Day 10: Eureka to Ely

May 8, 2010

80 miles and 4 summits to the next town. Good thing I have a strong tailwind.

First of four summits, a 1000 foot climb.

Josh, the San Francisco to Brooklyn cyclist passed me just east of Pinto summit. I never saw him again. He's hoping to get to Utah today. I also never saw Dirk again after this morning.

Second of four summits, a 600 foot climb.

Nice perspective of the bathtub shape of the typical basin.

Third of four summits, a 1000 foot climb.

The fourth and final summit, an 1100 foot climb.

Since leaving Fallon the basins have been getting gradually higher. The basin at Fallon is only 3900 feet elevation. Now the basins are above 6000 feet elevation, with junipers here and there.

The basins are so high now that junipers are common.

I arrived in Ely (population 4144, elevation 6437 feet) at 6:30 PM and got a room at the Hotel Nevada casino. $38, on the 4th floor. Built in 1929. My bike barely fit in the elevator. Chinese take-out for dinner. Ely is the biggest town I've seen since Fallon. The casino seems to be doing reasonably well but most of Ely is economically depressed. As time goes on the mines get more automated and employ fewer people.

Today had a high of 65F and it was sunny most of the day. Not too bad, especially with a tailwind. The distance and climbing made this a long day of cycling without much play time. Not my favorite kind of day. I notice the sunset is earlier as I travel east.

Distance: 79.8 mi. (128 km)

Climbing: 4169 ft. (1263 m)

Average Speed: 9.9 mph (15.8 km/h)

Maximum Speed: 38.5 mph (62 km/h)

Today's ride: 80 miles (129 km)
Total: 535 miles (861 km)

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Kelly IniguezI've looked at this day several times. I don't think I could do it. I'd have to have a rest day before and one after! Four passes in one day. Holy moly!
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2 years ago

Wayne EstesI couldn't do it now either. I'm glad I did it while I still could, at age 48. In my 40's and early 50's I did many challenging routes that I can't do now. I'm glad I did them while I could...
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2 years ago