Why do they call it round the rock? This is basically a ride around the Teton massif in one day.
Bike of choice was Orbea Alma, clothes: ibex knee warmers, ibex arm warmers, Race Across Oregon jersey (536 mile, 43,000 ascent solo road race which I started today 2 yrs ago), Fitzgerald's bike shorts and Maui Jim sunnies, pack with 100 ounce bladder, coconut macaroons and GU roctane.
I started from my house at 730a, thermostat 40 degrees and headed on the hwy to the Moose Park Entrance. Cruised along for 60 miles on the inner park road to Flagg Staff Ranch where I refilled water bottles and made the stretch of 47 miles of gravel road to Ashton, ID. I had a great surprise from my husband and doggie to join me on Grassy Lake Road. Cora would run along side of me on the climbs then jump back in the car on the downhills. Andy and Cora stopped at Grassy Lake for a swim while I ventured down the road. Once I arrived Ashton I was out of water and needed water for the next 30 miles of rollers from Ashton to Tetonia. I refilled my water bladder, chowed down on Frito's, reapplied chamois butter and sunscreen. This next section was a major beat down for me with battling to keep my speed to get over the rollers. Riding a mountain bike on the road is so painfully slow. I was slowly cranking away the last few miles and I was happy to see HWY 33 to head me down the road for the last 9.5 miles to Driggs. My goal today was to pedal 10 hours and that's what I did and made it to Driggs with 3 minutes to spare for a picture on Ski Hill Road. Andy was a huge help today and I thank him for taking the time from his day to be there for me. I can't lie it was hard to do this ride after a big training block and racing on Saturday. I did enjoy the scenery and seeing my husband along the way was an added bonus.
Stats: 9hrs 57minutes, 140 miles & 4839 ascent.