7-14 Tuesday

Dubois, WY to the Colter Bay Campground in the Grand Teton National Park - 60.12 miles

Well I managed to forget my camera in trailer charging again. It's only the third time this trip so not too bad, but it had to be on the day we enter the Grand Teton National Park. And if it wasn't enough that I had to face those headwinds yesterday, when we left in the morning they were just as bad and the rest of the group had to endure them for about 25 miles... brutal. I didn't care much at that point. I knew nothing could be worse after yesterday, and I had a good night's sleep and a great breakfast so I was ready for anything, what a great ride up to the pass. It was real cold as we went got there though. And there was tons of roadwork that they woulndn't even let us ride through so we had to ride in the pilot car of the construction crew for about 5 miles. Man was it cold up there, especially on the decent where i was hitting speeds of mid 40's mph. We were actually high enough that I saw snow to the left and right of me as I rode. During the decent, as we wound back and forth along the mountain road, all of a sudden the Tetons emerged from behind a curtain of pine trees as I passed. What a sight!!!

The peaks of the two tallest mountains just poked above the cloud cover, incredible. I spent the rest of the day poking around the main area and taking pictures... enjoy.

7-13 Monday

Lander, WY to Dubois, WY - 75.39 miles - Trip Total: 2933.99 miles

This day takes the cake for being the worst day of riding for me. Less than 4 miles out of town last night did I get two flats. In the morning I went to McDonalds to get some sausage McMuffins for the handlebar bag, and when I walked outside to another flat. I proceeded to get a few more on the day. I think half of my flat tires on the trip happened this day.

By the time I reached Crowheart I was still 40 miles out of Dubois and everyone else was finishing at this time.

I proceed to get rocked by headwinds and scattered showers for the entire duration restricting me to no more than 9 mph. We were riding along the Wind River... go figure. It took everything in me not to completely freakout on the situation. Thanks to Amanda for sticking with me for the day. But... I made it, and enjoyed a nice shower and laundry to boot. The terrain was scenic, but I care not to remember the latter half of this day.

I slept well this night. It was also my first time on an Indian reservation as we went through the Wind River Resevation. Some highlights of the day were seeing a bald eagle while at a rest stop, and having the pleasure of meeting Rans and Nina. Rans has MS and is a Vietnam special forces vet. He was enthusiastic, real and a joy to talk to.

7-12 Sunday

Jeffrey City, WY to Lander, WY - 59.63 miles

We couldn't wait to leave this morning as the mosquitoes were back with a vengence. Roadside breakfast at the first stop as Don was pumping out the pancakes like a machine.

The landscape was really neat today geologically speaking. You could see all the layers in the mountains for miles. Then we headed into drier more red rock terrain.

We finished the day in Lander, which I have to say is an awesome town and I could definitely see myself spending some time there. After some ice cream at the local gas station, Dustin, Kevin and I caught the evening showing of The Hangover, love the one-liners. Great day!

7-11 Saturday

Saratoga, WY to Jeffrey City, WY - 108.7 miles

Big day today, only to end it in a somewhat dismal fashion. More flat land, and decent temperature made for some easy miles in the beginning of the day. Today's road was a bit different than we were used to as we got to ride on a highway for the first 40 miles. We made our first stop at a McDonalds in Rawlins, Wyoming where I stocked up on double cheeseburgers off the dollar menu to keep in the handlebar bag. We got to cross the continental divide again.

I didn't realize that the gas station Sinclair has its own town where its refinery is located... cheapest gas I've seen by 30 cents.

We ran through some interesting terrain, and also learned, via the roadside landmarkers, that we were traveling along the Oregon Trail and Pony Express Routes.

We got to meet three cool girls that were making their way to San Francisco, Freda, Melissa, and Lisa and we extended them an invite to ride with us for a while, which they did. From one desolate town to the next we looked for a place to camp, but they were all very unattractive to put it kindly. Finally, at 110 miles, we reached Jeffery City.

It was a long, tough day and we all ate at the only place open in town; a dive bar in town with some locals. Someone they knew just had a wedding that day and there was a bunch of food left-overs that was offered to us in a buffet style for only $3. We gorged ourselves and headed over to our unbelievably mosquito infested camp ground. This, I can honestly say, is by far the worst I've ever seen the mosquitos. Just use your imagination as I dont even want to relive the experience by writing about it. I was ready to get out of this place before my head hit the pillow.

7-10 Friday

Hot Sulphur Spring, CO to Walden, CO - 63 miles

Another day of flat open terrain with a few bits of variation thrown in the mix.

The mountains that we once came from seem to get smaller and smaller in my rear view helmet mirror, but those that we ride along side of loom over us like the quiet reminder of giants that we haven't left the majesty that is the Rockies. After was seems like weeks in Colorado we finally get to enter Wyoming.

The headwinds stunk and make the day that much longer, but I managed to hit a new landspeed record for our group, 53.2 mph. It was incredible as that's the first over 50 speed set for the trip. I've never been to Wyoming but I'm anxious to be here.

We ended the day in a small bar in Walden where we met multiple groups of people curious and interested in our cause. It was great to met them and enjoyed the conversation.

7-9 Thursday

Hot Sulphur Spring, CO to Walden, CO - 63 miles

Some friends of the group and sister of one of the riders came to hang out with us for a few days. Mason's sister even rode with us today as we crusied through the Arapaho National Forest.

I unfortunatly forgot my camera battery this morning until the first stop when I could grab it. I left it charging in the trailer. Beautiful ride though!! As we cruised throught the pass at the top of the pass, we crossed the continental divide again.

The terrain opened up into flatter territory as the day progressed.

I felt great today and decided to push on ahead of the group and take the yellow jersey for the day. I rewarded myself with another milkshake, this one was worth blogging about, deliscious. Stayed in the city park and got some blogging done at the local cafe.

As you can tell from Kevin's artful display of setting up his tent, and from his brand new hat from a gift shop in Rand, that it was a fairly windy day, headwinds on the latter half of the day we a bit of an annoyance.

7-8 Wednesday

Frisco, CO to Hot Sulphur Spring, CO - 74.5 miles

Woke up to an incredible setting. Just off a loake surrounded by mountains, how could you ask for more?

The bike paths around here are great, smooth and scenic, but confusing, and needless to say we missed our turn towards Silvertown and ended up going 5 miles out of our way.

Luckily a really cool maintenance worker was there and gaves us the heads up. I felt like I was in France during the Tour riding along the coast as we rode along the Dillon Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, along the Colorado River, and through Byers Canyon.

Arrived in Hot Sulphur Springs where the first thing we did, as usual, was down a milkshake from the Dari-Delite. The mosquitoes were the worst yet! You can't leave any skin exposed as 1,000 will flock to that spot. I've spent mannny summers in Minnesota and i've never seen anything like this.