DAY 1

He's Off!! Ray left this morning about 5:30 AM

Ray biked from Stockton, CA to Kirkwood, CA.  This was probably the most physically challenging day of biking that Ray will have to endure during the 37 day trip.  He started from approximately 30 feet below sea level and rode to an elevation of over 8000 feet above sea level.  

We were surrounded by trees and rocky cliffs for most of the uphill climb. Besides the exceptional scenery that nature provided, we were passed quite regularly by pristine condition collector automobiles, which hopefully offered Ray some intermittent diversions from the hill. 

When we arrived at Kirkwood we filled up with probably the most expensive gas in the country and then grabbed some dinner at the only open restaurant in town.  Kirkwood, being a winter resort town for skiers, was not really 'open', which left us to come up with the motto "Kirkwood - If it's not winter, you're bummin' " or something to that effect. 

Because the town of Kirkwood was evidently closed, Ray was forced to spend his hardest day of biking - without a shower, sleeping in the RV by what looked like a bog.   

We'll be back tomorrow, smelling pretty, but still riding.  We'd love for you to join us again tomorrow for more updates from the road!

DAY 2

After coming out of the mountains in the morning we reached more plainy areas as we headed into Nevada.  The area of Nevada that we rode through was mainly inhabited by farmers, so we saw as many tractors as trees today. It began raining as we came within 3 miles of Fallon, NV, which is where we decided to spend the evening.

The first order of business was to finally take a shower after not having one for 2 full days.  Then we ate dinner at one of the few open restaurants in town.  Ray had a hearty meal of Fried Chicken after which Aaron and Barbara took him back to his room so he could turn in.  

We (Aaron & Barbara) left Fallon at 8pm to drive to Reno, NV where we picked up Eric Gamache.  Eric flew in from Connecticut to join the RV team for the remainder of the journey.  It was after 10pm when we returned to Fallon.  We went straight to sleep for what we expected would be an early start in the morning.

We'll have more for you from Nevada tomorrow!

DAY 3

From Fallon, NV to Austin, NV Ray logged 112 miles of long, lonely road. We passed the loneliest phone, which stands solemnly in the middle of where you were and where you’re goin’. The desert also offered interesting reading. Written in the sandy desert trenches that followed the road were names of folks who'd passed this way, proposals of marriage and other expressions of love crafted out of black rocks which stretched on for miles.

When we arrived in Austin, we checked into the Lincoln Motel - which had baths and beds. As our innkeeper TJ told us, “It doesn’t sound like much, but it is for Austin.”

We walked across the street to 'The International', one of the oldest establishments in Nevada, where we were cooked and served dinner by TJ’s wife Vicki.

After dinner, we sat on the curb in front of our motel and watched the traffic pass until Butch, one of the local restaurant owners, invited us back over to the International. We sat and gabbed for a bit with some of the local folks about the old prospectors, the restoration plans for this borough of 200 and the $200,000 Brunswick Bar that was lost in a bet, and is now in a neighboring town.

To close the night, we threw "The Cable Guy" into the RV VCR, but no one made it past the part where Jim Carrey…Well, that’s probably more details than even Ray’s mom cares to hear. Until tomorrow!

DAY 4

Eric, a.k.a. “Mack” when he’s driving, took us the 122 miles into Ely, Nevada, where we arrived at 7:30 PM. Aaron, or “Lou” as we like to call him, our navigator, took the “lonely” out of the ‘loneliest road in America’ by figuring out how to make the TV in the RV work.

In Ely, we found superb lodging at the Holiday Inn / RV Park. We dined at the Phillips 66 across the street from the hotel. Seating was limited, so we ended up sitting in the outdoor section (on the curb). Ray’s meal comprised of something resembling a chicken sandwich, a 12 by 6 inch slab of jerky, chips, a hardboiled egg, and a Budweiser shared with Eric and Barbara, which was nicely wrapped in a paper bag.

Entertainment for the evening? Watching the cars and trucks pass by, laundry, and emptying the RV’s crapper. 

Come back and visit tomorrow. We don’t think it gets much better than this, but Ray will keep riding and we’ll continue to take you with us on the journey.

DAY 5

Ray started out at 7:30 am.  Barb, Aaron & Eric stayed behind to pick up John Adams, a college friend of Rays.  John arrived via Cessna 172 with bike in tow to ride with Ray to the Eastern most Utah border and lend his support.

Our riders encountered pea-sized hail that forced them to take shelter.  20 minutes later Ray & John were turning the cranks again with the wind to their back and a lot less hills than previous days.

It’s 152 miles from Ely to Delta with one gas station at the 80 mile mark to give you an idea of how lonely 50 really can be.

