I've been really busy, traveling for work, and haven't been able to rally at all. When my calendar opened up for the weekend of August 9th, I went into full planning mode. My normal response would be to visit all the monuments in California, but the wide-open spaces of Nevada, plus a chance to visit my daughter in Las Vegas, made the choice to visit all the sites in Nevada the goal. In addition, the Iron Butt Association has an enhanced Saddle-sore 1000 for the Tour of Honor, so Nevada it is.
I put together a route that started in Fremont, CA, and ended in Las Vegas, NV. It entered Nevada at Reno, circled around the top and east of the state. I packed the bike, filled the hydration system, and got a few hours of sleep, before a 2AM start.
2AM came quickly. I was out to my local gas station for a first receipt, but the pumps were locked. Found a different station, filled up and was on the way at 2:27. Zero traffic made quick work of the segment over Donner Pass to Sparks. Dawn was just starting to crack as I reached the first memorial at 5:55 AM.
NV1 is the Fireman's Prayer Memorial, located in the Sparks Memorial Park. The grieving firefighter memorial was spearheaded by Sparks Fire Department Capt. Barry Hagen, to establish a permanent tribute to the men and women of the local fire department and its rich 102-year-old history.
Next, it was off to the Playa , north of Gerlach. I turned off of I-80, stopped for gas, and began heading up past Pyramid Lake. Unfortunately, they were putting down new oil and gravel. It was one way, wait for the pilot car. After about ten minutes, we got our turn and slowly covered about 5 miles. Passed through Gerlach, and found the turnoff to Guru Lane.
NV2 is the Iron Butt Memorial.
Arrived at 8:02AM. So many names that mean so much the the long distance riding community. Very well maintained, and a beautiful view out across the Playa. I wonder how many thousands of Burning Man visitors have any idea this is here?
Next stop, Winnemucca, Nevada. Just north of I-80 on 95, is the Veterans Memorial Park, NV3 on the Tour of Honor. Arrived at 11:03AM
Some very cool hardware in the park. Two tanks, a jet and a Huey! A quick picture, gas stop, and I'm off to Carlin, NV
Lots of standing water along the roadside - there must have been rains overnight. My radar was picking up rain activity all over the desert. Rode through a small shower. No lightning :)
NV4 - LCDR Richard C Perry Memorial
Arrived about 12:52 PM . "On August 31, 1967, Carlin native Richard Perry was piloting an A-4E, leading a third day of airstrikes over Haiphong, North Vietnam, when he was struck by a surface-to-air missile. He parachuted into the Tonkin Gulf, but a helo rescue swimmer declared him KIA before evacuating without Perry's body because of shore bombardments. Perry’s remains were found and returned to the U.S. 20 years later."
The site is in the middle of a busy park, with lots of softball games going on. I wonder if anyone read this?
Next, it was on to Wendover, NV to visit the 509th Composite Group Memorial. I stopped for fuel, and there were lots of strange and cool hotrods from all eras around the station. Later I found out it was speed week at nearby Bonneville Salt Flats, but rain flooded the flats, cancelling the speed runs.
NV5 - 509th Composite Group Monument
Arrived at 2:34 PM. Starting to get a little hot out.
I've visited other parts of the 509th's history before, like the hangar where the Enola Gay was prepped for the first atomic missions.
Northern Nevada complete. Now for a fast ride down 93 into Las Vegas. The desert was beautiful and fragrant with sage. The recent rains had boosted the greenery a little. Spotty cloud cover and random rain kept things cooler as I rode down into the Mojave basin. I stopped for fuel north of Las Vegas, then headed in to the next memorial.
NV6 - Peace Officers Memorial
I arrived here about dusk, 7:52 PM. Still well over 100 degrees, with some humidity tossed in for fun.
Now it was time for a trip across town to Boulder City
NV7 - Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Memorial
I arrived at 8:39 PM. I almost missed the memorial at first, because the picture looked different and I thought it was at ground level.
I had visited all of Nevada's Tour of Honor sites. I found a nearby gas station, and got a receipt to finish the Saddle-sore documentation at 9:04 PM. Then I headed for my daughter's apartment.
After all the riding in desert heat, the toughest part was stopping in Las Vegas heat, waiting for lights and traffic. Once I arrived at the apartment and got the bike stowed, I was exhausted. Plenty of water, and a shower fixed that up.
Statistics
The ride covered 1240 miles
Started: 2:27 AM
Finished: 9:04 PM
Map:
I highly recommend the Tour of Honor. Its a great reason to ride and a better cause.
The next day, I left at 8:30, on a more relaxed pace back to Fremont. Altogether 1750+ miles for the weekend., and kept close to my schedule. Good practice for the upcoming Cal24!
