Day 16 Jackson-Dubois over the Continental Divide

Miles:  84.79              Terrain: Valley, Long Climb,Fast Downhill
Depart:   7:15 AM      Arrive:  3:45 PM
Riding time: 6:23:02
Average Riding Speed: 13.3

            Today’s Garmin Download and Map (for cycling data junkies!) 

Today's Ride

Which is harder?  A short, extremely steep climb like we had yesterday to get over Teton Pass, or a less steep, but 18-mile long climb like we had today?  I guess it depends on who you ask, but I think I’d vote for today’s climb since unlike yesterday when I walked my bike for about 0.2 miles, today it was all riding.  And that riding took us up to an altitude of 9,658 feet where we reached the Continental Divide.  Now instead of following the Snake River which flows west into the Pacific, any body of water we see or rain that falls (hopefully not!) will eventually flow to the Mississippi and empty into the Gulf of Mexico.

 This morning leaving Jackson, Wyoming we first rode on a well maintained bike path that runs up the valley, into Grand Teton National Park, with the mountains off to the left.  The views were superb, and a good thing was that to take in that wonderful mountain scenery, we didn’t have to climb through the mountains like we did yesterday.  As we rode through the valley everyone had their eyes out for wildlife.  Apparently a few people spotted a bison, a coyote was seen, but as best I know neither elk nor moose were spotted by anyone in our group.  I only spotted a bunch of chipmunks, or something like them, running across the path in front of me.

 

After mile 38 we began the 18 mile climb up to the summit of Togwotee Pass at the Continental Divide.  At one point there was an electronic sign warning about bears and to stay in your vehicle if you spotted one (uh…obviously nobody was thinking about bicycles when they made up that sign).  But it seems like the most prevalent wildlife on the climb, which for many people took between two and three hours, were huge numbers of flies!  They buzzed, landed on riders, and several people got bitten.  But it was evident that they were slowed down by the altitude.  When they landed on my handlebar bag I was able to brush many of them off before they had a chance to move away.

Reaching the Continental Divide turned into something of a celebration.  Lots of pictures were taken, and as other riders climbed the last rise to the sag stop that was set up at the top of the Pass, the riders would greet the new arrivals with a high five line. It was one of the most enjoyable and celebratory moments of the tour so far.

From there, the route was a 30-mile downhill to the western town of Dubois,Wyoming. Unlike yesterday’s descent from Teton Pass, the turns in the road were much more gradual giving most riders more confidence to descent quickly.  Early on the descent I was able to set a personal record for highest speed I ever attained on a bicycle—45.9 mph!

Dubois looks like a town that time forgot.  Wood plank sidewalks in front of the stores, an old fashioned soda fountain in the drugstore (complete with just about the best chocolate milkshake I’ve had in years),and a piano player out in front of a store playing a 100+ year old piano.  This town really is a throwback!  And it is home to a statue of the mythical jackelope which is shown here.

Tomorrow we ride 79 miles to Riverton.  It’s a ride that is basically all downhill.  We go from the green of the mountains, to red rocks.  It’s an easy day to get us ready for Thursday.  That will be the longest day of the tour—119 miles to Casper, where we will finally have another rest day.  Hopefully I won’t get sick during my Casper rest day like I did in Boise!  By the way, I am feeling much better and was able to handle today’s big climb.