Lovell to Sheridan

 Today was another big day for our tour. Following yesterday’s flat and relatively short ride, today we applied ourselves with vigor in climbing up and over Big Horn Pass, a mere 22 mile climb with an average gradient of 6%, maxing out at 12%. It was the first of 2 climbs to get over the pass. The 2nd climb was a paltry 5 miler at a steady 5% grade.

Fortunately, the scenery afforded us a delightful diversion as we steadily pedaled along. The pictures I’ve included don’t do it justice, as it fails to provide you a lens into the magnificent scope of our views. Oh yes, let’s not forget about the thrilling descents along the twisty winding switchbacks. It’s a delight to ride a perfectly balanced bike, that when leaned into a curve at 45 mph will respond like it’s on rails. My friend Les know of what I speak.

The Big Horn Basin in northwest Wyoming, which we climbed out of, is about 140 long and 100 mile wide. To the south is the Wind River Range, to the north are the Pryor Mountains, and to east is the Big Horn Range (the range we climbed today…). The first National wild horse sanctuary is in the Pryor Mountains. It provides safe haven for over 200 wild mustangs. The vast majority of those mustangs can trace their bloodline back to cavalry mounts used by Spanish conquistadors. From the late 1700’s just about every Indian nation, from the Comanche in northern Mexico and New Mexico to the Nez Perce in northern Idaho to the Sioux nations in the Dakotas, quickly learned the value of a quality mount, for use in the hunt and in combat. Frankly, their superior horsemanship put to shame that of the US Cavalry on more than a few occasions during the Indian wars.

Now for much needed rest…