Well, Prineville, Oregon to be exact. It doesn't strike me as very exciting.
Haven't had the opportunity to update this for nearly a week. Idaho has a lot of nothing in it, so no libraries, so no computers and the same is true for this side of Oregan so far. I'm surprised I've managed to find an open library on a Monday to be honest as it's usually a day off here.
So since last week, what's happened...the group is still together, just. I think Chris and Chris might be making an effort to escape but they'll be lucky. Having said that we'll be at the coast in a couple of days or so and that's where the lads will part company and head south to San Francisco so we'll all be going our separate ways very soon.
We made it through Hell's Canyon, just. It was well named. The road leading up to it was seeming guarded by lots of really ugly crickets, seemingly called Mormon Crickets (see picture). They are about 2" long and 1" high, jump about 6" and stride around the road eating the corpes of their mates that have been crushed under wheels. Lovely. As we decended into the canyon at breakneck spped, we were expecting a cooling breeze but instead it was like cycling through an oven. It was well hot. Over 100 degrees we discovered later. It was good though, quite enjoyed it. There were loads of big carp (possibly) in the river below the dam, surfacing and slowly swimming around...it was too hot to do anything particularly quickly. We eventually got out of the canyon and found a store with a porch where we crashed out for a couple of hours, till it cooled down a bit. For some reason I then decided to leg it 10 miles up the hill as I was full of energy and a sprint seemed like a good idea, at the time. I was battered the following morning though. So we made it to Halfway, had beer and dinner then went to a bike hostel where we stayed the night. It was run by a woman who said she had cycled 'a bit' but her son revealed she had competed in 3 Olympic games for the USA and come 3rd in the womens Tour de France. Inge Thompson. What was nearly as cool as that was that they had a semi-resident tree frog living in their bathroom. I was impressed. And they had dogs, a couple of which I actually liked - one was an Australian Dingo cross, which was pretty good. And horses, which were huge.
From there we went to Baker City, which was only 50 odd miles under an overcast sky but it was a nightmare. Possibly the hardest day so far. Drank all my water, couldn't get up the hills, was knackered. We all struggled, Shaz had to get a lift into town, but we ended up at an RV park with a pool and a hot tub so the hideous day was soon forgotten and we went out for Mexican food in the evening. Which was nice...
Where did we go then...? Mmm...still have no memory. We are back on long days, about 80-90 miles and we stayed in another bike hostel on Sat night, Maike and Chris cooked Thai chicken curry which was (a) cheap and (b) good so was a winner, especially as they also bought chocolate cake. The night ended up with a video, The Thomas Crown Affair, which is crap.
Yesterday saw us over another hill, which bored me to death. It's funny how some hills are ok and some are just tedious. I was so bored with yesterdays, it got right on my nerves. The scenery was ok, we went through a good canyon, called John Day. This made me laugh as I had a lodger with that name, who vanished, so he became known as Dead John. He's not dead though, he was just avoiding paying me money he owed. The downhill was good after the annoying uphill so that made up for it. We went passed a tree that must have had 50 pairs of shoes hanging from it. Not sure what this is about - we passed a similar one a couple of days before. It's not exactly recycling.
We ended up in Mitchell, at a very entertaining cafe. The woman running it knew exactly how to handle us - took the piss out of our accents, made us do as we were told and had a laugh. She was great. I told her she should go to see the old witch in Jeffrey City that mum had the run-in with, to teach her a few things. I was being quite tame by using the term 'witch' but they thought it was a bit much I think, although they did laugh. We were in town early, by 3.30, which is almost unheard of as we did 80 + miles I think, but it did mean we could chill out for once and not just arrive in town, put the tents up and go to bed.
Another early start today, up at six, 95 miles to do and we should be in Sisters tonight, again at a city park, so no showers again, unless we use the sprinklers. We haven't been told off for that yet but give it time...
Tomorrow will see us to Eugene and then it's only 70 miles to the sea!!!! This isn't a good thing, although it does mean Alex is nearly here. As Mick Cant said in his message after the last blog, it's supposed to have been arduous, a trial, etc etc and it's actually been a pretty good laugh most of the way. That's not to say it hasn't been bloody hard work but I have / am really enjoying it, and would quite happilycarry on for another few weeks / months. My knees and right thigh may have a different opinion but the painkillers I have are very good.
Although the coast isn't far off I think it will be next Saturday before whoever is left of us gets to Astoria. We cycle up the coast for a couple of hundred miles, it's not just a sudden stop when we get to the sea, so it's not quite in the bag just yet. But almost.
This should be the route I'll be following...
Monday, 31 August 2009
Urban shower
Me having a shower in a sprinkler in a city park. . It was that or pay 7 dollars for one at the has station
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Wednesday 26th August - Riggins, Idaho
We are on our second-breakfast stop....
I'm getting behind again on the blog. I think Idaho is the least populous state so there aren't many towns to go through and libraries are thin on the ground, plus being on a school trip now means more time messing about. The TransAm boys might be pulling away from the rest of us today so the school trip aspect might be over.
So we left Missoula on Monday, eventually. I think it was a 1130 start which is bad even by our standards. We hit some cafe for lunch and some of us ate food we had with us rather than spend more cash. Perhaps me or Lady Chris (as she is now known) should have stopped Mike eating his turkey slices that he had in his pannier for 3 days, but we didn't. We've all been eating food that perhaps we shouldn't so it didn't immediately ring any alarm bells....
Several hours later we stopped for dinner at a very nice lodge where the was live piano music and even a harp being played and we ate lots..and lots. Mike agreed to carry Lady Chris' trailer instead of paying her the $70 he owed her, as well as all his own gear, which is something of a challenge but he is 21 and can do anything. We all headed off to the Hot Springs where we were going to camp. Me, Shaz, Aaron and Callum got to the turn for the springs and waited and after 10 minutes or so decided to go to the springs as it would be getting dark soon, presuming someone had had a puncture or something. The mile walk up to the springs was well worth it as they were heaven...once we had disturbed the lurve-making naked American couple who were in the next pool up. The temperature was perfect, just sat in a river, surrounded by forest. Bliss. We eventually decided something was wrong as the others hadn't appeared and headed back to find Lad Chris (as he is known) looking for us - Mike was pukeing and shitting for England it seemed. We got back to camp to find half the place was out of bounds due to the contents of Mikes guts being evenly spread about and him lying on the floor in his sleeping bag. Lad Chris had been an outstanding friend and washed Mikes shitty shorts in the river as Mike had been unable to co-ordinate the delivery of partly digested food out of both ends of his body at the same time. So once Mike was holed up in his tent we set about trying to hang our food out of reach of the bears which turned into a 3 act play as we were surrounded by the wrong kind of trees. It's very difficult when you're surrounded by conifers it appears. Broadleaved trees are best.
Having not been maimed by bears or mountain lions in our sleep as Callum thought we might be, some of us had a return trip to the springs then headed off again into Idaho, which was beautiful at this point. Tree lined valley, clean rocky river, sun, downhill all the way...I felt like I was in an extend 'Famous Five' story by Enid Blyton.
We found a sportmans lodge to stay in that night in some town I can't remember the name of. I actually had a bed again - yes!! So good. We bought a load of food and cooked a big meal, had a couple of beers, it was great. And there was even wifi...what more could you want? Another late start followed yesterday morning and we hit the road aiming to do 70+ miles, not all downhill sadly - a big hill in the way. Idaho suddenly became very dry and arable, with fields of wheat (?) waiting to be cut and lots of brown / golden fields. Even Kansas was greener than here.
There was a ridiculously suicidal hill to get down with far too many hairpin bends or an alternate route via the main highway. Callum had gone ahead so missed the turn off down the hairpin hill and we lost him for 2 hours...we were camped out on the side of the highway, Mike cycling back up the hill looking for him, us flagging down drivers asking if they'd seen him etc. We were outside some house and the guy came out to see what was up. Lost no time in telling us he was a conservative and brought his dogs up that way too (dobermans) but he was quite funny and he gave us cold drinks which was good as it was banging hot. Eventually he look Lad Chris up in his truck to look for Callum but to no avail. Finally we flagged another car down that reported a cyclist having dinner in the nearby town who was now on his way to us...
We didn't have too much food at this point so 3 of us went back to the gas station for supplies. Thought it was a good time for a restroom stop, until I got in there that is. The toilet and urinal were separated by a wall of glass bricks , no door other than to the corridor and the toilet seat on the floor in need of a good clean. I decided I could wait. So at this mornings cafe stop, the toilet did at least have a solid partition, but again no door. You couldn't come on this trip and have a problem about going to the toilet in semi-public. They aren't big on privacy.
So it should be 80 miles today to Council and tomorrow is Hell's Canyon...exciting. We may well melt going through there...
