Three days down, three days to go. Out of the mountains, into the wide open spaces of eastern California, as we head ever further southward, straight for Death Valley, and beyond that, our ultimate destination, the glittering, surreal oasis of Las Vegas.

Part 1: It has been over three months since Ashley and I took part in our biggest adventure yet on bikes - a six day ride with Specialized from the Big S's headquarters in Morgan Hill, California to the Dirt Demo at Interbike in Las Vegas - almost 700 miles away. It was a trip to remember, and since it's snowing outside right now, and there's no riding to be done, I'm remembering.