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.

Day 4: Auburn to Truckee via Donner Pass -- Truckin' up to Truckee

Miles: 74.2; riding time: 6:13 avg speed: 11.9 max speed: 41; total trip miles: 276; weather: overcast early with scatterd clouds and sun & 60's Alt change: + 6000 with 8000+ total climbing' Pictures are here.

I was awake busy anticipating for some time before 4:40 ever rolled around. We loaded in the dark, downed part of Denny's "pick 4" breakfast and then headed out and up under overcast skies. Jim and I started out together but knew we would separate into our own riding rhythm. Brad from Worthington OH and I soon seemed to pair up evenly as we headed up. Brad is on this part 1 leg with his Dad Jay and they decided to ride separately through them thar hills. We had one good time chatting, comparing training notes and ride routes through central OH until Brad got real squirrely bombing down one of the day's few down hill sections through a narrow tight wooded area. He stopped and his front tire was down below 50 lbs. That called for a quick change that turned out to be not so quick because of his steel rimmed tires but we managed to get it done and set off again.

Brad and I climbed up together onto I80 where I kept him in sight at about 8 mph just right of 18 wheelers chugging up the grade at 50, trying to avoid the road debris littering the right berm. We pulled in together at the lunch stop that immediately preceded a construction zone. We, took on some food and waited for 5 more riders to show up to make up the group of 10 the construction boss wanted to lead us through the barriers and heavy equipment. It was about a 300 yard walk with our bikes before he turned us loose onto a bermed section again beyond the construction zone.

I followed Sean who has been biking only 6 months, but is a fit and trim 130 lb package and already reveling in all the climbing this trip offers. Sean recently graduated from Med School in the UK and was taking a transitionary trip across the US and then down to South America before starting real life. As he blasted down the one downhill we encountered on I80 with me not far behind he slowed with a flat and I stopped with him as 7 riders passed by asking if we had what we needed. We did, but only because I had my very special pump. So on that berm sandwiched between a guard rail and fast moving semis we changed his tire. I'd like to think I was at the right place at the right time and not some sort of cause to common effect.

But the positive of that all was that Sean and I rode the last 35 miles together and turned out to ride well together as well as getting to know him a bit more. I love Sean's enthusiasm and positive attitude and his genuine enjoyment in discovering all that is new to him in this country. When we rolled into Truckee together he was absolutely delighted with this very western looking town with its wide streets, false front building, saloon as well as the very nice homes scattered along the Donner Lake road run-up to the town. And, when we circled Truckee's only roundabout, Sean felt right at home-- except it circled counter clockwise.

It was an absolutely fantastic day and now we get to do it all over again tomorrow with a 2500 foot climb in the works! More fun than anyone should be allowed to have -- been saying that a lot!

Day 3: Sacramento to Auburn -- Folsom Prison Blues

Miles: 51.6; riding time: 3:43 avg speed: 13.9 max speed: 32; total trip miles: 201; weather: low 70's clouds & sun; Alt change: + 1500' Pictures are here

Each day has been so different and today's been no exception. Wait until we cross Nevada's desert on I80 Michelle tells us and the variety will cease when the route sheets give us exit numbers.

Our first 33 miles leaving Sacramento were on the American Parkway Bicycle trail along the American River. Though I had politely declined a membership offer from Team Stop-a-Lot at last night's Mexican dinner, today's performance definitely qualified me for an honorary membership. It was a short and easy day until the last several mile climb so I thought I would take full advantage to rest, slow down and enjoy.

The American River was site of much gold mining activities from the mid 1800's until recently and has dredgings all along the stretch we traveled to prove it. There is considerable wildlife and scenic river views to be enjoyed along the trail. There were numerous squirrels that darted right to the trails edge as if egged on by their teenage buddies to cross as close to traffic as possible. I spotted several wild turkeys that, as I later learned, had been imported 15 years previous and were now multiplying. I dismounted several times to scramble through the underbrush to get a clear shot at one and finally did. And then there were deer sporting newly sprouted antler stubs leaping up amidst the blooming wild thistle fields.

And there were plenty of riders traveling along the trail including the one parked at trail edge as I drove by demonstrating that WWII fighter plane-like 3 wheel recumbent, complete with the record of squirrel kills (11) and rattle snake kills (1) he had made. I stopped to chat for some time with Stuart and when he offered to ride along a ways with me I took him up on it. I told him how strongly this reminded me of riding along with Pete and shared Pete's story. Whenever the trail dipped down, Stuart doubled his speed and when it went up, his speed halved; just as Pete's used to. And Stuart told me about the area and its history and his love for this Parkway where he could be found most every morning. Stuart was a 50ish otologist who should have been at his practice or in surgery on a Tuesday morning in June. But his Parkinsons had ended all of that. And now, he told me, he was trying to focus on what he could still do and enjoy that instead of what he could no longer do. Another reason this ride with him reminded me of Pete.

