Day 17

Today was the big day. I would start to go down, awesome. I like to be up in the mountains, but the weather and altitude have been tough. The half-a-mile and mile rolling hills of Wyoming have also done me in. It was a cool ride today after about 25 miles I finally got the downhill payoff. An 8 mile downhill with a nice scenic area stop after mile 4. The area was the Red Canyon WHMA.

I crossed over one of my favorite rivers today. The Sweetwater flows through some of the most desolate areas of Wyoming, that I have been. I did not believe the map a couple times on my previous trip through Wyoming, but after a tough climb there it would be just in time for a fill-up.

Stopped at Lander WY tonight. There is a bike route called the Transamerica and the Continental Divide hiking trail so a local hotel has put in a camping area right on the river for just 10 bucks. Miles 45, Total miles 603, avg 11.2, max 35.2, time 4.0.

Day 16

Really looked forward to hitting the road today. I would be getting off the freeway and on a fun road called Big Sandy Elkhorn rd, after 15 or so miles turn onto Lander Cutoff. I was on these roads a few years ago and remember them to be tough, but a lot of fun. They were as expected winding around and up a couple of mountains. Saw some pronghorns, the one in the first photo was sitting in the middle of the road until I was about 100 feet away.

I like this area because of all the different sightings. One side there are huge snow capped mountains, other side a big basin with sage brush and big rocks. For about a mile you are riding on the continental divide, its pretty cool. Here are two pics, the snow capped mountain(Wind River Range) is to the east of the CD,the big basin is west.

Today was a great day. This was the view out of my tent door.

Miles 75, total miles 558, avg 10.3, max 35.9, total 7.11.

Day 15

Day off, no comment.

Day 14

Found a nice place to camp last night off a forest road. It rained for about 5 hours and snowed for a couple. I think tent took on the max amount of percipitation it was made for. It kept my gear dry, but there were a couple bodies of water inside the tent. I woke up to a nice snow, the first time on an extended ride there was snow on my tent.

Not much about today. The first 25 miles were the hardest I have ever done. It had it all wind, rain, snow, long climb, no downhill payoff, just a long cold slog. You know it has been a rough day when you get excited to warm up in a campground outhouse. Miles 38, total miles 483, avg 10.4, max 30.5, time 3.38

Day 13

This morning I was going to get out by 7.30 am. The next couple days will be tough, because of the weather, but there are worse things then being cold and wet. Leaving Alpine a snow plow passed by by going the same direction I was. (Not a good sign of things to come) Riding beside a river is one thing I really enjoy. Today I road by the Hoback River for most of the day which made the day fun, tough but fun. There were a few hours of sun today to give me time to clean my bike and enjoy a few hours without my rain gear. I thought the day went good today, saw a lot of good stuff. When it got raining too hard I tried to find a good spot to wait it out. One of the spots kept me dry for about an hour and a deer stopped by to check everything out.

Miles 54, total miles 445, avg 10.8, max 27.9, time 5.0

Day 12 (Day off)

Took another unexpected day off. For those keeping track I am about 4 days behind. Hopefully make the days up once out of the bad weather and over the 8000 foot summit.

Day 11

Today I would be riding into a nasty storm, just did not know how bad it would be. Just 18 or so miles to Alpine WY. There was going to be a lot of climbing today so my goal was about 50 miles. After mile12, the snow started so I knew there was no way I was getting 50 miles. It was a good thing I brought my winter gear, I had 4 layers on felt ok, but could not see very good because of all the snow. I got a cheap hotel in Alpine, thanks Elizabeth. I met her a couple miles outside of Alpine. She felt bad that she could not put all my gear in her car to give me a ride. I thanked her anyway it was just a few miles to Alpine, she insisted on giving me some $. I declined a couple times, she took no for answer and handed me a hundred bucks. Wow I couldn't believe it. Got some cool snow pics.

Wyoming welcomed me with some nice snow, yippee.

Miles 20, total miles 391, avg 9.8, max 35.9, time 2.01

Day10

Finally out of Idaho Falls. It seems like a nice city, but I did do a little dance around mile 20. It is amazing what a little extra $ can get. The last Rhyno Rim I got in 2010 got 6000 miles, the cheaper one only got 2 miles, and I had to walk the bike back to the shop. Today was a good day to have a little more junk in the trunk then the average biker. There were 20-30 mph side winds that tried to blow me into the road. It was a great ride today. The Palisades Reservoir was going to be the destination for today. I was hoping to miss the bad weather that was forecasted. I made it around 5.30, beat the rain. Got a great camp spot, was able to get set up before the rain started.

Miles 58, total miles 371 (21 miles on days off), avg 13.1, max 29.5, time 4.25

Day 9 better days yet to come

Got the new wheel. It lasted about 2 miles, nice. The new wheel was not my usual brand. The bike shops can not order it. I called good old Ken's Bicycle in Boise and they had 3 in stock. Hopefully back on the road tomorrow. Going to hit Anytime Fitness today to keep in shape. The last few couple days have been frustrating, but the last tour I took by mile 450 I already had a broken pedal, seat, and a couple spokes. After all those issues it was almost smooth sailing. So I am hoping after getting the new wheel it will trouble free for a few weeks.

