ABBN18: Riverton to Casper, Wy

The ABB web site which advertises this ride states: “The westerly winds can kick up on the high plains. We should get a nice ride into Casper, Wyoming for our second off day.”  Well guess again. We had 120 miles of headwind into Casper.  Not a nice ride.

And more to the point 120 miles of nothing!  There was virtually nothing to see – for 120 miles.  Well, maybe we should give an exception to Hells Half Acre (photo at left) at mile 76.7.  The Indians supposedly ran buffalo into this canyon, butchered them for their tongues and humps – and left the remains.

Mike Monk said this is the most difficult this ride has ever been. And I felt it. After a late start, I hooked onto a 4-person pace line – one I could keep up with (see photos or right). John and Gene and Anne, and occasionally Larry, got me through today. Without them, I’d probably be an hour back.  (Several people barely made it in time for dinner at 6:00.) We started at the back of the  pack but eventually moved to near the front. During the first half of the ride, even the pace line, going uphill at no more than 12.5 mph.

After the third rest stop (91 miles) we found Brenda, riding with the wind, and, after a hug and a kiss, she joined the group for the final ride into Casper.  I was surprised at how I felt.  With the pace line I was riding faster then normal, and even at mile 115 – I was feeling good. No aches and no pain.

But I’m more than ready for a relaxing weekend with Brenda.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
18	121	1,598	9.0	1,375	2,313	32

 

ABBN17: Dubois to Riverton, Wy

At lunch yesterday, the TV was on. Bill glanced at it and said “The best thing about being on the road today  is that we don’t have to watch or even hear about Michael Jackson’s funeral.” Amen to that.

Also from yesterday, there were a couple of comments from Basically Boring Blog readers about the 3.5 miles on a flatbed trailer. Well, I’m not going to worry about these mandatory lifts. Besides, there were 3.5 miles extra today just to eat breakfast.

Re today, who would ever thought that an 80 mile day could be a day for rest and relaxation? Well, with most of the ride downhill, it can be pretty relaxing. To sweeten matters, the first half also had a tailwind. But either we changed direction of the wind changed because it was against us the last half.  -  Like yesterday, it was cold when we started, but warmed fast. The temperature went from 41 too 61 between 6:00 and 8:00, and was 90 when we arrived in Riverton.  -  There were very few cars today: Who wants to go from Dubois to Riverton? The road had hundreds, maybe thousands, of frost cracks but there was a wide shoulder all of the way.

We totally lost the great scenery we had yesterday as the Tetons faded in the distance.  Shortly out of town, we went through a red rock canyon but after that it was as desolate ad lonely as West Texas.

We saw two things of interest on the road today, both going in the opposite direction, but I didn’t stop to explore either:

1. First I saw a recumbent tandem pulling a Bob (single wheel) trailer.  I hollered “Hello” to the couple; then told myself I should go back and visit with them.  But it’s hard to stop the bike when you’re going downhill with a tailwind.
2. Next I passed a guy with a long gray beard riding a horse. I thought that would be a great photo of local color – but didn’t stop. Later I learned from others in our group that this guy is riding his horse across the U.S. And you thought I’m crazy!

NOTE RE TOMORROW’S BLOG: It may not be published tomorrow because (1) Brenda will be visiting me and I may have higher priorities :) and (2) it’s a 120 mile day. So it may not be published until Friday, but I think I can get tomorrow’s date on it.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
17	83	892	5.1	1,254	2,433	33

ABBN16: Jackson to Dubois, Wy

As soon as you enter Teton National Park (mile 6.3) you begin to see the Tetons (photo on left).

The ride is basically 57 miles up hill to the Continental Divide and 31 miles downhill to Dubois (my least favorite  place of all we’ve stayed). There was traffic and construction today. On the construction we got to ride over some rough roads, followed a lead car twice and were also ferried about 3.5 miles in a flatbed trailer by the contractor. The climb was mostly gentle, never more than 7%. We actually climbed more from miles 40 to 48 than we did from 49 to the top at mile 57.

The Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Divide or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from, 1) those river systems which drain into the Atlantic Ocean (including those which drain via the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea), and 2) along the northernmost reaches of the Divide, those river systems which drain into the Arctic Ocean (including those which drain into either the Arctic or Atlantic Oceans via Hudson Bay).

