Today we left Fallon, Nevada on Route 50 heading West, nicknamed “the Loneliest Road in America”. We’re properly in the desert now and the landscape is surreal. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot out here, except for (inexplicably) the U.S. Navy. We passed a lot of signs for various Navy bases and facilities. But. It’s a land-locked desert. So.
“There are no points of interest. We don’t recommend it. We warn all motorists not to drive there unless they’re confident of their survival skills.” – Life Magazine, 1986, on Route 50 in Nevada
We biked 50 miles and stopped at the only place in a 110 mile stretch of Route 50 - Middlegate Station.
Much like Ham’s Station, where we spent the night while climbing the Sierra Nevada, Middlegate Station is a restaurant with limited lodging that also allows camping. We’re camping in our camper tent in the back. We were pleasantly surprised to find they also have (cold) showers available!
Historically, Middlegate Station was a station on the Pony Express.
Highlights
- Wild scenery
- Unexpected opportunity to shower
Lowlights
Julie’s food
- Breakfast: oatmeal and coffee
- First Snack: Clif bar
- Second snack: power bar
- Lunch: peanut butter banana sandwich, hummus and crackers
- Dinner: veggie burger and fries from Middlegate Station
Stats
- Total distance: 49.25 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,447 feet
- Weather: hot and dry, high of 88 degrees Fahrenheit