This covered as much ground as a groundhog could hog if a groundhog could hog ground.

Been looking forward to this ride since I mentioned it to Robert a few weeks back. It’s certainly one of my favorites.

I had Friday off due to the observance of Nevada Day, and in the afternoon I sent Joy a text message asking if she wanted to carpool over to the start. She agreed and we arranged to meet just down the street from her place around 5:30. That would leave us plenty of time to get her stuff situated in the truck and a quick stop at Starbucks on our way out of town.

We rolled into the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza with 30 minutes to get ourselves ready. The temperatures were cold and felt much cooler than 59 reported by Klimat and my Garmin recorded a temperature closer to 45. I was kinda nervous having only brought arm warmers and full finger gloves. No vest, no wool base layer, no toe covers. I was banking on warming up once we got started.

We started out at a relatively leisurely pace. That wasn’t good enough for Joy, Dave, and Josh as they went around and set off up the road. I wasn’t having anything to do with that and I was more than happy to hang back. We did end up splitting into three different groups. Dave, Josh, and Joy were out in the lead. Henry, Kant, Dan (?), and I were in the middle. Mark and Mike were bringing up the rear. It would stay that way for the most part all the way until we made it to Overton.

Before Overton though there was much riding to do. We regrouped with Robert providing sag at the summit just before the descent into the park. Robert had timed it dang near perfectly to catch the lead group just before they’d started the descent. As everyone refueled, Robert let us know that a second group of nine riders had left 45 minutes after us, but they were only going as far as White Domes before heading back. Our goal was to ride all the way to Overton and back to the start while trying to time it for us all to arrive around the same time.

Ready to roll I took the lead on the descent into the park. I’d told everyone not to worry about the fee booth and that I’d take care of it. Everyone protested, but I assured them that it wasn’t a big deal. I spoke with the ranger on duty and let them know that I was paying for a total of 20 cyclists and one vehicle. The guy working was a champ. He had me pay for the cyclists first and then the vehicle, Robert’s sag, separately. I gave him the details on Robert’s car and his full name. This way when Robert rolled up he just needed to get his ticket/receipt and the other riders could just roll straight on through. I’d learn later that this was actually pretty clutch. By the time the second group arrived there was a healthy line of cars waiting to get in. From my understanding, a ranger came out of the booth and waved the second group through while telling them they’d already been paid for. I couldn’t have asked for it to have worked out any better.

Continuing the descent past the beehives towards the visitor center I got hit with a ‘rider’s high’. Flying along only committing marginal power to get down the descent. Looking around admiring the early morning light being thrown on the red rocks. It was a beautiful sight. Absolutely loving life.

Quickly enough we rolled into the visitor center. This gave those who needed a quick bathroom break the opportunity to do so before the climb up to White Domes. While we mulled about I told everyone that we needed to make a right turn to go out to Fire Canyon and Silica Dome. Everyone was kinda hesitant at first, but once I got Mark to come forward and agree that the side trip was worth it everyone agreed.

The ride up to Fire Canyon and Silica Dome went well. In total it only added two miles to the ride, but the views are well worth it. You can see all the way down in the Moapa Valley and make out Overton with ease. You also get an outstanding view of Fire Canyon which lives up to its name of just a solid wall of red rock. If you’re ever visiting Valley of Fire and going out to White Domes make sure to take this quick detour, it’s worth the extra time.

Riding out to White Domes was fun as usual with the rolling ups and downs. As we rounded the final corner there was a herd of desert bighorn just off the side of the road hanging out. It was quite the sight and quite the departure from the group we usually see around Boulder City. This group was perched about 20 feet up off the valley floor on one of the red rocks. They were all just hanging out doing their morning thing as we rode on by to meet up with Robert at the parking lot.

