Days 9 & 10

I've been staying here with Rosie O'Gara's folks for two rest days, and now I feel better and up for continuing. I'd like to thank the community for their great food, tasty beer, and friendly company.  Especially Berthenia and Geoff, who provided a cozy bed and all the relaxation I could use.
Today I did a test ride on about 8 miles of gentle climbing to Sink Canyon, home of the bizarre river that disappears under ground and reappears a quarter of a mile later in double the volume and after 2 whole hours.  Not much to see, but plenty to wonder about...

Day 8 - Lander, WY

59.31 miles; 4 hours 55 min; 12.03 mph avg; 2,050 feet climb


Not as rough of a day atmospherically speaking as yesterday.  Still a steady headwind, but more like 5-10 mph instead of 15-20.  Left the lazy boy recliner that Byron (see his website) supplied me in Jeffery City bright and early.  Napped for about an hour at Sweetwater junction rest area, considered calling it a short day, and then pressed on given the moderate wind conditions.  Next twenty-ish miles were pretty routine, until a scary moment halfway between the rest stop and Lander when my left knee (who needs to let me know what's going on: I can't help you Lefty if you won't talk to me!) collapsed on me and left me sitting on the side of the road pretty much resigned to resigning.


After what was I think the third instance of me mentally throwing in the towel and then reconsidering, I ingested a maximum dose of Ibuprofen and gingerly attempted the road again.  Slowly and tenderly I rolled into Lander, where Rosie O'Gara's parents have offered to let me stay and recuperate.  I hope that a couple of days off will let my muscles recover from the sharp increase in riding they've been subjected to, and by the end of the week they'll be able to predictably protect my joints again.


Lander is an excellent little town.  Perhaps the residents, who wish it to *stay* a little town, would like me to keep that a secret, but I'm going to share the best parts anyway.  The Lander Brewing Company does tasty work, supported by some delicious local-beef burgers at the attached Gannett Grill.  Old Town Coffee served me up a delicious iced chai as I entered town that relieved my weariness.  The weather is pleasant and calm, a singularity in the Wyoming I've seen so far.  Door locks are unnecessary.  I couldn't be in a better spot for bodily repairs.

Days 6 & 7

(6) Rest day in Rawlins. Don't miss this oil refinery scented gem next time you're in southern Wyoming.
(7) 67.63 miles; 6 hrs 21 min; 10.63 mph avg; 3051 feet; more wind than exists in all of the last ten Uomo Donnas combined.
My God. This was the most horrendous day yet, and it was overall downhill. Wind is so much worse than climbing. It cheats. It'll just arbitrarily change direction and speed whenever it wants. And there's no downhill when you're done
fighting it.
Luckily I am still partly alive, and the bartender here in Jeffery city has offered me a bed to crash on. Friendly company here too.
Third and fourth crossings of the continental divide today too.  Also, realized I am now further north than all of California.

Days 3, 4, & 5

Stats (3): 59.24 miles; 4 hours 38 min; 2822 ft; avg 12.62mph
(4): 70.51 miles; 4 hours 41 min; 2551 ft; 15.05mph
(5): 64.08 miles; 4 hours 20 min; 1941 ft; 15.99mph
The worst thing about Wyoming roads besides the wind, is the big cracks in the asphalt from freezing and thawing ever winter. Every fifty feet: ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump. Horrible.
Crossed the continental divide again, so I'm seeing Atlantic bound water again. Also crossed the Colorado, Canadian, and Platte rivers. It's getting Lonesome Dove like.
One grueling day of head wind and rogue camping, followed by two of gradual downhill tail wind days. I'm glad I returned that guy's wallet a while back, or I'd have just gone into the red on karma.
Tomorrow is supposed to suck re: weather. Dodging the forty mile per hour gusts by taking a rest day in Rawlins. Through the use of my cunning and winning smile, talked the woman at the Quality Inn desk down from 80 to 50 per night. Still kinda breaking the bank, but worth it for some easy mac nights later on.

Day 2 - Berthoud Pass

40.05 miles
3 hrs 34 min
3882 feet of elevation gain
Idaho Springs to Winter Parks
Hit the highest point of the tour today at Berthoud pass (11314ft). started to snow when I got there, the ride down was bitter cold (38 said my bike computer) and I was forced to wear socks on my hands.

Day 1 of Denver to Seattle

Stats: 56.24 miles; 5 hrs 16 min biking time; 43.79mph max speed; 4,709 feet of climbing (a little over a thousand was because of wrong turns... ugh)

Highlights: red rocks amphitheater; first glimpse of rockies at the peak elevation of the day; stopping.