I'm getting behind again on the blog. I think Idaho is the least populous state so there aren't many towns to go through and libraries are thin on the ground, plus being on a school trip now means more time messing about. The TransAm boys might be pulling away from the rest of us today so the school trip aspect might be over.
So we left Missoula on Monday, eventually. I think it was a 1130 start which is bad even by our standards. We hit some cafe for lunch and some of us ate food we had with us rather than spend more cash. Perhaps me or Lady Chris (as she is now known) should have stopped Mike eating his turkey slices that he had in his pannier for 3 days, but we didn't. We've all been eating food that perhaps we shouldn't so it didn't immediately ring any alarm bells....
Several hours later we stopped for dinner at a very nice lodge where the was live piano music and even a harp being played and we ate lots..and lots. Mike agreed to carry Lady Chris' trailer instead of paying her the $70 he owed her, as well as all his own gear, which is something of a challenge but he is 21 and can do anything. We all headed off to the Hot Springs where we were going to camp. Me, Shaz, Aaron and Callum got to the turn for the springs and waited and after 10 minutes or so decided to go to the springs as it would be getting dark soon, presuming someone had had a puncture or something. The mile walk up to the springs was well worth it as they were heaven...once we had disturbed the lurve-making naked American couple who were in the next pool up. The temperature was perfect, just sat in a river, surrounded by forest. Bliss. We eventually decided something was wrong as the others hadn't appeared and headed back to find Lad Chris (as he is known) looking for us - Mike was pukeing and shitting for England it seemed. We got back to camp to find half the place was out of bounds due to the contents of Mikes guts being evenly spread about and him lying on the floor in his sleeping bag. Lad Chris had been an outstanding friend and washed Mikes shitty shorts in the river as Mike had been unable to co-ordinate the delivery of partly digested food out of both ends of his body at the same time. So once Mike was holed up in his tent we set about trying to hang our food out of reach of the bears which turned into a 3 act play as we were surrounded by the wrong kind of trees. It's very difficult when you're surrounded by conifers it appears. Broadleaved trees are best.
Having not been maimed by bears or mountain lions in our sleep as Callum thought we might be, some of us had a return trip to the springs then headed off again into Idaho, which was beautiful at this point. Tree lined valley, clean rocky river, sun, downhill all the way...I felt like I was in an extend 'Famous Five' story by Enid Blyton.
We found a sportmans lodge to stay in that night in some town I can't remember the name of. I actually had a bed again - yes!! So good. We bought a load of food and cooked a big meal, had a couple of beers, it was great. And there was even wifi...what more could you want? Another late start followed yesterday morning and we hit the road aiming to do 70+ miles, not all downhill sadly - a big hill in the way. Idaho suddenly became very dry and arable, with fields of wheat (?) waiting to be cut and lots of brown / golden fields. Even Kansas was greener than here.
There was a ridiculously suicidal hill to get down with far too many hairpin bends or an alternate route via the main highway. Callum had gone ahead so missed the turn off down the hairpin hill and we lost him for 2 hours...we were camped out on the side of the highway, Mike cycling back up the hill looking for him, us flagging down drivers asking if they'd seen him etc. We were outside some house and the guy came out to see what was up. Lost no time in telling us he was a conservative and brought his dogs up that way too (dobermans) but he was quite funny and he gave us cold drinks which was good as it was banging hot. Eventually he look Lad Chris up in his truck to look for Callum but to no avail. Finally we flagged another car down that reported a cyclist having dinner in the nearby town who was now on his way to us...
We didn't have too much food at this point so 3 of us went back to the gas station for supplies. Thought it was a good time for a restroom stop, until I got in there that is. The toilet and urinal were separated by a wall of glass bricks , no door other than to the corridor and the toilet seat on the floor in need of a good clean. I decided I could wait. So at this mornings cafe stop, the toilet did at least have a solid partition, but again no door. You couldn't come on this trip and have a problem about going to the toilet in semi-public. They aren't big on privacy.
So it should be 80 miles today to Council and tomorrow is Hell's Canyon...exciting. We may well melt going through there...
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Relaxing in the hot springs
Hot springs in a river near where we camped. . This was at 8am prior to the days cycling. . A local couple were desperate for us to go so they could have a little loving we think. .
Tuesday....calm before the hill
Just sneaking onto to Chris's laptop while breakfast is consumed...
It's been impossible to get on a computer since Friday - day off Saturday, libraries shut sun and mon. Well past Missoula now, about to go up a big hill onto Riggins, Idaho, subject to the weather not melting us. 'Us' is still the full posse - Chris and Chris, Aaron and Shaz, and the TransAm boys, Chris, Mike and Callum. So it's now a bit like a school trip but we have to work hard. It is a good laugh though...very entertaining.
We got to Missoula, hung around at the Adventure Cycling offices (the organisation that publishes the maps we follow) and went off and found a beach by the rver to cool off as it was up to 100 degrees (I have no idea where the degree symbol is on this computer). I love the fact you can go swim in the rivers here (well, perhaps not in Kentucky) and you don't die of some nasty disease afterwards. There was a highway over the river which the young locals were throwing themselves off, doing increasingly daft jumps...it peaked with one lad stood on the roof of a quickly moving jeep throwing himself off as it went over the centre of the bridge. It may have been stupid but it did look impressive. As we were leaving we overheard a couple of voluptuous young ladies realising they had to attend the same probation office - they were like re-uniting best friends...ahhh.
Aaron and Shaz were staying elsewhere so the rest of us hired a car and headed up to Glacier National Park for the day off. It was stunning, a beautiful place. The glaciers were a bit thin on the ground, as you may expect in this day and age, but the scenery was amazing. Huge mountains, big valleys, lakes etc...well cool. On the way we saw a black bear, so I guess I can come home now...damn. It was a bit scared of us and was up a tree in no time, so the climbing a tree option of what to do when a bear attacks is off the list. We also saw big horn sheep, wild goats, marmot....
Got back from Glacier late, had to pay extra for the car, and hadn't eaten and just got to all the restaurants as they had closed. The drive-throughs wouldn't serve us as we didn't have a car and wouldn't count the bikes...tossers.
Need to get organised....
It's been impossible to get on a computer since Friday - day off Saturday, libraries shut sun and mon. Well past Missoula now, about to go up a big hill onto Riggins, Idaho, subject to the weather not melting us. 'Us' is still the full posse - Chris and Chris, Aaron and Shaz, and the TransAm boys, Chris, Mike and Callum. So it's now a bit like a school trip but we have to work hard. It is a good laugh though...very entertaining.
We got to Missoula, hung around at the Adventure Cycling offices (the organisation that publishes the maps we follow) and went off and found a beach by the rver to cool off as it was up to 100 degrees (I have no idea where the degree symbol is on this computer). I love the fact you can go swim in the rivers here (well, perhaps not in Kentucky) and you don't die of some nasty disease afterwards. There was a highway over the river which the young locals were throwing themselves off, doing increasingly daft jumps...it peaked with one lad stood on the roof of a quickly moving jeep throwing himself off as it went over the centre of the bridge. It may have been stupid but it did look impressive. As we were leaving we overheard a couple of voluptuous young ladies realising they had to attend the same probation office - they were like re-uniting best friends...ahhh.
Aaron and Shaz were staying elsewhere so the rest of us hired a car and headed up to Glacier National Park for the day off. It was stunning, a beautiful place. The glaciers were a bit thin on the ground, as you may expect in this day and age, but the scenery was amazing. Huge mountains, big valleys, lakes etc...well cool. On the way we saw a black bear, so I guess I can come home now...damn. It was a bit scared of us and was up a tree in no time, so the climbing a tree option of what to do when a bear attacks is off the list. We also saw big horn sheep, wild goats, marmot....
Got back from Glacier late, had to pay extra for the car, and hadn't eaten and just got to all the restaurants as they had closed. The drive-throughs wouldn't serve us as we didn't have a car and wouldn't count the bikes...tossers.
Need to get organised....
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Thursday...hot, hot, hot
Finally, it's getting hot again. It's supposed to be in the 90s today, which after this morning where we literally had to scrape ice off our bags, will be good. That's a 60 degree temperature change from dawn to the afternoon. Needless to say I haven't got the clothes for all those temperatures, so was rather cold when I got up.
Currently in Darby, should arrive in Missoula tomorrow, which is the end of map 4, then only 3 to go!! Scary....
So, on Tuesday we actually did something normal - we went to the pictures, to see Public Enemy (I think - memory has gone again). It was good and a novelty doing something normal. Then ransacked Safeways and got food. I'm now doing cereal in a morning instead of the normal fry up so I (a) save money as I've no idea what all this is costing me and (b) make life slightly healthier. So I bought some granola, which according to the pack has 11 servings in, which I finished this morning, so it lasted for 2 breakfasts. I think their portion size and mine differ somewhat.
