What's This...?

...Moisture!?

Finally able to put my rain-gear and fenders to good use.
Also, had my first tube blowout today, woot!

Rocky Terrain

(Colorado Elevation Profile)
Lizard Head Pass, here I come.

The Utah Epic (Days 15-23)

I have defeated the mighty desert, and head into the mountains. My odometer reads 1304 miles, and I am ready for some new challenges.

Day 15:
56 miles into a nasty headwind. There is nothing more discouraging than a strong headwind through the desert. It felt like I did 100 miles. I was starting to dislike Utah at this point, until I was graciously accepted by the Dalton family on CouchSurfing to stay with them for two nights. These wonderful strangers provided me with my own room, computer, bed, washer, dryer, shower, food, and bathroom for the night. I could not be more thankful. This really gave me some encouragement again after being beat down by the wind all day.
Day 16:
Rest day. Rode around for 15 miles running errands, but otherwise just relaxed. I mailed a few postcards out, so hopefully some of those have arrived. If you didn't get one, don't worry, I plan on sending plenty more. The Daltons were kind enough to make me a delicious dinner. Yum. I hope Iaian is doing well on his very first bicycle tour. I was excited I might get to leave with him, but no worries, I just hope he enjoys himself and stays safe. Thanks again for everything, you were so very kind to me.
Day 17:
Went through Cedar Breaks (10,500ft) into Panguitch. Killer climb, but amazing scenery, especially on descent. 67 miles total. Camped near a creak behind a motel, guerilla style.
Day 18:
Felt good all day and put down 84 miles. Stayed at an awesome campground called Calf Creek, in the middle of a canyon. The canyons and scenery are wonderful enough to make up for the vicious Utah headwinds.
Day 19:
Finally hit 1000 miles climbing through Escalante Grand Staircase. Climbed for at least 7 hours this day. Came down through Capitol Reef canyon near the end of the day though, and this was some of the most scenic area to date. Ended the day after 75 miles with a shower at Sleepy Hallow campground.
Day 20:
Rode 20 miles into Hanksville and got some lunch. I met an old guy named Lee at lunch, touring for charity with just a few items on a rack. 50 miles from there to the next drinking hole, and it turned out to be all headwinds, and mostly uphill (hopefully Lee made it okay, I passed him about halfway, but he had further to go than I did). The 100 degree sunshine gave me mild heat stroke near the end of the day as I ran low on water, but I refreshed myself with and swim and some filtered-water from Lake Powell. Stayed at Hite Recreation area, but when I got there, the only store for 75 more miles was closed. Ate PB&J and crashed hard. This was probably my hardest day so far.
Day 21:
When I was thinking about this trip I never imagined waiting around at 6AM for a store to open in three hours, then eating Easy Mac out of a paper cup for breakfast with a 50 mile ride through the blazing desert waiting ahead of me and no energy to spare, but there I was. All day the sun drained me, and I had to stop at a campsite sooner than I wanted. An awesome couple with an RV fed me over a wonderful dinner conversation though, and that meal really helped me make it through it all. All day I was considering hitchhiking, and if I had any less will-power I would have tried.
Day 22:
42.9 miles to finish off the desert, and finally made it to a town, Blanding, Utah. Did laundry, showered, got groceries, and slept at a motel for $25. 125 miles of straight sun and desert, with a small gas station in between. I thought Nevada was tough, but this outdid that.
Day 23:
Felt absolutely great, like starting new. Threw down 85 miles with a fresh set of legs, and right now I'm at a small campground on their computer (Now in Dolores, Colorado!). My tent is set up outside next to three guys on bicycles traveling together, from Denver to San Francisco.

Hopefully there will be more posts, now that I am back in touch with civilization.

(>>1000 GET)

Western Landscape

(Elevation Profile)

"The Lonliest Road in America" (Days 8-14)

>750 miles complete. A full week in the Nevada/Utah desert. This will probably be the hardest part of the trip, and I am excited to have done it. I <3 the desert.

