that I had come down at 8 mph, but there were still some steep inclines at 5-6 mph.
Now I have to decide which way to go: 1). Try again 95 south with an early start or 2). Head east on Hwy 6 to 320 south to 93 south. Option 2 is further but probably better traffic and hopefully less wind.
Sitting in the Station House waiting on my chicken fried steak, having already consumed my salad (ice berg lettuce with ranch).

Energy bars: 3.5 - 2.5 Balance, 1 Gatorade

Up at 5:20. Sitting in the Sliver Queen at 6:20 about to chow on my standard breakfast. I chose to ride the alernate route today...
What a great day so far! Three big climbs over gorgeous desert valleys. Saw two pronghorn. Gotta closer look at those furry little things running around by the side of the road. Closer to chipmunk than mouse. Under side of tail is white, and their tails curl back over their back. I've also noted that what looks like dog shit every few miles right on the edge of the pavement. Coyote?
I'm sitting at Warm Springs. The spring is still here, but the cafe and bar is boarded up. Guess I won't be refilling water bottles. Better make it all the way to Rachel (60 more miles) or at least close. I am munching on apple, trail mix, jerky, and tortillas. About to head down "the Extraterrestrial Highway!"
Luckily a friendly couple from Madras, OR exploring the rundown Warm Springs area filled me with water. I was thinking it was enough to get me to Rachel or at least close and camp.
Well, I made it! Barely... the sun had been down about half an hour. I had my red blinkers going front and rear.
Staying at The Little A'LE'INN. Cheesy memorabilia gift shop with restaurant and bar. Nothing worth getting other than post cards. Chatted with a nice truck driver for a while. He gave me a jar of Albacore Tuna he had just caught.
My $42.00 motel room is half a mobile home with a shared bathroom. I tried pitching a tent at first, but the ground was too hard and I was too tired to search out better ground. It's just money!

Alien burger with cheese and potato salad for dinner.
4 energy bars: 2 Gatorade, 1 Balance, 1 Harvest

Up at 6:20. Oatmeal and nectarine for breakfast. On the road at 8:20. Two big hills in the morning with awesome downhills, followed by gradual downhill the rest of the day. Lunch at intersection of 320 and 93 - good tuna and tortillas, trail mix and apple.
I am camping about 40 miles south of Alamo, off the road a little ways in the middle of nowhere. I wasn't going to set up my tent but now I may, as I test the ground for stakes. Yes, tent up. Less worry about insects and other creatures.
Lots of WOOHOOs today!

Energy bars: 1 Balance

Up at 6:00, on the road little after 7:20.
Breakfast: tortilla, jerky, trail mix, 2 Balance bars.
Good times all the way to Vegas. Freeway had a lot of gravel on the shoulder, but no flats occurred.
Sitting in McDonald's, just finished Big-n-Tasty with cheese plus fries. I am on the Boulder Hwy, one pretty good pass between here and Boulder City.

2 Balance bars

Up at 5:20. Standard breakfast. On the road by 7:20. Fixed a slow leak in rear tire about half way down to Hoover Dam. Got here about 8:20. Gonna wait for the gift shop to open at 9:00 for post cards and camera. Its gonna be a hell of a climb up the other side. Hopefully I can get somebody to take pictures of me. I rubbed a big blister in the center of my right palm when pumping up my tire this morning.
Pooped all day! Just wanted to take a nap. After the dam, several ups and downs climbing to 2000 ft. or so, and then long gradual climb to 3500 , followed by slight downhill, allowing me to cruise 20-25 mph. I started feeling a little better at that point. And then a steep 200 ft. hill or so to 3570 ft right before Kingman.
Staying in cheap $20 motel. RV park didn't allow tents. Chinese buffet for dinner.

Lunch - tuna, tortilla, apple, jerky, trail mix.
Energy bars: 3.5 - 0.5 Harvest, 1 Balance, 2 Nature Valley

Up at 6:00. After breakfast, grocery store, etc., on the road by 8:20 or so. Pancakes, eggs, bacon for breakfast.
Lots of up and down today. Huge hill after Wickieup. Lots of construction. Sucks when there is no shoulder. One rear flat, plus one rear flat when at camp.

Lunch - tuna, tortilla, apple, jerky, trail mix.
Dinner - pasta and chili in tortillas.
Camping off the road a little bit with the rocks and prickly pare.
4 Nature Valley Bars.

Up at 6:00, on the road by 8:00, after leftover chili and pasta and a peach for breakfast, and changing rear tube.
Really hilly for 1st 20 miles or so, but then nice and gradual decline into Wickenburg going 20+ mph. Grilled turkey sandwich and fries for lunch at the Horseshoe Cafe. Chatted with friendly couple who advised me to take 74 (the Carefree Hwy) into Scottsdale.

Energy bars: 2 Nature Valley, 2 clif