NEVADA

Howdy from the Silver State!

We're in Ely, NV about 60 miles west of Great Basin Nat'l Park and the border of Utah. Proud to say we've just about made it across our first complete state. Highway 50 "the loneliest road in america" has been our constant companion and a welcome change of pace from CA with it's few and far between traffic. The people we've met in the small towns are ruggedly independent, politically conservative and very friendly. We've been catching up on our NRA reading over french fries and burgers. ("Do you have any meat alternatives? No? Okay, I'll have a grilled cheese I guess.")

Snow held us up in Carson City, Cold Springs AND Austin but we pushed on after each storm passed. I'm finally getting that winter I skipped out on twice in Maui! Last Tuesday we had our longest day yet, 70 miles! We tried to go 80 the following day but ended up stopping at a dusty sagebrush campground next to a reservoir after only 43 miles. Here in Nevada each leg holds 2-4 summits, meaning we climb from a valley floor at 5-6,000' elevation to a 7,500' pass multiple times a day. If I don't pound the H20 and Clif Bars I pretty much die. Today I pedaled up my first summit without walking my bike or even stopping. Go quad muscles!

Today it's 65 degrees, not a cloud in sight and blessedly snow free. We're at the public library doing our next state research. Utah sounds exciting, hope we can beat the weather and keep up our super pace. The latest goal:

To reach the mighty Mississippi!!!

Then take Amtrak the rest of the way. Considering our June 7th NYC deadline, that sounds possibly reasonable.

Times up! I'll try to update again soon. We're safe, happy and getting fit! Wish you were here.

love, kai

Bikers alive and living it up in Cali

Contrary to what you may believe, seeing as I've completely neglected to update you, we are fine and well! Let me bring you up to speed.

We gained a lot of insight our first week (rainpants ARE a neccesity, 10 pairs of socks are not) as we pedaled down to Eugene and then across Oregon's coastal range via tiny mountain roads. We hugged the Smith River from its noisy rushing infancy in the rocky woods to its lazy delta conclusion where it met the sea amidst farmland and cow pastures. We were estatic to reach the coast at Reedsport and celebrated with Dairy Queen. (It was the only thing open.) Yuck! We ate TUMS for dessert.

Our jubilation at reaching the coast was quickly tempered with unease and then dismay as we realized spring break had unleashed a wealth of cars (loud), motorcycles (painfully loud) and RVs (sound like a jet taking off) on the 101. They mingled with the killer semis (J brakes anyone?) to make a less than enjoyable ride. We yearned for the peaceful calm of the woods.

A handful of bicycle route detours got us off 101 and helped us make it all the way to Arcata, CA. There we made a decision. If we wanted time to visit friends and family in the Bay Area we'd have to book it aka take a bus. So we did. With 300 miles under our belts we stashed the two wheels and succumbed to the four. I have to admit, I had no regrets as I watched the shoulder get smaller and the traffic get heavier as we approached San Francisco.

We disembarked in Oakland and re-learned how to walk and act like a normal citizen, not a cyclist who cares not if the pant leg is rolled up, the helmet still on and the safety light still flashing in the grocery store. It was a great visit, we went to Monica's middle school where she is Teaching for America. We spent too much money going out in the city. We rode the BART all over and then we hopped on a train to Sacramento, where we currently reside.

We've been prowling around the capitol, visiting my aunt and uncle and my college roommate, and looking for the Govenator. Today we jump back on our restless bikes and head towards the Sierras. Yahoo!

If you're wondering about logistics, we plan as we go, pick the smallest roads possible and camp when feasible, motel when not. Our daily mileage log looks something like this-
Day 1: 27
Day 2: 25
Day 3: 60
Day 4: 36
And so on. Every time we have a stellar 60 mi day we are punished with sore, achy knees the following day and have to take it easy. This gluttonous week off helped our bodies recoup and I'm confident we'll get into shape and work up to more impressive mileages.

The bikes and our morale are holding up remarkably. The weather, especially here in the Golden State, is flawless. Yes, Tahoe just got snow but hey, that's what long underwear is for. It's been nice having time to rest but I can't wait to be back in action. There's lots of time on the bikes to ponder life and hatch plans for the future. I recently began entertaining the idea of taking some econ/business courses, maybe even pursuing an MBA. Why not? Most of the Western World seems to operate under a set of assumptions I don't share. I could at least understand them. The better to change them, right? I've been writing most every evening by the campfire. Thanks Mom for the unfalliable fire starter!

That's all for now. Thanks for the emails! And thank you so much to all who have hosted us thus far!!! We couldn't have made it this far without you. xoxo

Adios aloha peace,

Kai

P.S. To see photos that prove I'm not making all this up, check out Ryan's webpage:
www.rockomo.com