6/27 Carey/ID-Ketchum/Sun Valley 40 miles

The winds kept up pretty much all night in Carey, then the sprinklers in the park turned on. Luckily I had picked a spot where I was beyond their reach. Slept in knowing that it was going to be a light day to get up to Sun Valley.

It was one of the best morning rides yet! Picture perfect, mostly flat with snow capped mtns in the distance. I was able to mantain almost a consistent 20mph. I was just feeling it.

So I rolled into Hailey, which houses the airport where all the private jets land for SunValley VIPs. Took care of some bike maintenance at a local bike shop and they directed me towards a coffee shop where I had typed up my last posting.

As I was leaving to head up to SunValley where I was told I could camp I spoke to 2 couples who were in bike clothes and got to chatting about my trip and all that. Within 5 minutes, they offered to let me stay at their place! Needless to say, I accepted and have the guest room with a computer from where I am typing this post. So I followed Dick and Beth on their bikes, a pair of retired 80 year old retired farmers from Washington who have bulit a beautiful house just south of the ski resort. These two have done it all. Sailed to Alaska, traveled all over the world, the most spectacular stories. They would kill anyone on a road ride half their age. Ski 78 days of the year and started in their 40s.

So I had lunch at their house, dropped off my stuff, and went back into town to pick up my saddle that my gracious friend from MPLS, Mike Noble, sent me, hopefully to help with the butt issues. What a great ski town Sun Valley is!

Bike trail on the way into town

There was a great bike trail from where I met them for about 10miles to their house.

Spent a few hours in town, picked up a bottle of wine, and headed back to Dick and Beth's for dinner where the other couple I had met at the coffee shop, Harry and Karen were expected to join. Can't tell you how nice it was to get a great shower, do some REAL laundry in washing machine as opposed to a lake and have a home cooked dinner.

Slight improvement from my last campsite!

What an amazing dinner and i just kept eating!!

View from their backyard looking out at the slopes of Sun Valley

So they convinced me to stay another night and take the day off which wasn't that hard to do. I'll be going over to Harry and Karen's for a BBQ with friends of theirs.

Tomorrow morning , the three guys are going to hike to the top of Sun Valley, grab a beer and ride down on the lift.

I swear the stars were aligned today!!

6/26 Howe, ID-Carey, ID 70 miles

Had a pretty sweet evening in the town of 28 people. The librarian invited me over to the local bar to meet some people and have a few cold beverages. Bought me some cold Miller High Life! Doesn't get any better than that!!

The night sleep in the town park which is becoming routine now was great, lots of wind to keep the skeeters away. Started riding early again for the 70 miles to Carey and stopping by the Craters of the Moon National Monument for lunch.

On the way to Craters and Carey, ID

Awesome ride, at least in the morning

Little rattlesnake on the side of the road...dead one, there were tons squashed all over the road

10 miles from the place, hit a headwind that haven't ever seen before! So by the time I got to the monument I had 24 miles more to deal with to get to the town of Carey. No fun.

The Monument was pretty amazing actually. All this black volvanic soil and rock with colorful wildflowers all over the place. Explored this 800 ft long Lava tunnel and other caves. Never seen anything like it! And it went on for miles after I left.

Finally, I reached Carey completely exhausted! Had dinner at the little mart with use of the microwave so treated myself to a pot pie and ice cream! Absolutely love being able to eat whatever the hell I want. So Exciting!

Spent the night in the park, once again, which had perfect manicured lawn, cold water, and an outhouse. What more could I guy want? Perhaps a shower maybe. But I got at least a week longer before I really need one.

Ran into a guy at the store in town and started talking about biking. Turns out he is a huge biker and was scheduled for surgery for the saddle sores he developed after I told him about my woes in the hind area. Gave me some stuff that he swears by-Swiss Assos cream. So we'll see...

Very interesting that i have run into people at the perfect time. This guy in Carey about the butt issues. The Dutch guy in the Tetons was extremely helpful since I was getting frustrated with the wind and other issues I was having on the bike. Forgot to mention it before but he's a family therapist so gave me a different persepctive on this venture. Kind of crazy.

Currently sitting in Hailey just south of Sun Valley in a coffee shop which is not allowing me to upload pics so I'll do that later.

6/25 Rexburg, ID-Howe, ID 65 miles

After 60ish miles yesterday and my ass completely on fire, decided to quit in the decently sized city of Rexburg. Now that the knees are no longer a problem, the backside now may sideline this trip if I can't come up with something. Stopped by the only bike shop in town and tried a few of their saddles since at this point, anything would be better than the one I have been currently using until I can get my original saddle shipped from home. So we'll see once again...Why does this have to be so difficult? i just want to ride my bicycle for crying out loud!!!

