Category: Wyoming 2013

Wishing for my BMX bike: Curt Gowdy to Curt Gowdy State Park

Tuesday July 16, 2013

I spend the whole day out on the trails in the park. I can’t help it – as I’m walking, I’m thinking about how I would ride the trail. I’m scanning ahead for roots and rocks; I’m looking at how I’d set myself up to corner. These trails all look like they’d have such great flow. What a fun day – just wish I could have done it all on a bike! Next time! I’ve got a couple friends in Ft Collins that I am sure I could convince to come up here next time I’m in town 🙂 Read more →

The 3000 mile mark: Curt Gowdy State Park to Laramie

Wednesday July 17, 2013, 28 miles (45 km) – Total so far: 3,013 miles (4,849 km)

The climb up the hill out of the park is a lung and leg-burner. A woman driving a large dump truck associated with construction of a visitor centre gives me a thumbs-up as she pulls out to crawl slowly up the road, too. At the top, she leans out the window and says, “Nice job, lady. I’ve seen people without bags on their bikes really struggle up that hill.” Awww… thanks. Read more →

Nerd Em hits up Laramie: Museums and more – July 18-20

Thursday July 18, 2013

On Thursday and Friday, I let Nerd Em go free-range. Read more →

All that culture took it out of me: Laramie to Centennial

Sunday July 21, 2013, 33 miles (53 km) – Total so far: 3,046 miles (4,902 km)

I have a lot of trouble getting myself going this morning. By the time we head back into town from West Laramie and stock up our grocery supplies, it is 9.15 am. We aren’t hitting the Hwy 130 turn-off until 9.30 am. A three-day break in Laramie should leave me feeling energized. Instead, I feel like I just want to go back to bed. Read more →

Over the Snowys: Centennial to South Brush Creek campground

Monday July 22, 2013, 31 miles (50 km) – Total so far: 3,077 miles (4,952 km)

The birds are still quiet. The 5-10 mph wind moves by with only the sound of a long sigh. There is nothing to disturb this peace at 5.05 am. Well, except the sound of a touring cyclist thumping through two fire exit doors and down two sets of stairs with all of her panniers and gear. Then the noise of her doing it a second time with the bike. Oh, I try to be quiet, but I feel like I make enough noise to wake the whole town. The crunch of my tires down the gravel driveway sounds like a whisper in comparison.

The climbing is immediate and pretty steep, lifting you off the valley floor and into the range. These are the Medicine Bow Mountains, though they are often called the Snowy Range. The air is chilly. The sun is just about to poke above the hill. I feel fine this morning. It’s a great day for a climb. Read more →

The wide, clean shoulder…. gives me a flat: S. Brush Creek to Riverside

Tuesday July 23, 2013, 27 miles (44 km) – Total so far: 3,104 miles (4,996 km)

Plans for today are loose. Head down to Riverside. Get some food. Consider beginning the ride up into the Sierra Madres.

It feels so nice to have neither a long ‘to-do’ list nor a plan for the day that will be interrupted by numerous urgent emails and administrative duties. It’s nice to wake up and not feel dread. For the first month or so after I finished my work contract, I felt a bit guilty when I heard all the cars leaving for work in the morning while I was sitting there deciding whether I wanted to go for a swim or read a book. But I have successfully changed gears. I no longer feel any guilt; I’m happy that I followed my gut and got out of that lifestyle before it killed me. Oh, I’ll go back to work eventually, but never again will I get sucked into a stressful, salaried office job. Read more →

How much awesome can you fit in a day?: Riverside to Baggs

Wednesday July 24, 2013, 59 miles (96 km) – Total so far: 3,164 miles (5,091 km)

So often on this trip the beauty has been so enveloping I feel like my heart might explode. Today was no exception. The Battle Highway is lightly traveled but big on beauty.

I pack in the dark. I’m on the road with blinkie light flashing just at first light. The wind is not predicted to strengthen until this afternoon, so I’m hoping to get up the hill and past the fire while all is calm and predictable. Read more →