We left Dillon at the late time of 10 and I intended doing about 80 miles with the rest (Chris and Chris, Aaron and Shaz) stopping at Wisdom, about 62 miles. There were 2 decent climbs but the whole way was a head wind, again. It was knackering. By the time I got into Wisdom I was battered so pitched the tent and had a kip for over an hour. I headed into town for dinner and found the TransAm gang had arrived so ate with them, and about 9 the rest of the gang showed up. We had a right posse together - 9 of us all camped out. It's good. We're sticking together today it seems and might all end up having Saturday off and going up to Glacier National Park, in a hire car.
This mornings ride was glorious, once the temperature rose above bloody freezing. We went through pine forest, next to a river, sun shining...you could smell the forest. We had a decent climb then a 2800ft decent over 7 miles, with virtually no traffic, which was fantastic. One of the TransAm guys got up to 48 mph, madman -I think I hit 38mph, quite enough.
I think both me and mum and dad were in Jackson yesterday at the same time but I was Jackson, Montana and mum and dad were Jackson, Wyoming. They should really have had more imagination when naming these places. Hope the flights were ok if you're reading parents. Did you go the national fish hatchery at Ennis? Apparetnly the population of that town was 280 people and 11000000 fish, according to the town sign.
Time to go...
Currently in Darby, should arrive in Missoula tomorrow, which is the end of map 4, then only 3 to go!! Scary....
So, on Tuesday we actually did something normal - we went to the pictures, to see Public Enemy (I think - memory has gone again). It was good and a novelty doing something normal. Then ransacked Safeways and got food. I'm now doing cereal in a morning instead of the normal fry up so I (a) save money as I've no idea what all this is costing me and (b) make life slightly healthier. So I bought some granola, which according to the pack has 11 servings in, which I finished this morning, so it lasted for 2 breakfasts. I think their portion size and mine differ somewhat.
We left Dillon at the late time of 10 and I intended doing about 80 miles with the rest (Chris and Chris, Aaron and Shaz) stopping at Wisdom, about 62 miles. There were 2 decent climbs but the whole way was a head wind, again. It was knackering. By the time I got into Wisdom I was battered so pitched the tent and had a kip for over an hour. I headed into town for dinner and found the TransAm gang had arrived so ate with them, and about 9 the rest of the gang showed up. We had a right posse together - 9 of us all camped out. It's good. We're sticking together today it seems and might all end up having Saturday off and going up to Glacier National Park, in a hire car.
This mornings ride was glorious, once the temperature rose above bloody freezing. We went through pine forest, next to a river, sun shining...you could smell the forest. We had a decent climb then a 2800ft decent over 7 miles, with virtually no traffic, which was fantastic. One of the TransAm guys got up to 48 mph, madman -I think I hit 38mph, quite enough.
I think both me and mum and dad were in Jackson yesterday at the same time but I was Jackson, Montana and mum and dad were Jackson, Wyoming. They should really have had more imagination when naming these places. Hope the flights were ok if you're reading parents. Did you go the national fish hatchery at Ennis? Apparetnly the population of that town was 280 people and 11000000 fish, according to the town sign.
Time to go...
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
The Fit Family
Mike, Dorrie and Gregory on their bicycle made for three. Someone in Chorlton needs one of those
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Tuesday, Ruby Valley, Montana
Yes, I'm cycling along Ruby Valley today...very nice it is too.
So, parted company with mum and dad yesterday after another fruitless session of bear-hunting in Yellowstone. Did see wolf though. But not the same as a bear. Chris has seen 6 now, it's not on. I'm not leaving the US until I've seen a live, wild bear!!
We made it to Mammoth in Yellowstone where the thermal uprisings have created lots of terraces and pools. It did involve a bit of an uphill walk though and dad gave up early and as it wasn't initially very impressive when you reached the top, mum went back down. The agreed plan was that they would drive up and meet me on the Upper Terrace Loop. I took my photos for 5 minutes and waited....and waited...waited a bit more, went and stood by the main road...and waited....about 3/4 hour later, they arrived having sat in another car park lower down, gone back to the bottom etc etc. I think tempers had been frayed.
When we got back to civilisation, we did eat a great meal of real food at a bistro...lovely. I thought that might have been it for the good food for a while but last nights was surprisingly good too.
So , we all said our goodbyes on Monday morning, me heading off into Montana, mum and dad, who knows where. It was a very good idea for them to come out in the middle of the trip, really enjoyed it, had a good rest for a few days. So off I went....then about an hour later, mum and dad came past, en route for Quake Lake, where an earthquake wiped out half a village and created a new lake, exactly 50 years ago yesterday. I was heading that way too. So we had a drink in a cafe together, said goodbye again. Then met up again about 20 minutes later. Goodbyes again. Then met up again at the Quake Lake visitor centre. They were leaving as I arrived, so more goodbyes. As I came out, 20 minutes later, they were still there - mum had some poor guy in an armlock, not letting him go until he had give her his life story. Anyhow, that was the last goodbye of the day. They are off to Jackson where they fly from tomorrow.
Along the route a posse formed of Chris and Chris and Aaron and Shaz, so we were all camped in Ennis last night and ate together at a very nice restaurant - real food again!! The RV park where we camped charged us $15 per tent to camp, which isn't too bad but isnt cheap. The RVs only pay $28 though, which take up literally 10 - 15 times as much space, hook up to the electricity, water and use up loads more resources than we do. Gits. We are definately being ripped off. Particularly as, although the facilities were there, I don't think any of us bothered with a shower. How our standards are dropping. Must remember to get back into the swing of being clean again when I get back home....
Back home...that's almost round the corner. Aargh! Culture shock ahead!!! It feels like I'm virtually finished, even though there is about 1200-1300 miles to go. In my head the Pacific is just round the next corner. I should finish early as well I think, although that doesn't account for random days off that may occur - such as going to Glacier National Park on Saturday that might happen. It's supposed to be some of the best scenery in the US, although everywhere claims that.
Roadkill is back on the agenda it seems. There wasn't any in Yellowstone - either they clear it up there or drivers are very careful and miss all the wildlife. Not so out of Yellowstone. There was a very big red smear down the road yesterday, though no animal. It must have been a big deer or bear. And there have been 3 deer today. The trucks do hoof it down the roads though, I'm not surprised the deer get squished.
I caused a bit of a diplomatic incident this morning - oops. I know, me, as if!? I was asking Aaron and Shaz how they were getting to Seattle at the end of the trip and when it became apparent that the plan of being picked up wasn't actually set in stone I joke that perhaps Shaz might like to cycle the extra 100 miles. Mmmm. Shaz is ready for the ride to end today, let alone in 18 days or whatever, so the thought she might not get a lift and my little joke about extra cycling went down like a lead balloon. I might have got away with it in an evening setting but before breakfast and before a big ride up a long hill, she wasn't happy. I made a tactical retreat and left them to their developing row. Which seemed to have lasted all morning as it seems Shaz couldn't find Aaron at the first town of the day...which was because he hadn't stopped there. And so it goes on.....Perhaps I'll cancel that interview with the Diplomatic Sevice.
We met lots of east-bounders yesterday, about 10. They had better cycle fast or they'll be snowbound before the end. One was a family of three, riding 1 bike. I don't know what they call that. The 8 year old had a small seat at the back and he had to pedal. They were sound. From California, she was a teacher, home-schooling the boy, they sold up and set off. Summer across the US, followed by winter in either Australia or New Zealand, then who knows where. Not sure I know many 8 year olds who would choose to spend 24/7 with their parents though, especially for months on end. What about his mates? There was talk about meeting his best friend in Yellowstone but it would mean hanging on for a week so it was in doubt. Poor kid. He seemed happy enough though, perhaps its just me.
I tried putting more pics up but now my phone refuses to work with WiFi so it didn't happen, so it looks like it's just going to be dry text from now on. Joy. I'll subject you to the pictures when I get back then!! So the several hundred pounds worth of phone is only useful for telling the time at the moment, as it won't play music over the speakers either. Or make calls. Oh, it does take pictures though, for now.
Right, I'm off. 50 miles to Dillon I think.
So, parted company with mum and dad yesterday after another fruitless session of bear-hunting in Yellowstone. Did see wolf though. But not the same as a bear. Chris has seen 6 now, it's not on. I'm not leaving the US until I've seen a live, wild bear!!
We made it to Mammoth in Yellowstone where the thermal uprisings have created lots of terraces and pools. It did involve a bit of an uphill walk though and dad gave up early and as it wasn't initially very impressive when you reached the top, mum went back down. The agreed plan was that they would drive up and meet me on the Upper Terrace Loop. I took my photos for 5 minutes and waited....and waited...waited a bit more, went and stood by the main road...and waited....about 3/4 hour later, they arrived having sat in another car park lower down, gone back to the bottom etc etc. I think tempers had been frayed.
