Day 28: Rawlins - Rest Day |
| After yesterday's marathon ride I expected to have a sleep in but I was
awake farily early. I was pleasantly surprised to have no aches or pains as a legacy; the
advantage to having my cycling fitness up. I was advised to have breakfast across the street and I was not disappointed. I was ravenous and the three huge pancakes only partially filled the hole. In fact, throughout the day I had an insatiable urge to eat. That was OK. I'd earned it ... My main objective of getting to Rawlins early was to replaced my bike rack. Unfortunately, the bike shop was closed. I looked through the window and saw that they had what I wanted but there was no indication when it would be open. Hunting season has started, as evidenced by the number of signs out 'we welcome hunters' and one local suggested that it was possible they are out hunting. I decided to search out alternatives -- specifically a welding shop that could handle aluminium -- so off I cycled. The Wyoming wind was as strong as ever and I laboured to make any headway. What a place to live; these winds are the rule rather than the exception. I was sorry to find that there were few redeeming features to Rawlins. In fact, the main (only?) tourist attraction is the old Wyoming State Penitentiary. It closed 20 years ago after having hosted prisoners for about 80+ years. As part of the tour one can even visit the old gas chamber. I decided to pass on this 'attraction', although I had to admit that the Victorian building was attractive. There was also a small graveyard next to the prison with uniform headstones. One can only assume that they were the prisonsers who didn't make it out. After cycling the length of town I stopeed at a petrol station for a drink. Karen was most helpful and she tried calling the bike shop to see if it was open and called a friend to see if they knew the home number of the owner. Rawlins is, after all, a small town. Unfortunately, no luck there so I returned towards town, at least this time with a tail wind. On the way I passed a welding supply shop so I stopped and got directions to a company who could do aluminium welding. There was only one in town but they were certain they could help. Good to know that there is a fallback if I can't purchase a new rack. The town had all the signs of a place in decay; lots of empty shops. I was keen to find a book shop and found a Christian bookshop, which also sold computers. A strange combination in one sense, but the owner John said that both deal with information. He also said that one does what one needs to in order to survive. His colleague Bob came in and for the next few hours I enjoyed a wide ranging discussion on religious issues. It was great to share with, and learn from, other Christians. I was even able to discuss a computer problem with them. John shared a delicious watermellon for lunch. After lunch he tracked down the honer of the second bike shop in town and drove me over to get a rack. Todd was 85 years old, but didn't look over 70. He had 'retired' but still had a bike shop with a lot of gear in it. I purchased a rack, but it isn't perfect for my bike and I'll still try the other bike shop tomorrow. John bought a couple of tyres for his wife. He said that Todd's prices are half those of the other shop. No surprise; I suspect he is just running down what inventory he has left. When we returned to the shop my phone rang and it was Sean who was in town having a meal. We arranged to meet at the McDonalds which was near the hotel. After Sean had something to eat, and I indulged in an ice cream, we went over to the local Greyound agent where Sean checked out bus options to Denver. We went to the hotel and I worked on my bike. We later went for dinner but the restaurant had nothing for me so I went next door for Mexican. Life's tough for vegetarians in this part of the world! |