Bicyclist on his way to Vegas

Ian Macartney began his trip in Los Angeles in May and rode through Ely a short time later on his way to Utah.

He then did a giant loop through Wyoming, Montana, British Columbia, Washington and Idaho before heading through Ely a second time last week.

"On the entire journey, Ely is the single city I will revisit," he told the Ely Daily News. "Ely is a traveler's crossing point."

From Ely, Macartney will head south to the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, Ariz., before going to Las Vegas. Plans call for him to cross Death Valley before wrapping up his trip Nov. 30 in Los Angeles.

Macartney, a former geography teacher, said he averages 300 miles per week, and rides for the challenge and adventure.

"I have twin ambitions for the years ahead: to cycle 100,000 miles worldwide and write a book on the experiences," he said.

Last year, Macartney spent five months riding across Scandinavia that included 40 days of continuous sunlight above the Arctic Circle.

This year, he bicycled 3,900 miles across New Zealand before coming to America.

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