When we got back to civilisation, we did eat a great meal of real food at a bistro...lovely. I thought that might have been it for the good food for a while but last nights was surprisingly good too.
So , we all said our goodbyes on Monday morning, me heading off into Montana, mum and dad, who knows where. It was a very good idea for them to come out in the middle of the trip, really enjoyed it, had a good rest for a few days. So off I went....then about an hour later, mum and dad came past, en route for Quake Lake, where an earthquake wiped out half a village and created a new lake, exactly 50 years ago yesterday. I was heading that way too. So we had a drink in a cafe together, said goodbye again. Then met up again about 20 minutes later. Goodbyes again. Then met up again at the Quake Lake visitor centre. They were leaving as I arrived, so more goodbyes. As I came out, 20 minutes later, they were still there - mum had some poor guy in an armlock, not letting him go until he had give her his life story. Anyhow, that was the last goodbye of the day. They are off to Jackson where they fly from tomorrow.
Along the route a posse formed of Chris and Chris and Aaron and Shaz, so we were all camped in Ennis last night and ate together at a very nice restaurant - real food again!! The RV park where we camped charged us $15 per tent to camp, which isn't too bad but isnt cheap. The RVs only pay $28 though, which take up literally 10 - 15 times as much space, hook up to the electricity, water and use up loads more resources than we do. Gits. We are definately being ripped off. Particularly as, although the facilities were there, I don't think any of us bothered with a shower. How our standards are dropping. Must remember to get back into the swing of being clean again when I get back home....
Back home...that's almost round the corner. Aargh! Culture shock ahead!!! It feels like I'm virtually finished, even though there is about 1200-1300 miles to go. In my head the Pacific is just round the next corner. I should finish early as well I think, although that doesn't account for random days off that may occur - such as going to Glacier National Park on Saturday that might happen. It's supposed to be some of the best scenery in the US, although everywhere claims that.
Roadkill is back on the agenda it seems. There wasn't any in Yellowstone - either they clear it up there or drivers are very careful and miss all the wildlife. Not so out of Yellowstone. There was a very big red smear down the road yesterday, though no animal. It must have been a big deer or bear. And there have been 3 deer today. The trucks do hoof it down the roads though, I'm not surprised the deer get squished.
I caused a bit of a diplomatic incident this morning - oops. I know, me, as if!? I was asking Aaron and Shaz how they were getting to Seattle at the end of the trip and when it became apparent that the plan of being picked up wasn't actually set in stone I joke that perhaps Shaz might like to cycle the extra 100 miles. Mmmm. Shaz is ready for the ride to end today, let alone in 18 days or whatever, so the thought she might not get a lift and my little joke about extra cycling went down like a lead balloon. I might have got away with it in an evening setting but before breakfast and before a big ride up a long hill, she wasn't happy. I made a tactical retreat and left them to their developing row. Which seemed to have lasted all morning as it seems Shaz couldn't find Aaron at the first town of the day...which was because he hadn't stopped there. And so it goes on.....Perhaps I'll cancel that interview with the Diplomatic Sevice.
We met lots of east-bounders yesterday, about 10. They had better cycle fast or they'll be snowbound before the end. One was a family of three, riding 1 bike. I don't know what they call that. The 8 year old had a small seat at the back and he had to pedal. They were sound. From California, she was a teacher, home-schooling the boy, they sold up and set off. Summer across the US, followed by winter in either Australia or New Zealand, then who knows where. Not sure I know many 8 year olds who would choose to spend 24/7 with their parents though, especially for months on end. What about his mates? There was talk about meeting his best friend in Yellowstone but it would mean hanging on for a week so it was in doubt. Poor kid. He seemed happy enough though, perhaps its just me.
I tried putting more pics up but now my phone refuses to work with WiFi so it didn't happen, so it looks like it's just going to be dry text from now on. Joy. I'll subject you to the pictures when I get back then!! So the several hundred pounds worth of phone is only useful for telling the time at the moment, as it won't play music over the speakers either. Or make calls. Oh, it does take pictures though, for now.
Right, I'm off. 50 miles to Dillon I think.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Saturday, part 2
I've had to come across town to another internet place as my time ran out at the library...even though there was a computer free, I'm not allowed to use it. Little empires.....
There is a local paper here, as in most small towns it seems and they all publish what the local police have been up to. Here are a few selections from this weeks 'West Yellowstone News'.
1. A citizen reported rental car stolen from a local hotel - officer found it had simply been misplaced.
2. An intoxicated individual was passed out in the lobby of a local hotel - Officer assisted individual in locating hotel in which he was allowed to pass out.
3. A black poodle was reported lost. It was decided that the poodle was not lost, only that he didn't care where he was.
4. A report of several individuals skinny dipping at a local hotel resulted in individuals making themselves rapidly un-locateable.
There are many sensible reports but it seems someone in the police department has a sense of humour. It kept us amused over breakfast.
Yellowstone is amazing. Wyoming improved the further west I got, the the Grand Teton mountains appeared which take your breath away, then you hit Yellowstone which is superb, though somewhat lacking in wildlife so far. Have seen 1 buffalo, but that was holding up traffic as it slowly strode down the centre line without a care in the world. I think we're off on a serious buffalo hunt today.
I finally bumped into the TransAm2009 boys, 3 lads from Loughborough Uni who I'd seen signed in at the Cookie Lady's place at the start of the trip (they were a week in front of me too - I don't mess about!!). They seem a good laugh and they should catch up again as I'm having this time off. Also caught up with Chris and Chris again in Dubois (pronounced DuBoys, they obviously don't do french here). They were also cursing the wind in Wyoming as it had taken them 8 hours to cycle the 70 miles (they had their bags).
Had enough for now...need to find mum and dad and go search for Buffalo. I should be back on normal service as from Monday as the days off will be over and I'll be back to cycling with all my gear, so I'll be doing a sensible number of miles per day and having frequent rest stops. It better warm up by then, it's freezing today.
There is a local paper here, as in most small towns it seems and they all publish what the local police have been up to. Here are a few selections from this weeks 'West Yellowstone News'.
1. A citizen reported rental car stolen from a local hotel - officer found it had simply been misplaced.
2. An intoxicated individual was passed out in the lobby of a local hotel - Officer assisted individual in locating hotel in which he was allowed to pass out.
3. A black poodle was reported lost. It was decided that the poodle was not lost, only that he didn't care where he was.
4. A report of several individuals skinny dipping at a local hotel resulted in individuals making themselves rapidly un-locateable.
There are many sensible reports but it seems someone in the police department has a sense of humour. It kept us amused over breakfast.
Yellowstone is amazing. Wyoming improved the further west I got, the the Grand Teton mountains appeared which take your breath away, then you hit Yellowstone which is superb, though somewhat lacking in wildlife so far. Have seen 1 buffalo, but that was holding up traffic as it slowly strode down the centre line without a care in the world. I think we're off on a serious buffalo hunt today.
I finally bumped into the TransAm2009 boys, 3 lads from Loughborough Uni who I'd seen signed in at the Cookie Lady's place at the start of the trip (they were a week in front of me too - I don't mess about!!). They seem a good laugh and they should catch up again as I'm having this time off. Also caught up with Chris and Chris again in Dubois (pronounced DuBoys, they obviously don't do french here). They were also cursing the wind in Wyoming as it had taken them 8 hours to cycle the 70 miles (they had their bags).
Had enough for now...need to find mum and dad and go search for Buffalo. I should be back on normal service as from Monday as the days off will be over and I'll be back to cycling with all my gear, so I'll be doing a sensible number of miles per day and having frequent rest stops. It better warm up by then, it's freezing today.
Saturday, sometime in August
At least I know it's Saturday...
Haven't had chance to get on a computer this week because I've either been cycling endlessly or we were out and about yesterday. We're now in West Yellowstone, Montana, on day 2 of my 3 days off, and boy did I need it. I cycled just short of 500 miles in 4 days and my knees were complaining. Mum and dad did carry my bags for the majority of those days but I was still battered at the end of it.
So from Walden I went to Rawlings, Rawlings to Lander, Lander to Togwotee Pass and Togwotee Pass to here. There was a bit of self inflicted pressure to get into Yellowstone before the weekend as we discovered that (a) it's a free weekend in the national parks so they'll be packed and (b) Obama is in town today so there's added chaos. Talk about timing.
