Day 4: Searchlight to Castle Peaks, Mojave National Preserve by bicycle
A wave of happiness sets in when I set up camp at the end of Castle Peaks Road. Back in Searchlight, I was starting to feel a bit "bla." 26 bicycle miles and about 2000 feet of elevation gain. I drink about 3 litres of water and eat two energy bars on today's ride, plus some chocolate (yum!).
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Date: May 18, 2011, 08h01
Size: 56 items
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Breakfast in Searchlight means McDonald's again (ugh); I admire the old Colton Mine headframe on the way back to my motel room
I kept waking up with weird dreams all night long, but always fell back asleep instantly. I have a "big breakfast" (scrambled eggs, hotcakes, biscuit, sausage and hash-brown patty) plus an extra Egg McMuffin.
Date: May 18, 2011, 08h01
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Looking down the street in Searchlight, I can see the forecast rain clouds hovering over the mountains where I'll be headed soon
I'm a bit apprehensive about today's ride to the New York Mountains since the winds are still really strong, and sporadic thunderstorms are in the day's forecast.
Date: May 18, 2011, 08h33
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I think I'm leaving the Searchlight motel early, but the cleaning woman also arrives early, reminding me that check-out is 10h
Ooops, for some reason I thought check-out was 11h. No problem, I'm on my way out anyway... I pack up the 10-ton bike and add a full load of water on my front rack, making for heavy steering today, and off I go.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h08
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My first stop upon leaving the Searchlight motel is the old mining residences just across the road
This house is fairly large and has an interesting "eye" window protruding from the hipped roof.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h26
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Nearby is a second building, a small cabin: all this in "downtown Searchlight"
The small, later addition built onto the front of the cabin is about half as large as the cabin itself!
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h28
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In the backyard sits a small outbuilding
The wires leading to it tell that it even had electricity.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h29
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A major luxury...
There's even a bit of sunshine in here.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h30
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Another luxury: an old hot water heater
Today's water heaters are wider than these old narrow ones. All design standards seem to evolve over the years...
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h30
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And perhaps the biggest luxury of them all: electricity
The wiring here is the old knob-and-tube style, which one still occasionally finds in a functional state in old houses.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h30
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From behind the old miner's cabin, I look across the highway to last night's Searchlight motel
Nice cholla-cactus and creosote-bush garden!
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h31
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OK, time to start today's ride; I start riding down Nevada 164 into the grey clouds
Not only do I have a headwind, but it's a bit chilly today and it looks like it's raining on my route ahead (and I don't have a raincoat). I'm wearing my sweater, which I wouldn't expect to need in the Mojave Desert sunshine in late May.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h35
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I spot a nice clump of pink buckwheat flowers along Highway 164 on the way out of Searchlight
Suddenly, while checking my cell phone, I realize that I had a one-hour time-zone change while I was in Searchlight. I hadn't even noticed, since my life out here isn't all that time-oriented.
Date: May 18, 2011, 10h53
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From Nevada 164, I zoom in across the valley and see some rain clouds over the Castle Peaks, my destination today
The wet-weather system looks like it's moving off to the right (north). Good!
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h07
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As I head into the clouds on Nevada 164, I see a little sunny spot on the road ahead
Will the sunny spot still be there when I reach that point? The headwind here is pretty strong and makes for slow, awkward riding. But I'm in no rush, just enjoying the ride and the scenery.
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h19
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Indeed, the sunny spot on Nevada 164 stays put and I ride into it
The skid marks on the road go well with the deer-crossing warning sign. Some nice yellow blooms, probably desert marigolds, decorate the roadside here. I'll turn left at Walking Box Ranch Rd, just ahead.
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h36
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I reach Walking Box Ranch Road and it's time to ride up that way and leave pavement for a few days
Despite the sunshine, I'm getting a few rain sprinkles here. If it starts raining in earnest, I may need to take shelter somewhere around the Walking Box Ranch buildings just up the road.
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h44
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A row of 6 SUVs has stopped by the Walking Box Ranch, apparently preparing for a ride into the rain clouds ahead, like me
Perhaps a 4WD group ride? One of them is carrying a bicycle on the vehicle. The drivers are busy talking. I take a break nearby, but don't interrupt their party.
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h51
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I take a short break over by the Walking Box Ranch entrance; it's not open to the public, but it's nice to look at
There are still a few rain sprinkles, but not enough to matter. Desert rain always smells great. I eat a Clif bar, change my GPS batteries, and transfer some water to my Camelbak, which is already down to the halfway level.
Date: May 18, 2011, 11h53
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