A great night’s sleep with some weird dreams, so it was a struggle to get out of bed when the alarm went off at 7 am.
We knew it was going to be a long day, with at 60+ mile cycle and 900+ metres of climbing (3000 ft), what we didn’t figure into the equation was a strong headwind.
We packed up quickly for a change and headed through the other half of Santa Rosa we didn’t cycle through yesterday and on to I-40.
We cycled I-40 for 16 miles, a steady incline almost all the way, straight into 20+ mph headwind. Due to the strength of the wind, we needed to pedal the downhill stretches too, which is about as frustrating as it gets in cycling.
When we finally were able to leave the interstate, we made it to the top of the off-ramp and collapsed. As we lay there a black SUV pulled up on the opposite side of the road. A chap supporting a great beard jumped out and offered us each a bottle of cold water, which we didn’t hesitate accepting.
Thierry was on holiday with his other half from Belgium. We talked for a short while, interrupted only when our bikes were blown over, then all too soon said our goodbyes and headed off in different directions.
Just before they left Thierry’s partner (we didn’t get her name) gave us a handful of chocolates. They will never know (unless they read this blog) how much those chocolates were enjoyed.
The remaining 41 miles followed the same road to our stop for the night. It was mainly up, the wind blew relentlessly all day, forcing us to cycle in a very low gear throughout, even on the downhills.m stretched.
The endpoint was a service station with a Subway, so you can guess what was on the menu tonight. We did have a Warmshowers possibility just a few miles future up the road in Las Vegas, but it was now almost dark and when I phoned the host’s number it went through to voicemail. So the decision was made, we would be wild camping.
Before it was completely dark I went for a walk around the area to try to find somewhere to pitch the tent. There was no obvious temporary campground next to the service area, but I did find a flat area of scrub across the road that would need to do.
The service station manager gave us the okay to bring out bikes inside, so we were able to enjoy our diner at a table rather than standing outside with our bikes.
Dinner over we pushed our bikes across the road and down a small hill to the flat area of scrub that would be our bed for the night. The scrub was quite harsh, so the tent footprint would definitely be tested tonight.
With tent up by 9 am we settled down to sleep as best we can with the noise of the freeway less than 50m away and the off-ramp less than 10m away.
At 9:30 pm the tent was under a bright spotlight. Oh dear, what now?
We could hear voices, although not everything that was being said, then I clearly heard the word bikes, followed by the crunch of someone walking in the scrub.
As crawled out of the tent I could see the flashing lights of three Highway Patrol cars above us on the off-ramp and one Highway Patrol Officer walking towards me.
They had received a report of vagrants camping up on the side of the interstate. The officer was very polite and when I explained what we were up to, seeing that we weren’t on the interstate, he wished us a good night and safe travels.
The temperature had already plummeted outside, so I was happy to snuggle back into my sleeping hoping there would be no more disturbances, in the knowledge the alarm was set for 6 am.
Hi Bob, Deborah, just read Day 31. A tough ride but your beaming smile says it all. Glad too nothing adverse came out of camping near the highway. We can’t camp anywhere dedicated campsites in Singapore. I guessed not so in US. Anyway, just to wish you a smooth ride to your next destination! Keep well.
Thanks Joseph. If we weren’t having fun we would pack up and go home, so always smiling… well almost.
The laws for camping are very restrictive in the US, hence the visit from the police the other night. We also usually try to hide when we are not camping on an official site and get up early to pack up camp. Back home in Scotland there is a ‘Right to Roam’law which allows us to camp anywhere within reason, so much easier to find a bed for the night.
Thanks
Bob