Slightly hangdogged from too many beers last night, and with only a PopTart for breakfast (Yes it's true, my first PTart in 40 years!) followed by a big convenience store coffee, I fall off my bike! Hard to believe, but I biked 100 yards, decided to stop quickly to take a photo, and didn't get the foot outta the clip and, well you know... Lost some knee skin, bent a dropout, and was very lucky.
Up, up, up we go. Gradually at first as we leave town, then into the lower canyon surrounding Ten Sleep Creek and Canyon Creek. Walls are sheer, and the outcrops are varied. Many formations are labelled and dated; the oldest is pre-Cambrian (5 billion years old!!) Trophy houses are set in unbelieveable niches and bends of the river, aspen groves replace sage hillsides. The grade is unyielding uphill, but gradual and the sun is warm, but with cool air. About the best conditions possible. Pass through a band of peak wildflowers. Pines and firs appear and houses change to campgrounds as I push past 8000'. More up, but the miles don't come quick at 4 mph! Finally, after 6 hours, I reach Powder River Pass (9666') at 2 pm, amidst a hoard of motorcycles, RVs, trailers and NO other bicyclists. Brindil stands on the last stretch to the top and I'm thinking the charriot race in Ben Hur with Charleton Heston (she's got the whip and me getting whipped!). What a L O N G climb...
What goes up for nearly 5000' must go down, so it's 5 miles quick down (Where's that runaway bike ramp?), then 10 miles of short, tiring ups and more quick downs. Here comes the rain that has been threatening all afternoon. Then more sun. The raingear goes on and off three times in 2 hours. Shore Lodge provides a needed refuel of decadent choco cake and 2 Cokes, then it's down a long 7% runout all the way to Buffalo, Wy's Super8 @ 68 miles.
The Bighorns were sure a treat and seeing their cross-section all in one day, from 4500' to 9666' and back down to 5000' was quite the unforgettable crank!
Somehow, the odometer passed 1400 miles today.
Up, up, up we go. Gradually at first as we leave town, then into the lower canyon surrounding Ten Sleep Creek and Canyon Creek. Walls are sheer, and the outcrops are varied. Many formations are labelled and dated; the oldest is pre-Cambrian (5 billion years old!!) Trophy houses are set in unbelieveable niches and bends of the river, aspen groves replace sage hillsides. The grade is unyielding uphill, but gradual and the sun is warm, but with cool air. About the best conditions possible. Pass through a band of peak wildflowers. Pines and firs appear and houses change to campgrounds as I push past 8000'. More up, but the miles don't come quick at 4 mph! Finally, after 6 hours, I reach Powder River Pass (9666') at 2 pm, amidst a hoard of motorcycles, RVs, trailers and NO other bicyclists. Brindil stands on the last stretch to the top and I'm thinking the charriot race in Ben Hur with Charleton Heston (she's got the whip and me getting whipped!). What a L O N G climb...
What goes up for nearly 5000' must go down, so it's 5 miles quick down (Where's that runaway bike ramp?), then 10 miles of short, tiring ups and more quick downs. Here comes the rain that has been threatening all afternoon. Then more sun. The raingear goes on and off three times in 2 hours. Shore Lodge provides a needed refuel of decadent choco cake and 2 Cokes, then it's down a long 7% runout all the way to Buffalo, Wy's Super8 @ 68 miles.
The Bighorns were sure a treat and seeing their cross-section all in one day, from 4500' to 9666' and back down to 5000' was quite the unforgettable crank!
Somehow, the odometer passed 1400 miles today.
Looking forward to a list of vegatables consumed on this junket.....is that a very short list???!!!
ReplyDelete