Thursday, June 5, 2008

Day 5 From Truckee, CA to Sparks, Nevada



Wow what a day and what a ride!! It was quite cold out when we left Truckee this morning and we headed toward Lake Tahoe along a beautiful bike path. It was sooo gorgeous and we started to warm up as the day went on and we got riding. I didn't sleep well last night especially and have been waking up every morning between 3:30am and 4:30am, much too early! Anyway, I was "sleep riding" today - luckily the scenary kept my attention and the roads were technical enough to keep me awake.


After going past Squaw Valley, we took the bike path to King's Beach in Lake Tahoe, and then we headed into Nevada (yay - we crossed our first state line). Then we up and over Mt. Rose - it was quite a climb - we just went up and up and up without any break for about 8-9 miles. I just focused ahead, head down, and climbed, climbed, climbed - we hit the summit of Mt. Rose, which is the highest part of the Sierra's that is open year around.

We had a 16 mile descent, which was fantastic - the winds were high so we couldn't go too fast but it was still super fun! We headed into flat Nevada for the last 10 miles of the day, for a total of about 65 miles.


I had a great nap when I got in this afternoon and feel like a millon bucks - I can't wait to do it again tomorrow and ride 90 miles in Nevada - YIPEE! A new state to explore... so fun :) Hopefully, I'll start sleeping through the night so that I don't have to sleep ride (though I am getting good at it!).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah Audrey!!

It's great to read your adventure so far! I'm envious. Although, the climbing for me would be the challenge...you have legs of steel! Woohoo!!

I hope your ride across Nevada isn't a roast...it can get hot hot hot out there.

Glad your knee is doing better. That's always a concern when you know you'll be pushing it and for long periods. Ice it if you need to.

Enjoy the scenery. Stop for the fun sites along the way...will you be coming to Four Corners? What about the dinosaur park? How about the giant fish? :-)

Keep us posted - love to hear from you as you go along and the pix are great!

Cheers!
Sherri :-)

Anonymous said...

Have driven to Lake Tahoe via Truckee from Santa Cruz for the last 16 years, and just can't imagine biking on I-80. I've got sympathetic blisters on my butt. You go, girl!

Anonymous said...

You go girl! I feel like I am there with you! I am so excited that you made the hardest climb and the weather has been so good. Try to get more sleep and make sure you are eating and drinking.

You will be proud of me....I biked to work today from home. The back half of highway 9 flies by. Next week I am going to try to do the round trip. You've inspired me.
Stay safe, let me know if you need anything, and I MISS YOU!!
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Hey Audrey! OH MY GOSH! I am so excited for you to be on this journey! I tried surprising you the morning of your departure by calling your cell phone and then hotel but you had already left :( Stay tuned for gifts along the route!! I love you so much and am still working on where to meet up with you along the route, hopefully we will have a chance to talk about it, otherwise I will just show up! I am thinking about meeting you in Champaign IL on July 5. Can I sleep in your hotel room with you? I will meet you whenever you stop riding for the day on the 5th and then if I can stay the night leave the next morning (and its ok, I know you have to go to bed early). I will try giving one of your hotels a call again soon cause I would love to talk, I was so sad when I missed your big departure. I LOVE YOU!

Sarah

Anonymous said...

By the way, I read your blog everyday! It really feels like I am with you on your journeys!

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hi Audrey,
I love reading your blog and what beautiful scenery. Adrianna loves the cards that arrived in the mail and RL is aware...and needs one.

CIC ladies love to hear about your adventures...it would be interesting to travel back to San Fran via bike.

Unknown said...

Hi Audrey, I am loving the blog! Hang in there and stay strong. I really admire you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Audrey- it is wonderful traveling along with you. I read it every day- Good thoughts to you -Pat small (from mindfulness)

Anonymous said...

Hey Audrey! Great job!!! Driving over those mountains exhaust me (being the over-stressed driver that I am), but biking over them, WOW!!! I will see you in less than 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell that I'm excited. YAY!!! I better make your blog that day. Just kidding. I will call soon. I am finally getting better. Yay! I will be healthy and rested for Wednesday and Thursday.
Love ya,
Beck

Audrey Leonard said...

Thanks everyone for the encouragement - its been some windy days here... Sherri - we aren't going to the big fish or four corners, did you get the map of how we are going? It's across the central USA.

Sarah, give my cell phone a call and I'll get it, I'd love to see you along the route

Beck, I can't wait to see you in a few days- and I am glad to hear you all are enjoying the blog... its nice to know you are out there reading it! I am feeling great and strong... I'll surely have legs of steel when I get back and kinda have them now.

Dawn - you biked to work and are going to go there and bike? GREAT! You will be ready to be my riding buddy when I get back - keep riding!! :)

Love you all and its, again, good to hear from you. :) Aud