Day 8:
Mom dropped me off back in Carson City, and rode 35 miles out to my Grandpa's, Jerry Lee's Cross Roads Saloon, and stayed there for the night. My dad came down from Idaho to visit, so did Scott. It was nice to see some family before heading into the desert. Thanks for driving down dad. Oh, and happy Father's Day.
Day 9:
Rode from Silver Springs to Middlegate, NV (75.5 miles) and camped behind the only restaurant/gas station within 65 miles. Middlegate population: 17
Day 10:
Diverted from Highway 50 and took an alternate route 66 miles over Carol Summit. This was the loneliest road in America. There were times when several hours went by without seeing a car, it was exactly what I was looking forward to riding through Nevada. Camped at a campground in Austin, NV.
Highlights: Shoe Tree, rattle snake, antelope, and sagebrush.
Lowlights: Not the sun. Rode shirtless...major sunburn.
Day 11:
Met up with another rider after leaving Austin. His name was Johnny, we rode together 71.5 miles into Eureka, NV and met up with another rider, Kevin. Johnny got a room at the Best Western and let me stay with him, thank you Johnny, I needed that.
Day 12:
Johnny and Kevin decided to rest a day in Eureka, so I left at noon expecting to ride half a day. Winds pushed me forward and 79 miles later I was in Ely, NV eating at a casino and staying in a $25 motel. Heck yeah! I also ditched Demetri (R.I.P.) for his older, but smaller fraternal twin brother, Demetrii. (No more stove or stove related equipment, no more panniers on the front)
Day 13:
On my way to Baker, NV an awesome old bearded cyclotourist coming the other way informed me about a diner I could eat at, and they would let me camp in the back. Did just that, with a free shower too. Rad. (65 miles)
Day 14:
Hardest day to date. 86.5 miles in the wind and sun, with no services. I found a nice spot at the park to pitch my tent in Milford, Utah though. The midnight sprinkles made sure of that. After laughing to myself I moved to a gravel lot labeled "RV Park" and got some shut-eye. Will be sure to equip the rain-fly next time.





Side note: My butt is now tough enough to wrestle a small bear, and win.

Time

(Afternoon picnic)

The concept of time loses meaning during travel. I no longer have any idea what the day is, or the date, until I ask someone in town.



This is another rider I met on the road named Johnny. Really enjoyed riding with him. I'll do another full update after week 2 has passed. <3

Sunshine

Wheels humming
Earth baking
Sagebrush sea

The Journey Begins (Days 1-7)

(Photo courtesy of EOU Hal)

270 miles complete and it's been pretty awesome so far.
Everyone I've met has been incredibly nice.

Day 1:
Arrived in San Francisco around 4PM or 5PM (Thanks for the ride Jesse. <3). Departed from Golden Gate Bridge around 5:30PM, after talking with my uncle Hal for a bit (Thanks for the lovely card). I immediately got lost. Found my way and caught the 7PM ferry to Vallejo and found a spot 10 miles down the road to pull off and camp for the night. Guerrilla camping can be frightening. A great way to feel close to nature though.
Day 2:
My left knee started hurting from an injury the week prior so riding was painful. Made it 80 miles into West Sacramento and camped at a campground. California farm country was magnificent, so was Davis and the people there.
Day 3:
Rode another 60 miles to Placerville. My uncle was gracious enough to pick me up and let me stay with him at his house on the hill for two nights.
Day 4:
Caught up with my cousin Scotty, rested my knee, slept and ate well. (Thank you Scott).
Day 5:
Climbed for 35 miles and camped at 6500ft next to some patches of snow. Cold, to say the least. I pulled off to camp at a fire station and randomly found another transamerica cyclist. Her name was Monica. She was from Sweden and came here just for the bike tour. It was her first night camping by herself, ever.
Day 6:
Climbed for 30 more miles, then dropped another 30 miles into the valley over Carson Pass. Very scenic atmosphere, and a great feeling flying down the hill. Camped at a park in Genoa.
Day 7:
Rode for 13 miles into Carson City and was picked up by my mom. I'll be on my way again tomorrow.



Oh, and if anyone wants to make some snakeskin boots let me know. I could collect about 100 skins a day off the side of the road.

Departure

Start: San Francisco, California
Finish: Yorktown, Virginia
Total: 9 States, 3,785 Miles
Departure Date: June 5, 2010
Return Date: TBD