Day 17 - 79 miles from Dubois to Riverton, WY

Anne and Michael rode the tandem the 79 miles to Riverton, WY. It was a great ride on a tandem as most of it was descending with a couple of ascents reaching 5% but not too long. We had cloud cover so not too hot and a 5-10 mph tailwind! We often reached 30-38 mph on descents. Below are some of what we saw along the way.

WY also has flat regions as this panoramic view shows.

Here Anne and Michael are flying down one of the descents today.

In WY, is ranked 50th in population in the US at 576,412 and covers 97,818 sq miles for a density of 5.9 persons per sq mile. So, this is why if you don't have sag support, you must carry lots of water and nutrition with you for any long distance rides as there are very few stops for such. Also, carry lots of money because if you do find a stop, be prepared to pay much more than you would expect.

Riverton, where we are tonight, is the 9th largest city with a population of 10,516. However, the town of Kinnear, with 44, is one of the smaller cities, but it does have a store!

Some tidbits about the riders - there are lawyers, teachers, small business owners, administrators, a man who helped create the Internet, neurologist, chiropractor, consultants, carpenter, student, freshman in HS, telecommunications designer and seven from countries outside the US. Nearly 85% are retired. Ages range from 15 to 73. For a significant number this is their second crossing of the US or one of multiple rides through part of the US and foreign countries. An Australian man is 60% finished with cycling the world.

Here's an aide for helping ease back strain I learned from the chiropractor - put two tennis balls in a sock so they cannot come out. Lay on the balls placed perpendicular to your spine and roll them up and down the entire length of the spine looking spots, where blood has pooled, that is, where it will hurt. Keep the balls at that position until the pain eases, that is, the blood is circulating again. It really works.

Remember hearing about all the irrigation, here is a pretty picture taken early a few mornings ago.

Tomorrow, 118 miles to Casper and a day OFF! Will be praying for calm, preferably tail, winds.