Day Eight
Distance traveled: 79.9 miles
Time in Saddle: 7hrs 25 minutes
Overall Distance Covered:647 miles
I started off this morning dreading the start. I'd been told by a guy in the bar last night that I had three massive hills to contend with as I left Eureka. Not a thought that I was happy about. I think the hills are getting the better of me psychologically. I have decided that I am not going to bother thinking about them in the future....just do them. I don't have to ride up them, I can walk with my bike...I'll crawl if I have to as long as I get up them, so no more fear just the realisation that they are going to be difficult....and.
I felt a bit sorry for myself this morning, but I had a good chat with myself and decided not to be such a marde arse. Compared to what our boys. and girls are going through in Afghan and Iraq what I am doing is easy peasy so just get on with it.
It was good today. the sun was shining, but not too hot and the miles were passing by without much trouble.I am missing my boys a lot, but that is to be expected, especially when it's Fathers Day.
A large truck went really close to me today and I had to put my foot down to stop myself from falling over. The first time I've been blown off on my bike...I thought it would be nicer than that. Generally the traffic is really good and gives me a wide berth, but occasionally there is a car, or usually a truck that gets really close.
I went into a really small bar last night for a quick pint. I just wanted to sample the local culture. As I walked into the bar everyone stopped talking. I walked casually up to the bar, trying to blend in and spoke the immortal American greeting...."yer alright luv". I was rumbled straight away. Ironically a guy in the bar originated from Manchester and recognised my accent straight away.
I'm in Ely at the moment in a hotel called The Nevada Hotel, apparently famous for having stars stay, probably many years ago, but it's nice. I won't be getting on line tomorrow because I will be sleeping in the desert for the next couple of nights. It's at least 150 miles to the next town so I have no choice, but I don't mind. I quite like sleeping in the desert it's nice and quiet.
I'm having loads of trouble uploading my videos, it's taking ages then sometimes it doesn't work. I'll get it sorted. I've got some nice footage that you may have to see when I get home...but it will go on line.
I bumped into a young guy tonight who is cycling from San Francisco to Denver Colorado. A lot of people seem to be cycling someway across the country but not many are doing the full trip.
I received a message that my colleague from work, Brian is going to be in Malaga when I am there and is going to meet me at the airport. That is absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to be there.