Cumulative miles: 1141.45

From: Jackson Hole, WY

To: Dubois, WY

Yesterday we climbed the Teton Pass and today we climb over the continental divide. The continental divide is located on our route at Togwotee Pass, 9,658 feet high. Breakfast was at 5:30 AM. This means that I get up at 4:30 AM. For some this must be challenging but that is my usual time for getting up in the morning. It was cool when we hit the road. I was wearing my vest and arm warmers. We were in a long pace line as we left the town of Jackson Hole and headed north toward the Tetons. In my opinion, there are no more beautiful mountains than the Tetons. They are my favorite.

The pace line didn’t last long due to the numerous photo opportunities. True to our form, team Stops A Lot did just that. By the end of the day we between Mary and I we had taken over 200 pictures. After heading north we arrived at the junction of 26E and 287S. The climbing started here. For the next twenty miles we would be heading up to the pass. The four of us managed to stay together most of the way but when the grade moved to 6% Mary and Dan fell behind and Steve and I found our rhythm and moved out ahead. At about mile forty three I decided to take it out a bit and picked up the pace. Steve fell back and I began to pass one rider after another. There is a store at mile 48.5 so I decided to push hard until I hit the store and wait for the others.

I have to tell you, all things considered, I was smokin’! I geared down and just spun my pedals and moved right on up the hill. I turned in at the store and had just gotten off my bike when Dan arrived. He had been trying to reel me in and must have just about been on my heels. We laughed and we were both sweating profusely. Steve and Mary came along a few minutes later.

We rested at the store, ate lunch and got ready for the final push. We started off together but soon separated due to the climbing. Once again I got way out in front and decided to push hard up to the continental divide. It felt good to just let it out and put the hammer down! I was a few miles from the divide when I heard Steve shout from down the road. Dan had just passed him while using his aero bars. As Dan went by he looked over at Steve and gave him one of those big toothy grins that says, “Gotcha!” Then they both joined forces and went after me. I could see them coming and I thought, “No way! No way am I going to give those two the satisfaction of reeling me in right before the summit!” I kicked it into high gear and raced for the top with both of them in hot pursuit. I managed to hold the two of them off. We arrived seconds apart all laughing and sweating heavily.

Every time we arrive at a SAG we cause commotion due to our laughing and hi-jinks. After the SAG stop it was all down hill and a strong tail wind to boot! The road was rough and the wind gusty so it made the riding potentially very dangerous. We had to constantly slow down and anticipate when the wind would gust and blow us left or right. But when the wind was directly behind us, we could sail down the road doing 25 mph with out even turning a pedal. It was wonderful.

When we arrived at our motel we always celebrate the day. We have a tradition now of thanking each other for a great day and each of us give the others a high five. This was an end to another wonderful day on the road.

After getting to my room and showering, I did laundry. One of the other riders is riding with her husband and offered to let me throw my shorts and jerseys in with their stuff. That was really nice and saved me some time.

Well, that’s all for now. See you tomorrow as we head for Riverton

Click here to see more pictures from today!