I felt like going over the Auston Summit was my first real “pass” experience like I’m used to in Colorado. Actual switchback! I have been very fortunate to have nice cycling weather. Even needing long sleeves in the morning and then having the temp no more than upper 60’s to mid 70’s.
I encountered literally hundreds, or even thousands, of these on the highway. They were either walking along, hoping along or seeming to either dragging or eating their dead, or what looked like having sex. Some were dark brown; some were more of a reddish brown. I haven’t a clue what they are, but my guess is something within the beetle family.
I met a great group of riders from the San Francisco Bay area riding across the US to Washington, DC as a fund raiser for people with disabilities. Their group is called “The Ability Experience”. It is a group of about 15 colleges or recently college graduates. I had actually come across two of their support people outside of Sacramento. It was fun to meet them and chat about their mission and mine. They were being supported by SAG (Support and Gear) so as we departed, they moved along quite a bit faster than a more “senior” cyclist with 30 pounds on his bike.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Ely. Four climbs and 77 miles. But tomorrow afternoon, Diane will be joining me for the rest of this adventure. She is going to SAG for me as well as be my companion.