Ride from Reno - Day Three - Eureka to Ely, NV

The gang at the bottom of the basin after crossing the range

 We left Eureka for Ely on what would prove to be a big day in the saddle - 120 miles and five big climbs. We found time to enjoy the scenery - to include this cowboy rounding up his cattle. He was really friendly even stopping his work to wave at a bunch of crazy cyclists in the middle of nowhere.

Not everyone was riding a bike

Fab 5

Needed a way to keep track of the five big climbs and also to remember why we do this ride. We are here to raise money and awareness for cancer research so others don't have to battle this dreaded disease.

Climb #1 - Matt - I rode up Pinto Summit with Matt "Bronco" Bradley on my mind - thought it appropriate. Matt lived a huge life, beat his sarcoma, rode like a fiend and yet recently passed away after a freak accident. He is always in my thoughts and I knew he would have kicked my butt on this climb.

Climb #2 - Betsy - my Mom, a breast cancer survivor who showed me what tremendous strength she had when she kicked cancer's butt. Thought she would have like to join us on our climb up Pancake Summit since pancakes were a Kelly family favorite for breakfast.

Climb #3 - Tom - my father-in-law who not only beat prostate cancer but also founded a forum for men afflicted by the disease so they could get the latest advances and trade hard earned lessons. He was with me on the climb up Little Antelope Summit - he is "deer" to me.

Climb #4 - Bill - my brother-in-law is also a prostate cancer survivor. We are so glad he found it early, got treatment and recovered so we can have him around for many years to come. He would have enjoyed the views from Robinson Summit.

Climb #5 - Robin - Robin Roberts the ABC Good Morning America anchor who bravely showed the nation how she battled and beat breast cancer. Recently she found that she will have to fight again so I wanted her to know that we were thinking of her. Her Dad  was a Tuskegee Airman in WWII so I wrote him in to pay tribute in hopes of "flying" down the back side of Connors Pass. Last year's strong tailwind pushed us into the upper 50 mph range but this year's crosswinds slowed us down to the upper 40s.

 

My wife Holly still able to smile after a long day protecting the riders from big rigs

We had a long day - a lot of spirited races for the KOM points - okay, there are no points but there are bragging rights shared between me (1), Scott Westfall (1) and Larry Peterson (3) for bagging the summits first. More importantly, my left leg reminded me to not take for granted your loved ones who have fought - or are fighting - against cancer.

More fun tomorrow as we battle the winds and bleak terrain to arrive in Delta, UT.

Our best,

Steve and Holly