Motel Confirmations

All,
. . I have added our booking of rooms outside the parks on our Spreadsheet ARRANGEMENTS.  You can find it in the right sidebar.  Included are the confirmation numbers.  I don't have them all.  In Driggs I made those arrangements via telephone operator (she didn't give the CNs to me but sent each of you a confirming email) and in Jackson I missed printing the Sep 14 night for Ben.
. . Please verify that you have received a confirmation by email for all motels except Rankin.  That one was also done over the phone with the owner who did not require your CC.  I "held" all the Rankin under my CC. He'll transfer them to you cards when we arrive. (FYI: there is some big bike ride the week after our stay and he, at first, thought I was one of them.)
. . If you send me the missing Confirmation Codes (as noted above) I will add them to the ARRANGEMENTS spreadsheet.  Regarding security, most places will still require you to show the CC under which it was booked.  For those of you with multiple CCs, don't forget to bring the one for these bookings.
. . We still have to assign Ben & Anne to the Park cabins whose occupants have since cancelled.  Bruce made those bookings and asked the people not to cancel their rooms, so he should coordinate those transfers.  Park units have already charged everyone's CC.
. . Lastly, I requested Senior/AARP rates where they were available (so bring your AARP cards).  I also couldn't get everyone the identical rooms.  It is kind of the luck of the draw. I got either Kings or Queens and I had to upgrade Dave (last one as I was booking) one night in Jackson.
. . Lastly, Lastly, I can't vouch for these selections.  As you know, stuff in this resort area is very expensive.  I spent many hours searching for AVERAGE quality lodging that did not bust your travel budgets.  Cross your fingers.  Some motels have cancellation fees.  Those that do not, I marked NCF in my previous motel post.

Rooms Outside the Park Are Booked

All outside the park rooms are booked.  I'll fill in the details later.

JACKSON HOLE
	Elk Refuge		(307) 200 4732		www.elkrefugeinn.net			CF $25
		Friday, Sep 5, 2014		BOOKED	$170.00
		Sunday Sep 14, 2014		BOOKED	$170.00
Colter Bay			Saturday, Sep 6, 2014
Yellowstone Lake			Sunday, Sep 7, 2014
Mammouth			Monday, Sep 8, 2014
Old Faithful			Tuesday, Sep 9, 2014
WEST YELLOWSTONE
	Al Westward HO							CF 10%
		Wed, Sep 10, 2014		BOOKED	$142.00
		Thu, Sep 11, 2014		BOOKED	$142.00
ASHTON
	Rankin Motel		(208) 652-3570		www.rankinmotel.com			NCF
			(208) 232-8496
		Friday, Sep 12, 2014		BOOKED	$75.60
DRIGGS								NCF
	Super 8 Motel			1-800-916-4526
		Saturday, Sep 13,2014		BOOKED	$100.11

Thanks for the invite, but we're late to the party!!

And greetings to the group!

Bruce called last night to ask about our plans--we're in!  Anne and I have no big bicycle rides lined up for 2014 yet and have been on a waiting list for hiking the back-country of Yosemite in August too long to think that we'll make the cut, so a ride around Yellowstone fits nicely--Thanks again for including us.

Do I owe someone for a room reservation?  After reading all the sequential blogs, seems like last October was the time to make plans!  At this late date, doubt that we could find accommodations on our own, so we'll count on your having already done the real leg work. But let me know.

At this point, we're planning on having a car in Colorado late August so should be able to make the jumping off point without problems--2 sons living in Golden with Colorado girls that ain't coming home, so we make an annual trip out and usually ride bikes while there.  BikeTourColorado has been a past trip.

So in the meantime, everyone should stay healthy, rubber side down, and no dogs.
Ben

WYOMING PATHWAYS

LINK TO FACEBOOK PAGE

Riding at Altitude

. . I have a new neighbor.  He is a mountain biker who has ridden off-road from the Canadian border to Mexico and routinely mountain bikes in Colorado.  I brought this link up to get an idea as to what he might do.  However, the important aspect is he has lots of experience riding at altitudes that we'll find in Wyoming.  So I asked him for advice.
. . He told me that he has a regimen that he follows.  The two most important parts of it is 1) he starts taking ginkgo biloba (80-120 mg/day) a couple of weeks prior to the ride, and 2) he drinks lots of water.  I paid especial attention to the water because that has always been my nemesis.  He did not warn of any serious experiences that he had.
. . The primary benefit of gingko is that it improves blood flow to the brain, which translates to more oxygen to the brain in these thin atmospheres and prevents against hypoxia (which can develop at altitudes over 5000 feet).  Here's a link to WebMD regarding gingko. 
. . Most people underestimate their water needs, because at altitude perspiration is not obvious and signs of loss are not obvious.I have heard that dehydration is a common altitude problem.
. . Then there are the obvious recommendations of acclimating at least 2 days at altitude and avoiding alcohol.
. . Altitude sensitivity is a personal thing.  I have skied and hiked at 11,000 feet with no noticeable effects of altitude, but I planned to be cautious because that was done before I had to make routine visits to a cardiologist.

