Day 56: Jeffrey City, WY to Lander, WY

Saturday, July 14, 2012,  60 miles - Total so far: 1354 miles*
    * Miles ridden on the TransAm route
    Odometer miles - Today - 59.7 Total to date - 1417.1 miles  

Windy Wyoming - part 2

Catching up on my blog –

It seemed like the poor condition of the facilities at our overnight location in Jeffrey City rubbed off on everyone in the group.  Everyone's attitude was a bit on the grumpy side when we got up and everyone was anxious to get started as quickly as possible.  Some of that had to do with the upcoming day's ride, with wind already blowing at 7:00am.  Some of it was probably our overnight experience.

One last look at First Baptists Church in Jeffrey City, WY

The landscape beyond Jeffrey City was pretty barren.  Easy to understand why the city is mostly a ghost town.  The wind was blowing right from the start - mostly a crosswind, but also a headwind.  It made for a very long 60 miles.

The view leaving Jeffrey City - Lander, 57 miles

Marker notes the crossing location of four trails - Oregon Trail, California Trail, Mormon Pioneer Trail and the Pony Express.

Sweetwater Station Junction - Elev 6562

We rode on U. S. 287 again all day today.  It's the most direct way to the Tetons and Yellowstone, roughly covering a diagonal from SE to NW Wyoming.

Billboard reads - "Yellowstone Grand Teton National Parks, Fastest Shortest Most Scenic Route, Via Highway 287 Lander Wyoming"  (that's our route)

Rest area along U.S. 287 - the flags show the theme of the day - windy!

There was one great downhill beyond Sweetwater Station (where we had a rest stop).  The road was smooth and straight with no traffic as we descended.  The best part of the day.

Van stop alongside a favorite cyclists' sign - "Steep Grade 6%, Next 5 Miles"

View leading down beyond Sweetwater Station

There was one stretch in the 30 miles beyond Sweetwater Station which was downhill and looked like we could easily coast at 20+ mph.  Unfortunately, the headwind was so strong I was pedaling hard just to maintain 12-13 mph.  Very frustrating - made me think I'd gone to cyclists purgatory.

We were also expecting a cafe or other service 9 miles out, but after the long, windy 30 mile stretch we found nothing.  So we plodded on with still a good bit of wind into Lander.  The first thing I did when I reached town was head for the bike shop.  There I was able to purchase three replacement inner tubes, so I've got a backup again.

Our overnight location was a local motel which allowed tent camping behind the hotel, next to the river.  They had nice shower facilities (maybe the best we've seen, with a toilet, sink and shower in a large private room - and there were two of them).  They also had a laundry facility - only one washer and dryer, though.

We decided the night before not to cook tonight, but instead to eat out.  So most of us went to the Gannett Bar a couple of blocks from our campsite for dinner.  Very good food - I had one 12" pizza for myself.

City of Lander sign - the hotel where we camped is beyond.