Day 17!

Sheridan, WY to Gillette, WY - 114.0 miles, 9:18

What can you say about a ride that's 110+ miles, where uphills outnumber downhills by about 37 to 1 (okay, so maybe I exaggerate a little), there are no towns (other than Ucross, population 25, and Spotted Horse, population 2), it's hot, and there's no shoulder to shield you from the trucks passing by at about 90 mph? All during the ride today, I was thinking, "Today I'm going to tell the truth in my blog. I'm going to say that today's ride was MISERABLE!"

By the end of the ride, when Gillette was still miles away, I was running out of water, my feet were burning, and I didn't think I'd make it. I stopped in at the first convenience store I saw in Gillette, and saw Rosie and Darrell there. After a cold chocolate milk, some Gatorade, and their encouragement, I had enough strength to pedal into camp.

After a nice long shower, a foot-long sub sandwich, and a Rocky Road milkshake, I still feel the same way about today's ride. This was not a fun day today!! (There, I said it. I feel so much better!)

Now, for the good stuff: the pictures! This was not far from Sheridan. It was still cool, and I was a happy rider.
More cool morning scenery:
It's starting to get hot:
Spotted Horse, Wyoming. Be warned: The owner of the bar there (the only establishment in 'town') is a little crotchety.
Yeah, these clouds might make you think it was a nice, cool summer day. Don't be fooled.
An antelope out on the range, looking for a deer with whom to play.
This is not the sign you want to see when you've already ridden 90+ miles and Gillette is your destination.
Newcastle is our destination for tomorrow. If I still had brain cells left, I'd be able to tell you how many miles that is. Can any Room 9 students (past or present) do the math for me??