Messages

1

Routes / Re: PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: July 29, 2025, 04:48:52 pm »

We just attempted to ride this section from Ucross to Gillette, and were stopped by weather at Leiter, as we seemed it unwise to subject ourselves to severe headwinds, thunder & lightning in the remote 60 miles from Leiter to Gillette.  So we reversed course back to Ucross and onwards to Buffalo.

Here’s some observations for those interested in this route:

Clearmont:  the store appears permanently closed although there is an unconvincing “for sale” sign out front.   There is a little public park in Clearmont that has two clean restrooms and a water fountain.

Leiter:  we spent the night camping and hanging out in The Leiter Bar & Cafe with Melonie and her family.  The are trying hard to make a “go” of it.  The bar and cafe has a funky but cozy vibe.  The fare is typical bar food along with cold beer.   

Melonie allows cyclists to camp on a “donation” basis and even allowed us the use of cabin #1 to shower and use the toilet.

In my opinion, this route is totally viable with the right weather conditions and provisions, and the scenery is top notch.  The road surface and shoulder are very good throughout.  The section from Sheridan to UCross also affords great cycling.

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Routes / Re: Missoula Bound in June

« on: June 11, 2025, 12:17:02 pm »

Way to bounce back from your health challenges.   Have a fantastic trip! 

3

Routes / Re: Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 22, 2025, 04:05:20 pm »

You're the best Jama!   You have provided so much valuable info on a number of my posts.   My trip will be better thanks to you!

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Routes / Re: Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 21, 2025, 10:18:23 am »

Thank you for all the detailed info Jama.   It looks like about 50 miles from the Lake to Rex Hale, and mostly downhill so not impossible.

The cuts to the Park and Forest Services are sad.  For all of us.

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Routes / Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 21, 2025, 12:01:12 am »

I'm planning to ride sections 1-4 of the Transamerica to West Yellowstone, MT and then the PPP section 1 through Yellowstone and northern Wyoming in late July.   Any thoughts/suggestions about how difficult it is to find camping or lodging in Yellowstone and the heart of the summer?    Does it work to beg or plead to pitch a tent in someone else's campsite?

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 10:13:56 pm »

Thank you for sharing all your experience and advice Jama.  I'll post a reply up here when I get close to Buffalo in the event that you're around.  It would be great to meet you in person.

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 05:59:26 pm »

For sure.  I'd like to take a look ...

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 05:36:35 pm »

I do a fair amount of gravel riding on my Salsa Cutthroat, including the ACA trips on the Great Divide (Wyoming and Colorado).

I'll be on my Trek 520 touring bike but it has beefy 38c tires so it is pretty solid on gravel.   

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 04:41:04 pm »

Hi Jama:  Thank you so much for your help on this!!!
Do you live in Buffalo?  If so, I owe you a beer!

10

Routes / Re: PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: May 01, 2025, 12:25:55 pm »

One of my goals for this trip is to see more of rural America (perhaps before it degrades further).  🥺

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 10:02:12 am »

Hi Jama:  I'm thinking the same thing -- to avoid the rest of PPP Sections 2 and 3.   My route as planned was:
- Transamerica Sections 1-4
- PPP Sections 1-3
- Northern Tier Sections 7-9
- UR Spur to Pittsburgh

Looking at the map, I could substitute:
- Head south at Buffalo into Nebraska
- Cross Nebraska and Iowa
- Meetup with Northern Tier Section 8

I hacked this out very quickly in RWGPS: 
ridewithgps.com/routes/50571720
(1,068 miles ) which also is about 300 miles sorter than PPP Sections 2 & 3 and NT Section 7.

This is mostly following Hwy 20 and using the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska: railstotrails.org/site/greatamericanrailtrail/content/nebraska/

What do you think?  I'd love help tuning this up with your advice, as it sounds like PPP section 2 will be unpleasant (and possibly dangerous) chaos in late July.

Dennis

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Routes / Re: PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: May 01, 2025, 01:56:41 am »

Thanks jmawani.  I was afraid of that.

i can possibly push my schedule forward such that I pass through Spearfish on 7/25/2025.  That's a week before the big motorcycle rally.  I wonder if that is enough to miss most of the mayhem scheduled for 8/1 to 8/10/2025.

Do you think that's enough to make lodging/camping tolerable until I clear the blast zone?

13

Routes / Re: PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: April 30, 2025, 02:31:50 pm »

Thank you -- both Johns!   That helps immensely. 

14

Routes / PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: April 29, 2025, 10:57:07 pm »

I'm planning my day-by-day route across the PPP Sections 2.  Per my current plan, I'll be riding near Spearfish around 7/31/2025.  Unfortunately the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is from 8/1/2025 to 8/10/2025 this year.

https://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com//dates

Now, the standard PPP Section 2 route heads southeast towards Hill City after Spearfish and veers away from Sturgis.

Does anyone have an insights about how this huge motorcycle rally will affect camping & lodging options at and around this time?

I'm thinking I might have to shave off some rest days from my cycling plan to try to get through area sooner in late July.   Thank you in advance.

15

Routes / PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: April 29, 2025, 10:50:30 pm »

The 95 mile PPP Main route between Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY is 95 miles long with no services.   Fortunately, it is relatively flat climbing 3600 ft in that 95 miles (not too bad).
Does anyone have an experience to share on that section?   I'm relatively confident I can cover that distance, however it may depend on heat in the summer as I'll be riding in late July.

Alternatives are taking a Greyhound bus from Buffalo to Gillette:  https://www.greyhound.com/bus-routes/buffalo-wy-gillette-wy

There is also an alternate route suggested by Google maps, that follows along I-90 more closely (although not on I-90).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2qQYuQ4Bd2eaJZyy7

I'd welcome any suggestions and guidance.  Thank you in advance.