Wednesday 6/27/18

Alma to Florence

We woke up to a customer getting into their postal box at 0530. There is no sleeping in when squatting in a post office lobby.

We packed up and headed 10 miles down the road to Fairplay. This was the first town with a convenience store to do our usual coffee and breakfast routine.

Once fed and caffeinated, we headed out on highway 9. This was our route for the day till we made it to Canon City. This was a beautiful route and the road had little traffic. The pavement was also in very good condition and two foot of shoulder.

Aaron had left first, then myself and then Nishanth last. About 40 miles before Canon City I caught up with Aaron who was walking his bike. The rear tire had split at the sidewalk and bead. He decided to ride slowly and see how long it would go. I told him I would stay with him and not ride on.

It made it to about 11 miles before before Canon City. Aaron had called the shop and the owner was waiting. Initially Aaron thought he could flag down a pick up truck. While working this plan I became overcome by the heat. I went over to some shade and Aaron decided to replace the tube and limp the last few miles in. I had cooled off and we made the last leg on Highway 50. Not nearly the pleasant ride that 9 had been.

Once Nishanth made it into town we headed to an Asian restaurant. I had tried to find a buffet style but found out the information was old. So no pigging out but I did order extra rice to help fill the void.

While eating I did a check for a possible Warmshowers host and did find one in Florence. A quick call by Nishanth and we had beds for the night, and hot showers!

Days miles about 95.

Tuesday 6/26/18

Kremmling to Alma

The Hotel Easton had a cozy breakfast room for guests to use. At 6:30 coffee was already made and I worked on making my instant oatmeal. I had started eating oatmeal most mornings as convenience stores usually have microwaves now. With raisens added, I have a healthy hot breakfast.

It took a bit to get the bikes packed as the hotel did not allow them inside. They had a secure garage out back but we had to take all the packs off and bring to the room. Most hotels you just wheel the bike in and take out what you need.

Most of the route was a gradual increase in elevation. Luckly the wind was behind us today and gave us a gentle assist. At Silverthorne we got off the highway and used a beautiful paved trail system to get to Breckenridge. Once there we ate a meal before starting up Hoosier Pass. Hossier Pass is the highest pass on the TransAm route at 11,500 feet. Since we gained elevation all day, the additional climb from Breckenridge was only 2000 feet to the summit. This was over 11 miles so a fairly gentle climb. We were climbing in the late evening and made the summit just before dark. The late sun always makes for quickly changing colors and deep shadows on the mountains.

It was only 7 miles to Alma from the summit. We're rolled quickly into town. The city park allowed camping but earlier arrivals took the pavilion and the rest was gravel. The post office was close by and we settled for the lobby. No one came in till 0530 so we got a decent nights sleep.

Totaldays miles about 80 with 4500 feet of climbing.

Monday 6/25/18

Walden to Kremmling

Got up to a chilly 35 degrees. We were camped in an open gazebo building in the city park. I like to just roll out my bedroll when possible. Avoids taking down a damp tent in the morning. I slept warm with my 40 degree rated bag and fleecy blanket liner my Mom made me.

After eating our breakfast sitting next to the gas station, our source of coffee, we got rolling on beautiful Colorado back highways. But the wind finally decided to not cooperate and was against our making forward progress. It was still a great day of cycling thru incredible scenery.

While eating a late lunch at Sulfur Springs, we decided that the town of Kremmling would be a doable goal and give up on making Silverthorne.

My Adventure Cycling info showed the historic Easton Hotel having a hostel. I called and they had room for us at $25/person. So we would have warm soft beds and a hot shower tonight. But first another 17 miles of a significant headwind.

The hostel did not disappoint and was very comfortable and had outstanding character being an old downtown hotel. They had garage space out back for the bicycles. If ever in Kremmling again, I would stay here again. Very friendly proprietors!

After cleaning up the bike chain, I showered, did a load of sink laundry, caught up the previous day's notes and then got in my comfortable bed.

Days miles about 75 with about 1200 feet climbing and significant headwind. Over all great cycling day with warmer afternoon temperatures and clear Colorado skies.

Sunday 6/24/18

Rawlins, Wyoming to Walden, Colorado

Was supposed to be a rainy day but all the dark clouds passed by or around us all day.

