Ride from Reno - Day One (Reno to Fallon) 136 miles

Me with Holly, my favorite and best supporter

Arrived in Reno Sunday evening after an 8 hour, uneventful yet fun drive from Salt Lake city. Met everyone on Monday morning - early - under the arch to begin the 5 day, 667 mile ride from Reno to the steps of the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The gang was all here

A great group of strong riders who are amazing people. Jeff Warren (4th from right in blue) started this ride 11 years ago - with just his wife and son as support. This year 11 will ride the whole distance and another 200+ will join us on the last 140 miles to Salt Lake City. 

Geiger Grade outside Reno

 First big climb out of Reno - led the pack to the halfway mark but Larry caught and passed me. He is an animal.

Larry Peterson wins King of the Mtn - I am turning off my GoPro in defeat

 The better climber won - Holly caught the moment of me admitting defeat when I turn off the Go Pro video camera on my helmet.

Zo Roundy leads Darci, me, Todd and Joe across the desert

Lunch at Lattin Farm - Fallon

Time Trialing with new Venge - note the cool Zimmer logo on the helmet - sharp!

After a fantastic lunch at Lattin Farms in Fallon, Holly and I left the group, checked into the hotel so I could spend some time setting up the Venge so I could practice the time trial position. Since the Venge was just assembled I haven't had enough time to find a position that is somewhat aerodynamic and does not cause my hip to partially dislocate. This position is about as low as I can go and not cause injury. I rode for 16 miles - the length of next week's TT at Nationals - then caught the gang and rode the rest of the distance with them. We rode to Cold Springs - an old Pony Express station - which lies about 60+ miles east of Fallon then racked the bikes and drove back to the thriving metropolis of Fallon for the night.

It has been a long, exhausting day - Holly has been great leading the support vehicle newcomers and taking these wonderful pictures - so we are both headed to bed to prepare for another early wake up and another long day on the bike.

We send our love to you all!

Steve and Holly