Day 17: Dubois, WY, to Riverton, WY

Today's Mileage: 79
Miles Cycled: 0
Average Speed: 40-60 mph in the mechanic van with Mike
Max Speed: Ask Mike
Average BPM: N/A
Max BPM: N/A
Calories Burned Consumed: Sigh
Moving Time: N/A
Blog & Ride Details

An evil tyrant by the name of Munk would not like me cycle to Riverton today. At dinner last night, he told me that he wanted me to give my Achilles Tendon a break until after the rest day in Casper, Wyoming, which would be Day 20 before I could get back in the saddle. Who does he think he is?

The familiar swell of tears began building behind my eyes, but as I glanced around at all of the concerned faces, my pride would not let me ball in front of everyone ... again. My ego - deflated by dashed dreams of cycling "EFI" across America - needs to do some healing of it's own, and more public outbursts would not expedite the process. Plus, I needed a little perspective. There are so many worse things in the world than not being able to ride my bicycle for a few days.

However, Mike did later confer privately with Michael, who has been working miracles on my ankle during evening treatments, and Michael believes that I can start slowly on Day 18. So Mike agreed to let me cycle to the first SAG stop in the morning, and depending on how I feel, he'll let me cycle from the last SAG into Casper later in the afternoon. The group is scheduled to cycle 120 miles tomorrow, with three SAG stops, so even though I won't get to ride the entire day, I should be able to enjoy some good mileage.

As for today, Jim was the sweep rider so I rode with Mike in the mechanic van. I got to see a lot of the "behind the scenes" of how Mike sets up the shots for the photo DVD that he sells at the end of the tour for $45 + shipping. He has an excellent camera and takes some incredible photos of the riders.

It was a little harder to stay upbeat and positive this morning since it was going on my third day stuck in the van. To try to draw some humor from the situation, I wore dark clothing and put on my black cycling jacket to signify that I was in mourning. As I handed Maddy up to Jeff in the box truck, I said to him, "Here is my bicycle," and then I passed him an invisible box and said, "And here is my happiness."

Jeff held the invisible box for a moment and then handed it back down to me and said, "No, I am going to have you hold onto that."

"I am in mourning," I said, "Happy Katie is gone!"

I couldn't keep a straight face. I mean, I laugh at just about anything, but I'm telling you, it's hard to stay in a bad mood out here, with these people. So I toted around my helmet o' stuff with all of my Achilles Tendon care essentials and tried to enjoy the free ride.

Today appeared to be better for the cyclists. Yesterday, they began the morning with wind chills in the 30s and then battled low temperatures and strong headwinds well into the afternoon - and evening for some of them. Jim and I had even seen snow flurries as we crossed the Continental Divide. However, as we descended from the higher altitudes today, the weather became nicer and nicer and nearly all of the riders were in Riverton by 2pm.

And the terrain ... well, just look for yourself.

More images from Dubois to Riverton:

Click here to view my entire photo album of Day 17.

The Ride Leader's Official Report:

Riverton, Day 17

Across America North:

Riverton photos (TBA)