Wednesday, July 8, 2009

To Ashton, ID.


After descending from the pass, we entered Idaho and for 40 of our 70 mile day fought insane 25 - 35mph winds to get to Ashton.

Teton Pass summit



Teton Pass


Approaching the summit and join the main road

Teton Pass



Teton Pass


Switchbacks through the firs like riding between hundreds of church spires all pointing the way...up!

Teton Pass



Teton Pass


Info board at start of pass. We followed the old pass that is now closed to traffic.

Teton Pass



Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Grand Teton


On the bikepath between Jenny Lake and Moose Junction.

Grand Teton


Sagebrush sprinkled with summer flowers, pines and the Tetons...recipe for a pleasant morning pedal.

Grand Teton


The Tetons from Jackson Lake.

To Grand Teton


The Tetons form an amazing backdrop to the landscape.

Togwotee Pass descent.


6 July. Could only manage about 12mph fighting the headwind on the 17 mile descent, but the exciting first glimpses of Grand Teton gave us something to aim for.

Togwotee Pass


6 July. Near the pass summit at 9560ft I found this stunning secluded lake.

To Colter Bay, WY


There were postcard views all day today. This is on the way to Togwotee Pass.

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.

Lander, WY 4th July



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.

Rawlins, WY - Lander, WY.


2 July. Entering the eerie Great Divide Basin.

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.

Riverside, WY.


1 July. Early morning departure from Riverside, population 59.

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.

To Walden, CO.


Some of the lush pasture in the Rockies.

Kremmling, CO.


Our little patch of lawn in the Red Mountain RV 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.

View from the bike path.

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.

Bike path


Ingo on the bike path from Breckenridge to Silverthorne.

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

Fireside Inn


How's this for a room with a view!

Breckenridge, CO.


Arriving at the Fireside Inn.

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.

Hoosier Pass summit


It's all downhill from here to Breckenridge.

Hoosier Pass


The view back down the valley from about half-way up.

Alma


Leader Bob getting his caffeine fix.

Alma


Stopped at the village of Alma 10578ft. A double latte and blueberry muffin should get me up the next 1000ft.!

To Hoosier Pass


A perfect morning for a ride up a hill.

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.

Hartsel


We refueled here before the last leg to Fairplay. Left to right: Rusty, me, Tom, Ingo.

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 Pass


Ingo nearing the summit.

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

Postboxes


I found this rural line of postboxes between Wetmore and Florence.