Bike Across America – Day 15

Monday, July 3, 2017

Start: Idaho Falls, Idaho
End: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Mileage today/cumulative: 90 / 1,081
Elevation Ascended: 5,482
Weather: Sunny, 55° at start; sunny, 79° at finish
3D Relive Video (approx. 1 minute)

Today was one helluva ride. When we registered for this trip a year ago, we looked at the itinerary and immediately began looking forward to this day. This must be how the pros feel, anticipating a crucial stage in the Tour de France as soon as the stages are announced. We’re just like them except that we’re riding twice as far as they do, we don’t get roads closed for us, and they don’t have to eat breakfast at a Best Western. We knew that this would be an epic day and it sure lived up to it.

The first 25 miles were a bit of a slog on a slight grade and a stiff headwind. The terrain began to change from flat agricultural to rolling hills. It was pretty but everyone was heads down due to the wind. The serious climbing began at mile 45, slowly ascending into alpine mountains. Fifteen miles later, we reached Pine Creek Summit (6,764′) before descending nearly seven miles to the Town of Victor. This beautiful descent gave us our first unobstructed view of the Tetons and it was breathtaking. We quickly refueled in Victor before beginning the long eleven mile climb up Teton Pass. We stopped to take photos at the Wyoming state line mid-way up, then continued on to the top. The first nine miles averaged a 3-6% grade; the last two miles were a steady 10-12% incline. It was not the most difficult climb we’ve ever done but those last couple of miles were definitely mind over matter. The views at the Teton Pass Summit (8,431′) were spectacular but we were anxious to get down because we knew that the descent would be hairy – and it was. We had been cautioned to inspect our tires and brakes at the summit and control our speed on the 5.5 mile technical descent with a 10% grade. Holy cow that was steep – neither of us had ever experienced a descent like that and it was nerve wracking. We were thrilled to reach the bottom and cruise into Jackson Hole.

In one incredible day we added a new state to our States We’ve Biked In map and we surpassed 1,000 miles to date on this trip. The miles are rolling by so quickly.