The plan was to get an early start so we set out just after 6am. We began with a great descent out of Austin. After that the ride was beautiful and the pace was good. We made it to Cold Springs in good time. We stopped there to use the restroom, lunch would be at Middlegate. On the way to Middlegate we stopped to take pictures at the ShoeTree, it's cool and unique. We then pushed on to Middlegate, NV.
We stopped at the only complex in town that was a mini mart, restaurant.... I bought a dusty can of ham and bean soup and a diet A&W. I got out my stove and heated up the soup, awesome! I also got to chat with my cousin Kevin, he is keeping a close eye on our ride. After a quick lunch we resumed our push to Fallon. We saw that we only had 47 miles to go so we felt good about that. It was later that things would get ugly before turning back great.
It was on the last climb that the winds began to gust up to 40 miles an hour. The ride up and down were crazy! As I got to the bottom at The entrance to the Sand Mountain Recreation Area I met Brett who was pulling a B.O.B. Trailer and riding to D.C. We had a great chat, exchanged info and took pictures.
We decided it was time to push into the wind toward Fallon. We set out across the salt flat and the wind was do strong we pulled off the side of the road, laid our bikes down and just sat down. Ben sought shelter by my turned up trailer. We sat for a bit then returned to the SMRA entrance and sought shelter behind large rocks and a big bush. We debated about staying there or pushing on. Celeste wad giving us weather info which was a big help. We finally decided to push on even if it took us 6hours to ride the final 26 miles.
We set back off across the salt flat and survived the wind. I looked to the other side of the flat and saw land so I was hoping the would cut the wind. It helped some but what helped more was the turn in the road. The wind came off our shoulder and our pace picked up PTL! As we were making good time a vehicle passed us and honked and waved. They then turned around and came back and stopped ahead of us. As we approached the vehicle a guy(Michael) asked us if we were about dead yet. At first I didn't recognize who it was then I saw Shelby and Hayden and realized this was the family we met in the Cafe at Austin. Michael asked us if we needed a place to stay and a warm meal, we said yes! He was ready to load us up there but said it was cool if we pedaled into Fallon and then gave him a call.
We rode the final 12 miles into Fallon and stopped at Safeway, I knew there was a Starbucks inside. We called Michael, ordered Starbucks and bought some coffee cake and M&M's to go along with my dark cherry mocha. Michael arrived and shopped for a few items before we loaded up and headed to the house.
The night with them was great. Wonderful dinner, shower and sharing. Michael helped us map out our next say, the plan was to ride 90 to South Lake Tahoe. Shelby made sure we had anything else we needed.
It was a great night with a great family. It was also a specific answer to Celeste's prayer that someone would come along and offer us a ride. Michael, Shelby and Hayden did that and more! Once again God provided!
We stopped at the only complex in town that was a mini mart, restaurant.... I bought a dusty can of ham and bean soup and a diet A&W. I got out my stove and heated up the soup, awesome! I also got to chat with my cousin Kevin, he is keeping a close eye on our ride. After a quick lunch we resumed our push to Fallon. We saw that we only had 47 miles to go so we felt good about that. It was later that things would get ugly before turning back great.
It was on the last climb that the winds began to gust up to 40 miles an hour. The ride up and down were crazy! As I got to the bottom at The entrance to the Sand Mountain Recreation Area I met Brett who was pulling a B.O.B. Trailer and riding to D.C. We had a great chat, exchanged info and took pictures.
We decided it was time to push into the wind toward Fallon. We set out across the salt flat and the wind was do strong we pulled off the side of the road, laid our bikes down and just sat down. Ben sought shelter by my turned up trailer. We sat for a bit then returned to the SMRA entrance and sought shelter behind large rocks and a big bush. We debated about staying there or pushing on. Celeste wad giving us weather info which was a big help. We finally decided to push on even if it took us 6hours to ride the final 26 miles.
We set back off across the salt flat and survived the wind. I looked to the other side of the flat and saw land so I was hoping the would cut the wind. It helped some but what helped more was the turn in the road. The wind came off our shoulder and our pace picked up PTL! As we were making good time a vehicle passed us and honked and waved. They then turned around and came back and stopped ahead of us. As we approached the vehicle a guy(Michael) asked us if we were about dead yet. At first I didn't recognize who it was then I saw Shelby and Hayden and realized this was the family we met in the Cafe at Austin. Michael asked us if we needed a place to stay and a warm meal, we said yes! He was ready to load us up there but said it was cool if we pedaled into Fallon and then gave him a call.
We rode the final 12 miles into Fallon and stopped at Safeway, I knew there was a Starbucks inside. We called Michael, ordered Starbucks and bought some coffee cake and M&M's to go along with my dark cherry mocha. Michael arrived and shopped for a few items before we loaded up and headed to the house.
The night with them was great. Wonderful dinner, shower and sharing. Michael helped us map out our next say, the plan was to ride 90 to South Lake Tahoe. Shelby made sure we had anything else we needed.
It was a great night with a great family. It was also a specific answer to Celeste's prayer that someone would come along and offer us a ride. Michael, Shelby and Hayden did that and more! Once again God provided!
