We are experiencing a sort of déjà vu as we are once again wrapped up in mountains that are very reminiscent of Colorado, but these ranges showcase their own unique character and continue to wow us at every bend. Jackson, like Estes Park in Colorado, has that particular tourist charm, but in many ways feels more homey. There are log cabin style homes and businesses everywhere which pair nicely with the pine-crested peaks. We feel fortunate to have made it as far as we have - 3000 miles is quite the achievement, and we are exceptionally proud!

Hello awesome readers! I apologize for the late entries! The portion of the ride I am working on covering has both very limited cell service and lengthier routes (which you will get to hear all about!) which makes for very limited time to complete the journals daily. I am aiming to be totally caught up to date by the time we reach Boise, ID, or earlier if possible (for those following along, we are currently in Arco, ID). Thank you for your patience. :)

Ride Overview

Mileage: 91.9

Elevation: +3432’/-4024’

General Direction: Turn onto Smith Ave. and turn left onto U.S. 189, follow for 78.3 miles until reaching Hoback Junction, turn right onto the highway and move onto the Jackson Hole Community Pathway, turn right onto Glenwood St. at mile 91.8 to reach the stayover.

Points of Interest: Bridger-Teton National Forest, Rocky Mountains, Hoback River, Snake River, Jackson Hole Community Pathway, Jackson

Tales of the Trail

We continued to follow U.S. 189 as it slowly clambered its way through a massive basin. A giant U of snow-capped peaks encompassed the road dozens of miles away. As we continued to climb closer and closer, this U converged more and more. This turned into a massive descent bringing us right into its center and into some of the most absolutely beautiful stretches this ride has offered us thus far. Miles 60-77 took us along the Hoback River and between thick and rounded mountain tops with the occasional jagged rock peak making an appearance. Fully grown pines and a few slopes with torched trunks (sort of a sea of toothpicks from a distance) parted our way through the pass. Elk, antelope, and even a bald eagle or two were visible from the road, and the captivating scenery was complemented by the weather, save for that intense mountain wind.

A quick right turn at Hoback Junction gave way to our final stretch into Jackson, about eleven miles on the community bike trail. It wound its way past grassy meadows with a picture-perfect backdrop of mountains surrounding the town. Groups arrived at the stayover a bit before 3:00 PM, and we rested and explored a bit to wind down from the tough 92 miles we just biked.

Tonight, we are staying at First Baptist Church. Riders explored a bit and a group stocked up on supplies for the three camping days in a row we will have in two of the most beautiful national parks this country has to offer. To say we are stoked is an understatement as tomorrow we bike 48 miles into Grand Teton National Park, where a rest day full of hiking and sleep awaits.

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Adam Wallach

How are you today? I’m doing pretty good overall. The cumulative fatigue of the ride has definitely started to set in. Today, on the bike, I didn’t feel 100% as a whole for 90 miles, but I’m glad my group and I were able to finish it. I got a chance to call some relatives today and it was nice to catch up with them.

In your opinion, what makes a good I4K teammate? Someone who is uplifting and a good, fun person to be around. A lot of our days are really tough so a person that can maintain a good attitude through that. Someone who really cares about their teammates and who listens when someone is having a tough time.

Where was the best ice cream you’ve had so far? Sweet Cow in Boulder, Colorado. I had some delicious chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in a waffle cone.

How have you improved in handling the bike during the ride? I would say my cornering; I’m not really sure how it has changed because I have nothing to compare it to. One other big change between before the ride and now is my ability to use my drops. I feel good using them on descents to corner, which is safer. I feel a lot better about descents in general too, and I can also get more aero which is important for descending. So, confidence on descents and using my drops are the two biggest things. I generally think I’ve gotten a little stronger overall. It’s all about the small incremental gains.

If you could snapshot one favorite or at least special sight, place, or moment in your mind that you’ve experienced on the bike, what would it be, where was it, and on what ride day? Probably the Idaho Springs to Frisco day; that huge climb to the Divide was really cool to me because I was really going through it and I could tell my group was too, and even though I felt really bad, I knew they felt bad too. To be only three miles away and have that experience and tackle that together and embrace the view at the top was all worth it. I felt pretty confident on the descent that day too, and that’s been one of the few days where I’ve felt pretty accomplished. I also enjoyed joking about meeting Jesus in jeans at the top. I strongly considered sagging at the first rest stop twelve miles in when we were 8500 feet up in Georgetown, CO. I talked to my teammate and decided to continue and see how I felt, and later, at 11k, I started to feel worse but it was really fun nonetheless. We were also on a bike trail for some time playing leap frog with some other cyclists. It made me feel as though I was a part of something bigger while going up that mountain.

In ten words or less, how will you remember this ride when we complete it? Seeing the country in a meaningful way.

Please visit the rider profiles page on the website to learn more about this year’s riders! :)