The road was rough enough that Ray broke a spoke and had to quit at 123 miles.  Eric, a.k.a. Cooter when he’s fixing Ray’s bike, and John did the necessary repairs to make the bike ready for tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!   More from Utah tomorrow.

DAY 6

The temp was over 100 degrees and the road was mostly uphill.  We made a detour towards Spanish Fork, which supported the only bike shop within a 60-mile range that could fix Rays bike inside of a month’s time! We met three of the nicest people in the world who were very enthusiastic to help us.  Fortunate for us, since by the time we arrived at Speedy’s all three of the bikes were in need of a little love.  The folks at Speedy’s were very generous in helping Ray & John get back on the road.  Although they said we should AVOID that road.  Apparently the next 10-15 miles of road holds the record in Utah for the most accidents! 

The zigzag, up & down, gravel-ridden road was not only under construction but it encouraged passing – especially around corners, which often times meant seeing some action-packed games of chicken!  The road also had some of the most amazing scenery that you just could not help being distracted by!  We were all just a little nervous.

Did I mention that Ray was back to using his spare bike again?  Another broken spoke…

The day was a draw.  Not great, but we’re alive, ‘so we’ve got that going for us – which is nice.’ 

Ray will be back at it for Day 7 with hopefully friendlier roads, and we’ll be back to tell you all of the details!  See you tomorrow!

DAY 7

The traffic on our route was just as festive today as yesterday!  Often times a car would drive right down the center divider on the two-lane mountain road, with cars on either side in what seemed like some kind of narcissistic effort to score more passes than the guy behind you. Ray said ‘all that was missing from the mix was alcohol.’  Even still, we managed to do-si-do around our fellow travelers and defend Ray & John from anyone who tried to cut in on us. 

The crew is also taking care that Ray & John are adequately hydrated - that they eat plenty of bananas, pasta and Powerbars - and that whenever they look a little done in, ‘I’m just a Bill on Capitol Hill’ gets piped over the CB radio to bring back their vigor.

101 miles later in Vernal, we met up with John’s wife Dana and their two girls before heading over to the local ‘All-you-can’ eatery for a little starch and grain change of pace. 

John Adams, who used his vacation time to ride with Ray through Utah, will be returning home tomorrow.  We’ll miss you John and hope to see you at the finish line when Bike for Bread pulls into Willimantic! 

We hope that everyone’s enjoying making this journey with us and that you’ll continue to ride along!  Thanks for your continued support!!

DAY 8

The weekend did provide days of riding but less intense ones as we based ourselves out of Vernal, Utah for a bit of rest. 

Saturday morning we got started at 7:00 am to see Ray off and to say goodbye to John Adams & his family.  Ray rode out and back solo for a total of 49 miles today so he could stay loose. Back in Vernal, his crew took care of the film processing, grocery shopping, and spoke repairing on the fouled rim.  We found a skillet and saucepan for $4.50 at a thrift store so now we don’t have to cook Ray’s pasta in the coffeemaker!

When Ray returned he went for a swim to cool off & relax his muscles.  If there’s not a pool or dirty lake around he’s forced to add ice to a cold bath, which seems to liven him up just enough to make it through dinner!

Saturday evening, Bike for Bread sponsors & supporters Diane & Neal Mellon of Town Fair Tire joined us in Vernal and took Ray & the crew to JB’s restaurant for dinner. Neal came all the way from Park City, Utah to ride with Ray on Sunday.   After dinner we watched a little Blazing Saddles in the RV before turning in.

On Sunday morning at 9:30 Ray & Neal left to ride out to the Colorado Border.  The ride to Colorado from Vernal is 33 miles, which for the bikers was an agreeable ride as Saturday Neal had mountain biked for 3-4 hours and Sunday was Ray’s rest day!  Those fun-loving gluttons!  It was 105 degree’s and they didn’t even sweat!!

Personal note to the Mellon's:  Neal and Diane made Vernal an unexpected fun-hub!  Vernal is our Zeitgeist.  The crew wants to also thank you for restraining that rabid badger that charged Ray while we stopped to stock up on Swizzle sticks & Jerky.

We also appreciate your willingness to stop every 200 ft. so Ray could relieve his thimble-size bladder.

In the evening we enjoyed a big slice of Americana pie.  It was Carload Night at the Vernal Drive-in!  And although we didn’t have a couch or mattress as others did, we did look pretty cool sitting in our folding chairs on top of the RV eating burgers & spooning our Wendy’s Frosties.  We met some nice people at the Drive-in who were visiting Vernal from England and tried to share a bit of the pie with our neighbors from across the pond.   We are certain that we have sent them home with a heightened impression of what yokels we Americans truly are. 

We picked up a thermometer at Wally World, as per Neal, so now you’ll have temps with the rest of the highlights.  We’re all looking forward to being back on the road tomorrow after a nice rest.  See you then!

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