Day Eight

Day 8 began early. We woke up to very cool and windy morning, temps in the high 40’s. We put on our chaps and heavy coats for the first time. We rode a couple of miles down the road to Bicknell (Utah) for gas. Our route headed north to catch U.S 50 just north of Aurora, UT.




We left U.S. 50 in Colorado on Sunday to ride in the canyons of Utah. Now we are back on this highway and will stay on it until we swing down to Yosemite N.P.

U.S. 50 through Nevada is known as “The Loneliest Road in America”, but 50 through West Utah was lonelier. At one time we rode 25 miles before we saw another vehicle. Initially our plans were to ride to Eureka, NV and spend the night, but with 70 mph speed limits and nothing but open road ahead, we decided to keep going.

Here are a couple of pictures of Graham cruising down 50 in central Nevada at 70+ mph.





U.S. 50 through Nevada has nine mountain summits and passes through canyons and vast stretches of desert basins including sand dunes, salt flats and one of the world’s largest copper pits near Ely. It travels much the same general route as the early Pony Express Riders that rode to Sacramento, CA.


We needed to keep track of our gas and distances to major towns because there were stretches of 120 miles to the next gas station. We finished the day riding 565 miles, arriving at Fallon, NV at 5:15 p.m. I had decided long ago that we would be spending the night in a hotel so that we could watch the MLB All Star Game. Dinner was Arby’s.

In Eureka, NV, I checked the tire pressures on both bikes and found that my rear tire was wearing unusually fast. I had them checked before we left and was assured that it might have to be replaced before we got home but never thought it would wear so fast. I made a call to Carson City Harley Davidson (nearest H.D. dealer) and made an appointment for Wed. morning. We’ll be there when they open up and should be on the road again before noon.

We’re not sure what the next few days hold. We will spend some time in Lake Tahoe area and head to Yosemite N.P. We don’t have reservations, but hope that we can get a campsite. Not sure when the next posting will be – stay tuned. Ride safe and so will we.