It's been fun and games with mum and dad of course. Between Rawlings and Lander are miles of nothing and the only town (well, an ex-uranium mining town with a population of 50) is Jeffrey City, which has 1 cafe. Mum and dad got there before me and warned me the woman running the place was a bit hard work. I managed to get in, sit down, order (eventually) and get my food before she had said a word to me. I decided to have an extra sandwhich once my food had arrived as the next stop wasn't for 50 miles to which the reply was 'hmph' and she stropped off. Anyway, mum went to the restroom and a few minutes later I heard the cry of 'help, I'm locked in', so I went to investigate. The handle was spinning round and mum said the light had broken too. Rather than barge the door open I found miserable woman and informed her of the situation which illicited little response. She did go into the gents to do something then wandered off again muttering. I asked her to repeat herself but she didn't. Dad was well pissed off by this point so barged the door at which point Misery turned up...he explained the door was now open, to which she said she'd heard that. He he he. Mum decided to have a couple of words with her when she went to pay. It started off something like 'I was a bit unhappy about the way you handled me being locked in....' and degenerated in mum walking out going 'She is such a miserable cow....' to anyone who was listening, which was about 8 people. It materialised that she has a reputation far and wide for being particularly hard work and another cyclist had walked out that morning before we got there before she'd even ordered.
I've decided that there must be a loyalty card type thing in operation for 'senoir' people (pensioners). They must get points on a special reward card when they pick up their pension when they pull old-people stunts on their children. I set off from Lander at a typical 845am and within 5 minutes dad had pulled up infront of me, flagged me down. 'Do you need these?' he said, clutching a pair of sunglasses...'Er, no' says I, as I had mine on. 'Oh shit', says dad, 'These are mine....' Mmm...that must be an extra 20 points on the reward card.
So, Wyoming did get more interesing. The scenery was good, hills and mountains but the effing wind was tedious. It took me about 6 hours to do 70 miles, with no bags. I had to cycle hard downhill, which wasn't a satisfactory state of affairs. There was a clue in the names of things though...Wind River, Wind Ridge, Wind River Indian reservation...ok, ok, I get the picture!
Got to go...only get 20 minutes a session at this library.
Haven't had chance to get on a computer this week because I've either been cycling endlessly or we were out and about yesterday. We're now in West Yellowstone, Montana, on day 2 of my 3 days off, and boy did I need it. I cycled just short of 500 miles in 4 days and my knees were complaining. Mum and dad did carry my bags for the majority of those days but I was still battered at the end of it.
So from Walden I went to Rawlings, Rawlings to Lander, Lander to Togwotee Pass and Togwotee Pass to here. There was a bit of self inflicted pressure to get into Yellowstone before the weekend as we discovered that (a) it's a free weekend in the national parks so they'll be packed and (b) Obama is in town today so there's added chaos. Talk about timing.
It's been fun and games with mum and dad of course. Between Rawlings and Lander are miles of nothing and the only town (well, an ex-uranium mining town with a population of 50) is Jeffrey City, which has 1 cafe. Mum and dad got there before me and warned me the woman running the place was a bit hard work. I managed to get in, sit down, order (eventually) and get my food before she had said a word to me. I decided to have an extra sandwhich once my food had arrived as the next stop wasn't for 50 miles to which the reply was 'hmph' and she stropped off. Anyway, mum went to the restroom and a few minutes later I heard the cry of 'help, I'm locked in', so I went to investigate. The handle was spinning round and mum said the light had broken too. Rather than barge the door open I found miserable woman and informed her of the situation which illicited little response. She did go into the gents to do something then wandered off again muttering. I asked her to repeat herself but she didn't. Dad was well pissed off by this point so barged the door at which point Misery turned up...he explained the door was now open, to which she said she'd heard that. He he he. Mum decided to have a couple of words with her when she went to pay. It started off something like 'I was a bit unhappy about the way you handled me being locked in....' and degenerated in mum walking out going 'She is such a miserable cow....' to anyone who was listening, which was about 8 people. It materialised that she has a reputation far and wide for being particularly hard work and another cyclist had walked out that morning before we got there before she'd even ordered.
I've decided that there must be a loyalty card type thing in operation for 'senoir' people (pensioners). They must get points on a special reward card when they pick up their pension when they pull old-people stunts on their children. I set off from Lander at a typical 845am and within 5 minutes dad had pulled up infront of me, flagged me down. 'Do you need these?' he said, clutching a pair of sunglasses...'Er, no' says I, as I had mine on. 'Oh shit', says dad, 'These are mine....' Mmm...that must be an extra 20 points on the reward card.
So, Wyoming did get more interesing. The scenery was good, hills and mountains but the effing wind was tedious. It took me about 6 hours to do 70 miles, with no bags. I had to cycle hard downhill, which wasn't a satisfactory state of affairs. There was a clue in the names of things though...Wind River, Wind Ridge, Wind River Indian reservation...ok, ok, I get the picture!
Got to go...only get 20 minutes a session at this library.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Monday 10th Aug
Hello Wyoming...no great change from northern Colorado but I'm waiting with bated breath.
Took the scenic route from Boulder (what a cool town) via some great canyon. Stopped at some bar with a bit of a festival on, whatched the stoners dancing too fast to some quite chilled music and some annoying hippies hula hooping at the front of the stage. Mum did her ususal interrogation of an unsuspecting American. The poor woman had no escape as she was stood in the river with mum blocking her exit. She could have tried crossing to the other side but she'd have been swept away in the raging torrent. I could see she did consider it though. Dad and me had to rescue her by carrying mum away, still talking....
A bit further on I spotted a moose in a pond about 50 yards from the road. Eventually, after much driving backwards and forwards we were all at the side of the road, watching this distant moose, taking lots of pictures that will show a black spot in the middle of the picture! We got bored of that and turned to head back to the car to discover we were being watched by a young moose about 10ft behind us in the trees. When we saw it, it shot back into the woods only to emerge another 10 metres up the road and wandered across in front of us! It was huge - glad it wasn't full grown. Got some good pictures of it but on the other camera, so can't put them on here. Then it sauntered off towards the pond. So that was Sundays excitement.
When we made it back to Walden we discovered that the motel owner who locked my bike up in her trailer, who promised to be back on SUnday evening, had buggered off again due to some emergency and no-one else has the combination to the lock. And she wasn't answering her phone. Oh joy. I'd already had an extra day off more than planned and could have done without a further day off, particularly in Walden. After much begging and impressing on the stand-in manager the necessity of getting the lock combination, we got a call at about 11 to say it was sorted. Phew...So I set my alarm for 6, slept through it, and got on the road at 8, which is about standard. This time though I have the luxary of mum and dad carrying the bags - that makes such a difference. I'm flying along the roads, although I'll be just as tired as I'm making up for the third day off I had so its 120 miles today. 40 to go I think.
I stopped off at Encampment, to see a pioneer village, that has been reconstructed in a museum setting. I don't know why I stopped, I doubt I would at home. It was ok, not that exciting. I then made my way to Saratoga, where they have hot springs. I thought I could relax in those for a while after nearly 70 miles of biking. Ha. I nearly burned my feet testing the water out. They weren't joking when they called it hot springs. I battled it for half an hour then decided to get a life by getting food. I was going to try and be healthy but they had cookie dough ice cream sundaes with butterscotch sauce...what was I supposed to do?
Finally given up the battle with the phone. I'll now just accept reception when I get it and use wi-fi when I can.
I lost my yellow band that Lysa had done with 'Touched by Ruby' on Thursday sometime, presumably when I took my gloves off at some point, which was rather annoying. I don't particularly belieive in 'signs' or random things having any significance but within half an hour of setting off today I found a yellow band at the side of the road, with 'Livestrong' on it, one of the Lance Armstrong ones, so I got it and it's on now. Ta Rubes.
Not sure what mum and dad are upto today...dad wants to go fishing but it was very expensive in Estes Park so he's having second thoughts. Mum mentioned doing some washing so I left here my underpants and a shirt to do.....
Off to Rawlings now...laters. Hope the scenery gets more exciting.
Took the scenic route from Boulder (what a cool town) via some great canyon. Stopped at some bar with a bit of a festival on, whatched the stoners dancing too fast to some quite chilled music and some annoying hippies hula hooping at the front of the stage. Mum did her ususal interrogation of an unsuspecting American. The poor woman had no escape as she was stood in the river with mum blocking her exit. She could have tried crossing to the other side but she'd have been swept away in the raging torrent. I could see she did consider it though. Dad and me had to rescue her by carrying mum away, still talking....
A bit further on I spotted a moose in a pond about 50 yards from the road. Eventually, after much driving backwards and forwards we were all at the side of the road, watching this distant moose, taking lots of pictures that will show a black spot in the middle of the picture! We got bored of that and turned to head back to the car to discover we were being watched by a young moose about 10ft behind us in the trees. When we saw it, it shot back into the woods only to emerge another 10 metres up the road and wandered across in front of us! It was huge - glad it wasn't full grown. Got some good pictures of it but on the other camera, so can't put them on here. Then it sauntered off towards the pond. So that was Sundays excitement.
