General Cycling Discussion - Speechless after a great Tour through Nevada.

Today I returned from my year of preparing for my most recent bike tour... you are just overwhealmed/ speechless by almost 450 miles of great cyclists' commaradie, great scenery, great climbs and descents, and wilderness. The residents of the "Loneliest Road" took great pains to welcome us and acted as a welcoming host.. We ran into locals not affiliated with the organization expecting us and welcoming us all. Complementing our determination..
I did the Bike the West's "Oatbran tour.." The organizer made it like a rolling party. The best part, I can feel my legs have turned closer to steel.. The sponsor took great care of us. Saw to all our needs and made it effortless and fun..
But the people and scenery create so many memories, It is difficult to focus on why we feel so good about 35 new cyclists coming together and sharing ideal cycling conditions for one week..
At the weeks end, the chief organizer made the last night an awards dinner. To the most dedicated cyclist went a box of Oatbran Cereal. This cyclist traveled 1,000 miles on a recumbent to even get to the 450 mile tour.. This brave gentleman of 71 years stood to a enthusiatic ovation of appreciative cyclists who stood in unision to this man's committment to cycling..As we all racked up our bikes for the return to the starting point by van, we all took a moment of quiet time, realizing all great things have to come to an end.
Finally, the joy of this spectularily planned cycling event can only be witnessed by the fact that about 1/3 of the riders are repeat customers to this spectular event. Some have done it as many as 4 years in a row.. Hope I can do it again next year. More later when I collect my thoughts about what made this group ride so memorable.. Every thing was so perfect- weather, roads, people, scenery, food. That is what cycling is about to me. Appreciating all this planet has to offer- if we take the time to look- instead of speeding by life on the freeway to nowhere.

Thanks for the nice report.

So, a 72 year young gentleman biked 1,000 miles to participate in a 450 mile tour!! That is dedication. Gives me some goals, if I ever beat this Trigeminal Neuralgia demon.

Thanks Denver Fox for saying 'Cycling is like flying'.. So true as you descend down a perfectly straight grade into the undiscovered distance..
That is exactly the feeling I can relate to as we stood atop any one of the 8 mountain summits we crossed- as we rode across the "Great Basin."
Atop the Summit you could smell the Juniper and Sagebrush and look down on a rolling valley, probably 20 miles across and as long as the eye can see. Eagles flying off cliffs. The sight of a road winding these uninhibated valleys as far as the eye can see and knowing that is your route to the next summit..Even though you can't quite see it's end, since it is too distant. And taht the route tranversing the valley would disappear before you would see it enter the next pass.
Next the unhurried people of these ancient mining towns living the more peaceful life.. The patchy clouds with sun drapping into pristine valleys.. Entering old west opera houses with the signatures of performers of over the past 1 and 1/2 century, reading their signatures and commentaries and wondering who they were. Favorite saying atttributed to a performer of the early 1900's- "Thank God we do not have to mine for coffee." These signatures on the stairwell wall, behind the stage..
Denver Fox this was like riding through time. I can't but anticipate the next bike tour and wondering if it could possibly be topped..