DAY 12 – Rawlins to Steamboat Lake camp (100miles)

Josh and I get up early to hopefully get an early start, but after Josh has been to the post office to collect a package and post stuff back, we eventually get away about 9:30. Bruce has to go to the bike shop again, and Matt has to head back to the motel to find his missing tools. Josh and I push on together.

Today feels tough, and as the sun rises so does the temperature until it’s in the 100s. It’s just draining the energy from me on top of the tiredness from a bad nights sleep. We stop for a powernap in the shade of some trees mid afternoon as the heat is too much to bear.

As we press on the map indicates we will be passing into Colorado any minute, so we keep our eyes open for the border sign as Josh wants to piss on Wyoming before we leave. Sounds like a good idea to me. Unfortunately there is no sign and we’re in Colorado before we realise it. Goodbye Wyoming, you will not be missed!

Josh and I are taking a break in the shade when Bruce and Matt roll up. We all ride together loosely and as evening approaches I’m climbing up a pass feeling low on energy. I’ve noticed Whispering Pine Lodge on the route instructions, but there is no symbol on the map for it so I’m wondering what to expect. As I round a corner I see Bruce drinking a Coke on the decking of a lodge with some other guys. This is life saver. We all get as much as we can eat for $10 including some birthday cake, and enjoy some excellent company.

Although I would have loved to kick back and have a few beers at the lodge, we leave just before dusk as the temperatures drops and I finally feel fully revived. The miles come easily until the light is gone and as the map says ‘1.5mile push up hill’, the minimum 100 miles for the day are done and it’s time to camp up for the night.