{"id":16363,"date":"2015-07-23T18:05:39","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T22:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=16363"},"modified":"2015-07-23T18:41:15","modified_gmt":"2015-07-23T22:41:15","slug":"day-12-wednesday-july-22-the-ranch-at-ucross-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=16363","title":{"rendered":"Day 12. Wednesday, July 22 – The Ranch at Ucross to Gillette, Wyoming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tough to pull away from the\u00a0beautiful ranch\"DSCN4267\"<\/a> this morning, but we had a long day ahead and needed to get underway. \u00a0Our pedal through “town” was dreadful,\"DSCN4269\"<\/a> considering the rush hour of this populous.<\/p>\n

We enjoyed the clear, crisp\u00a0morning as we pedaled past beautiful ranches.\"DSCN4272\"<\/a> \u00a0It took only an hour for the temperatures to rise 20 degrees from our 54\u00b0 start, but the air remained cool. \u00a0We followed\"IMG_0404\"<\/a> Clear Creek for a few miles,\"DSCN4290\"<\/a>past large farms;\"DSCN4302\"<\/a> crossed the Powder River\"DSCN4322\"<\/a> and the lush green from our first day in Wyoming was gone; stark barren hills was all we could see.\"DSCN4324\"<\/a> \u00a0The deer and antelope (photo hams) still remained and almost outnumbered the cattle.\"IMG_0416\"<\/a> \u00a0We did startle one family that took off running; it was amazing to watch their graceful speed as they put distance between us. \u00a0The first 20 miles was a delightful ride,\"IMG_0414\"<\/a> flat to almost downhill and still cool. \u00a0Then the rolling hills began, almost in stair-step fashion, never really a downhill, just more climbing.\"DSCN4334\"<\/a> \u00a0Ran across (not over) our first Live<\/em> Rattlesnake;\"IMG_0422\"<\/a> we hoped it was not an omen for the day. \u00a0We crept along, trying to find the beauty in our surroundings \"DSCN4327\"<\/a>as the thermometer climbed quickly. \u00a0At the halfway mark, we stopped for lunch at the Only place available between here and there.\"IMG_0440\"<\/a> \u00a0These two were friendlier and more accommodating \"DSCN4339\"<\/a>than the proprietors; guess that’s what happens when you know you are the only game in town. \u00a0As much as we were enjoying the air conditioning, we could not linger.<\/p>\n

By 1:00, the temperature gauge was in triple digits, an hour later it was 116\u00b0. \u00a0The temperature was climbing faster than we were.\u00a0 We longed for cloud cover or shade. \"DSCN4360\"<\/a>\u00a0In the distance, we saw a grouping of trees and pedaled for the shade we could rest in, this is what it was once we got there…\"DSCN4356\"<\/a>…pretty much the way we felt, too. \u00a0Stopping to rest was useless in the searing heat of the sun, any breeze was created by our<\/em> movement. \u00a0We were struggling; the heat was intense and it was sucking out\u00a0every bit of energy we had. \u00a0Our feet screamed to be released from the shoes that keep them locked to the bike. \u00a0Our last six miles was dreadful. \u00a0Industry filled the landscape\"DSCN4369\"<\/a> and trucks roared by tweaking our frayed nerves. \u00a0Ten and a half hours after leaving, we turned into our hotel, happy to have survived, albeit barely. \u00a0We were beyond exhausted and not the least bit hungry, but knew we needed the energy that food would (hopefully) provide. \u00a0Stumbled across the street to the nearest restaurant,\"DSCN4372\"<\/a> food \"DSCN4376\"<\/a>and drink (a margarita is hydrating, right?) slowly bringing us back to life. \u00a0It was the Best Mexican food we’d ever had. \u00a0Just under 82 miles, we were done<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\t\t