Day 14 - June 30

Today was an easy day to provide support. Before leaving the hotel this morning, I asked the owner for his recommendation on the route to Douglas. He suggested two state highways, with no shoulders, that would be 27 miles, or take interstate 25 for 22 miles. Our original route would have taken us on gravel and dirt roads, making it a non-option. Gary and Matt opted for the shorter route on I-25. I was a little apprehensive about taking the interstate, but they rode on one before and said it wouldn’t be too bad. And they were correct. The interstate was recently paved and had wide shoulders. The traffic was light and they were able to cover the miles quickly. At Douglas they decided to continue on I-25 until the intersection with highway 20. At that point we would leave the interstate and continue on 20 for the remainder of the trip. At Douglas I made a coffee run and learned that you cannot always rely on GPS. I put in the address for the coffee shop and was directed to an empty parking lot. I stopped at a nearby hotel and asked for directions and found the coffee shop, about 4 blocks from where the GPS unit directed me.

Today’s route ran parallel to rail road tracks, both existing and tracks under construction. The only commodity being transported is coal, lots of coal. In Glenrock I read that north of Douglas, WY is one of the largest coal deposits, if not the largest, in the US. Long trains filled with coal heading East and long trains with empty cars heading West.

Gary and Matt made good time today, leaving me little time to look for photo opportunities. If I see something interesting, I pull the SUV to the side of the road and take the photo. Many of the photos are taken at the spot where I wait for Gary and Matt to arrive. I was able to get a picture of Gary and Matt as they entered Nebraska. I was lucky as I wasn’t expecting to see the border so soon and I had to run to get the shot.

Finding internet connections may be challenging over the next few days. I’ll get the photos posted whenever I have the chance. There is a lot of wide open spaces out here.

Bob

Day 13 - June 29

Today was my first full day as Team Cobra’s support driver. Conditions were favorable and allowed me to ease into this role. The weather was perfect from a driver’s point of view. Cool temperatures in the morning, low humidity, an abundance of sunshine and a mild breeze. The route was also quite simple: follow highway 20/26 to Glenrock. The only confusing part of the route was through Casper where we followed Business 20/26. The route came to a “T” intersection with no signs indicating which way was route 20/26. I went to the right and at the next intersection there was no indication of 20/26. There was a convenience store on the corner and a police officer standing there. I stopped and asked him how to get back on Business 20/26 and he said he didn’t know. I then asked him how to get to Glenrock and he then knew the route. But by this time Gary and Matt had come to the same “T” intersection. They turned left which was the right choice. I quick cell phone call got the team back together.

The route today covered a terrain which was similar to Friday’s, high desert plain and sage brush. I didn’t come across wild flowers and cacti like Larry found on Friday. But, today we did see more wildlife: deer, antelope and prairie dogs. I did stop along the way to take photos, but Gary and Matt’s pace today kept me busy and I really didn’t have that much time to venture out and look for interesting sites.

The day ended on a high note. There was some anticipation about what the quality of service we would find at the Higgins Hotel. Glenrock’s population is around 1,300 and there are few choices for hotels/motels. Gary, Matt and Larry talked about one experience earlier in the trip where the motel that was not quite what they expected. But the Higgins Hotel turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It was built in 1916 and is furnished in the décor of that period. It is also on the National Registry of Historic places. The owners are friendly and helpful. The rooms are large and comfortable. I took some photos of the hotel and will have them on the web site. A good way to end the day.

Tomorrow should be interesting as the route does not follow one major road. The directions have us traveling a series of roads and streets that parallel Interstate 25. It should be a little more challenging than today’s route.

Bob

Day 12 - June 28

Today it is down hill until the end which is a small climb. Matt and Gary added about 35 miles to this day to reduce the next day to 112 instead of 147. We found that our door at the motel was bugged so I took a picture in case we are questioned in the future and then we started the ride in our respective modes of transportation.



Remember I introduced you to Bob Loch yesterday. He is flying into Casper and will find us on the road later today. We departed Dubois on a down hill with rocky hills on both sides. Soon the hills changed to flat land and short scrub brush. My work was light because the riders were moving at 19mph average and they did not require a lot of service. At one point I stopped near a fence and a bird began to tweep constantly. I think I was near the nest. When Matt and Gary arrived I made them peanut butter sandwiches. The birds continued and called in others to complain. Gary tossed a small pebble, but the conversation continued. I suggested that a small amount of peanut butter would stick to the roof of their beaks and lessen the tirade. I tossed a small corner and just the threat stopped them. So there you have it.

As I said earlier we went about 35 miles past our stop at Riverton Wyoming. About 7 miles from the end I found cactus flowers hidden in the brush. Beauty is everywhere so I was busy taking pictures when a car pulled up. I was not sure if it might be the owner of the land so I just kept doing my picture work. The person got out and called me by name; it was Bob. What great timing. He will continue from here and I will join back later.

Larry

Thanks Larry, I’m sure that Matt and Gary will miss you as I learn the ropes of the support driver. I thought my primary role was to ensure the beer was cold at the end of the day, but after watching Larry in action, I soon learned that there is a lot more to do. But, it should be fun and interesting as we trek across Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa. We look forward to meeting up with Larry again in about a week.

