Day 16--Jackson, WY to Dubois, WY

Day 16—July 04, 2006—Jackson, WY to Dubois, WY—88 miles—3450’ climb

What a fantastic day. Though I’ve staffed/ridden this route twice before, this day never ceases to amaze. The first part of today's route took us out of Jackson and along the valley known as Jackson Hole. As soon as we rounded a curve in the road outside of Jackson, the magnificent, snow splashed Grand Tetons knocked our socks off and dominated the northern skyline. The Grand Tetons are the youngest mountains in the entire Rocky Mountain system, their jagged peaks (12 over 12,000 feet) being only 2 or 3 million years old. When French trappers first observed the three most prominent peaks — South Teton, Grand Teton, and Mount Teewinot — they dubbed these mountains “Les trois tetons,” meaning "the three breasts." Later when they discovered that these were surrounded by numerous smaller peaks, they renamed the range “Les grands tetons.” Definitely mother earth at her finest.

Our ride today took us up over Togwotee Pass and the Continental Divide at 9,658 feet. Riders climbed for 17 miles, much of the time at 6%. It was not as steep as yesterday but riders were noodle-legged after yesterday's strenuous day, so felt the miles. At the summit, however, they were rewarded with cooling breezes (they’d had a tailwind climbing up), a magnificent view, the Continental Divide sign (see photo right), and about 25 miles of mostly downhill, ending in the small western town of Dubois (pronounced “du-boys,” not “du-bwaa”). In years past this was a yippppeeee! descent, but this year 8 miles of the road was torn out so riders got in some mountain biking.

We are in the Stagecoach Motel, right on the Wind River. Today the Stagecoach shut down at 2 so that its owners could participate in the town’s Fourth of July parade (riders participated, too; and one of the support vans got hung up in the midst of the parade so took the opportunity to smile and wave at the locals) The sidewalks of Dubois are wood planks (two with America by Bicycle branded into them), the architecture western, and the natives cowboys and cowgals.

Across from the motel is a store called Horse Creek Station, its player piano tinkling out tunes until dark, and farther down main street is a drugstore where one can still sit on stools and get a fountain drink. This evening we were fed a lasagna dinner in the back room of a western eatery called the Rustic Pines. We had to eat and run before the square dancing began at 7. We were all invited to come dance. Some riders took up the invitation, others did laundry in the little laundry/picnic pavilion behind the motel, quaffed a cold one in the saloon, played horseshoes, swam in the pool, shopped in the quaint stores along the main street, and watched the fireworks display in the evening.

Congratulations to the winners of the Fourth of July bike decorating contest: 3^rd Place, Sarah Grant whose bike was decorated with red, silver, and blue streamers, a special flag, and wind wheels. Sarah also wore tinsel streamers under her helmet as hair. 2^nd Place to Tim & Kathryn Tolford, who managed to put stars and silhouettes of Lincoln and Washington at their hubs.Tim also wore a huge red/white and blue Uncle Sam Hat. 1^st  Place went to Raymond Herrly and mom Lillian Pfluke whose top bar was entwined with blue tinsel wreathing and whose spokes were red/white/blue. Great work, too, to all the other riders who decorated their bikes so artfully.

The riders and staff all send a huge THANK YOU to Tracey Bail who sent dozens of huge chocolate cookies for the SAG Stops. We miss you Tracey!

OVERHEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:

*   “This last climb was much easier than yesterday’s!” 

*  “This could be the setting for the ‘Sound of Music.”

*   “This is the most beautiful day ever!” 

*  “Boy, after yesterday, my legs felt that!”

SHOW & TELL: Franz saw an elk; a bison/buffalo crossed the highway right in front of a group of riders; a large group of riders from the Triangle X dude ranch crossed the road in front of riders; many noticed the flowers along the climb and reached the summit to ask “What was that [fill in the blank] flower?”