Day 9 - Winnemucca to Elko

We determined that we were not going to be the last ones to start that morning so we made a real effort to be down at load and ready to go on time. A bit different than our usual relaxed approach. So we were out on the road when "the train" came by. The train is the fast group of mostly guys that goes out together. One leads and all the others follow, allowing them to draft and avoid the wind resistance that happens when you ride alone. It can be very efficient but it can be hard to hang in there if you're not pretty fast. Once the lead guy wants a break, he peels off and goes to the back of the line and the next person becomes the leader. We jumped on the end of the train and I was doing ok up to 18 or 19 miles an hour but then the leader changed and the speed started creeping up and I got dropped off the back. It was kind of cool for about five miles though. 😃 So I dropped back and rode with some different people for a change. After about 50 miles of I-80, we got a break through Carlin and then a nice scenic peaceful loop by the Humboldt River while the motorized traffic went through tunnels. Then back onto I-80 to finish the ride into Elko. One of the big events of the day was encountering our first Dairy Queen of the trip. It was on the way through town to our motel and I think everyone stopped there. It had been pretty warm and the treats were appealing. I started with a small blizzard, then had a kids meal complete with ice cream cone. Fiona managed a blizzard and two shakes. She's exploring her ice cream limits. Last night I was treated to an evening away from cyclists and hotels and it was so refreshing! A friend from high school is now living in Elko and offered to pick me up for dinner. Holly Davis Memmott took me to her home, introduced me to her family, fed me a home cooked meal, and sent me away with gifts including some extra socks so I wouldn't need to wash socks before reaching Salt Lake City. :) Her husband and kids were a lot of fun and I so enjoyed the evening! I came away with a few bike jokes as well that I shared during our long ride today. It actually left me feeling a bit homesick for "normal" life but I loved it. Thank you Memmotts!

Scenery somewhere between Winnemucca and Elko

The big climb for the day somewhere in the range of 12 - 15 miles

Coming into Carlin - notice the C on the hill

A look at the stretch along the Humboldt River - also part of the California Trail

Dairy Queen! 

Memmotts! Holly, Taylor, Stehpen, and Nathan. I didn't actually meet the pup...