Terry's Ride Across America: Day 15. Jackson, WY. 88 miles. 5,500 ft climb

July 4 and into Wyoming, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The Mean Elevation of the state is 6,700 feet above sea level making Wyoming the second highest state just after Colorado, so everyone is getting ready to gasp for air. Hard not to notice the big yellow sign: STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS AHEAD, at the Welcome To Wyoming sign. No turning back now.

Welcome---Steep Mountain Pass Ahead

The riders were treated to an amazing, but extremely challenging ride into Jackson, Wyoming. This was biggest climb so far, and the second biggest on the whole tour. Quotes include "It was the most physically challenging thing I've ever done", "I can't believe I made it", "WOW", "Phew, it was a hell of a day", "I met my limit".

The dawn was gorgeous in Idaho Falls. Riders were on the road by 6:30 a.m. It was cool and a bit overcast. After a flat 15 miles or so, the wind picked up. Climbing, the cross wind buffeted riders side to side. Then, they dropped into a gorgeous valley and were protected from it. That is, until they turned to go over the first pass, Pine Creek Pass, at mile 58. The road has a 6% grade and the top of the pass is at 6,764 ft. And this was just the warmup for Teton Pass.

Zippy Leads A Small Group

Zippy, Mike & Barry with Tetons Looming

Closing In On Jackson

After Pine Creek Pass, they had a nice descent, again along the Snake River, which now is very swollen and seems near flood stage. A stop at the little town of Victor rewarded them with some food and early July 4 celebrations. Then they turned east, and the wind picked up some more. The views were spectacular, but the pass got steeper and steeper.

Very Swollen Snake River

Gorgeous Scenery Getting To Jackson

More Gorgeous Scenery

Terry's Happy

The 8,431 ft Teton Pass averages a 10% grade, which is very steep, and that's just the average. In some places, it's 14% !!!! The last few miles are all 10% grade and the air is getting thin up there. Terry said that to get to the top, he really had to use mental focus and self-talk: "You can do it, keep going, think of Lois, and dear Blixa (our beloved cat), and all your 'fan club' cheering for you. Keep going." He did, and when he finally reached the summit, Mike and other ABB staff were there to cheer for him (and everyone else as they came over), which was a real energizing boost. Then he could stop and enjoy the fantastic view of the pass and Jackson below.


At The Top of Teton Pass!!

Downhill was a 10% grade, too. (As a reference for Tucsonans, that's steeper than Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon). That meant going down was going to be a major challenge. Controlling speed is essential. Some riders reported that they reached speeds of over 40 mph on the way down (and young Lucy reached 49 mph!) easily going faster than the RV's that lumbered along, though passing them was not an option. Not a wise one, anyway. Terry took a moment to recall the last time we were in Jackson Hole on a ski trip, with great friends and a very special cross-country ski day into the Tetons to some hot pools, viewing bison and elk along the way. But, now he had to get down on his bike. Zippy took it easy, stopping at times to take photos and cool his tire rims, which get hot from applying the brakes. His quote of the day, "I'll remember today, in detail, for the rest of my life".

Julie & Terry Celebrate!!

The next few days will continue to be gorgeous, and extremely challenging, getting over the Wyoming Rockies and the Continental Divide and a 120-mile day into Casper, WY for another rest day on Day 19.