Cumulative Miles: 1220.52

From: Dubois, WY

To: Riverton, WY

This morning when I got up, I was tired. It is the first day that I struggled to get going. I ate a good breakfast but we all tended to be much more subdued than usual. Mary even commented on it.

We left Dubois at about 7:00 AM. The good news is that most all the day is generally down hill and we may also have a tail wind to boot. We got in our pace line and set up our 5 minute rotations and took off down the road. From time to time other riders would join the line but many do not have the discipline to stay with the system. They go fast on the down hills and go slow up hills. They are not willing to stay in the line and reap the benefits from working together.

We stopped and took a few pictures of the red rock cliffs as we left Dubois. After that it was much like central Oregon, sage brush and dry land. We were pretty much all business today. We cruised along at anywhere between 17-22 mph. When we ride like this we end up passing many other riders and today was no exception.

With about 12 miles to go and climbing up a long hill, I noticed a pace line off in the distance getting closer and closer to us. We were all a bit tired by this time and just wanted to get to lunch and our motel. I was monitoring the progress of the group behind and you know what I was thinking, can we hold them off. But then again, who really cares or will remember. So I slowed down as we approached the top of the hill to keep our group together, when Dan yells out, “Hey I just want you to know there is a group reeling us in!” Well, it was really about time for me to rotate out, but this was all I really needed to hear. As we crested the hill, Mary was on my rear tire and Steve on hers, with Danny bringing up the rear. I slowly increased our speed as we descended toward town with 10 miles to go. As I looked in my rear view mirror, Mary was right with me so I increased my speed again. Now we are cruising down the hill in tight order moving at about 29 mph. I moved my hands down to the drops and shifted to my highest gear and pedaled with greater determination. I couldn’t believe that Mary was able to hold on.

We increased our distance on the group behind and managed to time a traffic light just right to pass straight through. Now that we were right in town you have to change your riding behavior. We slowed down and all began to watch for cars and storm drains etc. We caught the next red light and the other group joined us. We all spotted a Dairy Queen up the road and turned in for another humongous lunch.

Today was basically an uneventful day but a good day. Tomorrow we have a long pull into Casper, WY, 120 miles. Then we have a much needed rest day.

Thanks again for joining me. I have received email from people I haven’t spoken with in years, who are riding with me across America. I hope you are enjoying the trip as much as I am.

Click here to see more pictures from today!