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A lone rider stares out at the horizon and the trail that lay before him. It will be a long day challenging the elements, climbing and descending summits, and facing the solitude of the wide open spaces. He takes a long drink of water as a welcomed breeze greets the beads of sweat on his brow and the fragrant smell of sage and juniper fills the air. As he mounts up, he glances back from where he has already come. As far as he can see, he is surrounded by the awesome beauty of the Great Basin ... massive mountain ranges that rise from wide valley floors. It is this panorama that reminds him of what it was that brought him west in the first place. As he rides out, visions of a hearty meal, a cold drink and tales of the day's adventure shared with other riders, is what he looks forward to at the end of the day.
| Day 1 - Sunday, September 27 |
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The Gathering - Lake Tahoe CA/NV
Participants will meet at the Horizon Casino Resort in Stateline, Nevada on the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. Riders will check-in and receive name badges, sponsor packets, a custom ride jersey, and enjoy a great dinner as we get acquainted. Introductions and prize giveaways too! The 24-hour action of the Horizon Casino and a good night's rest is offered at our host hotel. OATBRAN is a motel tour, so all overnight accommodations are included with the fees, based on double occupancy. Single supplement rooms may be available for an additional $350.00 fee, but we can’t guarantee a single room in Austin, NV. Pre and Post nights are available at a discount should you arrive early or stay after we return; Call the Horizon Casino Resort at 800-648-3322 and identify yourself as an OATBRAN participant.
- Check-in: 3:00 pm -6:00 pm
- Dinner & Reception party: 6:30 pm - 10 pm
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| Day 2 - Monday, September 28 |
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Stateline to Fallon - 91 miles - 2330' climbing
Our first day on the road begins with photographs and opening group photo as riders depart Stateline on Highway 50 -- America's Loneliest Road. The route this day includes riding the southeast shore of Lake Tahoe to the top of Spooner Summit at 7149'.
You'll enjoy a 2400' descent down to Nevada's Historic Capitol, Carson City. Beyond Carson City, you'll pass the highway leading to Virginia City, site of the famous silver mines of the Comstock Lode. Further east, we'll travel through Dayton, one of Nevada's oldest towns established in 1849.
Our overnight destination is Fallon, famous for its "Top Gun" Naval Air Station and its award-winning Heart O' Gold cantaloupes grown on some of the most fertile agricultural land in Nevada. A great dinner and overnight accommodations will culminate this first memorable day.
For information on Fallon, contact the Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority at 1-800-874-0903, or visit www.fallontourism.com.
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| Day 3 - Tuesday, September 29 |
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Fallon to Austin - 113 miles - 4700' climbing (maybe 5700')
This is a big day! There are five climbs this day and like yesterday, some incredible scenery. We'll stop at Sand Mountain, a 600-foot tall sand dune (remnants from the sands of a prehistoric sea), and Old Middlegate Station. Our traditional Highway 50 route stops at Cold Springs Station for lunch, and three climbs are your challenge after lunch: New Pass Summit at 6348'; Mount Airy at 6679'; then the climb up to Austin at 6577'. However, we're tentatively planning to do the Old Highway 50 route (now Hwy 722) again this year. The Highway 722 route also has three climbs: Carroll Summit at 7,452' (lunch stop), Railroad Pass at 6,430', and then the climb up to Austin at 6,577' -- a very scenic and much "lonelier" route with about another 1,000' of climbing or a total of about 5,700' climbing. E-mail your route thoughts to oatbran@sbcglobal.net.
In 1862, a Pony Express rider kicked over a rock and uncovered a rich silver vein. Within two years, nearly 10,000 people flocked to Austin, which produced over $50 million in silver. Some of the oldest buildings in the state are still standing, like the Stokes Castle, the International Hotel and the Gridley Store.
A great meal and overnight accommodations will cap this day's ride. For more information on Austin, contact the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce at 775-964-2200, or visit www.austinnevada.com.
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| Day 4 - Wednesday, September 30 |
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Austin to Eureka - 70 miles - 2600' climbing
Day four starts with a quick warm-up ... the remaining climb up Austin Summit cresting at 7484' and over Bob Scott to Hickison Summit at 6584'. The remainder of the days' ride is mostly downhill, crossing wide-open valleys with vistas that go for 20 miles.
We'll arrive in Eureka for a great afternoon of exploring the many historic buildings, swimming in the Eureka pool and relaxing at the Best Western Eureka Inn, complete with hot tub.
In 1878, more than 9000 people resided in this mining community where lead was the principal product, making it the state's second largest city. Displays in the Eureka Sentinel Museum will give you a feel for the frontier life, and a visit to one of the six cemeteries is also an interesting side trip.
A home cooked meal is on tap for the evening and overnight accommodations. For more information on Eureka, contact the Eureka Chamber of Commerce at 775-237-5484, or visit www.co.eureka.nv.us.
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| Day 5 - Thursday, October 1 |
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Eureka to Ely - 79 miles - 3,900' climbing
America's Loneliest Bike Tour continues with another challenging day with four summits to cross. The first climb is up Pinto Summit at 7376'; the second is up Pancake Summit at 6,517'; then Little Antelope Summit at 7433' before lunch. We'll finish the day by climbing and descending the 7588' Robinson Summit into Ely.
Ely is the eastern gateway to "Loneliest Road in America" and is an outdoorsman's paradise offering hunting and fishing. It is one of the country's major copper & gold mining regions. You'll also find the Nevada Northern Railway Museum and the White Pine Public Museum that help tell the story of the region. We'll enjoy another western hospitality dinner and a night in (hopefully) the "Jailhouse" Motel... but the lure of some of the night spots and casinos may get the better of you. For more information on Ely, contact the White Pine Chamber of Commerce at 775-789-8877, or visit www.elynevada.org.
