Last night I began feeling a little anxious about today’s ride because it was going to be across the vastness of nothingness called the Great Basin. It is actually called the Red Desert by most locals. This section of the GDMBR can be very challenging depending on the temperature, wind and rain. Any unfavorable condition can make for a long couple days.

Looking at the weather forecast for the bookends, Atlantic City and Rawlins, it seems the wind would be favorable as it would be out of the west. The forecasted temperatures for both towns were not what we would call hot for summer and no rain was forecasted. If I get up and get going, I should be good to make it to A&M Reservoir, the second reliable water source in the Great Basin, for the night.

I was up and climbing the .64 mile and 345 foot hill out of Atlantic City by 5:20 am this morning and there is no better way to get the heart rate and heavy breathing going than a nice climb straight out of the gate. Once on top, the journey across the Red Desert began.

The Diagnus Well would be my first planned stop to top off water for the remainder of the day. I had finished only one bottle by the time I arrived, so the stop was relatively short as I also took off all the cold weather gear.

With about 58 more miles to go, it was time to settle into a nice rhythm and enjoy the scenery. The Great Basin in my mind’s eye prior to actually riding through would be seen as a desolate and sandy brownish landscape. I was completely wrong again as the recent rains and cooler temperatures has made for a place with healthy looking sagebrush and greenery more common than I could have imagined.

Once out in the middle of it all, I could not help to think that this remote place would cause some to feel lonely. I ride solo and enjoy doing so, but in reality, I am never alone. I thought about my kids and Erin almost the entire morning and reliving memories that we have created together as a family. If you have a family that supports you, then you are never alone, my friend, even in a place such as the Red Desert.

Speaking of not being alone, I ran across two brothers that are also headed my direction. It was nice to ride with them for a while before pushing on towards my destination.

I did get to experience about five miles into a nice tailwind that just happens to be in your face. I could not imagine fighting the winds today going the opposite direction.

A few miles from my destination and I saw four wild horses off in the distance and I stopped and watched for a while. It is so amazing to see such beautiful creatures especially when out in such a remote place on earth.

I am currently at the reservoir sitting in my chair impatiently waiting for the wind to die down so perhaps I can put up my tent for the night. All my water bottles have been filled and today was an amazing day despite all the anxiety I had beforehand.