Man attempts third crossing of Pony Express Trail

Monday, April 20, 1998 | 10:24 a.m.

Now, the Sacramento, Calif., man is trying to become the first person to cover it by mountain bike.

Nardone left on the journey from San Francisco last week and was expected to reach Fallon by Wednesday. He plans to ride 50 miles a day, Monday through Friday, and take eight weeks to complete the trek.

Nardone said he'll ride all 800 miles of the route that remains in an original state and take the nearest roads for the rest.

The Pony Express enjoyed brief fame in 1860 and 1861. It involved a relay team of lone riders who saw the mail through from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento.

Nardone is carrying commemorative envelopes canceled with a postmark from the Sacramento Post Office.

The Pony Express Trail Association sold the envelopes to generate funding to preserve, mark and map the trail.

The Pony Express was rendered obsolete by the telegraph.

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