Sunday, July 10th, 2016

What a day. Last night we made a team decision to ride on the interstate in order to shave 28 miles off of our planned 98 mile day. Wyoming is the least populated state and the interstate has a nice wide shoulder. We left at 6 a.m., and the first 20 miles were cool and easy.

Three of the four groups left the first rest stop, and right as the fourth group was about to take off, Sarah discovered that the van wouldn’t start. Ashley, Steven, Rachael, Austin, and I stayed with her until we could find a solution. After an hour and a half of troubleshooting the problems with the van and calling towing companies, Steven, Austin, and I rode to the only rest area between Gillette and Buffalo to bring supplies to the other groups that had been waiting. Steven and I had backpacks filled with meal bars and sunscreen, and Austin carried a tire to replace Catherine’s because she had gotten a flat right before the rest area. We decided it was unsafe to ride unsupported without easy access to water on such a hot day, so we waited for the van to be repaired.

Ashley, Rachael, and Sarah stayed with the van, got it towed, and waited for it to be fixed. It turns out that the transmission fluid was low and there were problems with the alternator. After it was repaired, they picked up 3 of us, unpacked at the stay over, and came back to get the rest of the team. It was a long day of waiting, but we were all very patient and passed the time by discussing various current events, talking with folks at the rest area, and doing push-ups.

We are staying at St. Luke’s, and they provided a delicious pasta dinner. We all relaxed and unwound after such a long day.

We got a glimpse of the Big Horn Mountains today. Getting closer to the big climbs of the west!

DR