Author Topic: trans-wyoming bike trip  (Read 13697 times)

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Offline barryjones

trans-wyoming bike trip
« on: March 02, 2007, 05:42:29 pm »
Hi, I'm looking for some consultation on a trip across Wyoming that I'm planning for summer 07.  I'm planning to ride from West Yellowstone to Cody to Greybull to Worland to Buffalo to Kaycee to Wright to Newcastle to SD.  Can anyone tell me how the roads are, how the climbs are, and how much time to allow?  I'm hopeing to stay in hotels at niaght---any suggestions?


Offline ride29

trans-wyoming bike trip
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2007, 06:37:34 pm »
I hope you get some responses to this post, as I'll be traveling those same roads this summer on my trip out to and back from Wyoming. I'm coming from Michigan.

out: ...Newcastle-Wright-Edgerton-Casper-Shoshoni-Riverton-Grand Teton NP

-then tool around Grand Teton and Yellowstone for a week or so...

back: Yellowstone NP-Cody-Lovell-(up into Bighorn Canyon Nat'l Rec Area)-Ranchester-Buffalo-Gillette-Devil's Tower-South Dakota...

Daryl Bernard
Daryl Bernard

Offline litespeed

trans-wyoming bike trip
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2007, 06:36:56 pm »
I've crossed Wyoming east-to-west twice. Once I rode Rapid City SD-Newcastle-Gillette-Spotted Horse-Sheridan-Lovell-Cody-Yellowstone-Bozeman MT. And once Scottsbluff NB-Casper-Riverton-Dubois-Jackson-Idaho Falls.
Some observations: The west winds can be tough around Casper but I rather like the dusty, windblown city. The Owl Creek campground near Riverton is one of the nicest I've ever stayed in.
Dubois is a fine town - lots of cowboys, good restaurants and a campground right in the middle of town. The climb over Togwotee Pass west of Dubois isn't too tough but climbing over the Big Horns will give you serious bragging rights. The climb on 14A east of Lovell is 10 degrees for 13 miles and it's much the same on the other side (Burgess Junction-Dayton). I never did Powder River Pass between Worland and Buffalo but I'm sure it's no picnic.
Riding the shoulder of interstate 90 between Buffalo and Gillete is a lot of nothing - about 60 miles. Pack plenty of water.
I did Gillette-Spotted Horse-Sheridan in one day. A mistake. Well over 100 miles, lots of climbing and I almost ran out of water. I should have stopped for the night in Clearmont. There is only a little bar in Spotted Horse but there was a small restaurant in Leiter. There is nothing at Ucross - the intersection of 14 and 16
US14 out the east side of Yellowstone is narrow, winding and heavily trafficked until you get out in the open but it can't be avoided.
In Jackson there is a nice campground opposite the Visitors' Center. Also, in Jackson, don't miss the Western Art Museum north of town.
The cafeteria in West Thumb, Yellowstone has about the worst food I've ever eaten.
Allow plenty of time to see the sights in Yellowstone. The crowds can be bad but there is a LOT to see. And a bicycle doesn't get stuck in traffic. Don't let "Campground Full" signs in Yellowstone stop you. They'll usually let a cyclist camp, especially if you look really pooped.
US191 between West Yellowstone and Bozeman is a bad bicycling road - narrow, shoulderless, hemmed in by the river and full of impatient truck drivers.
Avoid it.
This is a great part of the country. I love it out west and can't wait to get back out there.

This message was edited by litespeed on 4-6-07 @ 8:26 PM

Offline ride29

trans-wyoming bike trip
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2007, 03:19:28 pm »
Excellent information, Litespeed - huge thanks!

Daryl Bernard
Daryl Bernard

Offline no-name

trans-wyoming bike trip
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2007, 10:42:15 pm »
Howdy from Cody Wyoming!!!

WyDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation) has put together a
bike routes map that is available in pdf format on their website:
http://dot.state.wy.us/Default.jsp?sCode=homqu

While I am primarily a trail rider, I do have some ins with our skinny-
tired bretherin, and can offer some input, particularly in the big horn
basin area.

West Yellowstone to Cody is a long ride, probably close to 100 miles.  
it is 50 miles from the east gate of yellowstone to Cody.  in the park
there are not alot of shoulders and the drivers tend to be looking for
wildlife more than looking at the road.  its like hockey,  keep your head
on a swivel and expect to get checked at any moment (its not really
that bad).  There will be construction still this year just inside the East
gate of Yellowstone and that road has generally been open only from
8am to 8pm.

Yellowstone to Cody is one of the prettiest days rides you can hope for.  
nice wide burms, gentle downhill, trees, wildlife, river, cliffs . . . you
will see why I live on a quarter of what I could make anywhere else in
the country to live here--poverty with a view.

Lots to see and do in Cody.  one bike shop, and the owners (Rick and
Denise) will enjoy visiting with you and giving you tips on what there is
to know about riding in the area.  plenty of good food and lodging in
town too.  there is also a sierra trading post outlet store to supplement
your gear if necessary.  the Buffalo Bill Historical Center could fill a
couple of days if you like museums.

We go out for dinner about once a week and I bet we eat at Adrianno's
three times a month.  Good Italian food right on main street (Sheridan
Ave). other recommendations ate the Proud Cut Saloon and Wyoming
Rib and Chop house, both also on main.  finally, for generaous
portions of Mexican food try Zapata's nad La Camida.  finally, for
Breakfats or Lunch, don't miss a chance to eat that the Noon Break
Cafe, on 12th street 1.5 blocks north of main.  also, the breadboard is
a deli with great breakfast bagels.

Cody is a tourist town with lots of lodging.  probably the best values
are on top of the greybull hill (go up main, turn up 16th street and
climb the hill).  these are smaller, locally-owned places that tend to be
less expensive and the owners are more appreciative of your business.  
downtown tends to be busy and noise in the evenings during the
summer, with Harleys roaring up and down main till all hours.

Cody to Greybull and Greybull to Worland are good roads with nice
burms.  some climbs.  NO SHADE!!!  NO WATER between Cody and
Greybull--pack plenty.  Between Greybull and Worland you have some
small towns where you can stop.  If you are not in need of amenities,
consider pushing through Worland to Ten Sleep for the night.  you are
facing a great climb over the mountains, and no small effort to get
from Worland top Ten Sleep.  you may want the space of a night's sleep
between them.

Not much to see or do in Greybull or Worland, although I would rather
spend time in Worland than Greybull.  In Greybull, the best food is at
Lisa's Cafe.  go to the light (the only traffic light in town), turn left
towards Shell, and Lisa's is about 5 blocks up.  Worland has a nice little
bike shop for a small town.  you have to know where it is to find it, but
the p-hone books all have maps in the front, so that should help.  The
lady who owns the shop is a good wrench and knows road bikes.

From Worland to Buffalo is another good road with wide burms.  the
Big Horn national forest offers some good high country camping, and
unlike yellowstone, no grizzlys.  there is a music festival in the little
town of Ten Sleep in August called No Wood Stock, which you can learn
about with a google search.  quite fun if you like accoustic music.

I don't spend much time east of the Big Horns, so I am tapped out for
info.  Hope to see you passing through Cody.  I'll be the guy cheering
you on.

Rock On!!

Matt Winslow

This message was edited by no-name on 4-10-07 @ 12:45 PM

Offline denbec

Re: trans-wyoming bike trip
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2009, 09:14:42 pm »
Hello all,  I'll be riding this route this summer and appreciate all the advice!  Thanks for taking the time to write all this up.

Dennis

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113308409966478718980.0004642c44ff67cc85ae5&ll=45.344424,-111.047058&spn=1.393762,2.304382&z=9