Biking: 57.5 Miles
An easy day, we thought. Just 57 miles to Jeffrey City. We had a great rest day in Riverton and hit the road this morning around 8 am. We headed southeast for about 37 miles and then headed east for the last 20 miles.
I knew winds could be an issue for bikers in this part of the country, but I didn’t realize just how much of an issue until today. We noticed a bit of a crosswind as we left Riverton, but outside the town, we could really feel the 12 mph winds. Thank goodness it was a crosswind and not a headwind. There’s an art to staying upright on the bike during a crosswind, and that’s something I’ve learned from experience now – leaning into the wind, and turning the bike just enough to stay straight.
I was surprised at how quickly 12 mph became 18 mph, then 25 mph. Around mile 35 we were getting crosswinds with gusts of 40 mph, and it seemed there were only gusts. It was slow going. Staying upright was still doable, but the wind was pushing us into the road, and that was the line for us.
Luckily, Brian was within five miles of us, on the road on his way to Jeffrey City. I called him on the phone, but the wind was so loud he couldn’t hear me. I texted a “help” message to him, and minutes later, here came our rescue.
We were just 2.5 miles from the turn to the east, so Brian drove us to that point which also had a nice rest stop area. We had our lunch and got back on the road, this time with the wind at our backs. What a huge difference that made. A 25 mph tailwind? Oh yes, that was the easiest 20 miles of the trip so far.
Our destination for the day was Jeffrey City, a town originally built around the uranium industry that unfortunately collapsed in the 1980s. Now it’s a ghost town, just a collection of abandoned buildings with only a few functioning establishments – a bar, a pottery shop, and a church that hosts a biking hostel.
You wouldn’t expect a pottery studio in a ghost town, but apparently, this one is very popular. You can read more about it here: https://southwestcontemporary.com/monk-king-bird-pottery-byron-seeley/
The hostel in the church basement is also well know. That’s where Anita and Mark planned to stay. Cyclists traveling across the country and hikers from the Continental Divide Trail know they can stay here for free (but there is a donation box). The space has a kitchen, bathrooms (including showers), bedrooms, and a large recreation area that is covered with messages from people who have stayed. It’s an amazing and inspiring place.
But, in addition to all the good stuff, the place also has a mice problem. So, Anita and Mark decided to pitch a tent outside for the night but use the kitchen and bathrooms. It worked out well.
Tomorrow is a longer day, 77 miles. Leaving Jeffrey City and heading to Alcova. Strong winds predicted for tomorrow, so we’ll see how this goes.
RWGPS for today:
Keep the Wheels Turning 
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