Baker, NV to Ely, NV – 68 miles
Today I woke up at around 6. I had originally set my alarm for 5, but the volume was down so I slept through it for an hour. Packed up, ate breakfast, and then Gretchen and her kids rode their bikes with me out to the edge of town. I had such a great time staying with them. Thanks again for the hospitality Craig and Gretchen!!
The goal today was Ely which was just short of 70 miles. It’s the last town before the 170 mile no services desert stretch on the way to Boundary Peak (Nevada’s high point). There were two passes to climb on the way to Ely. The first one went pretty quick, but then I ran into a head wind on the descent and in the valley between the passes. Head winds are really mentally difficult because it’s like a hill that you cannot see and have no idea when it might end.
It was really slow going and there was a bar / RV park as I started to climb the second pass so I stopped to rest for awhile. While I was there I met a couple of people who were from the area. They gave me some ideas as to where I could get water on the long stretch from Ely to Tonopah. After my break I was re-energized and pushed through the second pass. As I was descending the wind was now at my back and the last 20 miles to Ely flew by.
Once I got there I went to the bike shop to get another mirror because I had already lost the one I bought in Cedar City :/. Then I went to grab some food at the Pizza Factory. While I was there I met Micheal. He was diagnosed with MS a few years ago and was super stoked about my ride. I really like meeting people who are excited about the ride because the feeling is contagious and it’s some of those people who I often think about during the hardest days and longest climbs. Remembering their excitement helps me push through it.
After the pizza factory I went to get some groceries and fill up water at the gas station right by Hwy 6. I bought a 2.5 gallon jug of water and started trolling the parking lot asking people if they were heading south on Hwy 6 and if they could stash the water for me. I met a guy named Chance who was going part of the way and he agreed to take the jug as far as they were going (~20 miles) and stash it for me. Thanks Chance!
I figure I’ll see if I can flag down a car and have them take it further when I get to where they left it. I’m probably carrying enough water to get to Tonopah since I made some room in my bags by sending stuff home in Baker. Also it seems like there should be some options to filter water or even possibly get water along the way, but I feel like the jug is good insurance if all else fails.
Tonight I’m camped out at an awesome spot just past Ely on some BLM land. The sunset was gorgeous and I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep and biking a bunch of miles tomorrow!