Changes to Route, Lodging, and Schedule

. . Because the last day was requiring a nearly 6000 feet of climbing and 71 mile of pedaling, I have broken it up into two days.  On the first day of the split we will ride from Ashton to Driggs and spend the night.  Finding a reasonably price motel in this area was not easy, but I found a Super 8.  Then we ride OVER THE MOUNTAIN (not kidding) to nearly 9000 feet to Jackson.
. . If your schedule does not permit the extra day, one of the SAG vehicles will take you down the mountain to Jackson which only a half-hour away from Driggs.
. . We also have the option of ending the ride in Driggs, avoiding the BIG climb, and ferrying everyone to Jackson.  THINK ABOUT IT and let's decide in the next couple of days.
. . The other thing I was also finding was everything being sold out. Once everyone is comfortable with the new plan, we should probably book rooms.  Warning: some of the suggested stays have cancellation fees.  Sorry, I appears to be a "seller's market." So we all need to be sure of the plan/commitment before booking.
. . We have one other couple (Ben and Anne Cowan) considering on joining us.  We'll know by Jan 16'th.  We should probably make that our reservation booking day.

Bicycle Rules for Grand Tetons

Click here for a copy of rules for bicycling in Grand Teton National Park. Whereas bicycles may use multi-use pathways, such as the one from Jackson to Jenny Lake, the may not ride on trails.  These are for the exclusive use of pedestrians. The nice trails that skirt Jenny Lake are off limits to bicycles.
Note the one-way entrance to Jenny lake Road.  This not how I have mapped the ride.  Bob and I discussed this issue earlier.  I commented that we can decide when we are on the road if we want to add the Jenny Lake Road to our ride.  It would add about 7 miles to that first days ride.  The ride is almost flat and it may not be a big deal.  We can decide based on how well all have acclimated to the altitude.

Ashton to Tetonia Trail

Here is information about the Ashton-Tetonia Trail.  It has gravel surface that is not-suitable for road bikes.

The Ashton-Tetonia Trail ( Here is Trail Map ) officially opened in 2010 and extends nearly 30 miles between the towns of Ashton and Tetonia, Idaho. The trail occupies an abandoned rail spur once operated by Union Pacific (the Oregon Short Line). The trail includes five bridges and restored rail trestles. The gravel trail is managed by State of Idaho Parks and Recreation and is open to snowmobiles in winter when there is enough snow to groom the trail.

Mountain bikers and hikers might want to go from Ashton to Tetonia so that you can enjoy views of the Teton Moutains; however, this is slighly uphill (only 800 feet elevation gain over the course of the trail).

There's a 1.4-mile detour off the main rail line in the France-Drummond area in Fremont County to skirt private property where access has been denied. Take County Road 4400 E. (gravel road at Rt. 32) north to County 700 N. (2-track dirt) then head west to pick up the trail again. Note the snowmobile route takes a different detour in the Drummond-France area than non-motorized users.

URGENT - Route Change

. . I am having a lot of trouble finding reasonable lodging in the Ashton area.  Also, the ride to to/from Ashton are our two longest days with 65 and 71 miles each day (at elevation). 
. . Originally, I was trying to keep the ride to eight days, mainly to make it more attractive to those trying to fit it into the work-week.  But that does not seem to be a big issue with the current group.  I want to add a day ending at Island Park where there are lots of alternative for lodging and then ride to Diggs where we again have lots of lodging alternatives.  That would give us three days of about 45 miles of pedaling instead of two days with with the 65 and 71. 
. . If the added day is a problem, we can eliminate the extra-day in West Yellowstone. 

Please comment ASAP to we can confirm the route and 

make lodging reservations outside of the parks.

Reservations Outside the Park

. . I made a initial stab at suggesting lodging outside the park.  For the most part selections are expensive and have significant cancellation fees.  I have listed a first pass recommendation on the Lodging page of this blog.  Please review and tell me what you think.  I picked some that are reasonable in price, but see if something else strikes your fancy 
. . Ashton is the one destination that does not have much from which to pick.  We probably ought to book these places before the end of January to avoid getting stuck with the "big bill" rooms.  Please post your comments to this post rather than sending emails back and forth.

Bob and Ed CANCEL

Hi everyone,

. . This is to let you know that I’m withdrawing from the bike tour, for family reasons.

. . I had intended to carry on down the road for a few days after Yellowstone and have accumulated information such as maps, cue sheets, accommodation bookings etc.  If you or anyone you know is interested in continuing this second leg of riding in my absence, please get in touch and I’ll pass on the material in electronic format.

. . Tom, many thanks for the chance to participate with your group in the Yellowstone ride.  I hope you and the rest of the FOGBees have a whale of a time and wish you all safe cycling.

Bob  

Bob,

Sorry to hear that but it may be just as well for me. My son wants to go backpacking in Glacier and I don't think I can swing both trips and although I hear you are a great fellow, I'd opt for family. Unless Tom has need for the rooms, go ahead and cancel and let me know what I owe you. Perhaps another time. 

Ed

Bob Makes Jackson Motel Reservations

Tom,
. . I’ve reserved a room(2QB) at Motel 6 for Thursday 4^th and Friday 5^th  September; the property is only two-tenths of a mile away from the Elk Refuge Inn so, as you say, a gathering of the clans should present no logistical problem. Cancellation is free on the usual terms, in case I don’t get preferred airline connections. 
. . In any event, I should be able to ‘on-sell’ accommodation to Ed for the Friday night, at one-quarter the nominal cost, i.e., $65. I’ll contact Pat and suggest she make a choice for herself and Linda, between Motel 6 and the Elk.
. . I’ve assumed Bruce and Wilma will want to follow you and David, in joint couples arrangements, to keep the ladies together.
. . Have you decided whether to stay in Jackson on Saturday, 13^th September, or leave for Hendersonville, immediately after the cycling finishes that day?
Bob