So now rode to nice little Howe through the Idaho desert, flat as a pancake. I mean flat and nothing around but wee bitty towns like this one. Walked into the store in town and talked to one of the 20 townies who live here and sent me over to the little park for the night.

Got one more day I think in the flatlands and then start climbing up into the Sawtooth mountains towards Sun Valley, the popular celebrity ski resort.

I did say flat right? and nothing around but brush

This was my lunch spot in Mud lake, ID...great Poh Boy! Been starting to eat big lunches to help me fight through the afternoon wind.

Tomorrow, I'll be going through a place called the Craters of the Moon...volcanic stuff, ice caves, I guess. Should be nice to break up the trip. Tomorrow night should be spent in Carey, ID...70ish miles.

Recap from over the weekend

Sorry folks, spending the weekend in the parks, no libraries around

Fri: Dubois, Wy-Teton national park 68 miles

Another gorgeous day as I left the KOA in Dubois. Was told I need to get going early so I started around 6am to get ofer the pass and deal with the construction on the back side. Another grueling climb to about 9000ft but rewarded with the descent and the unbelievable backdrop of the Teton mtn range which could possibly be the prettiest range in the country.

Rolled into the campsite fairly early and ran into a 52 year old Dutchman, Henry, who was pedaling from Virginia to Oregon and this was his first time to the States! So feeling a little lonely and needing to talk i threw myself at this friendly foreigner and spent the afternoon hiking around Jackson Lake.

What an ubelievable location!! most beaitiful part of the trip by far.

So we ended up having an actual sit down dinner together in one of the lodges. Sounds sweet huh? Great meatloaf and Snake River Ale. Wow, that tasted good!

Saturday: Teton park-Yellowstone Natl Park, backcountry lake 50 miles + 4 mile hike

We got rolling around 8am and had an awesome 40 mile ride through the rest of teton natl park and into yellowstone.

Little Switzerland!

I am getting good at taking pics on the move!

We had lunch together in the park and said our sad goodbyes :( He was heading to a big campground and i was heading for a little peace and quiet away for all the screaming kids and RVs! talked to the rangers when I got into the park, secured a site on a backcountry lake and off I went. We are going to try and meet up in oregon since he is going north through Montana and I decided to head south through idaho.

Ditched the bike in the woods and packed what I needed for the night. Great hike although through lots of snow and had to navigate 2 sections of frigid water that almost went to my waist. What a great night it was once i got to the lake!

Sunday: 10 mile ride to Old Faithful + 4 mile hike

Liked my last night so much that I didn't want to leave the park and took the day off by finding another lake to hike to and spend the night. Showered in the lake and got some laundry done!

Monday: Old Faithful-somwhere south of Island Park, ID 88miles

Hadn't planned on putting in so many miles but whatever. Found a campground off the road only to find out it was 9 miles back in the woods off a dirt road. Free, no facilities but a great little creek flowing past my site. Met an RVing retirees who took me up the road to the spring for fresh water since I was fresh out.

Tuesday: Someplace in Idaho-maybe Mud lake, ID 80miles?

Just rolled into Ashton, ID at the local library. Got 30 miles done this morning, got at least 50 to go. travelled the rest of the scenic byway that I started late last night before bailing out into the woods.

So now up to the present. On my way to Rexburg and then shoot west towards Mud Lake.

Day 7: Lander-Dubois, WY 76 miles

So I ran into some people in Lander that I should stay in the free city park instead of going up the hill 10 miles. Totally glad I stayed! The park was beautiful, manicureed lawns, a creek running through it, tennis courts, though I forgot my racquet. Plus the locals don't trust the "injuns" up the road where I was intending to stay.

An added bonus was that I was able to crash the Lions Club monthly cookout in the park! Fed me an awesome meal, desert included!! Must have felt sorry for me as I set up my pathetic little stove and Kraft mac n cheese. Totally planned it that way I might add. THey also gave me a couple pieces of grilled chicken for the road...which I plan on having tonight with beans. Mosquitos will surely stay away now! Take that!!

They also have available to us are showers in the local junior high and hot tub! Great little town. Take back what I said yesterday about Wyoming.

Got a late start this morning around 8 and paid for it once again in the afternoon in the way of wind right around 2pm just like it's been every day. You think I'd learn by now but after such a great dinner and long grass to soften me bum, couldn't help but to resist getting up.

The weather as usual was perfect other than the wind. Scenery picked up though, looking quite a bit like the erosion in the Badlands.

Stopped and chatted with 62 year old, Chuck, riding the opposite direction doing the whole Transamerica-all the way to Virginia! Felt weak. Exchanged some good info on camping spots up ahead and Yellowstone.

This was a few miles outside of my current resting place for the night: KOA of Dubois. And by the way, for you french linguists as I try to be, it's Duboyz...figures.

