Day 12 Thursday, June 18th REST DAY

My first priority today is to get my computer fixed. It crashed on me the first day and I have had to borrow my roommates. It took all day but I am up and running and should be able to give you daily updates. Tonight I have dinner with my aunt Grace, cousin Connie, Bill and his wife Julie and daughter Libby. Just as Bill walked into the hotel lobby to greet me my uncle Bobby (who did this same trip when he was 62) called to check on me. We had a great reunion and meal. After 35 years we had allot of catching up to do. Also, Bill gave me a tour of the city where I saw the Mormon temple and University of Utah. The picture looking up the mountain is the view from Bills' balcony of the, and the reservoir is looking down from the top of the moutain from the other side.
Got to sign off and update you on today's trip tomorrow. Wake up is at 4:30 am and it is already 11:30pm.

Day 11 Wednesday, June 17th Wendover NV/UT to Salt Lake City UT 117 miles

Another long day. One lady on the trip has never done a century ride and now she has completed 225 in 2 days. At dinner she got a special certificate. Today was the last day for several riders who are only doing the Western States Tour. Since tomorrow is a rest day I went out with the lead group and we paced for each other into a fairly strong head wind. The first part of the ride was through the salt desert and the second part we hit some moderate climbs. Finally we got to Salt Lake City and I had a nice ice bath.

Day 10 Tuesday, June 16th Elko NV to Wendover NV/UT 108 miles

This was our first century + days. Another gorgeous day. The first half was pretty flat then for 25 miles we were going up and down until finally we got to the end and we could see Utah and the salt flats down in the valley. Our hotel was the Rainbow Casino and boy was it plush. Our room had mirrors all over the walls with lots of velvet. The buffet that night at the casino was great. I made it a 6 course meal with 3 different deserts to fill me up. Yes, this would be the last casino we will see so I did gamble. My mother in law, Mary, would be proud of me. I bet a dollar and won $2.10. I am going out of Nevada a winner!

Day 9 Monday, June 15th Battle Mountain NV to Elko NV 55 miles

Today was a shorter ride with a good size climb. We went over Emigrant pass which was an elevation of 6089 feet. After that we had a fun ride down then stopped at a subway to get a bite to eat. After that the scenery became spectacular as we rode through Carlin Canyon. There were mountains on each side of us with a river flowing down, just awesome! Finally we reached the town of Elko, had a nice dinner buffet and got ready for our next day which will be our first century + ride.

Day 5 Thursday, June 11th Truckee CA to Sparks NV 65 miles

My legs are sore and tired and today we have to make one of the biggest and longest climbs up to Mt. Rose, elevation of 9000 ft, highest passover in CA. I made it ! Pretty cold up there, saw some snow flurries. The ride down was extremely fast. Pretty scary when the cars and semi-trucks where trying to get around us. The views at the top were again spectacular as we viewed Lake Tahoe for the first time. I was relieved when I got to the bottom.

Sure wish Duff (father in law) was around so we could enjoy the mountain course.

Day 4 Wednesday, June 10th Auburn to Truckee 74 miles

This was the first real test of continual long climbing as we assended and decended all day long. One climp was 8 miles long at 6-7% grade over the Donner Pass. The views at the top were spectacular. The ride down to Truckee was fast and winding. Some people where hitting speeds in the mid 40s I kept it under 35.

Day 3 Tuesday, June 9th Saramento to Auburn 51 miles

Weather was great for riding. Rode along the Sacramento bike trail for most of the way. This was a nice relaxing ride getting to ride along with different people and chat.