Although there are other continental divides on the North American continent, the Great Divide is by far the most prominent of these because it tends to follow a line of high peaks along the main ranges of both the American and Canadian Rocky Mountains, at a generally much higher elevation than the other divides.

On to Riverton, WY. tomorrow and then Casper on Thursday – longest day of the tour, 120 miles.  That West wind had better be blowing but the forecast is not good. However, Brenda is coming to see me in Casper.  This nine days before a break has gone fast.

Oh yes, we passed some riders going the other way today. They were fully loaded, ready for camping and cooking. I talked to one of them, the oldest rider at age 70. He looked pretty weather-beaten. They started from Virginia in May and were headed toward Astoria. He said the worst thing about their trip was the food (that they were cooking) and next the hills. “The wind hasn’t been bad.” They were not looking forward to Teton pass with their fully loaded bikes. My report of 5 miles of 10% grade didn’t help.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
16	84	3,755	6.6	1,171	2,512	34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABBN15: Idaho Falls to Jackson, Wy

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way." - Dr Seuss

Get on your way we did and it almost did me in.  Chuck Carlson had warned “Teton Pass is tough – 10% grade. Don’t wear your self out before you get there.”  But his advise was difficult to take since our first 44 miles had significant headwind. So I was tired by the time we made the left turn to the passes. 

Two days ago when we had the 102 mile day I was riding slow, at least in the morning. It seemed that everyone passed me before the first rest stop. And today, I certainly wasn’t with any of the faster riders. Or even the average riders.  You’re supposed to get stronger as the ride goes on; I seem to be getting weaker!

The climb to Pine Creek Summit (6,764 feet) was beautiful and we no longer had headwind. It was as if we were riding in an alpine meadow – may not have been one but felt like it.  The beginning and ending miles were relatively steep but the majority of the 14 mile climb was rolling.  We then lost 900 feet to the town of Victor for lunch.

We enter Wyoming and then begin the climb to Teton Pass (8,431 feet). It’s only 8 miles, but a tough 8 miles, the last 2.5 with a 10% grade. REFI was in jeopardy but I made it by stopping frequently. There were several riders walking part of the last 2 miles.  At the top of the pass there was no sign recognizing your accomplishment, but the view (left) was worth all the effort. 

The downhill was steep – 10% grade for 5 miles. Even though I was on my brakes the entire time, I reached 37 mph. 

Ride leader Mike Monk is fond of saying “If you liked today, you’re going to love tomorrow.” And tomorrow is another 88 mile day with significant climbing; we’re over 9,000 feet as we cross the Continental Divide.  -- See more of today’s photos below.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
15	89	4,132	8.25	1,087	2,600	35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABBN14: Blackfoot to Idaho Falls, Id

Depending on how you measure it, the ride across America is about 25% completed.  (I should have ridden an extra 2 miles today so my total would be 1,000.) --  After yesterday’s blog, “Jake”  asked if I’ve set a personal record for the number of days I’ve ridden in a row (now 15). The answer is “probably”.  When Brenda and I rode End-to-End (2003?), it was 22 days with one rest day. I think the rest day was #14 or 15. The only other ride which would come close was the Pyrenees (1998), 12 days without a rest day.  --  But this brings up the question my son David asked the other day: “Who is this Jake commenting on your blog.”  Well the secret is out: Jake (photo on right) is Herb and Sandra Bloomer’s cat.  I’ve been riding with Herb and Sandra since the 70’s; Brenda and I ride our tandem with them most Sundays.

A few days ago on our way from Baker City, Or. to Boise, Id. we went through or passed near Caldwell, Id. It was here in 1984 that the last stoplight on the interstates highway system was removed, placed in a coffin and buried.

