Dawg happily dives into the ice cold water to retrieve the stick. We all headed back to grab some dinner at the Burger Lounge and all had a spectacular day. The hiking options are endless and although we have other obligations in the short-term, I will send out more outdoor invitations very soon. However, our weekend activities didn't end here. After we left Mike and Beth we hiked a mile or so checking out a mountain perch to watch the Lake Tahoe Fireworks, and the next day we had a bike ride planned to the town of Walker.

Sunday being the last day of June, it was the last chance for us to complete the Strava monthly challenges. We both wanted to complete the June Gran Fondo (100km or more in one day). "Gran Fondo" is Italian for "surrender." Just kidding, it roughly translates to "Big Ride." The distance of the monthly Gran Fondo varies from month to month. To be totally honest, I should probably say "I wanted to complete the June Gran Fondo" :).

We started biking from our driveway at about 9:30am. I've come over Jack Wright Pass and turned onto HWY 395. You climb up again and then down past the State line and into the People's Republic of Taxifornistan. I stopped just past the ag check station to allow Andra to catch up. I always try to keep within radio range of Andra when we ride. With several cars and trucks, including trucks pulling trailers intentionally harassing me, I figured the same was happening to her. Yes, people intentionally drive over closer to you so they can intimidate you, often crossing onto the shoulder and rumble strips, blow their horns trying to frighten you while they video tape your reaction with their phones, throw things at you, etc. Times have changed folks, and human life has very little value in today's culture. Killing you for a "cool youtube" video is fine by them. Drivers get particularly outraged when you don't bike on the shoulder (past the white line). Idiot non-bikers don't understand that 1) we are legally entitled to bike "on the road" and 2) a cyclist cannot bike on 6 inches of poorly maintained asphalt on the opposite side of the rumble strip for miles on end without making a mistake and crashing. Image biking on a balance beam for miles with wind gusts, and RVs ripping past you suctioning you all over the place. The shoulder is also where all the staples, screws, nails and glass get flicked by cars driving the road. You can rest assured if the shoulder is in good condition, I will get as far into it as is safe to get a way from traffic. If I'm on the road, the shoulder is not safe and attempting to hit me with your trailer mirrors to "teach me a lesson" will land you in jail if caught.

 
After Andra caught up with me we exited onto a side road as soon as we could. Unfortunately, this road is fine for cars but a bone rattler on a bike. This section is actually the best it got. I'm looking off toward the town of Walker. The other mistake I made, is after waiting 15-20 minutes for Andra, I forgot to unpause Strava for 5 miles after leaving the ag check station. Now when we get home I will be short the mileage needed for the challenge.
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