Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Sunday, July 1, 2012 - Big Climb on Rough Roads

Moran Jct, WY to Dubois, WY (54 miles)

Left at 6am temperature in the high 30’s. Left the Grand Tetons in my rear view mirror and 3 miles from the campground, I began another climb. climb to 9,658 Togwotee Pass, Road construction gravel and dirt for 4 miles on climb. The climb was 17 miles and it took me 4 hours with only very brief stops. They were brief because the mosquitoes were extremely numerous.  At one brief stop to take a picture near the top, a car passed and a lady yelled out the window Nice Work! I assume she was congratulating me on making it to the top. Met Alasdair Sinclair from Canberra, Australia at summit. He was heading West and we both happened to reach the top at the same time. He had started in Virginia and heading for Astoria on the TransAM route.  He was a very pleasant fellow and was sharing some of the highlights of his trips to date. Blog site http://aldernath2012.blogspot.com.au
He said in speaking to other cyclists that they were shuttled over the road construction. I said not today and thankfully the traffic was light.

The final 30 miles were much easier than the first 24. We camped at Longhorn Resort outside Dubois, WY. Kim was very nervous about making the climb today over the pass, but with the construction everyone had to go slow which was fine with her. They made it just fine and all the nerves were for naught. God provided for her also!
In the afternoon we worked on doing the laundry at the Longhorn RV Resort Campground. As we were sitting outside the sky started to look hazy and the sun started to cast an orange tint. Next we started to see soot floating down with more smoke building. The campground informed us it was from a fire that was almost 80 miles away. The wind was blowing the smoke in our direction. There apparently was not immediate danger and by morning the wind had shifted and the smoke was no longer in the air. We are still concerned about all the wild fires that might be in our path in Colorado, but for now it appears we will be alright.

 Notice the Stone/dirt road, I had to travel on, while the sleeping giants were along the side.
 Still Climbing the stone/dirt roads, but pretty views.
 Alasdair Sinclair from Canberra, Australia was a very pleasant fellow.
 Alasdair offered to take my picture.
Heading down from Togwatee Pass...Sweet! 
 Hey you two, don't you know it is rude not to stop and talk to other cyclist?
I tried to capture the smoke that was coming our way from the fires.

1 comment:

  1. The smoke from Wyoming fires was thick at our house near Denver on July 4. I thought our neighborhood was on fire. - Little Kurty

    ReplyDelete