Today’s ride was pretty much a non-event.  The ride was easy: the mountains got closer.  Idaho Falls is aptly named, there are falls downtown which must stretch for miles (photo on left).  The downtown looks interesting but on a Sunday afternoon it is deserted. The coffee shop was closed, the bagel shop was closed. In fact everything was closed except for an antiques (junk) store.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
14	37	400	2.7	998	2,688	36

ABBN13: Burley to Blackfoot, Id

  Most Americans spend the 4th of July with bar-b-q and beer, not riding their bicycle 110 miles across Idaho.  ‘Not sure who had the best idea here.  Our day would have been better with a 75 mile ride.  The 110 was somewhat difficult since we had a headwind most of the day.  But it was pretty flan and the roads were good. We were in the interstate for 7.5 miles but we were in Old Highway 30 for 35 miles and Route 39 North for 51 miles.  We love long distances without turns – you don’t have to think, just pedal. After dinner update: we had bar-b-q and (many of us) beer just like everyone else.

Mike Monk has taken dozens of photos of me along the road but none have made his blog.  But last night’s  Scavenger Hunt presentation finally got me on his web site.  Some people will do anything for publicity. Oh well, we did win first place.

The 7.5 miles on I84 shoulder were eerie today: no cars. In fact, there didn’t seem to be cars on most roads today.

We’re noticed each night, the elevation is creeping up, Of course we started at sea level. Last week we were around 2,500 feet. Last night we noticed we’re around 4,000.  And then today, at about mille 25, we started noticing a mountain range on the horizon (photo on left): the Rockies!  This means we’re going to do some serious climbing soon; starting on Monday if I understand the schedule.  This week might end up the toughest week yet.

Another thing we’ve noticed is cloud build-up in the afternoon. So far the only storm was the day before yesterday after we completed the  ride.  But we know our time is coming.  We’ve already had the safety lecture about lightening.  See photos of cloud build-up at the bottom of the blog.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
13	110	1,006	8.3	961	2,722	37

ABBN12: Twin Falls to Burley, Id

Re Nick injuring himself yesterday, there is one good aspect of this – he has travel insurance. So, in addition to covering his injuries, he will be reimbursed for the rest of the trip.

Today is a short day so we have our latest start ever, 8:30. This allows me to find a cappuccino. --The road is good again today, much of it on I84 access road which is smooth, about 20 yards from the freeway , very little traffic and not much debris. -- Again, it’s mostly an agricultural area.

Photo to left – Snake River

We’re leaving Twin Falls, but haven’t seen the falls. We have two opportunities today and most of us take to detour to the first, Shshone Falls. To get there we have a big descent, 400 feet in less than a mile with 6 and 7% grades. I dread the return trip but find the climb back was very easy; I didn’t use my granny gear and wasn’t breathing hard. Am I getting stronger?  -- The detour to the falls was really worth it – see photos at the end of this blog.

We had a Scavenger Hunt on the ride today. I wasn’t going to play but joined a team at the last minutes – and we won first place. We got an extra point for presentation – when the item was “band aid” – ours was on my right rear cheek – Maureen pulled down my shorts to display it! Our prize is pretty good; we get to go to the beginning of any line for the next week.

Mike had a seminar today on cleaning and maintaining your drive chain which was pretty interesting.  Early rise tomorrow – breakfast at 5:50 and luggage at 6:00 – we have a 110 mile day for the Forth of July.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
12	44	1,492	3.3	851	2,831	38

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABBN11: Mountain Home to Twin Falls, Id

Shirley, from Sweeny High School Class of ‘59, asked how “that van thing works”.

There are three support vehicles and a staff of five (supposed to be six but one has medical issues). Two vehicles are 15 passenger vans with bike racks on the top and rear. One of these is the mechanic’s van and he roves the course looking for people with mechanical problems. The vehicles communicate with each other via radio. There is also a very large box truck which carries all the luggage, spare stuff (e.g. I’ve got parts for my bike stored here), food, and other supplies (e.g. they sell jerseys, t-shirts, etc before each rest day). Every night when you get the route sheets, you also get tomorrow’s schedule. For instance, today it is:

• 5:30 Breakfast :
• 5:50-6:20 Time you load your luggage in the box truck
• 5:00 pm Mechanic will be available at the hotel to fix anything not fixed during the day
• 4:00-8:00 Dinner
• 6:00 Rap session where you get next day’s instruction

There are one or more “sag” (Support and Gear) stops each day where one of the vehicles is parked and has available food and drink, sun screen, tire pump, tubes, etc. You can also leave jackets and other stuff at the sag stops if you don’t think you’ll need it during the rest of the day. Today the stops were at miles 28.8 and 60.0. Usually the box is at the first sag stop and then, after everyone has come through, may go directly to the motel. And the non-mechanics van is usually at the second stop. But on long and hot days they will park a vehicle at intermediate points primarily to provide water. The staff members rotate duties and one or two of them bike at least part of the ride each day. Assuming the box truck gets to the hotel about the same time as the faster riders, as soon as there are a dozen or so riders, we unload the luggage (roughly 100 pieces, none are supposed to weigh over 35 pounds).

