D29 6/12 Lander to Jeffrey City

(Pickles and Aught)

Mileage: 60

Video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvynL3BPKO 

Map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/93146049?privacy_code=VQAUZ97qGhKAMiIE 

Tomorrow's Destination: Alcova

Tonight's Accommodations: Jeffery City Community Church Bike Hostel

I'm sitting in the Split Rock Bar listening to three guys talk about dozing or rather dozing wrong: the times your dozer slid into the creek. I am content to just be a fly on the wall. Earlier I played indoor fetch with Pickles and Aught, the owner's dogs. It is so nice to meet nice dogs! They are father and son and never fight over the ball. 

(Leaving hosts Mark and Judy)

It's later. Another cyclist rolled in, John from Denver, doing the Transamerica route. His partner bailed in Missoula after two weeks of rain. My decision to go south is looking wiser. It would be cool to ride with him, but I'm turning off the Transamerica only about 20 miles further on. 

After two of the dozer guys left we talked to the third dozer, the owner's husband. He works a lot of construction and was on the job that built the bike lane around Jackson and the road I drove in Sinks Canyon yesterday. He didn’t charge me for my second soda which was nice. 

(Gunnar on the Range)

The day’s riding was mellow. Leaving at first light was a smart move because the wind has really kicked up. I rolled through the range with minimal traffic. I passed through a red rock canyon with a red rock barn and then climbed a long hill called Beaver Rim for a last peek at the Wind River Range.

(This is my goodbye to snow capped peaks)

Shortly after that I came to the Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Bookstore which is, yes, a bookstore in the middle of nowhere. Go look them up. Sadly, they were closed. 

(I'll be back...)

Cranking past the bookstore, I met another cyclst, Al, heading the other way. He’s a climber who spent the winter in the flatlands and is heading back to the mountains. About 30 seconds after we parted ways, I got my first puncture. The tubeless tire set up is amazing! The latex in the tire didn’t quite seal up the hole, but when I went to clean it for a fix using a rubber patch, the cleaning material plugged the hole enough for the latex to grab.

(Where I got the puncture)

The tire held and I was in Jeffrey City by 11:15! That’s the earliest I’ve ever arrived some place. I’ve been able to hang out and relax. John cycled in while I was at the Cafe/Bar and Russ came after I came back to the church hostel. The three of us are about ready to head back to the Split Rock for dinner and free wifi. We are all going to get up early to avoid the wind and heat. Wish me luck tomorrow!

(At the hostel)

I'm back from dinner. They comped me a whiskey! 

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