20130709 Day 21 Casper to Douglas WY 62 miles 1340' climbing

Casper to Douglas WY Day 21

Jim Hirz our host in Casper, arranges with friends to drive a truck to Douglas so that Jim and cycling friends can ride with  us from Casper to Douglas. They took us back roads through Glen Rock, since our original route route would put us through major road construction. 

From left Jim Hirz, Bob (not sure about my facts but was hired by mining industry when he graduated from school in Minnesota, has been in Casper approx 30 years), Emile (is a nurse at hospital in Casper working 3 12 hour night shifts giving him more time to ride during the day. Emile, races mountain bikes and loves Cycle -Cross racing. Bob and Emile are strong riders.

From left Ed, Bob, Debbie (Casper cyclist), Dale, Emile, Jim, Pat, Jim Hirz

In Douglas, Jim Hirz, Jim Webber, Bob, Tom, Dale

Day 20 Riverton WY to Casper WY 120 miles 2500' climbing.

Jim Hirz and close friend Debbie, preparing us dinner at Jim's Home

Jim Hirz, a cyclist in Casper, was called by a friend who heard the Mt Hime Idaho radio station interviewing Tom. Jim looked at our web site and decided he wanted to do something for us. Jim Hirz is retired from UPS and currently works with the school district in Casper. He and some friends formed a cycling club in Casper. Jim also used to race. He has a 19 year old son,  Dex, who was stationed in Afghanistan and is now in San Diego. He has an older son, Kramer, 25 who is a fireman. He has a friend, Debbie whose son-in-law Staff Sargent John Jones, was injured in Iraq and is a double amputee. Debbie's daughter Amber and John Jones got engaged prior to his deployment.When John returned stateside, Amber and John got married in the hospital he was in.

Click here to see part of John and Amber's story

The view for most of 120 miles from Riverton to Casper.

Another flat, guess who.

A loooong way to go

Rain in the distance, luckily pass in front of us.

Jim Hirz and Sandy Rupp meet us 20 miles outside of Casper, lead us to his home in Casper.

This is the Platte River.

Enjoying dinner together with Jim and Debbie

Outside the home of Jim Hirz, third from left Sandy Rupp, who generously paid for 2 rooms at the Best Western in Lusk, where we will be on Day 22, July 10.

Day 19 Dubois to Riverton WY 79 Miles 1410' Climbing

Country side on way to Riverton

On the way, we stop to take pictures of Ranchers moving cattle, the cattle were not cooperative and the Ranchers needed to get them across the road to other side. Seeing our strobe lights on our handle bars they asked us to help them by stopping traffic. We did. There were 3 on horseback and a dog that would nip at the hoofs of the cows that tried to get away. The three had there hands full, took about 5 or 10 minutes to get all the cows across.

Who is that masked man?

Below are pictures of Merlin Bianco at the Owl Creek Kampground , a good friend of the owner of the park Dee Fallon, and the Tear Drop trailer he designed and built that he pulls behind his Harley

Merlin, shared his testimony with us and Jim asked him to pray for us. Merlin is leading us in prayer as we are ready to leave for Casper WY 120 miles away. From left Dee Fallon, the owner of the park and full time butcher in local market,  who was very helpful to us, and Merlin Bianco, praying for us.

Day 18 Jackson Hole WY to Dubois WY 88 miles 4550' climbing

Day  18 Jackson Hole WY to Dubois WY 88 miles 4550' climbing: Through Tetons National Park

Great bike path heading out of Jackson Hole Wyoming. Temperatures were in the 40's in the morning.

Off to our left, a great view of the Tetons

Leaving the Tetons in the background

Buffalo in open range 

Dave patiently waiting for us to provide us  water.

After more climbing, another  summit, we made it over the continental divide 9584' elevation! 

Like most summits, on the long down we get hit by a surprise thunder storm,

Just as the rain starts to down pour Jim spots the Lava Lodge half way down, we rush into the lodge and order hot chocolate.  After a half hour the rain stops and we continue into Dubois

Day 17 Day Off in Jackson Hole WY

Finally a Day Off

Group Picture in town center Jackson Hole, from left Diesel, Grumpy, Ice Man, The Doctor, Scrounge, The Uni Bomber

We had  Margaritas, and appetizers at The Kitchen. Karen Gilmore, and Albert Cannon, noticed our shirts, came over, talked to us, then asked if they could pray for us. We were touched by these prayer warriors. We also had another visitor, 82 year of man that was excited by our adventure and asked to take pictures.

• Then off to the Million Dollar Bar, for Tequila shooter followed by buffalo burgers.

How about a friendly game of pool, Dale and Ed beat all challengers

From left to right Grumpy, The Doctor, Scrounge, Diesel, Ice Man, Uni Bomber

Finally back to our RV for a premier showing of our blog, since most of the team have not seen it since we left Astoria.

Day 16 Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole WY 90 miles 5150' climbing - July 4th

Day 16 Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole WY 90 miles 5150' climbing

Seven miles into ride, 2 more flats, making 16 so far!

Looking back at the Snake River from the foothills

Mustard fields in foothills of Idaho

See those mountains in the background? I think I'll hitch hike!

Time for a rest and a group shot

Ed with mustard fields in background

The road to Teton pass and Jackson Hole, mountains getting closer

Somewhere on the second mountain pass, Pat had a great idea for cooling off our feet.

This felt sooooo good. The first summit was Pine Creek summit at 6764 ' elevation.

The last five miles at 10%  the hardest ride any of us have done.

We all made it to the Summit!

The View from the top of Teton Pass 8431' elevation.

After 5 miles of 10% grade descending downhill to Jackson Hole !

Day 13 Twin Falls to Pocatello ID

Day 13

 Declo ID, to Pocatello ID 76 miles over open spaces.

Amazing Welcome from Jennifer Bowen director  of Marketing and Promotions  (nick name Bluue), The POW*MIA Awareness Association

Click to see LocalNews 8 Coverage

Note: while the reporter is talking into the camera, you will see Ed and Jim trying to set up a tent in the background in the dark....

Click to see POW*MIA website

On the ride into Pocatello, we had two interesting events, a big yellow dog chasing Tom down the street, and Jim chasing down an antelope as it tries to cut across the road in front of us.

Idaho State Journal Article

Many more pictures to follow when I create albums

We met with Jennifer and POW*MIA motor cycle group in the parking lot  of The School of Hair Styling

While waiting, Dale and Ed, decided to get hair cuts.

Group picture with the staff of the school of Hair Styling

10 knots to nowhere ... (nuclear submariner saying)

34 mile section of road we covered, 1 car passed us and one antelope.

Note I am creating an album to document our amazing welcome and support in Pocatello.

I will upload to our Photo Tab in the next day or two