Day 18: Riverton to Casper, Wyoming
Day 19: Rest Day
July 8, 2004
Miles: 120
This is our longest day on the tour. On most days, I've not been
concerned about staying up with anyone else or riding in a group for
efficiency but 120 miles and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms
motiviated me to try to make good time today. Anyway, there
weren't many photo ops--we've settled into our desert rangeland
period. I prefer the mountains and forests but if you like
wide open lands, this is for you.
The first 65 miles or so were a gradual uphill climb into
headwinds. I was the last to leave but I caught up with Jessie
and we took turns breaking the winds until the first SAG stop at 35
miles, towards the end hooking up with the three docs and Team E.
I ended up riding with the docs and 2/3rds of Team E for the rest of
the day. The skies were threatening rain and a few drops hit us
at the SAG but the storm was blowing quickly to the northeast and we
avoided all but those few drops.
At the second SAG, we were expecting a tailwind. Instead we got a
very strong, gusty, crosswind, especially for the last 35 miles.
Once in a while it did turn into a tailwind but not for long. We
still made pretty good time into Casper but it was an effort staying
upright (Caryn and Rick, if you recall the Foxy's Fall Century where we
first met, this was worse--stronger winds and no windbreaks, though I
don't feel as beat up as then). Jessie has aerodynamic wheels,
which tend to catch more sidewinds than regular round spoke,
thin-rimmed wheels like I brought. He told me that one gust blew
him across the two-land road before he got his bike under
control. None of us in our group had that much trouble but it was
a struggle.
We had lunch at Hell's Half Acre, one of the few options this
day. To keep my bike from blowing away, I hung it on the fence by
its handlebar:
I ordered a buffalo burger. This is as good a time as any to
report the results from my Canadian research team on the bison vs
buffalo question I raised earlier. They report:
"What
is the difference between bison and buffalo? To many people,
'buffalo' is the popular name often used to describe North American
bison; however, this is a misnomer. In fact, buffalo are distinctly
different animals from bison. Although both bison and buffalo belong to
the same family, Bovidae, true 'buffalo' are native only to Africa and
Asia."
So I actually had bison and it was good. But Hell's Half Acre is
really known for this "how did that get here" canyon:
Today's breakfast was another limited selection of french toast, fruit
salad and cold cereal. (My Canadian team reminds me that there is
"some" protein in the egg batter, contrary to my previous
complaint. This time I made sure that I ate enough.
Combining that with my improved sense of what fuel I need and when, I
came through this day strong at the end and feeling pretty good.
I blame the food problems on ABB headquarters, who make those
arrangements. The field staff has been wonderful, concerned about
our safety and making sure we have what we need to suceed--exactly what
you want them to be doing.
July 9, 2004
Rest day
Got my laundry done early this morning, breakfast and then finished
bringing these pages up to date. Later, I wandered over
to downtown Casper (not a whole lot to see or shop), had a massage,
cleaned my bike (abbreviated by a thunderstorm), relaxed and turned in.
Look for the next updates on Tuesday the 13th.
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