Day 1 is in the books. We're in Stovepipe Wells Village for 2 nights. Internet is marginal, so pictures will have to follow.
Weather is great. Lots of sun. Moderates temps. Headwind last 7 miles, after the screaming downhill (which only followed a 10 mile climb). Majority of riders finished, but you can't waste anytime. The sun is below the horizon by 4:30.
We started the day from Rhyolite, Nevada. A ghost town at this point. Only a few buildings remain of what was once the third largest city in Nevada until the gold ran out. The town tried to continue but eventually the power was shut off. I guess maybe that's where the term, shut the lights off when you leave came from.
There must be some sort of "guide code" that ever route has to start with a huge climb! Today's route started with a 10 mile climb, fairly gentle from 1% up to 6%. It was advertised as a 10 miler but went to 11 before we got to the top at Daylight Pass, 4,317'.
The payoff was a 13 mile descent that was really nice. Pavement was good so you could let it run. Just had to be careful of some cross wind.
I stopped at an information area on the way down, and ran across someone that was REALLY lost. Trying to find Reno. Thought it was in California. Not sure if he ever found his way. He was still there trying figure it out when I left.
The terrain is magnificent. Hard to believe anyone or anything can live out here. There were wild burros along the way today.
Tomorrow is a 46 mile day. Looks like more downhill. This is all going to payback on Friday.
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