Stats:
119.64 miles - New personal one day record
2867' climbing
18.0 MPH average moving speed (Over 119 miles?! Crazy!!!)
35.7 MPH Max Speed
Knowing the day ahead had nearly 120 miles to cover, everyone was anxious to get out on the road as soon as possible. The early crew lit out around 6:00 as the sun came out and the rest of us soon after at 6:30. The climbing was so incremental over such a long distance that we sometimes hit 15 to 21 MPH going uphill. Sure on the sharper climbs which were few I did see the needle slip to 8 - 10 but compared to the 4 MPH going up the Teton Pass we were again flying. Thanks in no small part to awesome tail winds.
Early in the ride, Greg, John, Matt, and I wanted to keep a modest yet steady pace as the day would be a long one. Expecting some headwinds we also kept to a pace line taking turns pulling at the head of the line then dropping back to the end of the line to wait for our rotation to come up again. We chugged along for a good while being joined by one of the staff members, Liz. I stopped to pick up a water bottle dropped by one of our little band. Also taking the opportunity to pop a couple Tylenol and take a picture or two. Three of the band picked up the pace a bit with Matt and I dropping back to a less aggressive pace. Halfway to the first SAG we were joined by the couple from Sarasota (Joel and Sara).
Setting out from the first SAG break, John, Craig, Matt and I regrouped and found ourselves pulling a pace line of 8 - 10 others. The four of us took rotations at the front pulling the rest of the train for a good 20 miles of more while the others drafted behind our little locomotive. About five miles from the second SAG, I couldn't get back in behind our group of four and had to slide all the way to the rear. Not a good place to be as the length of the line causes a rubber banding effect that amplifies the longer the train. I found myself working way too hard to close the gap only to have to brake as I caught up the the wheel in front of me. After surging and braking for a couple of miles, I just let the train move along and established a steady pace for myself and eventually pulled int the Second SAG maybe 2 minutes behind.
Not wanting to repeat the previous leg, Matt and I let the train pull away from the station. When we finally left the second SAG, the tour leader, Judy, who was riding today, asked if she could tag along. Three is better than 2 and way better than 10, so we were off. We had a great time and started flying as tail winds and downhills presented themselves. We were doing 25 to 30 on the flats without pushing hard and hit mid 30's in the long downhills...A few nights ago, I caught the opening sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the one where the space ship was docking with the giant space station wheel to the tune of Blue Danube. That tune was running through my head as we glided with the massive blue sky above and the ribbon of highway rolled under us. Sounds corny but it's precisely the way to describe the near floating experience on the road today. It was a gift.
Third SAG popped up in no time and with The Blue Danube still running through my head we pulled into the hotel at 2:30. 119.6 miles. Stupefying time. And I could have done another 20 miles (mmmm....well, if I had to, that is. My rear end was really glad to be off the bike).
Oh, And Matt and I got The Duck at route rap after dinner tonight. More on that tomorrow. Tomorrow is a rest day in Casper. We've covered some 1,300 miles and climbed 48,000 feet. That's like pedaling up Mt Katahdin 6 times.
Above: Rode with arm wamers/coolers all day today.
Saves on sunscreen and kept me really comfortable.
Picture is actually from yesterday's ride into Riverton.
Below: Second SAG stop was at he only open "Gas Station, Convenience Store, Bar..." between Riverton and Casper Wyoming. It is pretty sparse out here. Pictures are from inside. Can't make this stuff up. Walls covered in business cards, pictures from visitors, and other oddities. My eyes couldn't process it all. The center cartoon bubble below was a hoot.
Below: At mile 75 today, just off the main road, we came cross this interesting photo op. Years ago, the Indians drove herds of Bison over the cliffs...you may be able to read more detail from sign.
I tried to capture the chasm with my phone but the picture below just doesn't really look like much.
Below: Shot of River off the bike path just before we reached hotel for second rest day.
Another Blue Danube moment.
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