From: Jim Miller [spinnerman@t-one.net]
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 7:47
AM
To: Class of 1959
Cc: Campbell, Frank
Subject:
BIKE TRIP--4th Report
Again, posting directly to the class---Frank, Let
me know when you are back!!
On the last report, by the time Larry finished
dictating, and I tried to put it together with the "planned itinerary", I
screwed up----and refused to believe they had fallen a day off
schedule.
They actually spent Sunday evening 7/18, in
Middlegate, and proceeded to Austin on Monday.
Tuesday 7/20---Breakfast at 6 AM at the
International Cafe--met up with Chris Biggs(Darien Ct) again, and the 5 had huge
stacks of pancakes to stoke up for the day. Immediately into a switchback
climb to 7500' at the Austin Summit, and a swift decent---up to 50 MPH down
the East side. Temp was great @ 60F, and the wider road causes false
optimism that the equipment/rider can safely maintain this pace.(Larry advises
that both he and Will have had broken collarbones from spills on other
trips.) Chris had been left behind leaving Austin, but suddenly came
roaring past them on the decent.
They expected the "normal" tailwind as they rode
East, but so far have not seen it, and actually have experienced headwinds...So
Tuesday they initiated a "pace line", with the 3 guys rotating lead, and riding
in a drafting formation. At first it was a bit clumsy, but soon the rhythm
kicked in and they had "smooth riding" for 3 hours.
They were again surprised with an uphill climb to
end the day in Eureka---the town is actually hidden in the folds of the next
mountain range. They met/passed 2 "young guys" going the opposite
direction--NYC to SFO!
In the 1860's Eureka was another of the mining
towns, and supposedly got its name when one of the early miners hollered
"eureka" to announce his "strike". During the harsh winter there were more
than 10,000 people living in huts and caves.
Larry recommends the PONY EXPRESS Cafe, operated by
Mennonites, with wonderful food and fresh baked breads. The town was a
"paradise", with a real grocery offering fresh fruits, which they had not seen
for several days. Again, there was an early afternoon thunderstorm, that hit
after they had completed the days ride.
Wednesday, another early start to beat the heat,
and the pattern of afternoon thunderstorms--facing 5 cols of 7200' to
7600'. At the Robinson Summit(7600'), they were stopped by a FedEx driver
who had a package of cookies to deliver to a biker---true to the "CODE", Will
fought off the temptation to claim the package, and rode on.
They arrived in Ely, met by huge slag heaps from
the open pit copper mining.--which led to the silver/gold finds of earlier
years. As suggested by the AF Grad, Greg Morrow they met earlier, they
checked into the NEVADA Hotel. It is a 6 story hotel built in 1928, and
was the home base/residence of many of the mining execs of that
era.
The Nevada is a "full blown casino" now, and has a
"walk of stars"
Greg Morrow came in later in the day, after flying
the valleys all day on a geological mission, and he (being half Swede) brushed
up on his language with Hans and Inge-Lill that evening. Chris is no longer in
contact.
Thursday, 7/22, facing 59 miles and 2 cols.
they met 2 young "ladies", recent Yale grads, who were traveling "light", and
are part of a group of about 25 supported by an equipment truck.
They are riding New Haven to SFO in 57 days for "Habitat for Humanity", the
home building organization, and have raised /are raising $360,000 for that
charity. They continued the "pace line" for much of the day, as they continued
to have headwinds.
Connors pass at 7500' was the big climb of the day,
and coming out they saw lighting and rain clouds closing in on them. Will,
who tends not to break his rhythm/momentum when climbing had gone ahead when
"some folks" stopped to talk the Yalies, so he was well ahead. Larry began
a sprint to beat the storm, but about 5 miles out he got drenched and was in
rain and hail. He finally got to Stateline(about 4 miles beyond Baker, and
found Will in the "lounge" watching the Tour de France, and they were worrying
about Hans & Inge-lill, when they arrived bone dry!!!
Larry had raced into the storm, and it passed
before the Swedes got to it!!
As we spoke, Will was standing with one foot in NV
and one in UT
Switching to Mountain time after 700 miles, they
are facing 94 miles to Delta, UT on Friday.
A picture of the 4 at the International Cafe in
Austin follows separately as BIKE TRIP PICTURE.
Jim