It’s a make up time day today. I need to be in Reno tonight so that I can be in Yosemite tomorrow, Sequoia day after, Death Valley day after after and Las Vegas on July 4. Gotta do some serious miles. I spend last night at Diamond Lake – home of the flocking mosquitos, there were on me before I turned the ignition off, and they were thick. But that 95.5% Deet from REI scares them away! I stayed within 25 miles of Tokateee Dam, so I snagged it first thing in the morning, then it was on to Crater Lake, down to Highway 66 (Green Springs Hwy – another awesome ride) down I-5 to Redding to visit Keswick (first bonus dam for me – woo hoo) cross Hwy 44 to Lassen Park and through Lassen on Hwy 89. If you are ever this way, this is a must do. The ride through Lassen was nothing shore of spectacular and probably the best ride so far. Up and down, twisties and turnies, taking you from basically 1,000 ft of elevation to over 8,500 ft, through trees, volcanic devastation, high mountain meadows and sulphur springs. Then it was on to Susanville, south on 395 to the Reno Worldmark, a hot shower, a late dinner and a nice comfortable bed. Definitely a step up from the Budget Inn in Ontario OR. And they have 3G coverage here, I can tether the Netbook to the iPhone and upload pictures that are not from the iPhone and update the blog, oh happy day!
Best things today: The Lassen Park ride nd the East Rim ride at Crater Lake and a shower
Challenge today – it was 101 degrees in Redding
Daily mileage – 596, total miles 2,103Best thing – the long rides are over with!
Nothing longer than 250 miles for the next month, woo-hoo
Mt Shasta off of I5
Hot stuff as Lasesn Park
Crater Lake West Rim
More Lassen Park, the road goes behind this and up to 8,511 elevation
Lassen Park through the windshield
6 comments:
579 miles, holy crap! How;s your musical u-joint holding up?
Hi Mark from a fellow Dam Tour rider. How did you like Thompson Reservoir? did you ride all the way down to the dam. I'm off to get my final 3 OR dams this weekend, McKay, Oxbow and Owyhee, that will leave just the two Montana dams for me.
Ride safe and have a great time. Looking fwd to reading more of your blog.
Best of luck.
Bill 'The Brit'
Damtour #9066
Glad things seem somewhat back to normal. Lets hope all the bad stuff is behind you!
579 miles and you didn't want to go to Carlsbad with us? I think I'll take it personally now. Let us know how you did with the mosquitos at Yosemite. They are very hungry and prolific. Just wait until you get to the desert. It has been 107 in the Coachella Valley and riding won't cool you down - it just heats you up more. Can't wait to see you on July 4.
Hey - where are the updates? Are you still out there and on track for meeting us tomorrow?
Viva Las Vegas!!
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