So the knees were remarkably well behaved, despite a decent mileage day but the funny thing is the sore bum! Never had a problem with that part of the anatomy before...so bizarre.

This was a hilarious sign along the way in the middle of nowhere. Trevor should sign up. I'm sure they are accredited.

So that's about it. hope everyone is doing well with their clean showers, feather topped mattresses, hybrids, AC, yada yada! yeah...but you are all getting fat! Which I could say I was doing this for charity or some cause otehr than my own.

So it will be about 2 days or so before my next posting from the town of WEst Yellowstone. Got a massive climb to some pass tomorrow where the Tetons will be visable. That should make for some good shots. Then I coast all the way down to Teton National park and on to Yellowstone park. Making it a light day on Saturday and plan on laying off the saddle for awhile and hiking in the park.

Take care!

Day 6: jeffrey city, Wy-10 miles north of Lander, Wy 70miles

So the bad news so far: developing some concern over soreness in my knees developing over the last 2 days. It would seem appropriate at this point to say possible tendonitis going on. Certainly didn't help the climbing the very first 2 days and subsequent 2 days of 90 miles. Had it before 20 years ago in the exact same place I am typing at in lander when I backpacked for a month. Lots of weight, lots of miles hiking. Same scenario here and with the bad feet i deveopled being overly ambiticiuos again on the Appalachian Trail 2 summers ago. Seems to be my MO.

So backing down the mileage a bit and thankfully been flat with some good decents. My favorite little blue pill, Aleve, has come in handy. So we'll see how that goes.

Can never get enough of these signs! Big smiles.

Scenery improved getting closer to Lander with the Wind River range in the background. Picture didn't come out as good as I would have liked.Big day tomorrow though. Looks like 60 miles of lots of up hill toward the 9500 ft Pass that will leed me down into Teton National Park. From there just 20 miles or so into Yellowstone where I will take the rest of the day off and check out the park.

I believe I am still on track with 70 mile avg to finish in Seattle on July 20.

All depends on the knees! Hope people are enjoying this as much as I am putting it together.

Tomorrow destination: Dubois, WY.

Day 5: Rawlins, Wy-Jeffrey City, Wy 72 miles

I have to say Wyoming sucks! Especially when compared to the scenery that I had in Co. Barren as all get out without a tree in sight. If it weren't for the grass and some rock formations and s0-s0 mountains, I'd say I was in the desert.

I've actually managed a few shots without losing my rythmn and stopping. (Going really slow, Mom).

So dry and thank God i started when i did, this place would be smoking hot in a month or so. You would be completely SOL if you got stuck out here!! Towns are few and far between so paid particular attention to my water supply. Saw some other cyclists going the other way presumably for Virginia where the route ends up. one guy riding by myself said he did 130 miles yesterday! Yeah, not this guy.

My evening was pretty nice in Rawlins. Stayed at a big RV park with just a little patch of grass in the back. The RVs out here are outrageous. Can't imagine what they are throwing down for gas!

Dinner was an awesome burger across the street and never take showers for granted! Doubled for laundry service as well.

My current setup without a tent requires 2 poles/trees ideally but like I said trees are scarce so picnic bench works.

So north I went up to a scary little town of 100 people that apparently used to be 5000. A whole bunch of houses and buildings, completely deserted. My abode for the night I guess used to be a park gazebo with picnic tables and grills. If it weren't for so many frickin'mosquitos it wouldn't have been half bad even without bathrooms and having to get water across the street. Sure glad i bought a bug net right before i left.

Not many things I hate more than mosquitos!! Somebody let me know what role they play in this world.

Anyway, happy to get the hell out of there!

Day 4: Just north of the CO/WY state line-Rawlins, Wy 86miles?

Stopped in Saratoga, Wy to publish these, halfway to my destination. Was able to just cruise this morning getting 45 miles in 3.5 hrs.

Hit my all-time max speed this morning at 45mph and sustained over 40 for about 2 miles. Kick ass!

My campsite last night was on the North Platte river which i guess is a huge whitewater rafting river. Lots of groups spent the night as well.

The weather has absilutely stellar, must be in the 80s and the mornings have been windless so far but kick up in the afternoon.

Tremendous geographical contrast for the second half of the day yesterday and today. No trees in sight, just cattle, and mountains in the background.

A few more pics from the last few days.

That's about it. Getting back on the road for another 45ish.

Day 3: granby, Co-4 miles north into Wy, 86 miles

Getting started on Day1 from the hotel in Boulder, Co. Bike's a little heavy.

After spending a great night's sleep in Granby at a mom and pop hotel, got pedaling around 7am which is becoming the routine. According to my map, looked like smooth sailing with a lot of downhills which I was realy excited about after yesterday's almost melt down!!

