Day 2 started off fine, with riders heading off in cheerful groups mainly in the 4am-5am time range.
But there were headwinds to follow, starting with the rollers after Saratoga heading up to the Snowy Range climb. Then blustery weather on Snowy Range Pass. Then a thunderstorm with pea-sized hail heading into Laramie. Then a punishing headwind on the way back to Walden.
Volunteers' lodging at the familiar Blue House at North Park Inn.
Paul Foley and others made a succession of impromptu signposts to the actual Walden HQ
at the small but sprawling North Park Inn.
Volunteer extraordinaire Brent Myers gives a friendly smile.
Brent transported folks' drop bags out to Walden in this trailer.
He still found time for a mountain bike ride near Walden in between waves of riders.
Thank you, Brent!
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It is rolling and open on the way to Saratoga, Wyoming.
It's a net downhill, but with some climbs that get your attention.
Still plenty of haze and murk in the atmosphere!
At the summit of one of the ridges is where we'd had a support point in years past, when this segment was at the end of the day, with warmer temps and riders needing hydration.
In Encampment, the Mangy Moose continues to be a local watering hole.
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I spent some time at the Snowy Range summit,
here across from scenic Lake Marie.
Jay Fichialos
Then I moved closer to the pass, at a trailhead and the pass itself. I could watch riders rounding the final bend up to the pass.
Ian Hands
Jack Nicholson
Charlie Martin and John Klem
Mike Sturgill
Bundling up for a blustery descent!
Mike Turek declaring vistory!
Erin Witter, Mike Turek, Bill Dussler, Dustin Harding
Sarah Stolz
Randos gathering at the Friendly Store,
Centennial, Wyo., at foot of descent
Yes, some hail for the riders toward the front.
John and Tonya Klem
taking shelter in store Laramie.
Tonya is about to head to Wood's Landing
to support the riders.
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Riders would then face stiff headings, channeled by the canyon climb past Wood's Landing, and then persistent heading into Walden.
