After eating a gigantic breakfast in Carson City we set out for the Sierra Nevada’s and the great state of California. For the first fifteen miles of our ride we enjoyed great views of the Sierras without having to actually climb them. Before having to pay our dues to the mountain range that separates California and Nevada we stopped to take a break in “Nevada’s First Town“, Genoa. Shortly thereafter we found ourselves taking a tour of Nevada’s oldest continuously operated “thirst house”. The Genoa Bar opened it’s doors to thirsty miners, day workers and prospectors in 1853. Since then, ownership of the bar has changed but it remains a place to relax in a historic setting in a quaint American town. If you were lucky enough to show up in Genoa in decades past you could have sat next to any one of dozens of movie stars and musicians.
After pushing
on out of town, we had a bittersweet moment when we reached the border of California. California is the last of 21 states we will ride through and reaching it marks the beginning of the end of our journey. Our experiences on the road in America have been nothing short of extraordinary. We couldn’t help but talk about how far we had come and how long ago it seems like we were in Maine (at the beginning of the ride).
When we couldn’t find any other reasons to delay our impending climb up the Sierras, we set out again. We hammered up winding mountain roads for about 20 miles before finally reaching the summit. This climb was as challenging as any we’ve had along the way, and not surprisingly, equally as beautiful. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a panoramic view of Red Lake from about 8,500 feet above sea level. While we may not miss each difficult mountain climb we certainly will miss the sense of satisfaction and awe we feel every time we lay our eyes on a gorgeous piece of American landscape.
We enjoyed another great descent down the mountain and decided to stop at the Kirkwood Inn for a burger. We loaded up on food and water and rode down the road another 6 miles before calling it quits in the Silver Lake Campground in the Sierras. To say it’s beautiful out here in the evenings is an understatement.
We will head towards Sacramento in the morning and then make our way towards San Francisco, where we will reach the much anticipated Pacific Ocean. Please help us arrive in style by telling all your friends about our ride and the Wounded Warrior Project!
- The XC10 guys
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Glad to hear you boys made it to Aunt Julie’s. Erik & Tom were excited to hear you were coming. What a trip! While you were in Nevada you passed places where my Uncle Martin O’Boyle ran some mines for the Gould Co.( He went to N. M. School of mines). Also my brother was around those parts as a computer scientist with Livermore Radiation Lab. to watch some Nuclear tests and saw Uncle Martin’s picture in a bar!!!! Grandpa O’Boyle was with the railroad in Battle Mtn. there but you were south of that part. Too bad! We will see you Sunday in Corona. Love to you all. GG