Again the scenery can not be overstated. Forests, rivers, snowcapped mtns as a backdrop and I was all alone for miles on end without seeing single car. Moose by the road if you couldn't tell! Didn't give a crap about me as I tried to get his head up. This is what makes bike travel awesome. Would ahve missed this big guy in a car.

Here are some more pics from the HARDEST day of riding but one of themost beautiful yesterday.

Notice the road down below that I had to climb up!! THis was in the Rocky Mtn NP.

At the summit:

Really difficult to refrain from stopping and taking pictures every 5 secs. This was on my way out of RMNP after the downhill that I won't soon forget on the backside of the summit.

Anyway, was a long day yesterday. One oterh time I have put in >80 miles. Was OK up until the last 20 miles of a fierce headwind.

Post a comment if you are able to see the video.

Day 2: Rocky mtn np-Granby, CO 60 miles

Took me 6 hours to travel 22 miles!! gained probably 5k ft. The wind was crazy last night. Got up at 430 to try and beat the tourists on the road. Hit the road by 6am and got to the summit around noon. brutal! Toughest stretch of biking ever. Didn't help with all the weight I was packing either. Refrained from stopping to take pictures after evey switchback. Insanely beautiful!! not a cloud in the sky. Snow capped mtns and when i got higher, tons of snow left and fierce wind.

The descent, however, on the back side was epic! 35-40mph on a bike around hairpin corners!!

Hat's off to my good friend and bike mechanic, Scott Backer. Totally hooked me up with the gear ratio. Worked out awesome, though he forgot to install the little booster when I needed some extra pop up the mountain.

The legs are feeling it today but gettting stronger every day. If this awesome weather keeps up, plan on tacking on a long day into Wy.

Hope to also get some pics loaded. batteries actually failed on the summit in the park. That was a bummer.

Might get a hotel tonight. I sit here at the computer with lots of stinks!

Day 1: Boulder-Rocky mtn natl Park 55 miles

Who's idea was this to plan a bike trip where the first 2 days are the hardest! Started out relatively early(10) and made my way up to Estes Park-Rocky Mtn NP. Talked to a biker along the way and told me to take another route that was safer but a little longer. 20 miles up hill!!

Though my long time girlfriend, the love of my life, my rock...told me I wasn't physically able to do this trip. how about that for love! But...the idea did cross my mind as I pedaled 5mph without one flat spot along the way. Really sucked I tell ya. Though the scenery was outstanding.

Anyway, final rolled into the campground around 5, set up, popped some drugs hopefully alevaite some soreness. met Neil and Holly for dinner, called it a night.

Needless to say they told me the next day, today actually was 5x worse. 22 miles uphill to an altitude of 12k feet! Sounds great, can't wait.

Boulder, Co

Arrived in beautiful Boulder, CO. Waited few hours for the FEDEX man to arrive but all's good. Bike's all loaded, REALLY not looking forward to the monster hills on day 1 tomorrow. Looking at 35-40 miles for final destination in Rocky Mountain national park. The wind was unreal today so better not have any tomorrow or I'm coming home.

Meeting up with Neil and Holly tomrrow for dinner inEstes park since they are in town for a wedding.

Can't frickin wait to get this trip going!! got some grocery shopping to do tonight and dinner and hopefully I can sleep betterthan last night. Did some socializing in the way off too much wine.

Anyhow, till nexttime.

2 days and 2 excited!

As most of you know, I recently finished PA school and passed the boards allowing me to practice medicine as a certified Physician Assistant. What I thought would be a painful 2 year program back in 2002 ended up being an extremely painful program lasting 3 times that long. While I search for jobs and wait for a license I decided to take some time off and take a trip. Having no money whatsoever and feeling a like such a fat ass I needed to do something that was both cheap and involved lots of exercise. So biking it is...

Stumbled upon the Adventure Cycling Organization's website that has put together bike routes that crisscrosses the US I decided to do the Transamerica route that extends from Oregon to Virginia. With no interest to see the East and Midwest I chose to start at the base of the mountains in Boulder and head West beginning this Fri. Once reaching the coast in Oregon, I decided why not travel further north and see Seattle. Having a good friend there from PA school, Doug Moore , it worked out that he's going to join me in Oregon and together we'll pedal the last 200 miles to his place and come home.

I plan on taking camping equipment strapped to my bike and camping most every night complete with a stove and maybe a second pair of underwear.

This blog is intended for any of you that may be concerned that I might be eaten by a bear in Yellowstone, attacked by rabid wolves somewhere, concerned over the demise of my prostate or held hostage by a pack of Hungarian lesbian cyclists. The maps I will be using show libraries where I will hopefully be able to connect to the Internet and add to this journal as well as pics along the way.

So hopefully I should be able to post something every few days. So those of you like Mom and Tram will know that I am still alive and kicking or pedaling.