Meet in Cody, Wyoming, named for “Buffalo Bill” William Frederick Cody. We begin with a shuttle (~45min) to the tiny town of Burlington, Wyoming where we saddle up and follow the winding Bighorn and Nowood Rivers east toward Ten Sleep in the western foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. Historically, Ten Sleep was an important camp. It was the midway point between Sioux camps on the Platte River to the south and the northern camps near Bridger, Montana. The journey was “ten sleeps” (nights) from either. There is a small Pioneer Museum for those who want learn more about the history of the town and area. Stay at the Carter Inn.

Ride west toward Yellowstone National Park today on the Beartooth Scenic Byway through Custer-Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests. American journalist Charles Kuralt called this “…the most beautiful drive in America,” and we are not going to argue. We consider this stage both the literal and figurative high-point of the tour, topping out at almost 11,000 feet! Shoshone National Forest has virtually all the original animal and plant species that were there when white explorers such as John Colter and Jim Bridger first visited the region. The forest is home to grizzly and black bear, cougar, moose, tens of thousands of elk as well as the largest herd of bighorn sheep in the U.S. The streams in the forest are considered to have some of the best game species fishing opportunities in the U.S. including Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Spend tonight at the Alpine Motel in Cooke City, Montana.

After breakfast in Cooke City, we hop back on our bikes to ride the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway back to Cody, where our journey began. Following a climb to the overlook at Dead Indian Hill, it’s time to head down: 4,800 ft of climbing is followed by 6,300 ft of terrifically fun downhill. Finish off the week with a celebratory toast! If you’re staying on for an extra night, take time to check out the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and relive some of the highlights of your adventure.

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