Thursday June 15, 2006 0 miles - Total so far: 581 miles

Ely provided us with a much-needed day of rest and an opportunity to tune up our bikes at a great bike shop which we recommend to other cyclists. Sportsworld, on Aultman St., has a good bike mechanic named Chad Ogden, who tore apart and regreased my squeaky rear hub and also had some good advice for Gene, who's shifter was acting up.

Ely is a thriving mining community since copper mines have reopened in recent years. It also houses a railroad museum and offers rides on a vintage train. Most notable to me, The Ely Renaissance Society has contracted numerous artists to paint more than 20 murals of various historical subjects on downtown buildings. I was very impressed with both the quantity and quality of murals...with subjects of local interest, such as the pony express, a Basque sheepherder, and a mining mural showing the diversity of workers needed to operate a mine. I know of no other small town that has invested so much in creating an outdoor art experience to benifit locals and tourists alike.