Saturday, July 30, 2011

Day 23: Lusk, WY Elevation: 5,070

Miles:  73.98
Average Speed:  9.97
Max Speed:  25.35
Total Miles:  775

Lusk is really 70.35 miles from Edgemont; I went a couple miles out of town to a campground that was abandoned, so I rode back and took a room at the Covered Wagon motel.  Tough day today.  Started in the dark, eastern sky rose, packing 6 liters water.  First 55 were good, then the wind and sun and elevation gain did me in.  Intended to go to Douglas tomorrow but may lay over a day.

I have had a dread of cycling through Wyoming - don't really know why.  This morning after taking this photo I was taking a short break and two semis came out of Wyoming headed for South Dakota.  The first driver was fixated on the road, staring straight ahead.  The second driver was looking in my direction and I waved at him; he gave me the finger.  Welcome to Wyoming.

This a state rest stop at Mule Creek Jxn.  Very nice - passive solar and composting toilets.  The perfect lawn is artificial turf.

Antelope in foreground - horses behind.

Vistas are becoming rather spectacular

More

While stopped at a place like this for rest & water, a guy in a Volkswagon van stopped and asked if I needed water.  I said sure and he gave me two bottles.  As he was leaving he said to check out his blog and he handed me his card - http://www.iliveinmyvan.com/.  He had Tennessee plates & his card says he's a motivational speaker.   And a stop or two later another guy gave me water too.  He was from California.

6 comments:

  1. A day off to acclimate to altitude and rest sounds wise to me. Almost a mile high now, must have an effect on stamina.
    Like many places I think, Wyoming's a great state--except for the humans. :-)

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  2. Hi Steve,

    Dave and I have been enjoying following along on your journey! Good luck

    Chris Lardy

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  3. Steve, We are enjoying your postings. What an adventure! We are jealous. How cool to have a great idea and actually follow through on it!
    Stay safe,
    Wayne and Kristin

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  4. I hope you're enjoying a day off ( and I hope that is what you are actually doing). Getting into Wyoming is a big milestone, despite the unfortunate non-welcome from the 2nd human you saw. I'm sure you will see many cool things. take care as usual.

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  5. The change in scenery may make the miles shorter. Glad you have met mostly good people. When we first moved to Texas and would drive around the outskirts of town we could not figure out why people kept waving at us. It took a bit before we realized they were being friendly and not pointing out something wrong with our car. We never thought of giving them the finger, though.

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  6. Well Steve, my little campers left at 5:00 am this morning.

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