Jim's Ride Across America: Day 40 Walden, CO to Saratoga, WY

Yorktown, VA to Saratoga, WY Completed 2,654 MIles

Biking Detail Walden, CO to Saratoga, WY

Day 40 Saturday, June 20 (Our 45th Wedding Anniversary!!!)

What a great anniversary gift from Margie to be my SAG and help me to live out my long time dream to make this cross country bike trip! Will have two and a half months of wonderful memories.

Left Walden at 6:45. Very little traffic on 125 but wish the roads weren't so bumpy. Take that over traffic though. Crossed into Wyoming after 22 miles about 8:30 and did the obligitory photo op. Wide open road into Riverside. The shoulder improved for a while then back to bumpity bump bump. Guess if you had a fat tire bike it might work. Miles of ranch land with cattle and pronghorn antelope co-inhabiting the vast open spaces. Can see miles ahead and behind!

Before Riverside is a nice climb for 2 miles but the grade is just a modest 5%-7%. There is a second car lane and wide shoulder so not slowing down traffic. The climb takes you above 8,000 feet and I used all my lowest granny gear most of the way. The altitude just sucks your breath away. Rewarded with a nice long ride downhill of about 5 miles.

Stopped for early lunch, and break from the jarring nature of the road, in Riverside. Ate at the Beartrap Cafe. If into salads, Margie said the summer grilled chicken salad was great. I had chicken sandwich which was also good. Good biker stop. Only 18 miles to our ending spot in Saratoga.

Road still rough and wind picking up. Good day for shorter mileage. A century on this road and I would need a chiropractor! The last ten miles into Saratoga had gusts in my face of 30+MPH, almost getting blown off my bike few times. Glad to be in Saratoga by 2:00 and at the Hood House B and B. Looking forward to dinner at the historic Wolf Hotel to celebrate our 45th anniversary!