47- Yellowstone!!!!!!

40 some odd miles from one beautiful national park to another.

Wow! I had no idea what to expect with the Tetons or Yellowstone but I have been amazed by the past two days. We got a good view of the Tetons for the first half the day then we hit Yellowstone. I had been told that we would be crushed by a convoy of RVs the moment we crossed into the park. Knock on wood, but it was a very pleasant ride. We stopped at every opportunity and took a ton of photos.

We called it a day 30 miles before we had planned on, but hey its Yellowstone no need to rush.

I got a shout out from a fellow Hokie on the road when we first entered the park. He had spotted Blacksburg on my jersey, very cool.

T.

46-Grand Tetons WOW

64 miles DuBois to Grand Teton National Park
The Tetons rank #1 for the best view of the trip. It was a absolutely beautiful day of riding.
I must have said wow a 100 times while riding. Seriously blown away by their beauty... Not quite moved to tears but close.
The park traffic is not too bad, plenty of shoulder in the G.T. park
No grizzly sightings..yet..
T

44 & 45- Rest and.......uh

0 miles- rest in Lander
76 miles- Lander to DuBois
Yesterday we took a zero in Lander. We stocked up on groceries, I got my bike shop loitering quota for the month and we ate our way through the town.
This morning we got up before the sun to beat the wind. We had completed 40 miles before the head winds started. I love Wyoming, not sure it loves me though. Staying the night at the KOA. It was expensive but really the only option short of bumming it under a bridge. At least we got to swim, shower, and were treated to dinner from the couple camping in the next spot over.
Wish I had more energy to type buut. I'm sleepy so blahhhh!

43- The biggest bust of them all.

91 miles from Lamont to Lander.
I woke up this morning to blue skies though I wasn't quite sure if I had slept the night through or just woken up from a hour nap since. (it was daylight when I went to bed)
We got a early start to beat the wind.
We motored out the first 33 miles to Jeffery City.  Jeffrey was a uranium boom town in the 60's with 5,000 people calling it home at one point. By 1986 the optimism wore off, the mine company changed owners and the families fled. 50 people call the city home now. Ghost town to say the least.
We caught a quick lunch and watched a bit of pawn stars in the Split Rock Cafe (super friendly btw). A rancher by the name of Charlie was waiting on a phone call and enjoying a few cold ones while he waited. He had his border collie "Sleepy" with him, man oh man did,that pup make me miss my Dutch man. Sigh.... I hope he knows I love him and didn't just dump him.
We hit the road yet again but this time a strong wind from the west joined us. We earned the remaining  58 miles. There were 2 nice down hills that I had to drop to my middle ring and down shift to stay moving. Not so much fun to ride in but  stayed happy and positive despite the gusts.
Lander rewarded us for our perseverance with a very nice indoor public pool. A shower, dip in the pool, and splash in the hot tub had me feeling like a new man.
The Lander Bar was recommended to us twice for dinner so we checked it out. Good food and local beer = happy Thomas.
Camping tonight at the city park. Very nice place, though I'm a little worried about midnight sprinkler attacks.
Wyoming rocks, though windy it is very beautiful and the people are very nice.
Sleeeeeeeeepy T.

42- Pleasant Valley Sunday

Saratoga to Lamont
75 miles
Last night we were nearly carried away my a swarm of hungry devilish vampire bugs. I put up my tent as fast as possible and dove in. My bug bite collection is pretty impressive.
We hit the road super early this morning and crushed 42 miles in time for church.
By the time we got out the wind had picked up and temperature had too. No worries we crushed the remaining 33 miles and found a little slice of heaven right here in Wyoming.
When we got to Lamont the cafe had just closed but a lady poked her head out to see if we needed water. We told her we didn't and that we were planning on heading to Muddy Gap to camp. She strongly suggested that we didn't.
She pointed us towards our home for the night, a bicyclists hostel just a 1/2 mile up the road. I am sure glad she did. This place rocks!  It has teepee's to sleep in, ice cream in the freezer, and juice boxes chilled in the fridge. The price you may ask? Fo free.
Yet another awesome day in the life of Thomas and Abi. You all should check out Abi's blog, she had a few breakthroughs today. Should be interesting to read about.
I totally jinxed myself by talking about the nice shoulders btw. A good 10 miles of today's ride was gnarlier than any mountain bike trail I have ridden. Actually I kinda enjoyed it :)
T.

41- Why-o-ming

68 miles- Walton Colorado to Saratoga Wyoming.

State number 7!! Woop woop

Twas a good day. WE rode with our backs, fronts, and sides to the wind. Wyoming has been nice so far, empty roads with wide shoulders are always welcome. I saw at least 30 loaded motorcycles roll past at very high rates of speed.... Show offs.

We played in the pool here in Saratoga and dipped our toes in the hot springs. Very nice way to end the day.

Freshy fresh laundry is in the dryer and food will follow shortly after the buzzer sounds.

Loving life
T.

40- Crashin the Tour of Colorado

78 miles- Kremmling to Walden

Miles and miles of Colorado beauty. Wind from every direction, the most memorable were gusts that felt like 30mph as we were climbing (thanks mother nature for the help). We did a 29 mile climb today that snaked along beside a river, very nice. I looked all day hoping to see a moose or bear but no such luck.

We rolled into Walden after battling a cross wind for 24 miles. Welp as it turns out the bicycle tour of Colorado is also in Walden. 1,500 cyclists all enjoying the last night of thier week long tour. Abi and I were celebrities as we looked for a spot to camp. Our loaded touring bikes stick out in a world of 17lbs carbon bikes. I answered a string of questions as I set up my tent, but after stepping just feet away from my bike I blended right into the crowd of tan line sporting skinny folk.

With 1,500 cyclists comes live music, lots of food, a mobile shower truck, and a buuunch of tents. I am happy we lucked up and hit walden the same night as the tour.

T.