It was quite cold last night and we had very heavy frost on our dry sacks and tents and lots of ice in our water bottles. So we had two cups of cafe mocha before we were very productive…
It was just before 10:00 when we started riding and we had immediate steep hills- though on a very smooth new asphalt road. We climbed about 500′ – 600′ in our first 30 minutes. Then we hit a construction zone and had a ride in a pickup truck for about 2 miles (sweet!). Then the road turned to very, very loose gravel and we had another 1,500′ to climb…
Near the end of the climb we went through “Aspen Alley” one of the iconic sections (like the Great Divide Basin) of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. It was really pretty! Then a hot ride into a headwind for 15 miles or so and we arrived at the Ladder Ranch. The Ladder Ranch was started in 1881 and the 6th generation is about ready to run it. We are staying in a 1900 vintage cabin and will have dinner with the ranch hands!
Daily totals: 34 miles and 2,500′ climbing
Whenever we stop, the cows stare at us:
The forest up top is a tangled mess:
Johnny D riding through Aspen Alley:
The road down, into a very stiff headwind:
The Ladder Ranch is in a beautiful valley on the Little Snake River with Squaw Mountain in the background:
Our cabin for the night:
Val is one of 5 dogs on the ranch. We bonded immediately:
Dave Bikes America 