I also rode for a stretch with a lady in her mid 70's. She rode along at a healthy clip and when we got to talking she told me about her X-country adventure in the mid 80's when she rode from LA to Boston without SAG support. Only one friend, panniers and cheap motels saw her across.

After the SAG stop at about 35 miles I finished up at a healthy clip including the days climb right at the end with the tours two fast guys, Sean and Tom. Tomorrow it's a 74 mile jaunt up the Donner pass which is 6000 feet higher than our elevation here in Auburn. Baggage load is at 5:15 and breakfast at 5:30. That tells me we'll need all the available daylight. Here's how AbB describes the day:

After a few moderate riding days, we’ll pick it up a little and head up into the mountains. Cycling up into the Sierras is awesome. The views and vistas are beautiful. The closer we near the Donner Summit, the more beautiful it gets. You will be rewarded for all the climbing as we crest the summit and get an awesome view of the Truckee Valley. Then it’s a wild ride down to Donner Pass Lake and the quaint town of Truckee. You will sleep well comforted in the knowledge you have conquered the toughest climb day of the tour

Now it's off to service the bike. I'll need it to be firing on all cylinders tomorrow.

Day 2: Vallejo to Sacramento -- Jelly Belly Field Trip

Miles: 72,5; time: 4:30 avg speed: 16.0; weather: 70's and low 80's. Blue skies and a brisk breeze from the west. Pictures are here.

More fun than anyone ought to be allowed to have again today! Ride leader Gerard took any takers on a little field trip to the Jelly Belly factory not too far afield from the route. Though I do not like jelly beans I did very much enjoy the tour. Boxes stacked high with every color and flavor imaginable. Conveyor belt systems that make many roller coasters look mundane. Robots that stack, lift, swivel and finally wave enthusiastically to the gallery of visitors touring the plant. Jelly bean sorters that separate the right sized ones from the Belly Flops. Big steel and copper (for chocolates) boilers that mix the corn starch and the sugar to form the inside base. Machines that form the beans, add and polish the outer layer, stencil on the JB logo on each bean and packaging machines of all kinds.

JB develops new flavors all the time, some that take their flavor scientists months to perfect before letting them loose on all you jelly bean connoisseurs. Third best selling flavor is licorice which is really baaad in my book. They do support lots of racing teams including one biking team and will sell you one of their many jerseys for lots more money than I would pay. So for all you jelly bean lovers and JB Jersey wearers -- this blog's for you.

But the riding was the most delicious part of the day. A great climb up the American Canyon road to lift us up to 1100', a long section of abandoned highway that had ruts and bumps aplenty, two fence crossings as the pictures attest, some gravel, long bike path stretches, and about 40 miles of flat CA farm country not too unlike what we get in OH, with a steady tailwind to push us along.
At one point Gerard, began to pull away slowly from the rest of the Jelly Belly field trippers and so I thought I would crank a bit to catch him, which I eventually did. By the time I panted that I was on his wheel we were doing about 25. He turned around so briefly that I could not tell if his look was mild surprise or amusement, but in any case our speed began to climb steadily with me hanging on for dear life. I knew I was in trouble when he shifted up a click or two, hunched over the bars and began to step on it for real. At 30 I panted "See you later" and gave in to the inevitable. Point made and Gerard backed off to let me catch up a ways up the road.

Before blogging off for the day, I want to share a bit about Rick, (see pictures) who fell and dislocated his shoulder and collar bone the first day out. Rick had been anticipating this ride perhaps even longer than I had. He had lost 100 pound, quit smoking and started riding some years ago with the encouragement of John, his brother who has ridden for some time and so wanted to share the experience with Rick. Rick's wife had worked many extra hours so he would be able to fulfill this dream. Rick's church family including a bunch of kids were rooting for him and counting on him to complete this journey. But with all of that fuel for disappointment, Rick has been so positive and encouraging, taking the perspective that God will work this for good in some way and that he is to praise Him in spite of the loss, believing God will leverage it for good. Last night, Rick asked if there would be any that may want to stay after our route rap meeting so that he could pray for safety and for blessing on the rest of this trip. About 15 riders joined Rick as he prayed.

So much and so long for tonight. Tomorrow is another short day before the real clmbing into the the Sierras and Lake Taho begins.

Day 1: SF to Vallejo -- As good as it gets:

Miles: 77; time: 5:30 avg speed: 13.9; weather: 50's at the pacific and warming to high 70's inland. Blue skies and a good breeze from the west. Picture of today's ride are here.

What a start to this adventure! We did our mass start sandwiched by the two AbB SAG vans and rode two miles in procession until we came to the day's HILL -- a 600' gain over a mile or so. That strung the group out.