Day 8 waiting for new wheel

Looks like it will be another day in Idaho Falls. I tried to fix the wheel, but it was not really safe to ride. The eyelets that keep the spokes tight were breaking so by the end of the day 4 to 5 spokes had come unscrewed and my whole bike would be wobbly. I talked with a couple bike mechanics and they agreed it would not be safe to ride. No bike shops were open on Sunday and today none had a wheel for a big person, just little people. Dave at Dave's Bikes ordered one and will be in Tuesday by 10 am. Guess I will be extra rested.

Day 7 (day off)

I am taking a full day off. Must do some laundry and work on the bike. My rear wheel is having trouble. I won't say what I did to it just that super glue was my friend. Hope everyone has a great Sunday. Hang in there.

Day 6

Today was all about getting to Idaho Falls. There is not much to see between Arco and Idaho Falls, just sage brush and dry grasses. I did stop at a cool rest stop near the INEL, it had a system that read wind speed. The wind was calm today just 2.8 mph. Wish I stopped here yesterday the wind had to be 20 plus.   First flat tire at mile 238. It was on my trailer. A couple of staples got by the teflon the tube did not have a chance. Luckily it happened along a nice patch of dry grass so it was not that bad.

I made it to Idaho Falls around 5 and found the free camp ground in town called the Southern Tourist Park. It is nice, right on the Snake River. I recommend it if anyone is looking for a cheap night in town. Just a heads up obey the signs. One said no tents beyond this point, but had the last available picnic table, so I took the spot. No big deal until 1 in the morning when the sprinklers started. I had the fastest tent move ever, to the tent area, which is not watered at night.  

Once I got there these 2 ducks claimed the spot near my front tire. They were there for a couple hours while I looked around and relaxed.   Miles 75, total miles 292, avg 13.4, time 5.30, max speed 25.9

Day 5

Leaving the park I thought it would be an easy 20 miles to Arco. I was wrong, there was a though wind for the whole ride into Arco. In Arco I found a local pizza joint and got a medium. The hard ride left me tired so I stayed in Arco for the night. The graduating classes have a cool custom of writing the years on the rocks above the city. The latest year I could find was 06 so the custom might have ended or no graduates for the last few years.  

Miles 20,  Total Miles 217, Avg 10.9, Time  2.04, Max speed 28.3

Day4

Today the plan was to get to The Craters of the Moon. It looks like a fairly level ride so it should be doable. There were no winds or big climbs today and even had a nice tailwind for the last 10 miles to help get me to the park. Hwy 20 has been nice to ride on, with a good shoulder and not much traffic. I got some pics of the start of The Craters of the Moon park and a satelite view to see how big the lava fields are.  

Miles 72,  Total miles 197, Avg 12.8, Time 5.34, Max Speed 34.1

Day 3

Nothing much going on today. Had a couple more good climbs today. I forgot how hard climbs are on man and machine. I finally made to the top and my chain broke. I fixed the link, after a couple failed attempts. After my last trip I brought 8 extra links and a second chain to hopefully get me to Pittsburgh. Had a short day today, probably should have gone another 20 miles, but decided to get a long rest. Got a couple histor marker pics while fixing the chain.

Miles 37 Total miles 125, avg 13.9, time 2.38, max speed 36.4

Day 2

Leaving Mountain Home I had no idea there was a 7 plus mile climb. I heard nice hill, tough climb, but did not think it would be a couple hour climb. I was going to try to get past Little Camas Res today, but with the long climb and not having my climbing legs yet I could only make it 26 miles to Little Camas. It is a nice little reservoir. A couple fishing told me the fish were biting, but there were no picnic tables. For those of you that don't know how much I like picnic tables after a long ride you will know after a couple months. I was able to get a couple good pics of the area.

Miles 26 Total miles 88, avg 7.4, time 3.32, max speed 32

Day 1

Got a good start this morning. Everything went good considering it was my first day on the road. Nothing too exciting today. Boise to Mountain home not much to see, just a lot of sage brush.

Today went better then expected. even though I did not make it to the planned destination. It was so windy for 40 miles I felt like.....

****All Bloom County Comics are copyright by Berkely Breathed**** Miles--62 Avg--11 Max speed--27.2 Time riding--5.34

The pinball rally begins on May 14th. There is still a lot of training and planning to do and not much time left. The first and last overnighter will be on Friday May 4th to CJ Strike Reservoir(Didn't make it. Good thing because it rained all day). Once the pinball rally begins I will try to update every few days.

Big day

Tomorrow is the big day. Hopefully I will be riding by 9 am. Looks like great weather for the first few days. Here is a photo of my loaded bike, home sweet home for the next 3 months.

I will try to update every couple days. Hope everyone enjoys it. Here is a map of the Idaho route.