Day 5: Truckee CA to Sparks NV -- Ups & Downs --

Miles: 67.6; riding time: 7:40 avg speed: 13.8; max speed: 41; total trip miles: 343; weather: frost in the morning, then glorious sunshine with overcast and cold wind at the top. Alt change: -1200 3000 with about 5000' total climbing' Pictures are here.

Just when it seems nothing can top what's come before, it does. The Sierra range was spectacular today! We left the motel about 7:00 with frost on the cars, all the clothes we could muster on our bodies and heavy legs from yesterday's challenge. As soon as we passed the Squaw Valley entrance we turned onto a bike trail that ran up a crystal clear stream and perfectly still pools with reflections indistinguishable from the real. Each bend seemed to reveal something new and different. A fisherman in waders, ducks diving for breakfast and beautiful woods all around.

It felt good to meander along and stop often after yesterday's push. The trail took us all the way to lake Tahoe and we spent the next 10 miles on the North Tahoe Road marveling at the deep blue water ringed with snow covered mountains. Gorgeous vacation homes, restaurants and boats speckled the coast line as the road climbed and dipped in turn to provide both close ups and overlook views.

At 30 miles out we turned left off the lake and began a 3000' climb over the next 8 miles. That translates into a 7-8% steady grade and the only remedy is to get it in the lowest gear -- for me a 34x28 and just grind up. I stopped several times to rest the aching back with pictures taking being the convenient excuse. About 6 miles in, Sean passed me. I hung with him long enough to learn that he had lost his obligatory $10 at the first casino we encoutered having just crossed into Nevada. But after that he kept it cranking to the top and the best I could do was to keep him in sight.

Once up on Mt. Rose Summit at 9000 feet we descended 16 miles and 4600 feet to Reno at 30 - 40 mph the whole way. The last 10 miles were through nasty in town traffic.
Now, please pardon my overflow of gratefulness with this very partial list -- but it's all I can squeze in before scrambling off to the 5:30 mandatory route rap!

First, thanks Marcia, for the encouragement and listening ear each night and all you have done, prayed, provided and sacrificed to make this possible. I am very blessed to have you! Thanks Pete, for your vision, your persistence that have been the spark for me to ride and to keep riding. Thanks Dave & Cathy for the very practical advice and encouragement and training miles you've provided. That Clif bar just before the climb was just what I needed today! Thanks to 3 wonderful kids who are still interested in what their dad is doing. You 3+3 are the best! Thanks to each of my cyclonics buds who are so willing to listen, share your enthusiasm for biking and be there each Wednesday to share in the joy of riding. Thanks to Les, who wishes he could join me on this trip as we have traveled so often in the past, but who is graciously part of it by sponsoring me for PwP.