Day 7 – Into the Mountains 🚴‍♂️ 63.9 miles ↗️ 7,151' ↘️ 4,749' This was the best ride of the trip so far. I left Delano and took Highway 155 all the way up to Lake Isabella. The route climbs steadily from the Central Valley into the Sequoia National Forest, and the scenery was nothing short of stunning. I went from wide-open farmland into rolling foothills, and then into dense forest with tall trees and flowing mountain streams. The higher I climbed, the more beautiful it got. The climbing was consistent and solid—over 7,000 feet of gain—and the road itself was smooth and quiet. If you ever get the chance to cycle Highway 155, I highly recommend it. It’s a tough climb, but absolutely worth it. The descent into Lake Isabella was fast, flowing, and completely empty of traffic. As I dropped out of the forest, the landscape opened up into a dry, desert-like basin surrounding the lake. I rolled in just as the sun was setting behind the mountains and set up camp on the lakeshore. The campground was excellent—right on the edge of the water, well kept, and almost completely empty. There were great tent sites with plenty of space and quiet. It was the perfect end to a big day in the saddle. I was blown away by how awesome the day was and fell asleep almost immediately after crawling into the tent. We just passed $5,000 raised, which means we’re already halfway to the goal—and the ride isn’t even a quarter of the way done. I’m blown away by the level of support. Thank you to everyone who’s donated, shared, or cheered me on. It really means a lot to know so many people are behind this cause, and it keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward every day. If you would like to help spread the word, please share the fundraiser with your friends and family. Every share helps raise awareness and makes a difference. https://gofund.me/730f7a59 I also started posting more trip updates and photos on Instagram if you want to follow along there too: @briangreeson Thanks again for all the support. I’m really looking forward to sharing more of this ride with you and keeping everyone updated as the journey continues. And as always, keep on pedaling.