91 miles ridden – 5305 feet climbed

Today is Independance Day so all riders wore their America By Bicycle jerseys and had US flags fixed somewhere on their bike. We didn’t go through many towns but even at 6am in Idaho Falls folks were camped out on the street in anticipation of the town’s parade. In Victor – the last town we went through in Idaho – there were BBQs, live bands, and all sorts of folks young and old dressed to celebrate. Whenever and where ever we are, locals stop and ask us where we have come from, where we are going today and our ultimate destination. It’s really nice and also quite amusing when either myself, Murray, or Heather answer first and our accents mean we are not understood.

The day started well. An early start, decent tailwind, cool temperature, and a dead flat landscape made the first 15 miles a dream. Then we started the first of three climbs and it all changed! It wasn’t the climb – 1200 feet – more the headwind as we climbed that took its toll and spread the riders out. We were all relieved to see the first SAG stop at 26 miles made all the better by the view of Snake River

The second climb of about 1500 feet was fairly gentle and peaked at 6,764 feet. For the first time in quite a few days we were riding in trees. The silence of the forest was periodically broken by gunfire – hunting I guess.

After Pine Creek we had a long descent into Victor before we set off towards the state line and the Teton Pass summit at 8431 feet. 

About 1000 feet from the summit I really started to struggle. At this stage we were over 7000 above sea level and had cycled about 77 miles – I tried energy gels, drank loads but had nothing left in my legs so for the first time in years I had to walk up. I felt pretty disappointed about this until I found out that I was not the only one – looks like at least half of the riders had the same problem. Once we descended – about 2000 feet of terrifying speed control in swirling winds that were gusting at 30-35 mph – I was fine so maybe it was the altitude. I will have another chance tomorrow when we climb to a peak of 9500 feet.

Dinner at Bubba’s BBQ made a serious and very welcome dent in my calorie deficit for the day and I am now shattered. Time to sleep.

Jackson was one of my Father’s favourite places and for that reason alone it is special.