It was a long ride planned for today so I set off early this morning after breakfast and pinching some snacks for the ride. The first part of the ride was a steady climb up over 5300ft through a lot of nothingness, before a descent into Douglas. The ever faithful US 20 ran parallel to a railway line where coal wagons were being transported. I found myself counting the wagons as they passed, one train had 3 engines and 135 coal wagons!
After a while over 5000ft on the US 20, I started the descent towards Douglas and passed a town called 'Lost Springs' - population 4! The smallest town I've seen so far and its in the middle of nowhere so I can see why its so empty, although they do have a bar!
40 miles into the ride I came across the first bit of interstate for a long while. Though its legal to cycle on these roads in Wyoming, its not recommended. My route took me along service road that run parallel, much quieter and much safer.
I eventually reached Douglas for a break and some lunch. This included a 'Cheese and Berry Danish', a very weird combination!
Back on the road and I had to climb again to get out of the city. The road was still quiet and up in the hills away from the city I came across some wild antelope that seemed perfectly fine with the trucks and lorries screaming by, but ran when they caught sight of me on my bike! I guess they don't see too many crazy cyclists around there!
Soon I found myself climbing up to the 'Top of the world' hill that I'd noticed on the map. To the question of what is at the top of the world, the answer is a wind farm and some spectacular views!
From there it was largely downhill all the way to Casper, although one very sharp incline up to my hosts house caught me by surprise. There, Tom and Sheila cooked me burritos for dinner which were fantastic, and we chatted on the balcony about the wildlife in the area and their bike trip across New Zealand (I was quite jealous!).
Tomorrow is my last full rest day before San Fran. I have a few half days though to get me through 15 more days of cycling. 2000 miles in but I've still got some tough climbs ahead of me!
Miles today: 115.3
Total miles: 2040.1
After a while over 5000ft on the US 20, I started the descent towards Douglas and passed a town called 'Lost Springs' - population 4! The smallest town I've seen so far and its in the middle of nowhere so I can see why its so empty, although they do have a bar!
40 miles into the ride I came across the first bit of interstate for a long while. Though its legal to cycle on these roads in Wyoming, its not recommended. My route took me along service road that run parallel, much quieter and much safer.
I eventually reached Douglas for a break and some lunch. This included a 'Cheese and Berry Danish', a very weird combination!
Back on the road and I had to climb again to get out of the city. The road was still quiet and up in the hills away from the city I came across some wild antelope that seemed perfectly fine with the trucks and lorries screaming by, but ran when they caught sight of me on my bike! I guess they don't see too many crazy cyclists around there!
Soon I found myself climbing up to the 'Top of the world' hill that I'd noticed on the map. To the question of what is at the top of the world, the answer is a wind farm and some spectacular views!
From there it was largely downhill all the way to Casper, although one very sharp incline up to my hosts house caught me by surprise. There, Tom and Sheila cooked me burritos for dinner which were fantastic, and we chatted on the balcony about the wildlife in the area and their bike trip across New Zealand (I was quite jealous!).
Tomorrow is my last full rest day before San Fran. I have a few half days though to get me through 15 more days of cycling. 2000 miles in but I've still got some tough climbs ahead of me!
Miles today: 115.3
Total miles: 2040.1
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