Teton Mountains

I'm writing to you from the local public library in Riverton, Wyoming.   We rode 80 something miles today with lots of wind.  And, it is COLD -- something in the late 40's or early 50's.   I have two wool shirts on, a cycling jersey, arm and leg warmers, and a rain/wind jacket with full finger length gloves and foot covers and it just about did the trick -- but even the locals are surprised with the weather.

Today's ride was sort of a milage day -- a few interesting things as we passed through an Indian Reservation but there were few natural stops for anything.  Lots of the gals on our trip are feeling more and more comfortable about squating just about anywhere -- if you know what I mean.  There was a sign on a bathroom a few days ago that said "No squating with spurs."   Interesting, I saw a man walking through the gas station with spurs on!   Real Cowboy and Indian country here in Wyoming. 

But yesterday's ride was glorious -- through the Teton national park area.  Wow.   The day before we rode over the Teton pass -- and loved coming down it.  But to ride through it for most of the morning was spectacular.   Very sad to turn away and leave it in the distance.  Still the ride must go on.  And on it the day went -- with over 103 miles.   This was in fact our "easiest" century ride as it had an awesome tail wind the last 30 miles or so.    But we had a huge moutain to climb and with road consturction and other dangers such as gravel.  I mention this as we had another rider break her arm yesterday.  We all felt sad to lose her to the ride.

Earlier I mentioned that this ride feels like a circus in a way -- with us setting up and taking down our tents each day.  Well, it also feels like a war or military campaign as we lose riders each week and others come to join us.  So, while the century ride for many of us was our easiest yesterday, there were new riders who were experiencing it for the first day -- and it was a big day with some rough roads and climbing.  Yet those who have been on the ride for the first two weeks are starting to become a little used to it -- even though each day has different struggles.    I metioned that we lost another rider to a broken arm -- Judy.  On the first day of the ride another person broke her arm -- both were signed up for the entire trip.   It has humbled our group a little to know anything can happen along the way.

And, while I was riding with a different group last week, I'm now starting to ride with a few others -- spent parts of yesterday and today riding with Stephen (from Wales) and Jim (from Washington).  Also rode with the Newman family -- a husband and wife and their 20 year-old son, Nathan, from California.   Despite the cold and wind -- riding with these folks made the time go a bit faster than it coud have been.