There were postcard views all day today. This is on the way to Togwotee Pass.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Dubois
Yipee! Arrived in Dubois and saw the welcome absence of Union Tel on my phone's screen and saw US 04. My blogging app. is working again and I'm back on track. Thanks for your patience, hopefully we don't loose connection again!
To Dubois, WY.
Awesome red cliffs towering above the road and the ever present afternoon thunderers gathering overhead.
To Dubois, WY.
A beautifull ride today through the Wind River Indian Reservation. The 75 mile route mostly following the Wind River was made easier thanks to a nice tailwind. Chief Washakie is a rather popular guy. There's a town with his name, I saw his name often in Lander and we've been crossing a tourist route with his name for the past few days. (His popularity is explained by the last sentence on this notice),
Lander, WY.
Our campsite overlooking the town was the ideal spot for watching the fireworks. Wow! They started as the sun set and carried on non stop or nearly three hours. They got more spectacular as the night went on. It looked like people all over town were trying to put on a better display than their neighbours.
Lander, WY 4th July
The kids had fun getting sprayed while running after sweets thrown from the parade.
Rawlins, WY - Lander, WY.
We were meant to overnight in Jeffrey City, but the rundown motel was so disgusting and with nowhere else to go in that mosquito ridden hole that hasn't been dusted off since the uranium mine closed, some of us decided to push on to Lander. So Chris and Adam, me and Ingo rode 133 miles and had an adventure to remember as we dodged thunderstorms on our way to an extra layover day in Lander.
Rawlins, WY to Lander, WY.
2 July. Out here the landscape has changed little from the time of the Oregon Trail and Pony Express. No gps in those days so they navigated by landmarks like Split Rock that you can see on the horizon.
To Rawlins, WY.
There's a lot of interesting pioneer history on the plains of Wyoming. Here a marker shows one of the old wagon trails.
To Riverside, WY.
30 June. We crossed the state line from Colorado to Wyoming on a crisp, clear morning. The road fades over the distant hill.
North Park
The landscape varied from dry stretches of fragrant sage brush to marshy mosquito infested wet areas.
To Walden, CO.
After crossing the continental divide at Muddy Pass we turned towards Walden through Colorado's North Park.
Silverthorne, CO.
Some of the luxury cabins around Silverthorne. Sad to see at least 75 percent of the trees on the mountains here are dead.
North Park
We went through about 20 miles of winding creeks and a lot of stagnant water. It was beautifully green with abundant flowers but the mosquitoes were so bad that we were constantly under attack on the climbs and couldn't stop without getting covered in them.
Monday, June 29, 2009
No data connection
Just to let everyone know I'm fine. I've been unable to get Internet connection for 2 days now. Will get new pics up as soon as possible. The Colorado Rockies have been awsome and tomorrow we enter Wyoming.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hoosier Pass summit
Crossing the Continental Divide at 11539ft. From the left: Leader Bob getting chilly while the cameras are passed around; Adam & Chris from Chicago; Ingo from Germany; Ron from Arizona who pushed his recumbent all the way up; and me.
Alma
Stopped at the village of Alma 10578ft. A double latte and blueberry muffin should get me up the next 1000ft.!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
To Fairplay, CO.
It was pleasant cruising though the lush pastures in the valley of Colorado's South Park with snow capped mountains to the left. That was till that thunderstorm on the left caught up with me and brought a strong headwind with it. That made for a tough last 10 miles but a hot shower and motel room were the reward after a long day.
Current Creek Pass summit
Here I am, glad to be at the summit. Unfortunately the awesome view of the snow capped mountains isn't clear against the clouds.
Current Creek Hostel
This was the only place to fill our water bottles in the remote alpine valley that the pass follows.
Current Creek Pass
On the way up there were a couple short downhills but the elevation was quickly regained and the steady climb continued.
Royal Gorge to Fairplay
We were on the road by 6am this morning for a big day in the mountains. 66 miles with 6700ft climbing. This is looking toward the start of the 26 mile long Current Creek Pass.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wetmore, CO.
The Wetmore General Store. Cool looking place that's been there since 1879. Unfortunately it's closed Mon, Tues & Wed and we came through town on Wed.
To Wetmore
The road turned to the right up ahead and climbed for a mile, our first hill in a few weeks!
Pueblo, CO.
West out of Pueblo the landscape changes dramaticaly. From arid eroded valley to dry plain to lush valley at Wetmore.
Monday, June 22, 2009
To Pueblo, CO
On our way to Pueblo for a layover day we stopped in Boone to eat our peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
To Ordway, CO.
Sign of the times? About 12 miles of automobile carriages lying dormant out on the Colorado plains waiting for the next economic boom.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Colorado
As I enter Colorado, a last note on Kansas wind. It really wasn't too bad. It blew mostly from the side or from behind. Perhaps we were just lucky. May our luck continue! You've seen how straight the Kansas roads are, well just past that next road sign there is a bend in the road! Yippee! I like Colorado already.
Goodbye Kansas
I remember how Kansas greeted us with a terrible headwind, and the wind blew every day, but today Kansas blew us into Colorado on a near perfect day for cycling. It was cool, cloudy with a little drizzle, no traffic and a tailwind.
The best part was that I could put my phone under the barbag cover and follow the live text commentary on planetrugby.com of the Springboks vs British & Irish Lions rugby game being played in Durban, South Africa. It was amazing cruising along this deserted road in Kansas and almost being able to see the flags waving and hear Kings Park echoing with cries of "BEEEAST" with the Boks on their way to victory. When it got down to extra time I couldn't keep one eye on the road any longer and had to stop and pull off the road. It was a bit naelskraap in the end! Well done Bokke!!
You gotta love modern technology.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Cattle truck
Out of Scott City this morning there was the strange sight of pro-life billboards proclaiming, 'Life is Sacred, Choose Life' while every few minutes one of these evil looking trucks came hurtling past taking another load of cattle from the many feed yards to slaughter. Some life more sacred than others? And, no, I'm not a vege. But when I tuck into that next steak I'll think twice about where it came from. It's going to take a lot of Kansas wind to get the stench of those feed yards and cattle trucks out of my nostrils.
To Tribune, KS
You know how hard the wind blows across Kansas when even the trees in the road signs are leaning over!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
To Scott City, KS.
The infamous west wind blew in our faces today. Plus we had to contend with cattle trucks and a couple of huge tractors.
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