We got coffee at McDonald's and ate from our grocery supplies. We watched dark clouds build up and then drift away. At 9AM I returned to the hardware store that I had repaired my rear rack at. In my haste to let the close, I had left my special rear rack bunge strap laying on top the paddle boat display! How frustrating it was the evening before to see it but not be able to retrieve it till the next morning. Luckly Nishanth had a spare bunge to get is to our campsite.

We got on the road finally going thru the town of Sinclair which has a Sinclair oil refinery. Nice little town except for the refinery smell!

Our route took us on the shoulder of I-80 for about 20 miles. The only way heading from Rawlins going East initially. Soon we hit 12 miles of construction zone that was a safety disaster for cyclist like the day before coming into Rawlins from the north. No reqard at all that this is also shared by a national bike route. Luckly Nishanth and l only went 3 or 4 miles on this before seeing we could get on to the old pavement. It was bumpy but much safer than cycling within 18-24 inches of traffic.

We kept a tail wind all day. We rode 50 miles nearly non-stop to Saratoga for lunch. While eating in front of a gas station we watched more dark storm clouds build up. But luckly no rain from them! Leaving town I stopped at a very unusual IGA store. The owner must be a big game hunter and the whole store housed his trophies.

About 20 miles from Walden I had to make an adjustment on the front shifter. A young man going the other way noticed me having a problem and turned around to check on me. Not till I assured him I had the adjustment taken care of did he leave me. Long distance bicyclist call these folks 'trail angels’.

We made it into Walden about 8:30. I just had time to shop at the Family Dollar store before it closed. I was famished as we had ridden the 60 miles from Saratoga nearly non-stop. Just a couple stops to moisten the dry sagebrush. That is the longest I had ever ridden without some longer rest stops. Hard to stop riding when there is an amazing tail wind! We also had only about 1000 feet of climbing over the day.

Total days miles about 110.

Saturday 6/23/18

Jeffery City to Rawlings

In the morning I needed to temporarily repair a connection for the rear rack. It broke just as was almost to the door at the church. Could have been a disaster if it had occurred while on the road at speed. I got it cobbled back together with a couple of wire ties.

The ride was challenging weather and road wise. Crazy Western storms below thru with mostly high winds and minimal rain. Was wild at times only being on a bicycle with wild howling and continuous lightening strikes.

Then there was a 12 mile stretch of highway construction that was totally unsafe. Two lanes of 70 MPH traffic with mostly no sholder for cyclist. It was a horror the whole way. I actually meet a young woman going the other direction. Ibet this disaster of a highway construction plan would never been approved if this were the planners daughter. This is a portion of a national bicycle route, give us a bit of consideration!

Getting to Rawlings I found a good hardware store and better repaired my rack mount. The guys even stayed over some to allow me to do the repairs inside. It was raining so they took pity on the old guy.

Nishanth had put in a very hard day and was now back with me. Since raining we decided not to camp but found a nice sheltered entrance at the high school. Was nice dry sleeping accommodations and we woke up to sunshine. Hope it will last a while.

Days miles about 66 wild and crazy miles.

Friday 6/22/18

Dubois to Jeffrey City

Was a perfect day for bicycling if heading East. A strong westerly wind pushed me all the way to Lander. Just before  Fort Washakie I met an Italian cyclist. He asked where I was planning to spend the night. When I told him Jeffery City, he started telling me his good experience at the church there. The Baptist Church is a Warmshowers host and is a ministry they do.

At Fort Washakie a powow was getting underway. I stopped at a native American food truck and got the biggest thing they offered, the big chief. It was the Native American version of a taco. Two huge fry breads with everything between like a sloppy joe.

At Lander I made a grocery stop and the Version store to get the Ride with GPS working again. Dang tech stuff!! The young man had never seen this app before yet got it going quickly. Amazing!!

I headed out for Jeffery City and made it just at dark. The ride was amazingly beautiful with huge vistas and red rock formations.

I got to Jeffery City and the church just at dark. It was getting cold and I was elated to see it. As I approached on the bumpy gravel road a bolt broke on the rear rack. I supported the rack by hand the final hundred feet. Sometime I will deal with on the morning. Now I needed to eat some of my grocery supplies.