From that wake-you-up-fast start we got every kind of riding experience possible packed into one 75 mile day. The cue sheet boasted one entry for every mile ridden so we got lots of practice deciphering them. We rode the hills of China Town to the delicious odor of stir fry wafting from the many restaurants we passed. We rode scenic roads above the SF Bay craning our necks in every direction to take in spectacular views framed by rugged hills, blue skies and the Pacific. We rode the Bayshore Highway with wide beaches off our left shoulder. We rode very busy streets with a Summer Sunday's life of skateboarders, strollers, motorcycles, picnics in the park and tourist buses sharing the road with us. We rode 4 lane highways with heavy traffic, rumble strips and the usual roadside debris -- but also with a stiff tailwind that teamed with the passing semis to push us along at 25 mph.

At one point as I was gliding down toward the ocean effortlessly propelled by gravity I was so overcome with gratitude to God that I could still so enjoy a trip as this that my vision became blurred -- not just from the wind in my face.

And in the midst of all that my new roommate Zero Shim from Korea had his own personal two man film crew relentlessly pursuing him to take endless video footage that will make up a special feature to promote the Korean Cultural Center. Zero has raised $30K in support of this center already. And if the footage shot just today by these two smiling camera guys is at all proportional to what is yet to be raised it will be in the millions. They were THERE; at every turn and stop, at every vista and up hill, at every food stop and in places you least expected to see them. Finally, they followed Zero right into his (our) room when he arrived at the motel -- just about the time I was stripping off my sweaty riding gear to shower. Not sure what they will do with that footage.

Just a quick note on AbB -- they have been great so far. They seem to be in several places at once, always courteous to answer questions. Always there to solve problems. We had one injury today that required a hospital run when one rider ran into a parked truck and injured his shoulder -- no word yet on how severe. They handled all of that with seasoned grace and competence.

Tomorrow it's off to Sacramento - and a relatively short day.

Day 0: Columbus to San Francisco - Leaving on a jet plane

Bike and body made it out as planned. Several glitches to keep life interesting. First getting Marcia up at 4:00 to catch a 6:00 am flight when actually I needed to arrive at the airport at 6:00 for 7:30 flight. Assumed instead of checking one last time. And then trying to ship the hardcase home once out here was a comedy of errors that ended up with AbB loading it into the trailer until we can find a UPS office that's open for business. Dave -- that hardcase will make it back with some better stories to tell.

But all in all -- minor things in the big scheme of things. Lots of eager older riders with a few younger ones thrown in for good measure. Several multi time crossers. A guy who lost 100 lbs and smoking not all that long ago, took up bicycling and now had his brother talk him into this trip. A fellow from Switzerland and another from the UK. A bunch going as far as Salt Lake CIty to complete the last leg of their ride acroos America in week long chunks. One other rider from Columbus, Brad Butler, who lives up north of us. And my roommate who is an old IT guy (not quite as old as this old IT guy), Jim. Reminds me a bit of Dave right down to the Merlin he rides.

So, tomorrow it's a 5:00 am up and breakfast, a mass 6:30 start and right up a 600 foot climb right out of the gate. Then back down to the beach for the wheel dunking ceremony and from there over the Golden Gate Bridge eastward. 50's & 60's with good wind from the west in forecast.

It's midnight in Columbus and I am out of here.

Flying High

One last ride with the Cyclonics gang Thursday evening after getting rained out for our usual Wednesday evening time. Chris and Ben, two 20 year olds joined us old folks and Chris Mondiek especially, who's been racing all Spring, showed us what fast looked like.

After the ride we assembled for dinner at the Gooseneck Tavern sharing experiences and plans for the summer and plenty of well wishing, God speed, safety and good times for the x-country trek. Great to have such supportive and encouraging buddies!!

My stuff is laid out ready for assembly in the suit case and my back pack. Instructions from America by Bicycle were to lay out stuff two days early and then after a good night's rest take half of what was laid out and return that to the dresser, get another night's sleep and again remove half of what remained. Only then, pack what is left! So that is where I am with packing. Checked UPS tracking this morning and found the bike had arrive (safely I assume) at the motel.

Marcia and I spent a relaxing morning together and then hosted visits from our son Andy and his wife Jocey who brought an early Father's Day card and a large can of Monkey Butt powder. Sweethearts both of them expecting our first grandson July 22. If on time I'll be pedaling through NY. We are all hoping it IS on time so Marcia can be there for the arrival and still drive out to meet me in Portsmouth on July 28. Quite a conflict for my loving wife and doting first time grandma to be.

Daughter Sarah and sister-in-law Andrea are here for Jocey's baby shower so my last evening here includes seeing them before setting the alarm for 4:00 am tomorrow so Marcia can drive me out for my 6:00 am flight. Cathy and Dave stopped in and gifted me with an encouraging card and a box of Clif Bars. They have both been an inspiration, encouragers, trainers and tipsters all along.

Hope I can get some sleep with all the anticipation and excitement! Next blog: California.