Across the Great Divide

Today was the most beautiful day I have spent on a bike. As we left Jackson Hole, WY this morning we had spectacular views of the Tetons to our left for the first 30 miles. We cycled through the national park and passed the entrance to Yellowstone. There were beautiful pine forests and mountain streams with the Tetons as a back drop. I am lying here trying to think how to describe it...awe inspiring, majestic, peaceful, powerful, pristine nature...there just aren't words that truly capture what we saw.

We had a 6 1/2 mile SAG around some road construction and then it was time to do some serious climbing. At about 1:30 in the afternoon we made the summit of the continental divide at 9,658 ft! Because of the construction SAG, Team Turtle was split up for the afternoon. I made the summit with Lynne and Sam. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment when we made the summit. I can't believe I freaking road my bike over the continental divide!!! Woo hoo!

After we summited, we had a thirty mile downhill to our hotel in Dubois, WY. The first 10 miles were pretty steep and I just had to pump my brakes and go to my happy place. The last twenty miles were more gentle and we had a 20 mph or so tail wind. The last twenty miles were through ranch country along the Wind river.

Just before we reached Dubois, we went through a painted desert. On the right side of the road was the river and green trees and on the left side of the road was desrt with red sandstone cliffs. The contrast was incredible.

Anyway, we all made it in safely which was nice after the last three days of accidents and illness. (Mike Munk broke his ankle on Sat., Mike from Iowa had a heart attack and subsequent lpen heart surgery on Sun, and Tom broke his pelvis yesterday)