When we made it back to Walden we discovered that the motel owner who locked my bike up in her trailer, who promised to be back on SUnday evening, had buggered off again due to some emergency and no-one else has the combination to the lock. And she wasn't answering her phone. Oh joy. I'd already had an extra day off more than planned and could have done without a further day off, particularly in Walden. After much begging and impressing on the stand-in manager the necessity of getting the lock combination, we got a call at about 11 to say it was sorted. Phew...So I set my alarm for 6, slept through it, and got on the road at 8, which is about standard. This time though I have the luxary of mum and dad carrying the bags - that makes such a difference. I'm flying along the roads, although I'll be just as tired as I'm making up for the third day off I had so its 120 miles today. 40 to go I think.
I stopped off at Encampment, to see a pioneer village, that has been reconstructed in a museum setting. I don't know why I stopped, I doubt I would at home. It was ok, not that exciting. I then made my way to Saratoga, where they have hot springs. I thought I could relax in those for a while after nearly 70 miles of biking. Ha. I nearly burned my feet testing the water out. They weren't joking when they called it hot springs. I battled it for half an hour then decided to get a life by getting food. I was going to try and be healthy but they had cookie dough ice cream sundaes with butterscotch sauce...what was I supposed to do?
Finally given up the battle with the phone. I'll now just accept reception when I get it and use wi-fi when I can.
I lost my yellow band that Lysa had done with 'Touched by Ruby' on Thursday sometime, presumably when I took my gloves off at some point, which was rather annoying. I don't particularly belieive in 'signs' or random things having any significance but within half an hour of setting off today I found a yellow band at the side of the road, with 'Livestrong' on it, one of the Lance Armstrong ones, so I got it and it's on now. Ta Rubes.
Not sure what mum and dad are upto today...dad wants to go fishing but it was very expensive in Estes Park so he's having second thoughts. Mum mentioned doing some washing so I left here my underpants and a shirt to do.....
Off to Rawlings now...laters. Hope the scenery gets more exciting.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Sunday 9th (?) August
One month till Alex gets here...yayyy
Only got 20 minutes on this computer.....It's a hot Sunday In Boulder Colarado. What a cool town. Laid back, civilised, good food, things going on. The things a lot of the other towns so far haven't had.
So...met up with mum and dad on Friday, half way up Current Hill Pass, which was a surprise, especially as they forgot the specific instruction of 'I'll ring you Thursday morning' and they helpfully checked out of the hotel at 630am. On my 3rd phone call at 1000am I was told they had checked out. Great. Anyhow, we met up, just after I'd seen a mother and baby moose (ahhh), which was great, the meeting up that is, not the moose. They had harrassed several other cyclists between Denver and me thinking each one was me, but fortunately the cyclist were ok with that. Eventually met all of them, Mike, Elliot and Elroy who were a good gang of lads. Hopefully bump into them again before the end of the trip.
Spent the first night with parents in Walden, had decent food in town and they stayed in a not too dodgy motel and I camped in the park, along with Mike and co. Friday saw us head along the trail ridge road through the Rocky Mountain National Park - some fantastic views, mountains, scenery, fresh air, butterflies and all that.
9 minutes left...bugger.
Stayed in the slightl decrepit Elkridge lodge in Estes Park on Friday night - how the cabin didn't collapse is beyond me. It was like the one Calamity Jane lived in prior to the arrival of the singer woman before the 'A Woman's Touch' song (sorry - a gay boy and musicals fan reference). That song was going round in my head for ages afterwards.
Yesterday we made it to Boulder, despite mums best afforts to not get here. Wrongs routes, stops here and there...I've only threatened to stab them once or twice so far, which I think is pretty good. It's not that they are geriatric yet, they are just practicing hard. They almost have one complete memory between them, they just take it in turns to use it.
So Boulder is great, a brief bit of civilisation before I'm back on the road tomorrow. I've booked mum and dad into a motel in West Yellowstone on Thurs so I've to try get there for then. It's a bloody long way, about 120 miles a day I think, but with them carrying the bags, I'm hoping that's achievable. And with any luck I'll catch either Mike and the gang or Chris and Chris.
Out of time!!!
Laters
Only got 20 minutes on this computer.....It's a hot Sunday In Boulder Colarado. What a cool town. Laid back, civilised, good food, things going on. The things a lot of the other towns so far haven't had.
So...met up with mum and dad on Friday, half way up Current Hill Pass, which was a surprise, especially as they forgot the specific instruction of 'I'll ring you Thursday morning' and they helpfully checked out of the hotel at 630am. On my 3rd phone call at 1000am I was told they had checked out. Great. Anyhow, we met up, just after I'd seen a mother and baby moose (ahhh), which was great, the meeting up that is, not the moose. They had harrassed several other cyclists between Denver and me thinking each one was me, but fortunately the cyclist were ok with that. Eventually met all of them, Mike, Elliot and Elroy who were a good gang of lads. Hopefully bump into them again before the end of the trip.
Spent the first night with parents in Walden, had decent food in town and they stayed in a not too dodgy motel and I camped in the park, along with Mike and co. Friday saw us head along the trail ridge road through the Rocky Mountain National Park - some fantastic views, mountains, scenery, fresh air, butterflies and all that.
9 minutes left...bugger.
Stayed in the slightl decrepit Elkridge lodge in Estes Park on Friday night - how the cabin didn't collapse is beyond me. It was like the one Calamity Jane lived in prior to the arrival of the singer woman before the 'A Woman's Touch' song (sorry - a gay boy and musicals fan reference). That song was going round in my head for ages afterwards.
Yesterday we made it to Boulder, despite mums best afforts to not get here. Wrongs routes, stops here and there...I've only threatened to stab them once or twice so far, which I think is pretty good. It's not that they are geriatric yet, they are just practicing hard. They almost have one complete memory between them, they just take it in turns to use it.
So Boulder is great, a brief bit of civilisation before I'm back on the road tomorrow. I've booked mum and dad into a motel in West Yellowstone on Thurs so I've to try get there for then. It's a bloody long way, about 120 miles a day I think, but with them carrying the bags, I'm hoping that's achievable. And with any luck I'll catch either Mike and the gang or Chris and Chris.
Out of time!!!
Laters
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Estes Park
The rustic, quaint cabin where we stayed last night. Or, an alternative description could be the rickety, slightly smelly, soon to be condemed shack. I pitched my tent on the porch.
Parents over-indulging
In Boulder, found our first ice cream shop (Ben and Jerrys) and both of them had eyes bigger than their bellies. . As my body is now a temple, i didnt have any. Yeah, as if. .
Friday, 7 August 2009
We met up!
Surprisingly we met, halfway up a hill. Now on way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Three days off. . Wa-hey!
We did meet up
Surprisingly we found each other, halfway up a hill. This is at Grand Lake on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Three days off. . Ya-hey
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Thursday, day 37 possibly
All going to plan so far...mum and dad landed and were having a nap, according to the text message I received the last time I had reception on my dear phone. So I called them this morning at their hotel, as arranged, no answer. Again, an hour later. No answer. Called again and spoke to reception who said they had checked out. This could be fun then. They do know where I was last night and where i should be tonight (Walden) so we'll see....
Anyway, I'm currently stopped off in Hot Sulphur Springs although I've yet to see or smell any evidence of any. Just cycled through a narrow but spectacular canyon to get here but had to pay attention as there are quite a lot of timber trucks knocking about. Stayed in Kremmling last night at an RV park, where they had showers and everything. That was great apart from the bit where I realised I'd left my towel hanging from a tree in Fairplay the night before. It was Kremmlings turn for a County Fair this week, so after my light breakfast of fried eggs, toast, coffee, orange, blueberry scone and a large cinnamon roll I went to watch the swine judging (!!). The bit I stayed for was the junior showmanship. This consisted of 6 kids (about 10 years old I think) steering their pigs around a ring with a stick and the one who controlled the pig the best won, it seemed. What actually happened was the pigs were lightly whipped and slapped round the ring for 20 minutes until they were quite annoyed and the kids were tired, and smeared with pig sh*t, until someone won. My favourite kid was a Jane Horrocks lookalike who refused to smile at any point and looked downright bored. I've a feeling she'll be heading for a big city just as soon as she can. It did pay to smile it seemed as the girl with the rictus smile and her arm confidently behind her back did come 2nd and the judge did mention her smile when announcing the winners. What he didn't see was her lack of smile anytime he was talking to someone else and not looking at the contestants. Lol. I'd been chatting to her mum it turned out, asking how it all works and they were overjoyed when she got 2nd. They were dead proud. It really upset me as me and Lysa haven't got that chance now. I was a bit of right off after that for a while.
