Saturday, June 28, 2025
Day 28

Ten Sleep, WY to Meadowlark Lake, WY

Miles: 20.62
Elevation: 4,045
Time: 3 hours 59 minutes

Total miles: 1,056.54
Total Elevation: 50,151
Total Time: 108 hours 13 minutes

Somedays, you just know it’s going to be a tough day.

While thinking about the ride ahead…climbing over 4,000 feet on a loaded bike in altitude, I know it will be tough. And my mind goes to my many friends who will lay to rest a dear friend, companion and colleague today…how they would gladly trade places with me and how deeply sorry I am for their pain. And…how tremendously tough their day will be. Our hearts and prayers are with them.
The route allowed us a gentle warm up with 1-4% grades for the first 7 miles. Then, the real climbing began with grades 6% or more consistently.
We learned that the Big Horn Mountains are a world class rock climbing destination and we were able to see climbers on the face of a sheer rock. Just beyond was a switchback in the road and we could see vehicles coming down the road, the smell of hot brakes permeating the air. What were we headed for? Trying to stay in a sustainable Zone 2, we continued to climb, climb, climb…waiting, expecting a ‘wall’. Playing music definitely helped distract the chaos the mind engages in when faced with uncertainty. A periodic check of the Garmin proved we were slowly chipping away at the ascent, the miles. As we approached the 8,300 foot elevation, the road returned to the 1-4% grade. It almost felt flat! Around one more corner and Meadowlark Lake appeared. We had conquered the climb!! Dismounting, we sat on the bench offering full support and rested. Later, we explored the camp and came across a beaver playing in the water and 3 moose on a nearby peninsula-a bull, cow and baby.
The day certainly provided new and challenging moments. We are reminded how fortunate we are to be able to travel this path and to share it with you. There are no guarantees of tomorrow, for any of us.

#RoadrunnerTour2025