After having breakfast, I left the Motel in
Rawlins, where my seventh map section ended and my eighth began, this morning
at 6.15AM knowing that it was going to be my hardest ride since I have been on
the route. Aiming for 125mi (201km) against the wind in the highlands of Wyoming. My first
stop was in Lamont, which is 30mi north of Rawlins, where I had my second
breakfast.
Truck traffic was moderate on the road so I had to ride on the
shoulder, which, as I drew closer to Lamont, deteriorated in quality. Then I continued
to Jeffrey City, 33mi (54km) further on.
That would make today a full two
stages, so, due to the ferocious wind I decided to make my final decision about
whether to keep riding to Lander upon my arrival in Jeffrey City. At Muddy Gap
junction I turned west for the last 22mi (36km) to Jeffrey City.
It was 1:30pm when I arrived there, worn out after battling winds from the west - of 35mph with gusts to 46mph. Twice I was blown off the road although I managed to stay upright, I never dismounted though, as I always felt strong enough to keep pedaling. Much of the way was on a slight uphill gradient. The temperature was in the higher 70’s. I stopped at the restaurant there and drank a Peps, I was still not convinced enough whether to keep on riding or staying there and sleep in the Baptist Church. However, it was early in the afternoon and there was nothing and no one in Jeffrey City. If I stayed there I would have a dull afternoon. I decided to continue to Lander, 60mi further on. That would make today a full three stages. The wind had increased in the meantime which meant, I was probably not going to make it to Lander before sunset. And again I was fortunate enough to get a ride to Sweetwater Station, which is about 30mi before Lander. It was 2.30PM when I took off on my bike again, the road ascended to Beaver Rim from where there was a magnificent view across the valley to the Wind River Range. This came at the start of a splendid 6% downhill but there were also quite a few 6% uphill today, though none that long.
The whole ride was remarkable for the absence of
wind. I pushed on knowing that I would make it to Lander by 6PM. The wind kept
blowing until I arrived at Lander at 5.30PM – A 10 hours ride and I am
knackered! All in all, it was a "killer" stage, with gusty winds, blue sky and a remarkable landscape.
Truck traffic was moderate on the road so I had to ride on the
shoulder, which, as I drew closer to Lamont, deteriorated in quality. Then I continued
to Jeffrey City, 33mi (54km) further on. 
That would make today a full two
stages, so, due to the ferocious wind I decided to make my final decision about
whether to keep riding to Lander upon my arrival in Jeffrey City. At Muddy Gap
junction I turned west for the last 22mi (36km) to Jeffrey City. 
It was 1:30pm when I arrived there, worn out after battling winds from the west - of 35mph with gusts to 46mph. Twice I was blown off the road although I managed to stay upright, I never dismounted though, as I always felt strong enough to keep pedaling. Much of the way was on a slight uphill gradient. The temperature was in the higher 70’s. I stopped at the restaurant there and drank a Peps, I was still not convinced enough whether to keep on riding or staying there and sleep in the Baptist Church. However, it was early in the afternoon and there was nothing and no one in Jeffrey City. If I stayed there I would have a dull afternoon. I decided to continue to Lander, 60mi further on. That would make today a full three stages. The wind had increased in the meantime which meant, I was probably not going to make it to Lander before sunset. And again I was fortunate enough to get a ride to Sweetwater Station, which is about 30mi before Lander. It was 2.30PM when I took off on my bike again, the road ascended to Beaver Rim from where there was a magnificent view across the valley to the Wind River Range. This came at the start of a splendid 6% downhill but there were also quite a few 6% uphill today, though none that long.
The whole ride was remarkable for the absence of
wind. I pushed on knowing that I would make it to Lander by 6PM. The wind kept
blowing until I arrived at Lander at 5.30PM – A 10 hours ride and I am
knackered! All in all, it was a "killer" stage, with gusty winds, blue sky and a remarkable landscape. |
| Wind River Mountain Range in the back |
 |
| Landscape change towards Lander |
 |
| Nice Valley ride into Lander |
 |
| Wind river Mountain Range in the back |
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