I'd been for a drink with Chris in Fairplay on Tuesday evening and on the way back to the tents had ridden over some piece of wood which snapped a spoke and bent my panniers. This I'd forgotten till I'd loaded up the bike the following morning. Bugger. After a bit of messing around I decided to head gingerly to Breckinridge, over the Hoosier Pass, where they are several bike shops to get it sorted out. Fortunately it all held together and I made it over the pass and into town. The Pass was a bit of a doddle compared to Virginia and Kentucky. Don't know what the fuss was about. There was some spectacular scenery too, as you might expect. And so into Breckinridge, which is a busy touristy skiing resort in winter. It was a bit too much after the calm of the past few weeks and I made a hasty exit after a haircut, cake and bike repairs. I've now got a trimmed beard as opposed to just being unshaven for several weeks. It's great, shame I can't keep it when i get back. After leaving I realised I hadn't bought any spare spokes so stopped in the next town and messed around for another hour or so getting spares, getting a drink so I didn't leave for Kremmling, which was 40 miles away, till 5pm. Not the best plan, but this has happened numerous times so far. Good job it was downhill nearly all the way, it was a fantastic ride, past hills and reservoirs.
As I've not eaten for at least 2 hours, it's time to replenish the reserves....hopefully meet up with mum and dad later. Who knows....
Anyway, I'm currently stopped off in Hot Sulphur Springs although I've yet to see or smell any evidence of any. Just cycled through a narrow but spectacular canyon to get here but had to pay attention as there are quite a lot of timber trucks knocking about. Stayed in Kremmling last night at an RV park, where they had showers and everything. That was great apart from the bit where I realised I'd left my towel hanging from a tree in Fairplay the night before. It was Kremmlings turn for a County Fair this week, so after my light breakfast of fried eggs, toast, coffee, orange, blueberry scone and a large cinnamon roll I went to watch the swine judging (!!). The bit I stayed for was the junior showmanship. This consisted of 6 kids (about 10 years old I think) steering their pigs around a ring with a stick and the one who controlled the pig the best won, it seemed. What actually happened was the pigs were lightly whipped and slapped round the ring for 20 minutes until they were quite annoyed and the kids were tired, and smeared with pig sh*t, until someone won. My favourite kid was a Jane Horrocks lookalike who refused to smile at any point and looked downright bored. I've a feeling she'll be heading for a big city just as soon as she can. It did pay to smile it seemed as the girl with the rictus smile and her arm confidently behind her back did come 2nd and the judge did mention her smile when announcing the winners. What he didn't see was her lack of smile anytime he was talking to someone else and not looking at the contestants. Lol. I'd been chatting to her mum it turned out, asking how it all works and they were overjoyed when she got 2nd. They were dead proud. It really upset me as me and Lysa haven't got that chance now. I was a bit of right off after that for a while.
I'd been for a drink with Chris in Fairplay on Tuesday evening and on the way back to the tents had ridden over some piece of wood which snapped a spoke and bent my panniers. This I'd forgotten till I'd loaded up the bike the following morning. Bugger. After a bit of messing around I decided to head gingerly to Breckinridge, over the Hoosier Pass, where they are several bike shops to get it sorted out. Fortunately it all held together and I made it over the pass and into town. The Pass was a bit of a doddle compared to Virginia and Kentucky. Don't know what the fuss was about. There was some spectacular scenery too, as you might expect. And so into Breckinridge, which is a busy touristy skiing resort in winter. It was a bit too much after the calm of the past few weeks and I made a hasty exit after a haircut, cake and bike repairs. I've now got a trimmed beard as opposed to just being unshaven for several weeks. It's great, shame I can't keep it when i get back. After leaving I realised I hadn't bought any spare spokes so stopped in the next town and messed around for another hour or so getting spares, getting a drink so I didn't leave for Kremmling, which was 40 miles away, till 5pm. Not the best plan, but this has happened numerous times so far. Good job it was downhill nearly all the way, it was a fantastic ride, past hills and reservoirs.
As I've not eaten for at least 2 hours, it's time to replenish the reserves....hopefully meet up with mum and dad later. Who knows....
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Yes, it is the Rockies
I know this because I've been climbing for the past 20 miles. I'm now in Guffey about to have a strawberry smoothie and lemon cake...possibly followed by a milkshake and chocolate brownie. I need the energy! There is also a Model-T Ford rally in about half an hour so I might stick around for that.
Left Chris and Chris in Pueblo yesterday and took the scenic route past 2 very large Correctional Facilities (prisons. You'd love it in Colorado Alex, it's prison central). The Rockies loomed larger and larger after each bend. I carefully applied all the varieties of suncream I have before leaving town, and then it promptly clouded over, then I repeated a previous mistake of being the highest thing around during a thunderstorm with lightening make land every few minutes. I wasn't happy. Then the wind nearly blew me off the road and made the rain hurt it was so hard. And then it cleared up. By this time I was in a real town, Florence. It had a main street with actual shops in it, not closed ones made to look occupied. And people. I decided to eat and went to a mexican place, Con-Los I think. It was fab. I knew the woman who ran it lifes story before I left. She took it over from her parents in Jan after they ran it for 40 years, she took a $20000 car loan to finance gastric band surgery as she weighed over 300lbs (I saw the pictures), she works 9am to midnight 6 days a week...it goes on. She was fab. And the food was great too, especially the homemade cheesecake. 2nd piece of the day - I had some at a great deli in Pueblo, along with 2 pints of hot tea. It was about 100 degrees at the time. It was good though.
Decided to try for Royal Gorge campsites, which didn't seem such a good idea when it got dark and I was still on the road. Oops. Put the tent up in the dark. Not the best way of doing things - the woman who ran the site told me off for cycling in the dark.
Decided to be a tourist early this morning and cycled to Royal Gorge to look at the worlds highest suspension bridge - it was quite high I suppose. Just about worth the 8 mile round trip. Got about another 40 miles to do today and will hopefully end up in Fairplay with the Hoosier Pass first thing tomorrow morning. Bring it on.
Smoothie and cake time...bye
Left Chris and Chris in Pueblo yesterday and took the scenic route past 2 very large Correctional Facilities (prisons. You'd love it in Colorado Alex, it's prison central). The Rockies loomed larger and larger after each bend. I carefully applied all the varieties of suncream I have before leaving town, and then it promptly clouded over, then I repeated a previous mistake of being the highest thing around during a thunderstorm with lightening make land every few minutes. I wasn't happy. Then the wind nearly blew me off the road and made the rain hurt it was so hard. And then it cleared up. By this time I was in a real town, Florence. It had a main street with actual shops in it, not closed ones made to look occupied. And people. I decided to eat and went to a mexican place, Con-Los I think. It was fab. I knew the woman who ran it lifes story before I left. She took it over from her parents in Jan after they ran it for 40 years, she took a $20000 car loan to finance gastric band surgery as she weighed over 300lbs (I saw the pictures), she works 9am to midnight 6 days a week...it goes on. She was fab. And the food was great too, especially the homemade cheesecake. 2nd piece of the day - I had some at a great deli in Pueblo, along with 2 pints of hot tea. It was about 100 degrees at the time. It was good though.
Decided to try for Royal Gorge campsites, which didn't seem such a good idea when it got dark and I was still on the road. Oops. Put the tent up in the dark. Not the best way of doing things - the woman who ran the site told me off for cycling in the dark.
Decided to be a tourist early this morning and cycled to Royal Gorge to look at the worlds highest suspension bridge - it was quite high I suppose. Just about worth the 8 mile round trip. Got about another 40 miles to do today and will hopefully end up in Fairplay with the Hoosier Pass first thing tomorrow morning. Bring it on.
Smoothie and cake time...bye
Monday, 3 August 2009
Toto...I don't think we're in Kansas anymore....
Well there had to be a reference to the Wizard of Oz somewhere doesn't there, as some of you mentioned.
I'm in bed writing this, eating donuts and drinking coffee, and updating this thanks to the joys of WiFi, having had no means of communication for the past few days. And I'm about to head into the mountains where the reception is worse - how can it be worse? So trying to engineer meeting up with mum and dad could be fun.
So it's goodbye Kansas, hello colourful Colorado (that's what the sign on the State line claimed). Kansas was a bit dull by the time we'd cycled through 500 miles of it. As we were told many times, it's been cool too, not the usual 100 degrees, although it was getting there yesterday. My nose has peeled about 5 times, my lip is split, me left leg is quite burnt...it's a good job it wasn't hot!
