TWO great bike rides!

Last spring sometime I heard about the Park to Park Pedal Extreme Nevada 100 bike ride the  Nevada State Parks http://www.parks.nv.gov/ was organizing.  I decided to start training and see if I could get myself in shape enough to ride in it.  Then my daughter, Vera, heard about the 2011 Foxy's Fall Century bike ride in Davis CA http://www.davisbikeclub.org/annual_events/organized_rides/foxys_fall_century where she lives.  I thought it would be fun to participate with her in that ride.  I thought that if they were a couple of weeks apart or so, that I would be able to do them both.  Then I found out that they were just one week apart!  Each ride had various distances you could sign up for.  I decided to try for the 100 mile ride in both events. I was able to finish both rides.  I am continually in awe of the beauties of this great earth that we live on. 

The Park to Park Pedal Extreme Nevada 100:
October 8, 2011
We started at Kershaw Ryan State Park.  Our first rest stop was at Cathedral Gorge State Park.  We then rode up to Pioche then out to Spring Valley State Park.  On the way back, we rode through Echo State Park, back to Pioche and Kerhaw Ryan State Park for a great dutch oven dinner.  We had a lot of challenging hills and fun down hill rides. We started out at about 4,500 feet elevation and the highest elevation we climbed to was about 6200 feet.  I had great support.  Ann followed me in the truck for a lot of the ride and was available to help other riders as needed.  She gave me great moral support when I needed it and took some great pictures.  I enjoyed riding through these areas.  Of course growing up here I have been on the roads numerous times, but bike riding these roads this summer gave me the time and chance to observe the area at slower pace. 

A part of the area where we rode

Climbing a hill

Riding down main street in Pioche

At the half way point.  Spring Valley State Park

Finish Line!!

Some of the scenery we rode through

Near the highest elevation of the ride.

Google Earth map of the ride.

2011 Foxy's Fall Century:
October 15, 2011
This also a beutiful ride.  We had a great varity of country that we rode through.  Everything from city to orchards to vinyard to tall trees etc.  We started and ended our ride in Davis.  Below are some pictures of the country we rode through.  Vera's friend, Jill, offered to drive Ann around to the various stops to offer us moral support and take some pictures.  It was a great ride. 
I enjoyed the opportunity to ride with Vera.  We rode together through most of the ride. 
A great big thank to Jill for taking Ann around.