Today’s Highlights:
Today started at 4:00 AM. The morning routine was different because we had to be bussed 70 miles down the highway to a safer starting point in Farson, WY. After packing up in the dark and getting bagged breakfasts to bring with us, we boarded busses at 5:30. We reached Farson a little before 7:00 and were on the road shortly after. It was another chilly start – 47 degrees, but after a few miles it became comfortable since we were on a long gradual climb. We traveled across a sagebrush plain that one could describe as “the middle of nowhere”, but the speaker we had last night assured us that it was an important ecosystem and full of life. I did see a small heard of antelope far in the distance and one rabbit, but not much else. There were a few irrigated farms along this first section. The River Wind Range was far in the distance, and now we were seeing its eastern side. We also had a newly paved road and a very slight tailwind for a smooth ride.
As we got further up the plain, traveling northeast to Lander, the Winds grew closer and grass was more abundant along with the sagebrush, improving the scenery. We also reach a newly chip-seal road which was a little rough, but not as bad as we expected. The tailwind also increased, so all was good.
The first 30 miles of road was very straight. Sometimes I could see for miles in front and behind me. And it is amazing that with 650 riders on this tour that many times I could not see another cyclist.
The climbing increased from mile 30 to 50, and reached over 8000 feet. Cycling that section was a little work, but more scenic with real live trees! The crew set up a lunch stop for us at the top of the climb. Leaving that summit, we had a great downhill and the scenery was immensely better. The most interesting and beautiful site of the day was the Red Canyon about half way down our long, steep descent. As we dropped into Lander Valley, there were more grassland and more farms, and finally the big town of Lander.
We are staying in the town park tonight, which has nice lawns and very tall trees. It’s pleasant to have some shade in camp. We were entertained by the Native American Eagle Spirit Dancers tonight, and a big bonfire was started and will probably burn long into the night.
Pictures Of The Day:
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Loved the Red Canyon shots and the Native American costumes. Glad you didn’t get the horrible thunder storms they were getting in Jackson. No hiking for the group this time due to bad weather.