When you wake up at the lowest point in North America and the home of the hottest recorded temperature on earth, the only way out is up and out before the sun gets to high. We woke up at 3:00 so that we could be on the road at first light around 5:15. It had been an incredible night because, despite the heat and wind that caused me to need to track down my inflatable pillow that had blown away, the clear sky and stars were some of the best I've ever seen. There were no clouds in the sky and no real cities nearby to let off any light, which just makes for perfect viewing conditions.
When we woke up at 3:00 the stars were still almost as incredible but sadly by 5:00 the sun had banished them. Instead Kalli and I had incredible views of the sun hitting the rock and sand for the start of our ride. We had left our campsite and turned left which was our one ten for the day. The ride into first lunch was really smooth with just two stops. The first stop was to cut off my speed sensor because it had slid a bit and was a bit distracting and the second was to admire some great sand dunes.
First lunch was then nice and early in the day due to our quick start and was not a long one. We knew the hardest part of the ride was right after lunch and we wanted to hit it before the sun could hear us up anymore Especially since it was already 100 degrees. Kalli and I began the climb and quickly were hitting our lowest gears bit was nice though since there was a great breeze (even if the air was hot) and we were bear a number of the rest of the team.
As we caught other members of the group it let us cheer people on or take quick breaks together. Alice had also made some great water drops which we've been doing with our spare coolers to allow for more refills along these extra hot days.
A few times near the top the two of us really needed breaks and we're happy we took them so we could turn back and admire what we were climbing and where we were. It was also cool to see a number of car groups covered in fabric material driving past in both directions a few times. We guessed and then later confirmed that they were using the same terrain that we were riding to test the limitation of cars that were under design and yet to be released, aka 2017 or beyond models.
The last few miles were then great the hill turned to slight rollers and the view made it clear that we were getting closer. When we finally saw a sign telling us test brakes ahead we realized that it meant there was a downhill ahead which meant we are near the top. The trailer was then up there and we took a nice second lunch break with a group of people who were near us in the pact. Josh was also kind enough to point out the summit was about 5000 ft and the morning had started about 200 ft below sea level, making our change in elevation about a mile at that point.
As we were leaving we reconsidered the test break sign and the sit denoting a steep 9%, 12ish mile downhill. I decided it was a good idea to put my bike computer back on so I could get my speed data on the way down. I am glad I did because it was an amazing descent. I had to break a lot into all of the turns and did to make sure I was safe, but then there was a great straight stretch and I managed to reach my new high speed. I finally broke 50 mph, I hit 50.9 and the second I realized I was over it I sat up and began slowing. I wanted to hit 50, but didn't need to go any faster or stay above 50 for longer than I needed to. We coasted the last bit of the ride with a small 100 or so foot climb into Panamint Springs.
We spent the afternoon there enjoying the one restaurant and grocery store that had great burgers and milkshakes. We relaxed in the shade for hours and then I ride back to lunch with Alice in search for data and a "missing cooler." I didn't find data but used a small bit of wifi and a pay phone in order to work on some housing stuff for DC. It was fun to use the pay phone since its been quite awhile since I'd done that. Afterwards we found the cooler was actually not there but hidden under the bags back at the campsite. So we just filled up on gas, I bought some ice to ice my knees and we headed back to Panamint. I will also day driving up the hill we'd climbed that morning in about 2 hours less time was quite disappointing.
Back at the campsite i iced my knees then hangout in shade until dinner. We had some ramen and an assortment of toppings and mix-ins. Brian, Margaret, Alice, and I then watched an episode of game of thrones that Brian had previously downloaded. It was a great end to a night, but the night wasn't over once again we were sleeping tentless and under the stars.