Day16

Grover Hot Springs State Park (west of Markleeville)[MAP]

 California1 June 54.37 miles 4:36 hours

It was about 5 degrees Celsius when I left camp this morning. My fingers are killing me, I have gashes and splits on the knuckles and ends of several of my fingers. Got to the bottom of Monitor pass and decided I needed a second breakfast before attempting to ride over a 3300 foot hill. Rode into Nevada and grabbed a vegetarian skillet and egg omelette at the Casino just over the border.

While riding up to the summit I met several other cyclists all training for the Californian Death Ride in June. The Death Ride is five summits and 120 miles, I’d love to try it one day. Got to soak my tired bones in the hot springs for half an hour, but just couldn’t understand the enjoyment of hot springs on a hot day.

Bootleg campsite (Day 16)

Bootleg campsite (Day 16)

Day17

Grover Hot Springs State Park (west of Markleeville, Rest Day)[MAP]

 California2 June 10.78 miles 0:56 hours
Ground squirrel at Grover Hot Springs State Park (Day 17)

Ground squirrel at Grover Hot Springs State Park (Day 17)

Grover Hot Springs waterfall (Day 17)

Grover Hot Springs waterfall (Day 17)

Day18

South Lake Tahoe Campground[MAP]

 California3 June 40.9 miles 4:06 hours

Day19

Sugar Pine Point State Park[MAP]

 California4 June 26.41 miles 2:50 hours

At the hot springs I was lucky to meet Mac and Barbara, a husband and wife from New Zealand who go cycle touring for a few months every year. We rode up to Lake Tahoe together and shared a campsite together at the state park.

I get lost just walking around the campgrounds as they are laid out in a very organic way amongst tall pine trees. Eventually getting to the front entrance gate was a reward in itself due to the extremely cute state ranger there.

Day20

Sugar Pine Point State Park (Rest Day)[MAP]

 California5 June 107.1 miles 7:47 hours

My first century ride. At about 10am I left camp loaded with only my camera and food panniers. Rode over Mt Rose summit (elevation 8900 feet), the highest summit in the Sierras and a wonderful downhill into Nevada. Visited Virginia City with its authentic looking old West shops, bars and casinos. On the way back to Tahoe I knew I was out of my league being exhausted after just two summits.

Managed to hitch a ride with some Mexicans who offered me refreshments and drove me back into South Lake Tahoe. It was 8:30pm by the time I struggled back into the campground. Tomorrow I’m gonna buy myself a book to read in an effort to stop myself doing these bloody rides on my so-called rest days.

Day21

Sugar Pine Point State Park (Rest Day)[MAP]

 California6 June 30.72 miles 2:46 hours
The most likely suspect for the holes in my food pannier, Sugar Pine State Park, Lake Tahoe (Day 21)

The most likely suspect for the holes in my food pannier, Sugar Pine State Park, Lake Tahoe (Day 21)

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