Day 17

Over the last couple of weeks I've set several personal mileage records for distance pedaled.  Todays ride of 112 miles from Sheridan to Gillette, Wyoming will probably last for awhile. 

The views during the first 50 miles were breathtaking.  Sheridan is located on the east slope of the Big Horn Mountains within a valley that is well-protected from the winds that blow steadily around northeast Wyoming.
The first half of the ride meanders through ranching and agricultural valley that look cut from a postcard.  About 30 miles into the ride we went by the Ucross artist colony that is comprised of a 20,000 acre working ranch.  Artist are specially selected for residency and pay something like $7500/month for residency at this inspirational setting.  Supposedly the recent bestseller and upcoming chick-flick, "Eat, Pray, Love" was written there.

Roughly halfway between Sheridan and Gillette the scenery transitions from the pastoral agricultural valleys to high plains dotted with antelope and mule deer.  At the 75 mile mark is a funky little bar/store known as the Spotted Horse.   It's called that because, literally, there is a statue of a spotted horse outside.

The remainder of the ride depicted a gentle, but steady, move from agriculture to the energy business.  Gillette calls itself the "Energy Capital of the Nation" for good reason.  The region couples some of the world's largest coal deposits with additional natural gas and oil production.

I lived in Gillette for two years and worked as an engineer at the largest producing mine in the area.  I was here during the energy boom that occurred in late 70's and early 80's.  There was a secondary boom in the late 90's when a peppering of coal-bed methane extraction wells and compressor stations were installed.

Gillette is struggling to become a livable city but still has an all-business look.  The ride into the city is not pretty, and is dotted with coal mining pits, oil field supply houses, equipment dealers and strip malls.

We slept in a downtown park.  An old buddy and former co-worker, Reed Bard, picked me up and took me out for some burgers and beers at a local joint.  Although we only worked together for a couple of years I still consider Reed a close friend and really enjoyed my time with him.  I've been lucky to have visitors at several stops along the Big Ride so far.  Unfortunately, my luck runs out in that regard until I see my wife in Madison a couple of weeks from now.