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Monday Sept 2         Cycling Day 50

 

         Warren Bridge (Wyoming) to Fontenelle Reservoir (Wyoming)

Distance:  (Km). 116

Time:  4:22

Average Speed: (Km/ hr).  26.5

Ascent:  (m).  264

Heart Rate: (beats / min).  116

Cumulative Distance:   (km).  5450

Cumulative Ascent :  (m).  44,788

Punctures so far : 3

Another satisfying day’s cycling for a number of reasons. Virtually downhill or flat all day; the fastest average speed I’ve ever done for a 100+ cycle although the heart rate was pretty low and one of the first into camp so I could bag a shady spot for the tent. No wonder there was a quiet smile of satisfaction on my face; but not as nice as that endearing smile of our Eimear, so genuine and having the ability to melt a stone.

Last night here on the high desert it was extremely cold in the early hours of the morning. It hit zero and had ‘warmed up’ to +4 as we packed up. At this 2000m altitude temperatures vary so much between the hottest and the coldest even at this time of the year when locals say that things are cooling off.

Setting out we had the benefit of a low sun with no interference by hills. All about it was sagebrush over the gentle hills. Regular notices warned of possibility of deer crossing. In places to facilitate this there were underpasses and one large bridge. Didn’t see any evidence of any deer however.

Today’s route was confined to Highway 191 and 189 as we moved due south. The condition of these roads was excellent with a nice wide shoulder and one stretch of bike path into Marbletown. I vote Wyoming as the state having the best roads so far, from my experience on this trip.

I left camp just before 8 with leggings and jacket on. By 9 they were off and cycling in mid-summer gear and still very warm. I got most of the day’s distance done before the temperature got too high. The landscape, including the ‘soil’ is so much like Nevada and Utah from 2008. Cycling through this terrain feels so different to cycling across the prairies of Alberta. That was a drag. Through the desert, I suppose, conjures up the feeling of passing through the wilderness. And there is a bit of variety in the land formations on either side in the distance.

Crossed over the baby Green River; I’ll cross that a few times more before I finish. It flows into the Colorado, through the Grand Canyon and often never reaches the sea being siphoned off for irrigation. It’s mad to think of a river never reaching the sea!  Near here I passed through the quiet town of Daniel (population 100). Not many of those stirring about.

We had lunch at 78km and I stopped again in La Barge (89km) for an ice-cream at a garage. The local fire department had a bucket collection on the highway for their cause.

For the last  27 km the road continued with no great change till I caught sight of Fontanelle Reservoir on my left created in 1964 by building a dam on the Green River. Wyoming built it to assert their water rights, for hydro electricity, for irrigation and industry. As soon as the road passed along by the waters edge it was apparent to me from the stagnant smell that this was not a natural lake. Seems lovely to look across it but different down at the waterline. We are camped by the reservoir but no opportunity to gain clear access to the water. Had to do my washing at a pump in the campground.

Into camp at 1pm and got prime location for my tent by a steel structure. I’ll be on shade till late evening and the picnic table is a cool shady office. It pays to get in early these days for that reason alone.

By 3pm a strong wind was blowing and those late-comers had difficulty erecting tents. Yesterday was similar......strong winds in the mid-afternoon. All lovely if they’re blowing your way!

Two long days coming up and a bit of climbing, I believe. Ah well!

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.