"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.