As noted, the 'loneliest highway' is a bit of a misnomer. But it is a nice route.

I dunno if it's gonna be all that hot either.... I suppose it depends on gear and what you have survived in the past. I went through 122 deg in Death Valley in July and came out ok.

Personally, I don't think the wet cotton sweatshirt or tee shirt is a good idea. Cotton holds 1.5 times it's own weight in water. Superabsorbant polymer holds 800 times it's weight in water. Get the right gear and you will be smiling the whole way. Here's what I do...

80 deg + --> time for a mesh jacket. Usually I need a tinted shade too because of the sun's glare.

90 deg + --> I pull out my evaporative bandana. Keeping your neck cool means all the blood rushing to your head is cooled, which really helps the body cool down. Usually I put on lip balm too.

100 deg + --> Mesh pants, darker tint sunshade, evaporative vest, and a hydration system. I also use fingerless gloves (that gonna piss some ppl off! )

110 deg + --> I start pouring water on my legs and head at rest stops.

120 deg + --> cripes that hot! Although the evaporative gear kept me going I had to stop every half hour to pour water on my legs and in my boots. The heat coming off the road felt like it was cooking my feet, I bet it was 160 deg + at the road surface.

Northern Nevada isn't gonna get that hot. You will be fine.


evap bandana = $3
MiraCool® Evaporative Cooling Bandanas - Individual Colors: IndustrialSafetyGear.com


evap vest = $31
Amazon.com: Chill-Its 6665 Evaporative Cooling Vest, Gray, Large: Home Improvement



btw- I carry a bag large enough to hydrate the vest, but I've also used restroom sinks and even a stream or a lake. Be sure you dry the evap gear completely before storing it or mold will form.

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06 DL1000

Yes, and make it a long sleeved heavy t-shirt (6oz or better).

Whatever you do, don't wear mesh or you will roast. I made that mistake across west TX - once.

My experience with a cooling vest was dismal at best. It completely blocks air circulation around your torso, there's no cooling on arms and shoulders, it saturates your waistline. I gave it away and went back to the vented jacket and wet T.

Forgot to add that said t-shirt should be 100% cotton, no synthetic blends.

There's no bum advice in any of what has been said. I've been the route a number of times and I actually enjoy it. Lots to see and do if you are into that sort of thing.

Stop at the Chamber of Commerce office in Ely and pick up the "Official Highway 50 Survival Challenge" booklet. Get it stamped at one of the participating businesses in Ely, Eureka, Austin, Fallon and Fernley, and you will get a nice enameled pin, a CD audio tour guide to the highway and a certificate. Kinda fun, and it forces you to get off the bike once in a while and stretch.