Day 64: Is something burning?

Baker, NV to Ely, NV — 61.7 mi, 4469 ft

I woke up super sick, unprepared to bike. It was the first day where I would have to SAG on a non-mandatory basis. Or was it? The potential savior of my pride was a wildfire that was blowing smoke into the valleys through which we needed to bike. Nunu transported me to Ely as the rest of the team monitored the air quality. As it increased steadily into “very unhealthy” ranges, they decided to call off today’s route. I’m someone who values the sanctity of our cross-country crossing, and introducing discontinuity into our route typically upsets. However, I was not at all upset about this one, because there was no way I could have biked- I was so sick. And this way, I can upkeep my record of not having any non-entire-team sags.

I’m writing this blog a little while after the trip ended. Our schedule in Nevada became very very tough- as you’ll soon find out… eventually. It’s a little too far back to give a typical detailed chronological play-by-play. So, I’m going to pivot a bit.

Once I got to Ely, Nunu left to go shuttle the bikers through the wildfire smoke. Meanwhile, the pile of over-the-counter medicine I consumed was starting to relieve some of my symptoms, so I gathered up the energy to walk to the Carl’s Jr in the gas station across the street from the high school that was hosting us. 

I ate a bacon cheeseburger as I talked to some of the dozens of firefighters who were on lunch break. It tasted surprisingly good, which made me think… I should write a burger ranking blog. I ate a lot of cheeseburgers on the trip, so this list will not be comprehensive. If I don’t remember the burger, then it probably doesn’t belong here anyways.

  5.   In-n-Out.

Following my well-documented In-n-out experience in CO Springs, I figured I had to include it on this list for the sake of giving my opinion on In-n-Out burgers. I think that In-n-Out is like the Chick-fil-a of burgers. People like it because it’s a consistent, easy, cheap, and reliable 6/10 meal. Not because its a great burger.

  4. Dairy Queens throughout Virginia.

There were so many Dairy Queens in Virginia. I feel like dairy queen gives you everything you need for a biking day. Burgers, Fries, Soda, Ice Cream. DQ makes the list because somehow, the burgers always come out hot and fresh. I like how they mix up the types of cheese on the double. 

      3.  Freddy’s in Colorado Springs.

This chain never disappoints. Smashburgers hit so hard on a biking trip. I really loved their shoe string fries. You can grab like 20 of them at a time and dip them in the jalapeno fry sauce. Super tasty… earning number 3.

      2.  TJ’s Mainstreet Grill in Overbrook, Kansas

In the era of private equity owned restaurants, finding a quality non-fast-food burger can be tough on the wallet. TJ’s really impressed me with the value. A double bacon cheeseburger will set you back $7. I was expecting them to bring out a burger with 2 dimes as patties. I couldn’t be more wrong. Between the buns layed 2 massive ⅓ pound patties and a generous portion of juicy bacon. It wasn’t just the value that sets this burger apart, it was the taste as well. Truly the most magnificent way to finish a 90 mile day, earning the number 2 spot

1. Milt’s in Moab Utah.

When I finished my ride into Moab the morning after our storm delay, I rode past this white shack that looked kinda like the old retro McDonalds but without the arches. The smell from outside captured me, and I couldn’t take my mind off of the idea of eating a burger there. Later, at our AirBnB, I convinced the rest of the team to have our lunch there. Our team, particularly the female members of our team, seem to have a problem with burgers. They’ll hype up dry pasta and reheated lasagna every day like it’s cocaine but turn their cheek to a delectable cheeseburger (I think they are being performative). I don’t know what their deal is. Anyways, this is the first time I’ve seen them all united in pure pleasure and satisfaction at the taste of a burger, earning it my number 1 spot.