Our trip was originally going to be five days long and route us to Vegas through Death Valley. On the fourth day we woke up to messages that a massive storm was rolling in and that the following day there would be 60-80mph winds and rain hitting us. After talking it over and looking at the maps we determined we could push another 100mi day and make it to Vegas, at least accomplishing our goal. We opted to finish instead of risk a DNF due to weather.
While we figuring out our moves, Taylor made friends with a guy who pulled up in the middle of the night and was impressed with our innovative (coyote proof) ivy situation. He offered to make Taylor and I coffee/tea while we got ready to leave. As we were chatting with Taylor's new friend one of the NPS Rangers walked up. Our new friend told the Ranger about our sleep and he was pretty amused. He commented that we were probably to first people to sleep in that jail cell in 50-100 years.
The first part of our day started with an hour long climb to Cima. (Another ghost town) Taylor and I rolled along chatting about life and slowly stripping off layers as the desert finally warmed. Once in Cima we were treated to our third super-long super tuck descent! We smashed along at 40mph again with hardly any effort. We stopped as we left the Mojave and took a few photos to commemorate a very memorable 10 hours. From there we bushwhacked our way through dirt roads trying to make our way towards Primm, NV. We hit some deep sand sections and struggled to turn the pedals over. I was getting really frustrated and was determined NOT to walk my bike. After another few minutes, the gods had mercy on us and we ended up on an amazing patch of desert. A mix of dried lake bed and playa, this was the most memorable riding of our trip. It stretched on for miles and spit us out right where we needed to be in Primm. Riding on the lake bed, Taylor and I laughed like kids riding bikes for the first time. Being surrounded by absolutely nothing but desert riding along in a place nobody has every ridden before, brought smiles that lasted the rest of the day.
In Jean we stopped in Taco Bell for lunch and I bought a quesadilla for the road. We hopped on old Las Vegas Blvd, which actually stretches all the way down to the CA border and switches from dirt to pavement several times until about 20mi outside of the Las Vegas city limits. We clipped along enjoying a tailwind eating quesadillas and Pringles. Taylor's seat bad strap gave out, but luckily our trusty Ottolock was used to cinch the bag back to the seat and all was well. Just outside of Vegas we stopped at the Seven Magic Mtns. Essentially these are a bunch of rocks painted crazy colors and staked super high. It was fun to check out. Folks on their way to and from Vegas were there snapping photos and flying drones.
With our tourist stop complete, there was just one final destination. VEGAS BABY! We ticked off the final 15mi and rolled up to the welcome to Vegas sign, for our victory photo. We got our shot and I called my Dad and got he info for the hotel he was at. He kept saying how proud he was of us, but at the time the fact we rode almost 400mi in four days hadn't really hit me. I just wanted to keep riding!
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