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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

279.0. "Wyoming bike trip" by STP::ANDERSON (Paul Anderson DTN 262-3668 IND-3/C4) Wed Apr 22 1987 19:12

                        W Y O M I N G   O R   B U S T !

    I will be in Wyoming in August for a week, after which my significant
    other and I are going to take a two-week bike trip from there to
    somewhere else.  I need help in planning what to see and where to
    go.
    
    The trip needs to be:
    
    	1)  beautiful
    	2)  two weeks long
    	3)  end at an airport so we can get back!
    
    I would appreciate any suggestions about routes, how many miles
    a day is advisable in that terrain, etc. etc. etc.
    
    Thanks!
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279.1Hope this helps some send mail if you want more info...NEXUS::GORTMAKERThu Apr 23 1987 02:0032
    I think,cheyanne, casper&jackson hole have the only airports up there.
    Belive me there are not many big cities in the whole state.
    If you plan on hitting yellowstone Jackson Hole is probably your
    best choice. You can also catch airplanes in denver which is not
    too far from the south end of the state.
    
    Call ahead for reservations in yellowstone for a camping spot as
    they are limited and nearby areas fill very quickly. Nearby towns
    well lets say there are no nearby towns when it comes to lodging.
    
    The tetons are beautiful at that time of year. Almost as pretty
    as the Colorado mountains 8^) 8-) 8^)
    
    One other item the weather changes on a seconds notice out here
    the rain evaporates just as fast but lightning is the REAL danger.
    The mountains can get snow anytime of the year prepare for that
    possibility too.
    
    That sounds like a fun trip. I spent two weeks there a few years
    ago touring by motorcycle. Which brings up another point if you
    plan on going to yellowstone BEARS it is very hard to roll up the
    window when you dont have one. The bears are all over the road in
    places and difficult to avoid. Pedal like HE&& dont worry the energy
    will be there.. The other option is wait for a tourist to chum the
    bears over to his car and pass while they are busy eating the sandwich,
    camera,ect.
    
    Have fun, jerry
    
    p.s. if you decide to come to Colorado look me up. We are a fair
    ways down the road from there though..
    
279.2how hard are your sides?NOVA::FISHERThu Apr 23 1987 08:026
    most of the campsites (if not all by now) are for "hardsided campers"
    only because of the bears.  If you are tenting (as it appears you
    are) you may have to try one of the lodges in Yellowstone (I think
    there are lodges but they really need early reservations).
    
    ed
279.3Wyoming airports are different from Logan...SUSHI::KMACDONALDMacarooned on a Dessert IslandThu Apr 23 1987 13:025
Riverton WY (not too far from the Wind River range area) has an airport, 
too - the time I flew out of there (in a JET, even!) we had a brief 
delay to chase a calf off the runway. The airport restaraunt had a real 
good variety of salsa, which really got the morning going....
                                                  ken
279.4PVAX::CONROYWed May 06 1987 20:488
     Just another 2 cents about Yellowstone....I was there bicycling
    and camping for 3 days in 1984. I biked the southern loop and 
    stayed at two campgrounds. They do (or they did anyway) reserve
    some campsites for bicyclists and hikers. You may have to share
    a site but you should never be turned away unless the campground
    is restricted to hardsided vehicles because of bears. 
    
    Bob
279.5Jenny Lake campgroundNEPTUN::WORRELLMon May 11 1987 20:034
    There is a campground below the tetons at Jenny Lake, but it too
    has reservation problems.
    
    Glen
279.6...go rough...RDGE00::GARLANDHoward GARLAND, ADG, 830-6287Thu Jun 11 1987 16:4818
I spent some time cycling through Wyoming a few years ago - terrific place.

Maybe we were lucky with the route we took, but my memory is one of short steep
climbs up onto a plain, and then rolling land before climbing to another plain.
Exhilerating cycling but not too tough.

We were very disappointed with Yellowstone though because the few roads there
were always very busy with cars and campers - bad enough, but the roads are
pretty narrow and windy. Big queues develop behind slow vehicles, and lots of
people overtook at stupid places, came too close, etc. We passed straight
through in a day (only spent about 60 miles in Yellowstone I think) and didn't
camp in the park because we were fed up with the hassle compared to the big
empty roads every where else in the state. We camped rough in woods, fields,
etc. and were never bothered by people or bears - no need for official 
campsites. 

I don't mean to put you off, enjoy the state, but be aware of what it's really
like to _cycle_ through Yellowstone.
279.7Don't limit yourself.TSG::HATCHERTue Jun 16 1987 17:5517
    Why don't you end up on the other side of the mountains, Idaho.
    You can hit Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Grand Targhee, and then bike
    down to Idaho Falls.  It has a good airport too.
    
    Other thoughts, the eastern half of the state is mostly dry prairie,
    almost desert.  Stick with the western and northwestern part.  You
    might also think of flying into (or out of Billings Montana).
    
    I guess the point is that you shouldn't limit yourself just to Big
    Wonderful Wyoming (love those mudflaps).  Idaho and Montana are
    great too.   My bias is showing, I'd rather be in the mountains
    than the prairie.
    
    Sounds Great
    
    Bob