New State / Map

Spent the night and morning with very aggressive mosquitoes. 

I dove into my tent last night. Extinguished the few that snuck in. This morning, they're just waiting for my exit. The plan is to get all my rain gear on to break down camp. Regroup away from the marsh. 

New map new state today. Heading toward Peblo, CO and then due east. Tomorrow we begin to climb over the Rockys 😫 could be a multi day climb. Today is just a warmup. 

Hit our first thunderstorm today. Very lucky. Most ranches have 1 mile or more of road leading to the ranch. We were in the middle nowhere. Just as it the rain started we see a ranch 30 yards from the road with a barn and the door open. Owner arrived later and offered us water. A trail angel. 

Hanging in the barn waiting for the rain to stop. That's Dave, from the east to west crew. 

Biker/Cyclist hang out in Walden, CO

Maintenance Day

Today I came out of the wilderness to the big city of Rawlins, WY. pop. 9000. Cell service and wifi. 

Hit the road early, 5:50am. 112 mile day to Saratoga. 

This is Split Rock a famous trail marker user by all the early travelers.

"Take a left at the split rock" I guess. 

We've assemble a crew heading west to east with similar mileage goals. This is Brian & Britney, brother and sister from Ohio. Strong riders and good people to spend time with. Britney blew by me on one of the big climbs today. 

 Dave from New Jersey is the youngster of the group at age 20. Picture to follow. 

Haircut today! My WY Stylist Christina. We got photo bombed by the next customer. 

Next off to the High Plain Vision Center to get my glasses adjusted. Samantha was the best. 

Can't always have beauty, this is the Sinclair oil refinery. 

The town hot springs in Saratoga. Hot spring in the river, two large hot spring pools at different temps and the regular pool that is heated by the spring. 

Town camping by the lake. Nice location but the Mosquitos are very aggressive. 

Landers, WY

Back in civilization with cell service. Large open areas with no services. The locals use a local mobile network. 

Lander, Wy was an excellent stop over. The town park, City Park welcomes all cyclist for camping.

  The Community Center has pool, hot tub and showers.... yea. 

Mountain side climbing out of Lander. 

Oil rig. Wyoming is known for one of the first oil wells. 

The irony, I was riding in hundred of acres of wilderness and up comes a traffic light due to construction. 10 minutes of waiting, resting for the light to change. Funny to see a traffic light out here. 

Top of this mornings climb 

This evening digs in Jeffery City. A Baptist Church. Cyclist came pouring in. About 12 or more cyclists. Lots of different directions. 2 guys from CT. Just graduated from Southern CT

A special thanks to my love ..... no, not my bike but Mona. Letting me ride and tour while she is holding down the fort. Thank you honey. I'm heading home. 

Tetons, wow

A look-back at the Tetons this morning. 

Only one other place The Tetons compares to from my perspective and that's is the Grand Canyon. You want to keep staring at the beauty. 

Still zig zagging the continental divide but at higher elevations. Meeting folks poping out of the woods for food and drink. 

The air is getting thinners up here. This 16 mile climb, Togwotee Pass tops out at 9584'. I fired the photographer, fingers, no excuse. Back to the trusted tripod. 

For you Tom

Heading south from Teton National Park, beautiful painted rock. 

Hot today and hotter Sunday , no rain ..... Ya. 

Don't ask but I need to find an eye glass shop .... ran over my eyeglass case, nothing broke but I need an frame adjustment. 

3 States in 2 Hours.

3 states in under 2 hours. Slept in Idaho, made my way to Montana and entered Yellowstone to Wyoming. 

The attendant collecting the park fee. Wanted to charge me $40 thought I was on a motorcycle. 

Mt Hayes

Amazing the new growth after the big fire in 88. 

What's up with the traffic? Buffalo in the road. 

Got to see buffalo, elk and Moose.  

I never realized the geothermal activity in this area, it's a giant check valve ready to blow. You see steam billowing everywhere. 

Old Faithful 

New map 

Always construction on the roads. Look what Derek Jeter new job is? Less the tats, it could have been Derek. 

Must have crossed the Divide 4 times today.