For everything we do (meals, luggage in van, stop at sag stops, arrival at hotel, etc.) we must sign-in. This is how they keep track of 50 people who might be spread over 20 miles. So it’s pretty regimented, as it need be, but done mostly with a gentle hand and humor so no one gets mad.

Speaking or regimentation, when you arrive at a sag stop you must follow this procedure:

1. Take off your cycle gloves
2. Sign in
3. Clean your hands with some wipes provided
4. Sanitize your hands with the stuff provided
5. Then you can go to the food and drink table

On one of the first days I forgot this – got off my bike and walked toward the food table. I reached for a cookie (gloves on my hands) and my hand was slapped.

Today’s ride, 97 miles, was pretty nice; we were on country roads almost the entire day. Cool in the morning, hot by the second rest stop but cloud cover came in and cooled things for the afternoon. Almost all of our riding in Idaho is along the Snake River, although we can’t see it much of the time. ‘Went through a lot of agricultural areas today.

First accident occurred today. Pam and Nick are strong riders and ride together, drafting much of the time. Pam was in the lead and they were moving right for a car to pass when Nick’s wheel hit hers. He went over the handlebars and broke his collar bone. So his ride is over – and there are no refunds.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
11	97	1,764	7.5	807	2,869	39

Idaho is famous for potatoes. I’m not sure what Twin Falls is famous for but this is the place Evil Kenievel met his waterloo; he did not make it across the Snake River Canyon (shown on right). As I understand it, his parachute took him down to the river.

ABBN10: Boise to Mountain Home, Id

After a rest day, everyone is raring to go this morning. We have an uncharacteristically late load time of 8:00 because today is a short day. We leave Boise on the rough bike trail – see photo to left. Once again, we have great weather with the temperature probably in the low 70’s The profile of today’s ride is one long hill – 25 miles up and 25 miles down. There is more up than down because we will end at a higher elevation than we started. But the grade is so slight (except for maybe a mile of 2%) that you don’t know you’re climbing. This is especially true from mile 13 to 25; we’re on Interstate 84 with a nice tailwind.

We ride about 35 of today’s 50 miles on the interstate. The main problem is the junk on the shoulder; I’ll bet I saw 6 or 8 flats caused by garbage on the road. I did my good deed by stopping to help 80 year old Professor John change his flat. (Actually I did it for him and even gave him a tube when his spare was faulty.) He said,

• “Thanks. I owe you a tube”
• “I’ll settle for a glass of wine.”
• “I’ll give you a tube AND a glass of wine.”
• “Such a deal!”

After a week the group is really coming together, although many of us still have difficulty with names. I’m getting better about that. We’re joined by two riders, Maureen from New York city and Dennis from Lawton, Oklahoma. Dennis has several flats today and I stepped on Maureen’s bare foot during the luggage unload process. She was probably barefoot because she is wearing road cleats – which we are advised NOT to do.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
10	51	925	3.5	710	2,966	40

After today’s easy day (Jeanie called it a “cupcake day”.), tomorrow’s ride is 97 miles. Then 38, 110, 34, 88, 88, 79 and 120 (longest day of the ride). None of these involve a lot of climbing, other than the two 88 mile days – to and from Jackson, WY.

This blog will probably not get posted tonight since I can’t log on to Best Western’s wireless router. Another person is having the same problem. 49 of the 50 nights we’re supposed to have WIFI; only the Best Western in Chamberlin, SD doesn’t have it. By the way, we’ve had three incidents where the motel has bottles of very cold water waiting for us. The Best Western here in Mountain Home also had fruit and granola bars in a conference room for us.

One of the real characters on the ride is Shuresh “Sarge” Kurjah from Trinidad. He is the group comedian as well as social director (He had everyone sign cards for the two gals that left after segment 1.) Yesterday in Boise, he purchased an expensive mountain bike and had it shipped home. ‘Turns out that today was his birthday and someone provided a cake.

