People in Wyoming are Courteous and Friendly

We're at the end of the day I dreaded, safe and sound. The first day is always tough...new routine, apprehension leading to lack of sleep, and just getting the ride started. Making it a bit worse this year was long day 1 mileage and joining the trip in the middle, so the playing field with the other riders was not exactly level other than they have tired legs.

The first 30 miles were a breeze, the last 30 might have been ugly but all miles are now in the books.

We were overcast for most of the day, with only a few spits of rain periodically where I was. The back of the pack got drenched in the latter part of the day, but persevered to the end. Winds were light and variable, so a bit of a challenge from time to time

Today's route started in Casper and took us through Glenn Rock, Douglas, Shawnee and Lost Springs (population 1 by the way). Roads were generally good, rough in some spots. A real tribute to people in Wyoming, though, is the courtesy of the drivers. Many give a little toot of the horn well before they are on you, and many wave. There was one car that went by one of the SAG stops today with several children waving and yelling out the windows!

The route included 15 miles of interstate riding. To complicate matters over half of that was under construction, which led to some dicey navigation from time to time.

During that time I partially blew a back brake, so I'm trying to get it repaired before tomorrow's screaming descents.

There is constant train traffic in this area. Not sure where the coal mines are but the trains going east are loaded. The trains going west are empty. All only have coal cars. Union Pacific obviously thrives here.

Saw some antelope in a hay field today. They were just grazing away, with trains in the background, of course. I would have stopped for a photo, but they were far enough away they would have only appeared as little white specks.

We're in the town of Lusk tonight. The annual Rawhide is this weekend. There was a 15 minute parade after we got into town, complete with cowboys, Indians, a train and firetrucks. It sounds like the main event on Friday and Saturday is a western show at the fairgrounds complete with chuck wagon races and other western-based events.

It has started raining tonight, although not heavy. We'll hope for dry weather tomorrow morning. It sounds like temperatures will again cooperate. We'll overnight in Hot Springs, SD tomorrow. Wonder what kind of festivities we'll find there?

Brenda (my sister) has continued last year's tradition of a package at each overnight stop. Yesterday's surprise was some flaming socks, sure to make me go as fast as the "Wolfpack." (The group that consistently arrives at the next destination before the luggage truck. Of course, I'll be more strategic if this ever comes close to happening to me. If you're here when the luggage truck arrives, you help unload.) Today's package contained a Red Wheel Bike Shop t-shirt from Jefferson City. Group members are envious that they "don't have anyone that loves them." The support is fabulous. I hope I can keep my luggage under the weight limit to Manitowoc. (smile)

There are two other people on the ride from Iowa, one from Boone and the other from Cedar Rapids. There are also several international riders. There are several tandems (two people) and one triple.

The triple is "manned" by a mother and her two teenage sons. Unfortunately, the thirteen year old seems to have decided he wasn't into cycling after they got here, so has turned into an honorary staff member helping at the SAG stops, doing a great job. The triple has been converted into a tandem, and Lillian and 16 year old can blow the socks off anyone (I think I'll have to check their socks, maybe it's the flames)!!

It's time to think about heading to bed. Hope all is well wherever you are.

'Til tomorrow ~Lisa

P.S. We're at the Covered Wagon Inn tonight. My apologies to the Inn for comments in my first posting. The wireless connectivity here is awesome!