USNA 1973 Ride-2-Remember

Day 23, 26 August: Riverton to Casper, WY

Due to the absence of a location for an overnight stay between Riverton and Casper, we conducted a relay today. There were two teams that together covered the roughly 120 miles. One team (Doug and Tom) was driven out an hour before first light to the midpoint between Riverton and Casper. This team rode to Casper at first light. The second team (Bill, Dave and Ron) left directly from Riverton at first light and rode to the midpoint; they were then driven to the hotel in Casper.

Now that we have passed over the Continental Divide, we enter the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains at Casper, Wyoming. The Front Range runs North-South from Casper to Pueblo, Colorado. In a few days we should be saying goodbye to the mountains as we will be in the flat Great Plains.

On today’s ride into Casper we experienced plenty of wind and wind shifts. The day started in the mid 50 deg F and reached 80 deg F in the afternoon. Today’s ride was about a mile high in altitude all day.

As we approached Casper we were fortunate to get on a trail that took us along the North Platte River, as you can see in the picture below. This was the most peaceful and beautiful part of the ride.

When we all finally arrived at the Best Western Plus in Casper, we held quarters and remembered those classmates who did not graduate and had passed away.

Dinner was at the FireRock Steakhouse. Enjoyed a great dinner with a toast to our fallen classmates that we honored on today’s ride. Our evening was especially enjoyable because tomorrow is a well-deserved rest day from riding.

Tom Tesoriero