ABBN09: Boise, Id Rest Day

“One of the things I discovered, and you're discovering too, is that you don't need to be a bicyclist to ride across America. You need to be an adventurer. The bicycle is just the tool.” - Dick Dexheimer, one of my Wednesday AARP Ride buddies who rode across America several years ago.

Some people only have the time to do part of the ride across America and ABB provides ride by segments. Eighteen people are doing one or more, but not all segments; so there are people who we haven’t met yet – maybe someone will join us tomorrow. Segment one ended yesterday and we said goodbye to DeLynn and Sally, both from Anchorage, Alaska.

Discussing this as dinner last night, I learned that Doug and Cindy Sage (photo on left) from Tucson signed up for the ride only 5 weeks before it started. Originally, Cindy was only going to do only one leg. She said “I’d really be bummed out if I had to leave now; I’m glad I signed up for the whole thing.”

One of the hassles to bike touring, even the luxury tour like we’re doing, is laundry. I’ve been washing my cycle clothes by hand every day after I get in. But you still need a good machine wash with hot water (to kill the bacteria). So that’s a good thing to do on your off day. The problem here at the Ramada, however, is they only have one washer and one dryer. So I got my laundry done at 5:00 a.m. today. By 6:00, there was a line.

In the Links section of my blog, I’ve added a link to Mike Munk’s web site. Here you can learn about the staff, the riders and read about each day’s ride from the leader’s perspective. The link

http://www.bamacyclist.com/Journal2009/North09/09North.htm

I’m planning a short ride today on the greenbelt along the Boise River. Also planning a stop at Starbucks (went to Lucy’s instead – great cappuccino); ‘haven’t been to a coffee bar in a week. I’ll also give the bike a good cleaning and polish and lube the drive train.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
9	18	92	1.5	659	3,017	41

“Boise”, the state capital, is French for “wooded” – Boise is thus the City of Trees. There is an extensive systems of bike paths, known as the Greenbelt; however, I’ve never experienced bike paths so rough. Every ten yards there’s a major bump, mostly caused by freezing I assu me. You can’t go very fast at all, and you’ll surely get pinch flats if you tires aren’t properly inflated. We leave on one of these rough paths tomorrow; no one will be happy about that.

Segment two of the tour, which we begin tomorrow, is the longest in terms of days (9 days before a rest). See map of segment two:

 

 

ABBN08: Ontario, Or to Boise, Id

From yesterday’s blog I had comments from “Jake” – I have no idea who Jake is. He suggested I ride 16 miles on  my off-day to make up for the 8 missed today. Why 16? Eight should be sufficient. Also, he wanted a picture on Patricia's bike. It’s a Rivendale, with 650B tires, headset and front rack shown at right.

This morning’s temperature was much warmer that previous (all in the 40’s except for yesterday in the 50’s). Today is was in the 60’s so, for the first time, no knee warmers, no jacket or vest.  It got into the 90’s at our destination of Boise, but I think everyone arrived early so the heat wasn’t a problem.

ABB protocol is everyone wears the ABB jersey the day before a rest day. So that was today and we were a colorful lot.

Pictured on the left is Chuck, a home builder from Maryland. When Chuck arrived in Astoria he did not own a bike jersey; so the ABB jersey is his only one – he wears it every day. Another unusual thing about him is that he doesn’t spend his vacations cycling, he spends (three vacations per year) at the horse races.  But he can really ride; he’s usually one of the first ones in – sometimes he’s in and had a couple of beers before the fast riders arrive!

 

We finally leave Oregon and enter Idaho. The roads were much better today than the previous week’s roads. Let’s hope this continues.

Tonight we have a bar-b-q at the Marriot where we’re staying. Tomorrow is a rest day in Boise.

Day	Miles today	Feet climbed	Hrs in saddle	Miles so far	Miles to go	Days to go
8	65	1,012	4.7	641	3,017	42

 

 

 

 

 

Steve, from Tasmania is riding this weird crank-forward bike due to a car-bike injury which prevents him from sitting on a road bike for any length of time. He’s riding with tennis shoes – no cleats – and as you can see, he’s leading the pack.