Today’s Date: June 17, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Encampment, Wyoming

Today’s End Point: Walden, Colorado

Today’s Miles: 50.05 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 1,893.27 Miles

Let me start out by saying I hate the wind. Today was supposed to be a relatively easy day, 50 miles with about 3,000 feet of climbing. The wildcard is always the wind. To try and beat the wind, as I said before, I try to start before the wind picks up later in the day. A good plan if all of my assumptions are correct. Unfortunately ………..

Today’s route would take me southeast across the Colorado border to the town of Walden, a trip of approximately 50 miles. According to my route guide, I could resupply in the town of Cowdry, Colorado if I needed to.

I left Encampment, Wyoming just before 6:00 am. It was chilly with blue skies. I had a slight headwind, probably only about three to five mph. There was a slight haze in the morning which created an interesting effect on the surrounding hills.

I wouldn’t have to tackle any steep climbs, but the road would be like a rollercoaster-up and down the whole way. Ultimately, I would start in Encampment, Wyoming at an elevation of 6,266 feet and end up in Walden, Colorado at 8,100 feet.

Until I hit the Colorado border, which was at about the 28 mile mark, the scenery was the same as yesterday-rolling sagebrush landscape with mountains in the distance.

About two hours into the ride, the wind started to pick up appreciably. The wind was coming from the front and to the left, to such an extent it was getting hard to control the bike. The rolling nature of the ride increased the difficulty since I wasn’t able to use my momentum from the downhill portion of the rollercoaster to help with the uphill part. As a matter of fact, the wind was so strong I was pedaling in order to descend.

Since there were no trees or anything else to block the wind, my struggles would continue. I kept thinking if I can just get to Colorado the winds would diminish, as if wind respects state lines.

One thing occurred once I hit Colorado. In Wyoming I was spoiled with a nice wide shoulder. The minute I crossed into Colorado, the shoulder disappeared. Since there was little traffic, it was not as big of an issue as it could have been.

Once I was in Colorado the road did twist enough that I was not getting pummeled as much and I actually started to see some trees as I climbed a small pass. Hallelujah, things were going to get better.

Unfortunately, once through this pass I had to make a right turn onto another highway and I was back to fighting the wind. It’s too bad because the Colorado Rockies were getting clearer and clearer. I was in a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides. I would love to say that I savored the view, but alas I was once again looking at the white line and my Garmin, hoping I could get off the bike soon.

I was hoping to stop in Cowdry, Colorado to take a break and eat, since as I said before the route book promised food at the stop. As I passed through Cowdry, whatever was there before for resupply was no more. I did not see any commercial establishments of any kind. Luckily, I was well stocked with energy bars and still had a bottle of water for the last ten miles to Walden.

Those last ten miles were tough, but I just had to be patient (a trait that I am not famous for), turn the pedals, and know that eventually I would get there.

I was glad the day called for only 50 miles because I arrived at my hotel a little after noon and my room was available. The town appeared nice, but I found out as the day went on that many of the businesses in town were going under because they could not find employees. Even the restaurant that I went to for lunch had a sign stating that customers should be patient because they were short of staff.

If the winds continues, tomorrow is going to be difficult. I have a business meeting at 8:00 am that will probably end at 9:00 am, meaning that I will not be able to take advantage of the early morning relative calm. Hope for tranquil winds tomorrow.