Adventures of Slackers on Bikes
we were warned back in montana not to go thru rock springs, but we didn’t have much way around it. It’s not the worst town we’ve been in, but the locals have been unfriendly and the only camping was a koa for thirty bucks a night. We slept on some blm land across the street from halliburton and around the corner from monsanto instead. Awesme. Next stop
if you ever stay in the rv park outside of steamboat, remember to do a bear hang. No one bothered to warn us about the raccoon problem. We’ve had various problems with them along the way, but they were mostly just annoying. This time those little trouble makers very quietly dragged a food pannier from under the fly and ate all our food. Luckily, they know how to unzip things and didn’t destroy the pannier but did leave raccoon spit everywhere.
That brutal orb of death has been trying to thwart us but we’re going to keep climbing hill after hill. We climbed a vertical mile two days ago.
we rolled into tahoe today after over two weeks of daily major climbs. yesterday was one of the most gorgeous days so far. we rode from bridgeport up to markleeville and had an awesome tail wind just until we turned the corner to start a 3000 foot climb. it then turned into a not so awesome cross wind. we powered it up the hill to try and avoid some nasty looking clouds. the weather held out until after we were snug in the tent. we did, though, get drenched this morning and even got pelted with hail. i’ll take this over 105 degree heat any day! i was excited to test out my new water resistant shoes, but quickly realized that my socks are the weak link. it’s going to get down to 37 tonight. this route is not without variation.
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dear gum chewers, please remember to use a trash can that is not the sidewalk. yours truly, clipless pedals
we’re finally made it to our last county in ca, siskiyou. turns out they replaced the 8000 foot climb over lassen with a pleasant nearly flat country road and the replaced the world’s grossest port a potty with a real bathroom at the subway lava tubes. ok, really we went around lassen because the road is still covered in snow. but the second part is true. took a day off at burney falls to recharge our knees. we’re on to oregon next and i’m keeping my fingers crossed that the remaining passes will be open. This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!
had another mostly flat day, which has been a nice break from the constant climbing. i’ve been trying to stay hydrated but it’s difficult after getting baked by the sun in the afternoon. the ac map lists camping at the store in hornbrook, but it closed earlier this year. so we found the next best option, the field behind the first and last chance saloon. and yes, it really is.
greg swimming in crater lake
