The Wild Winds of Western WY

(I am finally beginning to update the Tour Map,  it should be current in an hour or so)

The past few days I have been cycling across western Wyoming. There is one word that aptly describes my experience and that is, “Windy!” And sadly, each day the wind decided to be my enemy, resisting me at every turn. Tuesday was the worst. Eighty miles on a desolate road that had nothing but sagebrush and wind. I fought tooth and nail against that wind, every mile was a struggle.

A pronghorn antelope with four little ones.

Hail is cool.

Ordinarily, if I am having a tough time on a ride I stop and make friends with some animals, maybe a herd of cows or a couple of donkeys. It always gets me smiling again. But on this road there wasn’t even livestock to distract me from the raging force of the wind and my painfully slow progress.

Climbing mountains is also slow but I can see the progress I am making and reaching the top is so rewarding. Not only is there a beautiful view but there is also a thrilling descent to enjoy. Headwinds have no reward. It is just work. Fighting the invisible force of the wind is mentally and physically strenuous.

The sign also says, “Stay in vehicle”. A cyclist I was riding alongside wondered aloud how exactly we were supposed to do that!

One thought kept me moving.

“If I can make it through this wind today, I can make it through any wind, any day.”

After pedaling all day at 6 to 8 mph I finally made it to Lander. When I pulled into the city park, I met up with two cyclists, Jen and Carl and we have been riding together ever since. Since that eighty mile day, I haven’t had to face the wind alone. And that is wonderful!

Has riding into the wind been worth it?

I am currently in Grand Teton National Park, and yes, every mile into the wind has been worth it!