WEEK 4
Take me home, gravel road
Day 22 (28/07): Atlantic City to Wamsutter
Distance: 134 km
Elevation: 785 m
Early ass wake up - 5:30 - are we CDT hikers? The sun is up already and, as usual, the mosquitos are awake. A beautiful ride in the cool morning air gives way to an unforgiving desert sun. I pray for clouds, for rain. Pronghorns appear and disappear on the horizon, shy ghostly apparitions. I hate the basin. Killer horse wants to kill me. We lunch in creepy abandoned cabin surrounded by swamp water. The Basin Gods must have heard my prayers because out of nowhere a crazy storm hits. I'm getting pummelled by wind, hail, mud, water - everything nature has to offer, from one side. Passing through, I ride the next 20 km trying to pace myself to stay between storms, one looming ahead, windy and ominous in the distance, and one raging behind. Wet and tired I arrive in the trucker "town" of Wamsutter. In our motel, wet clothes splayed on every possible surface, we what what barely consitues as food before watching the breakfast club and sleeping.
Day 23 (29/07): Wamsutter to Savery
Distance: 102 km
Elevation: 728 m
Breakfast burritos once more and wondering why America is so fucked up. Late start. More desert yay. Cows for days. Killer flies scare Robin. Fracking. Rolling hills on steroids. Big ass snake. Robin befriends museum lady and experiences Gatorade for the first time. Is not impressed. Free food and camp in old western town turned museum. FUCKING COW BELLS, no sleep.
Day 24 (30/07): Savery to Steamboat Springs
Distance: 110 km
Elevation: 1366 m
Split up to ride. Robin does nasty climb - 22% at some point and rocky. “I totally crushed the mountain lodge” he says. “Every gay ass cyclist goes there except robin.” He is proud. I meet dog friend and we have a 20 km adventure together. His owner comes and picks him up at some point. Apparently this is a recurrent event. Push hard at top to beat the mtb fools. Columbine. Wash in river, wander around steam springs and try to camp at Walmart. Medium success. Eat nachos and sleep in bush.
Day 25 (31/07): Steamboat Springs to Kremmling
Distance: 97 km
Elevation: 1507 m
My last day on the divide! Body aches and vitamin deficiencies from the All American Diet have hit me hard, but nothing has ever felt this worth it, and in true Divide form, we start our day off with leftover Walmart nachos in a Starbucks. The route is basically one big gradual climb, straightforward until combined with a massive storm out of nowhere. Mud for days, but rewarded with free snacks from a chic coming from a triathlon, and views of a beautiful valley. By the time I get to the campsite, Robin has been enjoying his brown paper bag for hours! Doesn't help him poo though. We spend our last night together on the divide in an RV park with a shroom selling next door neighbor.