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| Day 6 - Friday, October 2 |
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Ely to the Utah Border, Baker & Great Basin National Park
75 miles - 3,300' climbing
Our final day of riding promises to be one of the most memorable of the tour. We'll depart Ely and climb over Conner Pass at 7,723' and continue over Sacramento Pass at 7,154'. We'll try to all gather at The Nevada/Utah border for a group picture at the Border Inn -- the end of the ride.
This is where the "Awe" gets put in the word "Awesome" ... You'll see the glacier fields of snow-capped Wheeler Peak at 13,063' and for the first 20, an optional tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Lehman Caves is offered. You've completed "One Awesome Tour Bike Ride Across Nevada - America's Loneliest Bike Tour." The fun begins with a great dinner and special awards will be given out to distinguished participants and everyone receives an "I Survived America's Loneliest Bike Tour" T-Shirt. All participants will be transported back to Ely to party.
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| Day 7 - Saturday, October 3 |
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The Return to Lake Tahoe
Breakfast is served early and all your gear & bikes will be loaded for the return trip to Lake Tahoe.
Deja Vu! Everything you rode over the past days will pass before your eyes in reverse. We'll make final stops in all our host communities, a no host lunch stop in Austin and last chance to pick up some Heart O' Gold's in Fallon. Most of all, a time to say goodbye to friends who have shared this experience of riding One Awesome Tour - Bike Ride Across Nevada. Approximate arrival time is 5:00 p.m. Overnight accommodations will be available at the Horizon Casino Resort (not included). Call 800-648-3322.
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Tour Training and Preparation
You and your bike should be in good shape before you attempt this ride. We average 80-plus miles per day. This tour should not be your training ride, but a culmination of your training effort throughout the year. Be sure to have your bicycle checked by your local bike shop prior to your departure. If needed, OATBRAN participants may ride a SAG wagon forward to the next rest stop or night's destination. Our SAG (and bike transport) capabilities are generally limited to standard single rider bikes which can be mounted on a standard roof rack; any participant who wants to ride a bike which is not compatible with this limitation (i.e., tandem, recumbent, etc.) must obtain our concurrence prior to the event (E-mail oatbran@sbcglobal.net).
Safety/Bicycle Rules of the Road
It is imperative for your safety, and the safety of all cyclists participating in OATBRAN, that the bicycle rules of the road are followed. Please review your "SPIN - Safe Pedaling In Nevada" pamphlet in your welcome packet to familiarize yourself with Nevada's Rules of the Road. TGFT reserves the right to expel participants unwilling to ride in a safe manner. Nevada State Highway Patrol monitors the ride and puts in many hours to assure a safe and enjoyable experience for all riders. Remember, they will issue tickets to those who violate the rules of the road. This applies to both bicyclists and motorists.
Rest Stops/Meals
Rest stops and lunch will be set up daily on the course, approximately 20 miles apart. It is important to drink water at regular intervals, before you feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration. Lunch will feature fresh fruits, pasta and potato salads and make-your-own sandwiches. A variety of breakfasts and dinners are prepared and served by local area service clubs and nonprofit organizations from each of the host communities. From pancake feeds to outdoor barbecues, you'll sample the true flavor of Nevada. Please indicate some of your food preferences.
Luggage
You are limited to 60 lbs. total luggage, and no bag over 35 lbs. All of your luggage must be marked and kept together for loading, unloading and transporting. All luggage will be self loaded and unloaded at the overnight location.
$1499 Total Fee ($1349 if paid in full by August 28, 2009)
Includes: 6 Nights -- with overnight accommodations, based on double occupancy. Vehicle parking for the week at Lake Tahoe (at the Horizon Casino Resort).
- 17 meals -- from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 - plus all food & beverages at 19 rest stops and daily after ride snacks & beverages
- OATBRAN Ride Jersey/Water Bottle
- OATBRAN welcome packet & goodie bag
- Prizes, awards and an "I Survived" OATBRAN T-Shirt at the end of the ride
- Full Sag and Tech Support
- Return transportation
Additional: Hotel lodging is available at the Horizon Casino Resort prior to the start and at end of the tour. Make arrangements directly by calling 800-648-3322. Identify yourself for a pre or post OATBRAN room package reservation.
Airport/Gateway: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is your gateway airport served by most major carriers. Ground Transportation is available on the South Tahoe Express or by rental car at the airport.
Bicycles can be shipped via UPS to Tahoe Sports Ltd., located one block from our host hotel. The shipping address is: 4008 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Call 530-542-4000 for details. Their staff will receive it, unpack it, rebuild it and do the same for shipping back to your home for nominal fee. Tahoe Sports Ltd. may also have rental bicycles available -- call them if you are interested in renting a bicycle for OATBRAN.
Weather: As for weather, generally it is perfect. Overnight lows are generally in the upper 30's and daytime highs are generally in the 70's. Skies are mostly clear to partly cloudy, and winds are generally prevailing tailwind. However, we've experienced headwinds, rain, below freezing temperatures, and highs into the 90's, so be prepared for any type of weather. Possible Camping Option: We may offer a partial camping option (at a reduced rate to be determined) if the motel tour is sold out, and if there is sufficient interest. Please E-mail us at oatbran@sbcglobal.net if you might be interested in this option. The camping nights will be at Fallon, Austin and Eureka only; the other tour nights will be regular motel tour nights.
Possible Partial Ride Option: For participants with schedule problems, we may offer the option to ride only some days of the ride if there is sufficient interest. Anyone riding only part of the ride is responsible for their own transportation to their start point and/or from their finish point; we only provide regular return transportation from the normal end of the ride at the Utah border back to Lake Tahoe (or to your start point on the route). Please note that there are neither buses nor any other form of public transportation along (or near) the ride route.
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