Day 9 – Over Walker Pass 🚴‍♂️ 55 miles ↗️ 3,074' ↘️ 3,432' I started the day feeling pretty wiped from the windstorm the night before. Sleep was rough, and I was anxious to get moving—another round of high winds was in the forecast, and I wanted to get out of the canyon before it hit. The first stretch of the ride was relatively flat, winding along the base of the mountains until Canebrake, where the real climbing began. From there, it was a steady 3,000-foot ascent up to Walker Pass. It felt harder than climbs earlier in the trip, partly from the fatigue and partly from the heat kicking in as I gained elevation. Eventually, and thankfully, I made it to the top. The descent on the other side was fast and rewarding, dropping me into the heart of the Mojave. The landscape changed quickly—suddenly I was in a real desert, with dry air, open roads, and the kind of silence you only find in wide, empty places. I made it into Ridgecrest by afternoon and found a quiet spot in town to stay for the night. Tomorrow will be a rest day to recover and make final preparations for the upcoming stretch through Death Valley. We’ve officially passed the halfway point toward the fundraising goal, and I couldn’t be more thankful. The amount of support this ride has already received is incredible, and it’s a huge boost as I head into the tougher stretches ahead. Thank you to everyone who’s donated, shared, or followed along—it truly makes a difference. If you’d 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.