I cycled into Leoti, Kansas on Saturday to be told to stay for the parade. It was the Witchita County Annual Show and the parade was starting in 15 minutes. Unusually for almost any town here, there were people around (you rarely see people on the streets in these small towns) and people were setting up their chairs on the main street, getting the best positions for the festivities. I managed to find an open shop, grabbed some drinks and got a spot. Got chatting to a local grandmother, who was telling me that I'd be experiencing the real small-town America. And so it started. With the anticipation, numbers of people, chairs out etc my expectations were high. They needn't have been. It was a bit poor (and I'm being polite). The whole thing seemed to be geared around kids getting as much candy as they can get their hands on. I thought there'd be decorated floats, kids dancing, line dancing perhaps (that's what they do out here isn't it?). The cheerleaders didn't do anything apart from wave (I now know where the not so pretty cheerleaders go), the only float you could describe as decorated was by the local church, no-one did anything apart from wave and throw sweets to the kids. They had shipped in a few classic cars (they passed me earlier on the way in), they were some cowboys and girls on horses, a float by a GM seed producer, big agricultural vehicles, the local emergency services of course but it wasn't very good. I couldn't escape either as my route out of town was on the other side of the road. Bad planning. I started edging up the road to get closer to the departure point and got talking so some guy who was asking what i was up to. When I said, he laughed and said that Colorado had nothing there. I thought that was a laugh as Kansas wasn't exactly heaving. He did turn out to be correct though.
There were several high points on Saturday. One was that there was a bend in the road. You don't realise what excitement this can cause. The wind could be different. The view might change. Anything could happen. I also crossed another time zone. Not a lot happens at this point but it is highlighted on the map so it gives you something to aim for. The best thing was though, you know when you watch a bad film and think'I'll never get those 2 hours of my life back', well, as I crossed the time zone and the clock went back an hour, I got the hour back I'd just lost watching the parade in Leoti. Result!
That was a 100+ mile day and as Pueblo was nearing we decided to do the same again yesterday. It's funny how different 2 states can be, although the terrain is the same and distances not so big. Eastern Colorado was still flat as a pancake but seemingly unfarmed, with fairly wild vegetation, so fairly green and quite pretty, in an empty, desolate way. Until we hit the 15 miles of abandoned rail freight carriages. Very strange. Just mile after mile of old car transporter carriages, sat slowly rusting. Got to Sugar City (population of about 135) where there used to be a sugar beet processing plant, which closed about 30 years ago. I've no idea what they do there now. There's nothing else going on, apart from the cafe we went, which was good. It's run by a deliberately rude and quite entertaining woman who claimed to hate cyclists as they give her grief. But she had pie and sundaes, so we had both plus burgers. My arteries are getting thinner by the hour.
Met up with a group of eastbounders - 2 leaders, aged about 25, herding 4, 16 and 17 year olds. Nightmare. They seemed like they were having a good time though. The kids parents must be laughing their socks off - bet they paid $4000+ and get their 16 year old out of the house for the whole summer!
Also met up with an American guy, Shaun, who cycled with us for the day. He'd run out of time so was calling it quits when he gets to Pueblo. We stopped for a rest at some point and he commented that i set a tough pace but I'd been trying to keep up with him...so we we all battered from cycling too hard in the sun and were just really being a little bit too macho. We slowed down after that.
On the way into town yesterday we stopped for refreshment in a little bar in Boone. Walked in to see a six-month old in a rocker on a table top, chewing beef jerky, being tended to by his gran, who was smoking. She left the kiddie, returned to her very drunk husband and sat talking to us for 20 minutes. Eventually they left, with the very drunk husband almost carrying the kid and rocker under his arm sideways. It was like beingin the bar in Shameless, but real.
I'm picking up the extra, unnessecary stuff I sent myself a few days ago and setting off towards the mountains at some point soon. A shorter day I suspect today and I think our little gang will be splitting up today after 8 days of happy touring...I'm sure we'll be meeting up again as we'll be on the same route and aiming to finish at the same time.
See you laters....
We caught sight of the Rockies finally yesterday - they look high. It's the 11000 ft Hoosier Pass in the next few days. That will be fun after a week or so of flat cycling. Bring it on.
I'm in bed writing this, eating donuts and drinking coffee, and updating this thanks to the joys of WiFi, having had no means of communication for the past few days. And I'm about to head into the mountains where the reception is worse - how can it be worse? So trying to engineer meeting up with mum and dad could be fun.
So it's goodbye Kansas, hello colourful Colorado (that's what the sign on the State line claimed). Kansas was a bit dull by the time we'd cycled through 500 miles of it. As we were told many times, it's been cool too, not the usual 100 degrees, although it was getting there yesterday. My nose has peeled about 5 times, my lip is split, me left leg is quite burnt...it's a good job it wasn't hot!
I cycled into Leoti, Kansas on Saturday to be told to stay for the parade. It was the Witchita County Annual Show and the parade was starting in 15 minutes. Unusually for almost any town here, there were people around (you rarely see people on the streets in these small towns) and people were setting up their chairs on the main street, getting the best positions for the festivities. I managed to find an open shop, grabbed some drinks and got a spot. Got chatting to a local grandmother, who was telling me that I'd be experiencing the real small-town America. And so it started. With the anticipation, numbers of people, chairs out etc my expectations were high. They needn't have been. It was a bit poor (and I'm being polite). The whole thing seemed to be geared around kids getting as much candy as they can get their hands on. I thought there'd be decorated floats, kids dancing, line dancing perhaps (that's what they do out here isn't it?). The cheerleaders didn't do anything apart from wave (I now know where the not so pretty cheerleaders go), the only float you could describe as decorated was by the local church, no-one did anything apart from wave and throw sweets to the kids. They had shipped in a few classic cars (they passed me earlier on the way in), they were some cowboys and girls on horses, a float by a GM seed producer, big agricultural vehicles, the local emergency services of course but it wasn't very good. I couldn't escape either as my route out of town was on the other side of the road. Bad planning. I started edging up the road to get closer to the departure point and got talking so some guy who was asking what i was up to. When I said, he laughed and said that Colorado had nothing there. I thought that was a laugh as Kansas wasn't exactly heaving. He did turn out to be correct though.
There were several high points on Saturday. One was that there was a bend in the road. You don't realise what excitement this can cause. The wind could be different. The view might change. Anything could happen. I also crossed another time zone. Not a lot happens at this point but it is highlighted on the map so it gives you something to aim for. The best thing was though, you know when you watch a bad film and think'I'll never get those 2 hours of my life back', well, as I crossed the time zone and the clock went back an hour, I got the hour back I'd just lost watching the parade in Leoti. Result!
That was a 100+ mile day and as Pueblo was nearing we decided to do the same again yesterday. It's funny how different 2 states can be, although the terrain is the same and distances not so big. Eastern Colorado was still flat as a pancake but seemingly unfarmed, with fairly wild vegetation, so fairly green and quite pretty, in an empty, desolate way. Until we hit the 15 miles of abandoned rail freight carriages. Very strange. Just mile after mile of old car transporter carriages, sat slowly rusting. Got to Sugar City (population of about 135) where there used to be a sugar beet processing plant, which closed about 30 years ago. I've no idea what they do there now. There's nothing else going on, apart from the cafe we went, which was good. It's run by a deliberately rude and quite entertaining woman who claimed to hate cyclists as they give her grief. But she had pie and sundaes, so we had both plus burgers. My arteries are getting thinner by the hour.
Met up with a group of eastbounders - 2 leaders, aged about 25, herding 4, 16 and 17 year olds. Nightmare. They seemed like they were having a good time though. The kids parents must be laughing their socks off - bet they paid $4000+ and get their 16 year old out of the house for the whole summer!
Also met up with an American guy, Shaun, who cycled with us for the day. He'd run out of time so was calling it quits when he gets to Pueblo. We stopped for a rest at some point and he commented that i set a tough pace but I'd been trying to keep up with him...so we we all battered from cycling too hard in the sun and were just really being a little bit too macho. We slowed down after that.
On the way into town yesterday we stopped for refreshment in a little bar in Boone. Walked in to see a six-month old in a rocker on a table top, chewing beef jerky, being tended to by his gran, who was smoking. She left the kiddie, returned to her very drunk husband and sat talking to us for 20 minutes. Eventually they left, with the very drunk husband almost carrying the kid and rocker under his arm sideways. It was like beingin the bar in Shameless, but real.
I'm picking up the extra, unnessecary stuff I sent myself a few days ago and setting off towards the mountains at some point soon. A shorter day I suspect today and I think our little gang will be splitting up today after 8 days of happy touring...I'm sure we'll be meeting up again as we'll be on the same route and aiming to finish at the same time.
See you laters....
We caught sight of the Rockies finally yesterday - they look high. It's the 11000 ft Hoosier Pass in the next few days. That will be fun after a week or so of flat cycling. Bring it on.
Eastern colorado
When i was told that colorado had less in it than kansas i laughed, thinking 'as if!'. They were right though. There really was nothing going on. At all. For miles. And miles.
The skyscraper of the prairies
Thats the name of this building. They didnt aim very high in those days
Grain silos
These are our landmarks. . We can see there from about 10 miles away so know that relative civilisation might be coming up. Or there again, the town may have gone, just leaving these remaining
Kansas
This was the view for 4 days i think. . Highway 96 through kansas. Wasnt sad to see the back of it in the end
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