After another refuel we set off for Overton. Along the way back to the visitor center I got dropped by our lead group. Honestly this was all my fault. I’m not as confident on the bike at high speeds or gusty winds. There were a couple of the rollers that I got going pretty quick and would get a decent gust that would knock me around some. This leads me to grab a handful of brakes. Then I get nervous when going around some corners as well as I don’t have a ton of confidence in my Gatorskins to not come out from under me. Granted they have never done that in the dry, but they have certainly threatened to in the wet. I busted my hump and was able to eventually catch up to everyone once we made the turn back onto Valley of Fire Highway. Not sure if I rode myself back up to the group or if they eased up to let me catch back on. Either way I’ll take it.

Leaving the park the now smaller group of the seven of us, Mark and Mike were off the back, formed up and started our best at running a paceline. I think we did relatively well all things considered, but there is always room for improvement. We hung with it until the descent into Overtoon, but once that was done we formed back up and rode in formation all the way into town.

After a decent break for breakfast or french fries at McDonald’s we started back. Almost immediately we started forming up to do another paceline for the ride back. We were still hit and miss, but we were definitely improving. The climb out of Overton wasn’t nearly as bad as I remember it. Either that or I wasn’t trying nearly as hard as I have in the past.

Approaching the east entrance to Valley of Fire a ranger told us we needed to pay at the gate. We told her that we’d already paid. At that point she asks, “Do you have your receipt?”

I replied with, “Yup I’ve got it right here as a matter of fact.” I reached into my jersey pocket, pulled out my wallet, and showed her the receipt for our entries. She then asked if there were any others and I let her know that two more riders, one on a white bike and the other on a fire engine red bike, would be following along shortly.

I pulled into the Elephant Rock trailhead parking lot where everyone was already enjoying our final sag stop with Robert. We didn’t stay long and I think most of us were just about ready to call it a day. We ended up rolling out right as Mark and Mike started rolling into the guard shack.

For the remainder of the ride back we did our best to stay in a line, but good ole Dave Burns had to jump out there and get a gap going. Try as we might, the rest of us just couldn’t reel him in. Then we started losing people. Henry fell off first leaving Josh, Joy, Kant and I. Then Josh got up front and started getting a gap going that I couldn’t keep up with. I waved Joy and Kant through so they could get Josh’s wheel. Kant was nice enough to holler back, “Jump on this wheel.”

To which I replied, “Yeah man that ain’t happening.” I knew if I tried I’d blow up and really struggle to make the final big climb out of the park.

We did eventually regroup one last time at the summit and then set off for the gas station. At this point the winds had started kicking up and we were dealing with a decent head wind for the rest of the ride. We tried to cycle through a paceline, but it was getting more and more difficult with the wind and also being downhill. Thankfully it was only for a few miles.

Once back at the gas station Dave busted out his mini-grill and started on hot dogs. I took the opportunity to get changed into some street clothes to be more comfortable while we hung out. I also grabbed some snacks from the gas station to pair with the hot dogs. Overall great stuff.

Soon enough it was time to call it a day and head back into town. Before taking Joy home I needed to make a stop at Swanny’s. Shadow’s rear derailleur had been really acting up for a large part of the day and I was at my wits end. I figured the cable was stretching and needed a minor adjustment. I tried to adjust the cable with the barrel adjuster and it seemed to only make things worse. Naturally I take it in to Zubbi at Swanny’s and he has Shadow fixed and humming like new in less than five minutes. Then to add insult to injury the dude wouldn’t let me pay him for his time.

Overall today was a great day of riding. Looking at the numbers I definitely rode harder than I have in a while. Looking forward to a lazy Sunday before starting the week anew!

New bike fund: $30.16 (+$0.00)
0.24 new miles — From Wandrer.earth
113 vehicles @ 1.5 per mile, 0.4 per minute, Speeds: 34.0 mph (avg), 101.6 mph (max) — MyBikeTraffic.com
Give your activities the names they deserve. — by Bandok.com
Clear-Sunny, 59°F-72°F, Feels like 59°F-75°F, Humidity 29%-20%, Wind W 3mph-N 6mph — by Klimat.app
— myWindsock Report —
Weather Impact: -0.1%
Headwind: 38% @ 4.3-12.9mph
Longest Headwind: 29m 49s
Air Speed: 17.4mph
Temp: 54.9-71.7°F
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
— END —