JUNE 12 WINNERS IN WINNEMUCCA

We arrived at our hotel: Winners Hotel and Casino in Winnemucca by mid-afternoon following our 76 mile ride in the Nevada sunshine. A persistent head-wind most of the day changed our expectation of an easier day's ride, and we were slowed substantially.

Departing Lovelock this morning, we all enjoyed a traffic-free ride out of town and onto a quiet road that ran through the countryside parallelling I-80. We rode at a slower pace, sometimes 3 across the lane in larger groups just talking and enjoying the scenery. We passed open-range ranch country where the cattle were contained by only "cattle grates" in the roads (be careful on those on a bike!!). The grazing land appeared to be mainly sagebrush. The mountains in the background were highlighted by a perfect, cloudless sky.

We got off the bikes at one point to take some pictures when a rancher in his pick-up stopped to ask if we needed any directions. Meg, a school administrator from SC, said, "What's the best way to New Hampshire?" He laughed, and wanted to know all about our trip, which is exactly the reaction we get from everyone. They all say "Ride Safely" at the end of the conversation.

On the road to Winnemucca

A the 25 mile point we got on I-80 for the rest of the day...ugh. John (MA) and Mike (IN) and I were no more than 100 yards onto the highway bike path when John got a flat. We were all helping John when Mason rode by and yelled, "How many retired guys does it take to change a flat tire?" Pretty good sense of humor on that guy.

"Mormon Crickets", as the AbB staff calls them, were everywhere on the roads. They get even more plentiful as we get closer to Salt Lake City, we are told. They are either locusts or large grasshoppers.

Mason (TN) presented the first of what he called special awards at dinner last night. It went to one of our riders, Dennis (MA), who in the confusion of changing a flat tire, re-inserted the punctured tube rather than the new one. He won the "Everthing Deserves A Second Chance Award." Dennis is actually a very strong biker who has finished several Mt. Washington climb races. He is also helpful to those of us "with less experience."

The AbB staff with the AbB Van in the background

Kathryn (ME), a sweet and fun gal rider who is here with her husband Tim, joined the "slot machine challenge" last night at the casino. Up against quite an assortment of "local talent," she managed to win the jackpot while supported by several vocal AbB bikers in the cheering section. She was delighted!

The mechanics, Brantely (NC) and Vern (AL) are really a big help to us. Brantely fixed my rear wheel, which was slightly "out of round" due to some major bumps. Tonight they gave a class on how to clean and maintain a bike.

Some statistics you might like to know about our group:

• 26 cross country riders
• 3 riders doing the Western States
• 4 AbB staff, including the 2 mechanics
• 18 States represented, plus the couple from France
• 3 couples
• Only 2 charity riders

Now I'm off to another buffet dinner, but with 1 free beer chit from the casino. CHEERS!

         - Bill

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