It was tailwind Monday and an attempt to beat a storm. Thunderstorms and rain was in the morning forecast for Dubois and I did not want to get stuck for another night in Dubois. I was out and on the road by 7:10 with very favorable conditions, a slight downhill and tailwinds. I took advantage of both though the rain caught up with me 1/2 through the morning ride, but not for long. I just skirted by the rain and only got a little wet. Today’s journal took me along and through the Wind River Indian Reservation. The small town that I passed through, Crowheart, reminded me of the Indian Reservation near my hometown in Canada, only a tiny bit nicer. Still very depressing though.
I arrived in Landers by 12:30 because of the tailwinds. Little did I know but it was unusual to get a tailwind on this stretch of road during the summer because typically the winds are from the east and southeast and I was heading southeast. Once in Lander, which also happens to be the National Headquarters for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Why there I have no idea. I was able to camp in the local community park in Lander along with a few other tenters and maybe one other cyclist. The afternoon was broken up by a nasty thunderstorm and I really didn’t feel very safe camped under some very large cottonwood trees so I took shelter in under a pavilion.
Today’s stats: total mileage 76.28; average speed 17.1 mph; max speed 38.3 mph; total elevation gain 1601 feet; and elevation descent 2871 feet. Through in a little bit of rain and 17 miles of road construction and all in all it was an excellent day for a ride.