Start time: 6am

The stage begins on Highway 95, 15 miles south of Fallon, near the Top Gun Raceway

Estimated arrival time: TBD

The stage concludes at the Berlin Ichthyosaur Campground

Kudos to you for tackling the beast of the AD 250 Relay across Nevada. 105 miles of central Nevada in the middle of July! Be sure to pre-hydrate.

The first 17 miles move steadily eastward, following the old Pony Express Trail along mostly flat, dirt tracks. Along the way, you'll pass the remains of the Wildcat Pony Express Station, cross Bass Flat, and--in the lone, modest ascent--traverse Simpson Pass. As you approach the Salt Wells Basin, the track veers southward, and it will continue in that direction for the next 34 miles. This section begins with a 1500-foot ascent, though it's spread across 8-9 miles. This section has few landmarks and many intersecting dirt roads, so keep a close eye on the gps. After passing the old town site of Rawhide (little if anything remains to be seen), you'll merge onto Ryan Canyon Rd, having descended back down most of those 1500 feet.

Turning left on Rawhide Wd, a southeastward-moving section kicks in, leading 20 miles through Finger Rock Wash to Route 361 (Gabbs Valley Road). After passing through the small town of Gabbs, this 12-mile stretch on 361 concludes, as you turn right onto Ione Road (Route 844). This includes the most strenuous part of the ride, climbing 2400 feet in 7 miles as you pass through Menter Canyon. Finally, you'll fork off Route 844 for the final approach to Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park.

Support: A support vehicle will be accessible at Salt Wells (13 miles), Ryan Canyon Rd (42 miles), Route 844 and Rawhide (72 miles), and Gabbs (84 miles). Water will be available to top off bottles, along with all necessary participant gear. However, you should be prepared with enough water/food to carry you through, especially if unforeseen road conditions prevent the support vehicle from reaching you at one of these checkpoints.