JUNE 10 GAMBLING IN NEVADA

We all had a good night's rest last night after the big climb day, and were off this morning at 7:15 headed for Nevada. It was cold, and we were biking to higher elevations, so the crew was dressed warmly in tights, windbreakers, long-fingered gloves and even shoe covers. It wasn't long before we were sweating and putting those things away to be used later.

Almost immediately we began a 5 mile steady climb to Brockway Summit. Then a cold, steep downhill to Lake Tahoe and the towns of Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe. It is truly a beautiful sight to see the Lake and the snow capped mountains way off in the distance. We of course got off the bikes, took pictures of each other and checked out the sights. A few even hit the casino, which was about the first building we saw after crossing the State line into Nevada.

The boys at Lake Tahoe

As if Brockway's climb wasn't enough, we next had a grueling climb for 8.2 miles to Mt. Rose summit at 8,991 ft. It was a steady, endless (it seemed) climb in the bike lane of Rt 431, with passing trucks and all. We did stop several times of course to rest and drink our gatorade. The motivation to keep on going was the knowledge that once we reached the top we had a 16.7 mile downhill to look forward to.

Bill at the summit

Most everyone enjoyed the downhill more than I, as it was too fast, too curvey, too long for me. We rode it almost all the way to Sparks, NV where we are spending the night. Sparks is a city of 65,000 "which shares a beautiful valley on the eastern slope of the Sierra with Reno, it's neighbor to the west" (quote from Chamber of Commerce).

Tonight we "dine" (or devour) a buffet at the Nugget casino within walking distance of the hotel. Do you think all the bikers will be in bed early tonight?

         - Bill

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