Final Day -- It's Really Not Fair!

What a challenge!  Probably the hardest day of the trip.  The day started with a 19 mile climb of 6% grade to an elevation of 3,000 ft.  The day finished with a 10 mile descent to an oasis in the desert, the Amargosa Cafe.

The weather continued to be beautiful, but temperatures were noticeably different as we started up.  By 3,000 ft, arm warmers, vests or jackets were in order.

Zabriskie Point was at 1,000 ft, 6 miles from the start.  Such interesting terrain and desert beauty, much different than what we'd seen all week.  Gone is the flat terrain of sand and rock.

After time at Zabriskie Point, it was back on the road  to continue the trek up.  Doing the work, makes the payoff so sweet.

At the end of the route we enjoyed lunch at the Amargasso Cafe in Death Valley Junction, the first civilization we've seen this week.  What an eclectic place in the middle of the desert, and the sandwiches were amazing!  Biking makes every meal so much better.  This group of bikers highly recommends the cafe!

Death Valley Junction also includes the Armagasso Opera House and the Armagasso Hotel.  The opera house was established by Marta Becket and her husband almost 50 years ago, a performer herself she wanted to do her own thing and found the theater by chance as she and her husband were driving through the area.  They rented the space initially.  He eventually moved on but she stayed and continued to perform until 2012.  Such a unique community attraction.  

Following lunch, it was time to load bikes and shuttle back to Las Vegas and the end of our adventure.

This was a very good group with a variety of skills and touring experience.  One guest had done this trip 8 times previous to this tour, several others had not toured at all.  This was an exceptional trip, not sure about repeating.  Roads were incredible, and the weather couldn't have been much better.

The tour company delivered my bike to the area bike shop in Las Vegas for shipping back to Iowa.  It will likely be in Dubuque by the end of the week.  Of course, the sun hasn't been out since I've been back and temps have barely been above freezing.  Forecasts now include discussions of wind chill, so I'm in no special hurry for the bike to get here quickly.

I was able to see friends John and Judy Venenga and have dinner with them at the end of the ride before leaving on Saturday.  Return travel was very smooth, kudos to to the airline for arriving early at both stops.