My day started at 3:30 AM when my alarm went off. Things went well until at 6:00 AM, while waiting for the plane to take off the pilot made an announcement that there were mechanical issues and we would be delayed for a while. At 7:30 AM we finally departed for Denver. I was fortunate that there was a flight at 11:22 AM for Casper which I was able to take. This flight left Denver at 11:50 AM and I finally arrived in Casper at 12:50 PM. It all worked out well as I came upon Larry taking pictures of the flowers. It’s now close to 10 PM and I’m going to call it day. If I remember all the passwords and steps Larry taught me this afternoon, I will get this blog posted.

Bob

Day 11 - June 27

We stayed at Jackson Hole last night and found a lot of vacationers. It is a very interesting and pretty town. I went shopping and found a bag to organize my personal items better. Another task I have is to have the gear in the SUV so that we can find things quickly and so that we can arrange it fast when we need the third seat on a taxi run with all aboard. The new bag should help this task.

This is a good time to let you know I will take a few days off to work and spend the 4th with my family at home. Please let me introduce you to my good friend Bob Loch. Bob lives in Iowa and has been a friend of Gary's for a long time. He is an avid rider and travels to Texas to ride with this team often. Bob will take over driving and hopefully leave a record here until I return in about a week. I will enjoy his perspective on this endeavor.

It was about 47 degrees when Matt and Gary were ready to ride. You can see from the pictures that they were ready. I think the locals knew they were from another world since some of them were in shorts and tee shirts. I know it was because they were prepared for the lower temps we expect to find at the continental divide at over 9,000 feet today. After this climb it is all down hill until day 28 near the end.

Once again Matt and Gary were really good in the climb of 3,890 feet today. For someone not prepared and conditioned this could be hard because of the 6% grade and high altitude. Both of them did the ascent without stopping – sort of. The sort of was due to the construction 1.5 miles from the top. They were disappointed that we had to taxi across the construction span. We got past and they finished the last half mile and we took pictures of the achievement at the divide. They are getting stronger every day. I continued to practice for my future in the Tour by running while handing out the goodies during the climb. I think we should detour and ride the rocky ridge south through Colorado just for fun. I know the SUV is ready.

After the pictures at the top they started their decent. I had forgotten to get a picture of me at this point to make sure that my friends at TICA had proof I was on this trip. My good friend Frances said that she was not sure I was taking all the pictures so I took this one also. Frances I had to learn how to place the camera in timer mode, balance it on the hood of the car and estimate were to stand. So now you know I really do exist.

Our next stop is Dubois. You can see from photographic record that the topology and environmental conditions changed fast after the divide. The western slope gets more precipitation than this side. I think the clouds are lazy and can not climb like Matt and Gary and run into the mountains and cry. After that they have little water remaining when they get to this side (I am also the weather man). I think Matt and Gary should ride with determination because things are changing over Nebraska.

The guys finished riding at 1:20. What a great day the flats after the climb were with the wind and they were fast. We have a room at the Chinook Winds Motel. It is older but very clean and comfortable. When I checked in at the office I asked about the beautiful burl wood that is part of the counter and room. Debbie told me it was local and was caused by a disease and kills the tree. She said it is not lawful to collect this any longer however a local artist made carvings from this type of wood. I got his name and went to see his shop. His name is Leon Sanderson and he and Jill Judd run The Tickled Trout. I found a treasure of carvings and was lucky that Leon was present. I carved bass wood and we talked about his work. I do this as a hobby, he is the real thing. As we got ready to depart he offered to give me a piece to work with. I am excited and hope to produce something that will not disappoint him.

There is a lot more in town. We visited the General Store on main street and found Frank who has a depth of knowledge and wit that are a joy to experience. The Coffee Haus which closes at three has another personality you will not want to miss. The Cowboy Cafe has a great country fried steak. What a great town to stop in and enjoy.

Day 10 - June 26

The room in Idaho Falls at the Driftwood was directly in front of falls on the Snake River. It was a great place. We did laundry and Matt and Gary cleaned the bikes. The morning of day 10 came and they were cranking at 7am.

The Plan
Today is climb of over 4700 to an altitude of 8400+. The total climb is in two stages and will be a test of the team. We decided to work a different support strategy. The riders use heart monitors to enable them to keep in a zone that is most productive. This means that riding together may make one rider move out of the zone and cause him to not ride as effective. Today they will ride a control pace in the 40 mile warm up and then climb based on their own pace. I will drive in front and take care of the lead rider. Then wait for the next other rider and then frog lead ahead about 2 or 3 miles and do it again. This will allow me to take care of each rider and allow them to hold their own pace.

The Result
It worked great. Matt is a climber. He reported a heart rate of 126 on the first climb and looked like he was on flat land. He did not stop; he gave me an empty bottle and the next time I gave it back full. I got to run with him to do the exchanges, maybe I can help in the Tour. I gave him V8 Juice and a ¼ peanut butter sandwich and GU. He went up the first mountain, down into the valley and up the second without stopping. It was a joy to watch. Gary was not far behind. He climbs differently, but is very strong. I would deal with Matt and then here comes Gary and then I do it again. The second climb went to a 10% grade. Both Matt and Gary were down to 5mp hour and below at some times and wanting an extra gear while they stood and put all their effort into the task. They rode 88 miles and averaged over 15 mph. I am impressed.

They kept me very busy, but I still found time to shoot 226 pictures during the ride. You can see the best ones on the photo tab. I am really lucky to be a part of this.

Flintstone Vitamins for a climb.....