Pedal the Rockies: Idaho!... Now Wyoming!

So long Montana, it's been a beatiful ride. I just crossed into Idaho today through Red Rock Pass which also happens to be my sixth CD crossing. It was a short climb (in comparison) but I was being chased by a thunderstorm the whole afternoon. It finally caught up to me on the last five miles into Macks Inn, ID but blew on through quickly. I'm sorry to see Montana go, it seems like the wildest and most remote part of the trip if only in my mind. The Alaska of the lower 48.

Turns out Idaho only lasted for 2 days. The memorable parts were riding along an old Union Pacific railroad grade alongside the Warm River. This part is locally referred to as a 'recreational trail'. Translation: ATV trail. The small tires make great little washboards that are perfect for mountain bike misery. The scenery made up for it though.

Crossing into Wyoming was much less dramatic than the Idaho border. You could miss this gunshot sign in the woods if you weren't crawling along at 6mph. I have to say this road, the stretch between Ashton ID and Flagg Ranch WY, was probably the worst yet. Washboards and large loose rocks made for a long 30 mile stretch. BUT, it did get me into Grand Teton NP by the evening.

Which is where I am now. Well actually Jackson Hole (very nice library) just to the south. While I haven't felt quite as isolated from people as I thought I would for most of the trip, rolling into this very popular NP has made me realize I was. So many people! The last time I was here I was 12(?) so I don't remember that much about the whole area, just that we saw a moose, but it seems more like a resort than a national park to me. Being on a bike has really allowed me to see how almost everything caters to the automobile. Drive, stop at overlook and maybe get out for 2 minutes, drive to the next overlook and so on. Most people don't actually spend much time IN the environment, just watch it through the windshield. My route brought me around from the west side of the mountains, so I got to see them from both sides. Impressive either way. I was a little worried about getting a camp spot for the night since I hadn't reserved anything, but their sites are huge and it wasn't a problem.

Tetons from the west

Tetons from the north

One of many I've seen here in the park

I can also thank the last two campgrounds I've stayed at for one, keeping me awake at night with RV generators, and two for waking me in the morning to the sounds of a Harley patrol rolling out. Rolling thunder right.

Backtracking a bit (I realize it's been a while since I've posted here) I was also in the fine city of Butte MT for a day. My visit happened to coincide with the annual Evel Knievel festival! One of those serendipitous things you always hope for on a ride like this. Butte was his hometown and he definitely still has a presence there.

Me and my boy Evel

Turns out the the Evel festival is kind of a mini Harley rally (not really surprising). Maybe a little local warmup for Sturgis in August. It was a great time watching guys do stupid things on motorcycles. The Wall of Death act was great, a little pit of testosterone and gasoline (as seen below). It's like one of those wooden roller coasters, you know they're safe, but you still think it might fly apart at any moment.

Afternoon and evening thunderstorms have become the norm. There's so much space out here and the vistas so big, you can see them coming from a long way off. That also allows you to see the whole thing (sometimes) which makes them seem more intense. I do love a good storm, so no complaints here. This is one that ended up going around us for the most part as we camped beside the Lima Reservoir (we being myself, Kyle, and Lauren). I only spent that one night with them, and haven't seen them since, but we may cross paths again. Such is the Great Divide.