After wolfing down a cold meal of wraps, it was a much needed shower and bedtime.

Sleeping in the sanctuary it would not be a stretch to say my rest was heavenly!

Total days miles about 115 with a 1000 foot climb coming into Jeffery City.

Wednesday 6/20/18

West Yellowstone to Grant Village

Aclf morning getting up, about 40 degrees. After a light breakfast of little remaining food, we packed and headed for West Yellowstone and supplies before entering the National Park.

Town was in full tourist season and busy. We made or store stop and bought like hungry cyclist. We then went to the McDonald's to eat and meet a friend, Michael, who was dropping from the race. He had been hit by a car back at Baker City and a strained knee was getting more agrivated by continuing.

The clouds started to break up and we experienced the warmth of the sun for the first time in over a week. We finished eating, wished Michael well, and headed to the Park .

Cycling in the park was OK even with heavy tourist traffic. There was always adequate shoulder for us.

The main goal was for Nishanth to see Old Faithful erupt. We stopped at several thermal features before getting to Old Faithful, the main feature!

Occasionally traffic would halt on both directions and tourist would leap out, cameras in hand. Moose and buffalo must be the Kardashians of Yellowstone!

We finally got to Old Faithful and caught the 5:20 show. Nishanth was impressed so that goal was meet. We enjoyed a picknic meal afterwards and then started cycling to Grant Village campground for the night. Seventeen miles and after crossing the continental divide twice, we arrived at camp. The sign said full, but hikers and bikers cannot be turned away. The site we ended up in, the person we were sharing with camped across from us the night before. That was a surprise for everyone

Still cool in the mid 50’s, but no rain and some sunshine, it was a great day!

Total miles with sight seeing thrown in, about 55.

Tuesday 6/19/18

Ennis to West Yellowstone

We left Jonathan's home on high spirits! The forecast was for overcast skies but low probably of rain.

That didn't last long. We we're soon cycling in a steady drizzle. Not sure what direction we were heading bit spirits headed south!

We came to a store with a nice overhang for a coffee stop and some supplies. Initially the store looked closed but the owner was inside working. He opened for Nishanth and we got what we needed. Then he locked back up and we watched as the rain came down.

After an hour or so it seemed the sky was getting brighter so we continued on. It did rain lightly most of the afternoon but as before cleared by evening.

As we got close to the Yellowstone area we passed Earthquake Lake. What an event that must have been in1959. I was only 3. I will need to ask my Mom if she does and the affect on the nation of such a disaster.

We rode to the closest NFS campground to West Yellowstone and camped. We set up in the dark and went immediately to sleep.

Days miles about 75. Slight upgrade all day but modest tailwind to offset the grade. A challenging day but could have been worse without the store owner opening for us and the gentle pushing of the wind.

Monday 6/18/18

Dillon to Ennis

The cot in the stained glass studio made for a comfortable night. We we're given a hot breakfast of steel cut oats. My first oatmeal since leaving for this trip. I greatly appreciated the meal.

We finally got all the bikes loaded as Larry thought the dirt portion of his road impassable for the bicycles. This did make for a rather late start of 1100.

Most of the day stayed drizzly and cold. The tractor trailers passing much too close left us in a continuous fog and spray.

On the way to the town of Twin Bridges, many cyclist started passing by in the other direction. It was an Adventure Cycling tour of about 60 riders. I believe these supported tours cost nearly $100 per day. Their side of the highway looked just as cold and wet as ours. But they were all giving friendly waves and smiling so appeared happy regardless of conditions.

Nishanth and I got to Twin Bridges and warmed up in the grocery for a while. They had a deli and small seating area. So we hung out and slowly warmed up.

The rain did let up some as we got later in the day. We got very lucky doing the pass. It had been raining there but not when we crossed over. So we were not soaked on the downhill run.

I had been contacting the Warmshowers host starting the evening before if they would be available to Nishanth and I. They had other cyclist booked but not heard from them for a while. I finally heard back from Jonathan that we could use his place. That was upbeat knowing we had a dry warm place for the night.

Getting into Dillon I called and got directions. Another half hour of cycling, we were there. The loft of the outbuilding was cozy and Jonathan visited for a while. After hot showers, sleep came quickly.

Days miles about 75.