My goal yesterday was to do the RMT twice for a toal of 69 miles. Here's how my trip went.
I ate a big breakfast, cliff bar and beef jerky on the way to the trailhead. I parked just outside of Lake Mead entrance station near Lake Las Vegas. Temp was 72 at 7:30 and just a hint of a breeze-perfect. I packed spare tubes, CO2, a few small tools, some Hammer gels and 2 bottles of water into my small backpack. I also had two 24 oz. bottles on my bike.
I started my first loop going towards Lake Mead, clockwise. There were a few sections where deep sand from flooding had covered the trail near mile 18 I think. Someone had placed plywood sheets over the sand at one point, thanks. As I started up the big hill from the visitor center, I joined up with another rider on a single speed road bike! No down-shifting for that guy. We chatted for a few miles and he left the trail at Boulder City. Where the trail turns into the concrete wash, all the hairs on my body stood up as I was surprised to see a big horn sheep, a ram with big horns. I gave him a cautious look as I peddled past him. I then threw a Cliff bar in his direction to distract him-JUST KIDDING! I did not think that I would see one so close to the city. I took a short break near Railroad Pass to slurp down a gel, and refill the bottles on my bike from the bottles in my pack. I cruised over the sisters and through the nice new tunnels back to the truck.
At the truck, I pounded a Rockstar cola, grabbed 4 fresh bottles of cold water and decided to do the loop again. I was feeling great!
The ride was easy until the big hill from the visitor center-again. As I reached the point in the trail where I previously saw the big horn ram, he was waiting for me-with about 30 of his friends and family. They were on both sides of the trail set up like an ambush. They were enjoying the freshly watered grass that borders the trail/concrete wash. I stopped and wondered if I should proceed. People along the highway were stopping in the construction zone to take pics of all the big horn sheep, or waiting for me to get rammed off of my bike. I waited and wondered if this was going to turn into a gory video for the internet enthusiasts. I heard a police siren from behind and was happy to see a patrol car coming up the wash behind me. He was there to drive the herd away from civilization, or protect the lone rider amongst the wild sheep. I waved thanks, and found strength in my legs to quickly ride away from that gang of thugs. Same old stop at Railroad Pass and back to the truck. I accomplished my goal for the day, and I was feeling it in the legs.
At the parking lot I found what looked like a very nice complete front wheel that someone had accidentally forgot. I don't know the name brand, but it was light and just looked real nice. I packed up my stuff, and chewed on another Cliff bar wondering if the missing owner would return. As I started to put my seat belt on, I noticed an SUV pull up and some dude was looking desperate. I knew what he wanted and was happy to return his wheel, or his wife's wheel, and she looked happy too.
At the end it was 90 degrees. First loop took 2 hours 34 minutes. Second loop took 2 hours 44 minutes. I consumed all of the water-160 oz. Maybe next spring I will do it 3 times in one day!
Reply With Quote
