Day 20 Lander to Jeffrey City

62 miles (100 km) – Total so far: 1,051 miles (1,691 km)

The park had a surprisingly large amount of people camping. I expect they are passing through, or hiking for the weekend nearby. It was quiet overall despite some late arrivals.

Today’s ride was tougher than I expected. In the first part of the day the sun was hot and the were lots of decent sized rolling hills, followed by a big climb up to 2100 metres, about 1400 feet. The break at Sweetwater Junction after 43 miles was immensely welcome. There is very little there except toilets and some information on the Oregon Trail, but there was a drinking fountain with chilled water. Such a small thing can be so important some days.

After that it was 20 faster miles on gentler rollers, and with a light westerly wind helping to Jeffery City. I had heard a lot about today’s ride, and Jeffery City and none of it good. However, the ride was tough and rewarding. The scenery is of course similar, Wyoming plains, but the roads are quiet with decent shoulders and it was challenging. The woman in the Split Rock Bar was very helpful. I had been told by people heading north that they were scared off by a drunken guy who wanted to go out shooting and drinking all night. Lots of bars have drunken guys though. Despite the whole city being here there are only 3 places, and 2 families now living here. The bar owners, the motel owners and there is Mockingbird Pottery, which is famous throughout the area, but the owners live 12 miles away.

A strange thing happened during the afternoon, and after leaving Sweetwater Junction. I lost 10 miles. There were 23 miles to ride, and after looking down at the speedo I was 10 miles further than I thought. The miles were reduced from the signposts, and added to my speedometer. For a while I thought I may have fallen asleep, but I can’t accept that, not for 45 minutes which is approximately how long it would have taken. I asked at the Split Rock and they could shed no light, accept that one guy at the bar said he recalled another couple of cyclists saying the same thing, heading south. Just after the hill from the Junction the road is shared with the Oregon trail for about that length. I had been keen to see it, and as I saw the sign at the end I photographed it. But I thought that was the start, until I checked the speedo. Very strange.

Distance 62 miles, Ride time 5 hrs 18 minutes, Average speed 11.6 mph, Max speed 36.9 mph, Departed at 10:30 am (listening to the Old Trafford Test Match in the cafe, and visit to supermarket) Arrived at 4 pm, Altitude 1921 metres