I was up early to watch the sunrise come up over the reservation. Beautiful. I slept so well. I packed up and rolled out knowing I would have to make some decisions when I got to Lander which was only 20 miles. There was a big Safeway there and I could get wifi hopefully as well as some breakfast stuff and resupply for whatever lay ahead for the day.
The Safeway was huge and had wifi and a starbucks cafe. Grabbed a chai latte and a pastry and started running maps. Riverton or Rawlins. Rawlins to Steamboat? I knew most of the Tour Divide between the Little Snake River and Brush Mountain and Steamboat from riding that area several times. I also knew the ride from Rawlins to Steamboat was really hard with no resupply and no water until Columbine.
I called Lori and we discussed it and I decided I would continue on today to Rawlins, which would be a big push of another 120+ miles or so. And uphill most of the way. The wind was out of the south, southwest so wind would be a factor as well along with the heat. Decision made I stocked up on water and a few snacks for the day to get me to Rawlins and headed out. I would be riding the shoulder of Highway 287 all the way. Sunny and maybe one of the hottest days so far. While I was online I booked at room at the Rawlins Hampton Inn. I was all set.
It was miles and miles of no shade on the shoulder of Highway 287. Busy with lots of commercial truck traffic. The shoulder was pretty wide most of the time and I respect whomever planned out this highway. Thank you. Most of the grades had an extra lane on the ascents. But nothing. nowhere. No towns, No gas stations. Thankfully around noon there was the Sweetwater Valley rest area. perfect timing! Shade, a place to eat, cold water inside. Sweetwater Valley was the mid section of the 2000 mile long Oregon Trail. I had a chippy join me for lunch. This was such a good stop and chance to recover.
Then off again. Jeffrey City was listed on the road sign but that was pretty much a ghost town other than the Monk King Bird Pottery. Of course, being a jazz fan these were obvious references. I didn’t find the cyclist hostel that was supposed to be there. I kept nursing my water and was hopeful the next town listed, Three Forks – Muddy Gap, might have a gas station. I saw a historic landmark site and I went off the hwy to check it out. It had a typical two hole bathhouse and shade from the building. I got out of the sun and snacked. I saw three women coming down the hill from the site and one looked ill. I asked if I could help but she had too much sun. She went in the bathhouse but came out quickly. We laughed. They were from Finland and had just flown from Helsinki to Denver on IcelandAir. They rented a car and were doing their American West adventure then ending up in Astoria and then Seattle and flying back. We had a wonderful conversation as I had ridden through Finland and had come from Astoria. They offered me water and I got topped off. Thank you! if you ever see a rider in the middle of nowhere, please offer them water.
I then headed on towards the intersection of Three Forks. Going North would go to Riverton. Going South to Rawlins. It made me happy to see the 3 Forks Gas Station and convenience store. The lady running it was terrific and very helpful. I got a big dill pickle and instantly drank the juice. So good. It was so hot, no shade and now riding into a strong wind out of the south. It was another 42 miles to Rawlins. I grabbed a couple of waters, an Orange Fanta (fructose like coke but no caffeine) ice cream sandwich, fig newtons and some chips ahoy cookies. It was 4:30 pm and I had just hit 100 miles with 3610 feet of climbing. It was pretty much all uphill to Rawlins. Wind and climbing, time to go to work.
From Three Forks to Rawlins, 287 was even busier with truck traffic. It kept trying to rain a bit and I could see the storms in the distance. I would hit soaked sections of road now and then. But I stayed dry. I had another climb take me over the Continental Divide at 7,174 feet. I got to Rawlins about 8:00 pm and needed directions to the Hampton Inn. Changing Google Maps from biking to car, I got directions and headed that way down the Business Loop. Rawlins is right on I-80.
On the way to the hotel I saw a City Market, stopped and got groceries for what I knew would be a full day of riding in the middle of nowhere with no chance of resupply. With my bag of groceries, I headed to the Hampton Inn. The parking lot was full and when I came into the lobby pushing my bike, the receptionist was surprised. She upgraded my room, gave me water and couldn’t be happier that she had a biker that night. Made me smile. I got up to my room and it was perfect. I unpacked everything and was spread out all over. A long shower, then realizing it was almost 9, went looking for food. Sadly my only option near the hotel was Taco Bell. I grabbed a beer from the convenience store next door and back to my room to eat, map out the ride to Steamboat and get everything charged.
It was now official, I was heading home. All I needed was a night on the reservation and a good nights sleep.
