After a nice rest day in Casper, we all headed to Douglas, WY … a 50 mile ride. The day did not start well as we rode in the rain for the first 45 minutes or so. While there was a nice bike path getting us out of Casper, the next several miles did not offer much in the way of safe bike lanes. Once past the outlaying industrial areas (Halliburton, everywhere … it should be mentioned that there is sizable oil/gas exploration going on in these parts), we enjoyed a relatively nice ride into Glenrock. Google maps indicated that the route to take after Glenrock was on a county road called Tank Farm Road. While we were stopped at a store, I received a text from Frank suggesting that we consider taking Interstate 25 … seems the county road is dirt for most of the 20 miles of this road. We opted for the Interstate.
Interstates, while noisy, are very safe to ride on as there is a 12’+ safety lane. This particular section of I-25 consisted of long rolling hills, which translates (in my mind) to long slow climbs. This is where the bad comes in … for whatever reason, I did not have the usual leg strength to “motor” up the climbs. When this happens, you just need to grit your teeth, shift to an easy gear, and gut it out. Did I mention the ever present headwind? I received a lesson in “diminishing perspective” from Kim. Seemed every time I crested a rise, she and her bike were smaller until she was but a dot on the road far ahead. I was cooked, and very glad to reach the KOA in Douglas. Not a good day … but that happens from time-to-time.
Now the good. The next morning Kim, Frank and I met for breakfast in Douglas. Upon leaving the restaurant we spoke with a local you advised us that the old highway runs parallel with I-25 (which we thought we would need to be on). This 10 mile section of the day’s 60 mile ride was definitely the best riding we had experienced for a week or two … no traffic, nice tailwind and downhill. Much smiling and gleefulness. The remainder of the ride into Lusk proved also to be a good ride.
The previous evening Frank had slipped on a wet floor and landed on his hip. Because of the soreness, he rode with Kim and I (usually he is well out in front due to him being a very, very, very strong rider). At times there were headwinds, so the three of us rode so as to take advantage of drafting. Frank stayed at the back and Kim and I took turns at the front. As I say, this day was good.
The best of this good day happened in the town of Lost Springs. We stopped into the general store/post office/antique store for a cold drink. The town sign coming into town indicated that the population of Lost Springs is 4. While milling around downtown (which is also uptown), Kim became involved in a discussion with a lady who had just picked up her mail. There are many, many moments of road magic when touring, but this proved to be a golden magic moment.
Aida (spelling??) Wright is 92 years old. She has lived in (actually a mile outside of) Lost Springs for about 70 years. The conversation was most entertaining, and she was a delight. Frank asked her how long a previous town had been abandoned … she responded by remembering when the last resident of that town died. We asked her about the residents of Lost Springs … she responded by saying one guy lives here (the store), another guy lives in a trailer next to the park, and the third guy lives at the bar. She said their names, but I do not remember the names. The way she said “lives at the bar” I was not sure if she was referring to his living location or his drinking habits.
She was greatly interested and enthused that Kim was riding across country. As we were leaving, we invited her to get on her bike and come with us … she responded by saying that she had never ridden a bike because when she was a girl, “girls did not ride bikes” … and besides, she did not have any brothers. Grand lady, she.
The remaining miles into Lusk were very good, with the exception being that I suffered my first “soft tire” of this trek. Just over 2000 miles before the first tube change … not bad.
We got into town early, opted for an inexpensive motel, and did some basic bike maintenance.
All-in-all, a very good day. Heading into South Dakota tomorrow. Good riddance Wyoming.
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