Quote Originally Posted by Flybye View Post
When you go on your ride, it will be nice not to have the traffic to contend with. If I am right, they close the park this weekend.
I don't think that I will ever ride in Yellowstone again if there is traffic. The shoulder was nice and wide, but the drop at the edge of the pavement was pretty steep. I had to watch both my left and my right VERY closely. I had a car pass me about every 3 minutes. Snowplows, huge trailers, cars, busses. It just wasn't as peaceful as it should have been. I get nervous when I realize that there is a very good chance that the drivers are looking for wildlife, not bikers on the shoulder.
When you go, are the stores open at Old Faithful? Eateries? Hotels?
The park closes to vehicle traffic in early November. October tends to be a 'quieter' time in the park. The past two years, the weather has been yukky for the ride, so I think that also helped to keep traffic at bay. September can still be busy in the park. I have ridden from Old Faithful to West Yellowstone in early June and July before and yes, the traffic can be scary as drivers are looking for 'wildlife' and not cyclists.

Old Faithful Inn is closed by the first weekend in October. The visitors center is open and there is one place still open where you can grab some food. There is a rest stop at Morris (I think it's Morris or Madison Junction), but it doesn't offer too much. There are limitations as to what the sponsors can provide because of it being a National Park. You are offered the choice of sagging into Old Faithful and riding back, riding to Old Faithful and sagging back, or riding to and from Old Faithful (60 miles total) I rode the latter in both years, but last year only made 45 miles before I was too cold and too wet to continue.

I am looking forward to my ride and I really do hope the weather is dry...even if it isn't I will ride some of it. But, I won't beat myself up if I choose to sag part of the way if the weather is too wet and cold. I have had some good accomplishments this year in my cycling (my first century, passing 2500 miles for the year), so I won't feel like I didn't accomplish a goal if the weather gets to me again this year. It took me awhile last year to feel ok about what I did ride, all those negative thoughts about not finishing. My sister was my sag last year. I had to change my clothes a number of times because I was so wet and cold. When you can no longer feel your extremities, it's time to make some adjustments. I am not sure if my sis will sag for me this year or not...she loves to fly fish and it is her chance to have fun in the park too.

I hope to remember my camera this year!!!