2010 Ride from Reno Day Two

Eureka! We made it to Eureka. I brought all this gear for cold and/or wet weather and have not touched a piece of it yet. Yes, another sunny day in Nevada. The morning temperatures were very nice for riding and for the most part the winds were not bad, especially the last 40 miles into Eureka. A nice tail wind was very helpful. We managed the day with no mechanical problems, and no flats, but one incident. I’m not sure how we avoided being swept up into the air intake of a jet that came right up the road behind us and not more than a couple hundred feet off the ground. At first I though it was Jason trying to get the best of me on the hill into Austin. He has carbon fiber wheels and when he gets them wound up they make quit a rumble and that was my first thought. The next emoting was pure terror as the bird went directly over head. I was a ¼ mile up the road before I got my wits about me again.

As for me I felt good today and enjoyed the climbs. I cranked it up on one climb and was doing 15-16 MPH on grades of 5-6%. I guess the only sore bits are those that touch the bike directly.

Jeff was not so fortunate today. He was suffering with stomach problems most of the day and seemed to get weaker the further into the day we went until near the end of the day a mouse in a roller cage may have been able to generate more watts. But with some TLC and some gentle help he made the grade into Eureka. We are hoping it was just a problem with electrolyte balance and have taken steps to get it corrected. We are expecting Jeff to spurt up the climb we have to do right out of the door in the morning.

Having Jason along this year has been enormously helpful to us all, as you can see from the photo that I hope gets attached. He is such a kind and caring soul and has become an endearing and dependable friend. And Sam, his dad, is the man of the hour. I convinced there is noting he can’t find if give the command to go fetch. What a guy!. And Jeff’s dad was always there with the water food and a friendly smile.

The official stats for the day:
125.5 miles, 17.2 MPH, 5753 feet of climbing and 7 hrs and 15 mins in the saddle.