JUNE 9 TRUCKIN' TO TRUCKEE

The "toughest climb day of the trip" was an incredible challenge to almost all of us....certainly to me. We climbed 8230 feet over the 76 mile route from Auburn to Truckee, CA. Some of us were out on the road 10 hours today, having gotten an early start at 6:30am and getting into the motel at 4:30pm....exhausted!!!

BUT, WE ALL MADE IT! A real sense of acheivement was evident at this evening's pizza party. There were stories of some of the top speeds attained on the steep, fast descents, i.e. 42, 45 mph. I was no where near that (safety first!), but did enjoy many of the switchback declines. We all talked about how COLD it got (43 degrees) as we gained altitude or sped downhill.

The Sierras and Donner Lake provided real scenic beauty. When we weren't climbing, we could enjoy the big pines and mountain views in this impresive region.

Donner Lake

The story of the day was of course the climbs, the climbs, the climbs: long, tough uphill pedaling. We were all determined--and we all succeeded!

Mason, the West Pointer, said after completing the days climbs, "I'm going to DisneyWorld." When we checked into the motel, his girlfriend had arranged for the delivery of a cake we all shared that said, "It is all downhill from here."

Well, not quite. We still have some hard climbing to do tomorrow....and of course Colorado looms, but we are through the Donner Pass and feel proud of what we accomplished today.

         - Bill

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