Scott Junker Rides the Great Divide
Journal #8
Rawlins, Wyoming
Guten Tag all-
I ended staying an extra day in Jackson and treated myself to four or five hot meals, beer, espresso and a load of ice cream. I saw An Inconvenient Truth and it's a little scary but still leaves you with hope, go see it, my earth is at stake. Because it's by, for and about Al Gore. It's a bit self serving but as a professional politician and that's his job.
I also visited the bike shop for a new pump (mine died) and installed the new derailleur hanger (happy shifting). I left Jackson and headed for Pinedale and it was a nice day on a beautiful road with a good shoulder, there were some threatening clouds with lightning in them but I stopped for a long, leisurely lunch before I got to them and they passed by harmlessly and cleaned off the road for me.
In Pinedale everything was closed as it was Sunday night but the KOA campground gives a $5 discount to cyclists. Monday morning brought mail and I really felt birthday'd, somehow opening boxes just does that. New Shorts! thanks Mom & Dad! I didn't get out of town until around 10:30 but there was a nice road section before the trail started. I stopped for a deep fried lunch at a truck stop and hit the dirt. Rather I hit the sand I should have realized from the name of the road (Big Sandy Rd.) that the going would be rough, and it was. There were numerous sections either so sandy or so washboarded (and sometimes both) that they were truly un-ridable so I got to push for those sections (some up to a mile long) in deep beach like sand, or ride in the ditch alongside the 'road' for the washboard sections. I lost a water bottle on one of the washboard sections and the bottom of the Bob has started to fall out but I made it through and all the way to South Pass City ("population: about 7") where I camped next to a small stream. After I fixed the Bob up with some straps (thanks Dad!) and bailing wire I set off again with a full load of water (almost 3 gallons.) It was immediately apparent that it would be a long, hot, dry ride.
I made about 65 miles through a high desert and saw no water, three cars, and dozens of antelope. I camped next to what was supposed to be a stream but was just a dry sandwash with a couple of confused looking cattle. Big thunder and lightning storm during the night with a flash flood that dried up by morning, no water refills.
At daybreak I rode on to the dot called Lamont and had the lasagna lunch special which was billed as 'homemade' but I think it was Stouffers, either way it came with fruit and milk and was pretty good. While riding down the highway to Rawlins I got pinned down by a big storm so I sheltered up, took a nap and it was gone in an hour. I packed back up and rode into Rawlins where I had a huge steak dinner and much beer.
I slept on the lawn in front of the Sheriffs office figuring that I couldn't be less conspicuous and probably wouldn't be bothered as I was clearly not hiding anything. I wasn't, save a big storm during the night but my bivy sack kept me dry, and Tyvek shielded my bike from the driving rain. I woke up this morning to a sprinkler head right next to my head and got up quick. I've been waiting around for the library to open and here I am..
When I leave here I'm headed for Steamboat Springs, Colorado which I hope to make by Saturday. Keep sending the replies, they keep me going.
-Scott
Next mail stop will be Silverthorne, Colorado 80498 on Monday, July 17, 2006
Overview of Scott Junker's Adventure
Scott Junker's Ride Photo Album
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The two Serotta Demo rides this past weekend were excellent. Many pictures from these rides will be displayed soon. Read the great review and see more images from the Serotta Demo day and Sundance Cycles, LLC Saturday Ride.
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Trek Travel Party
Sorry you missed it. Check out the photos and information about Trek Travel.
