Good Eats/Sound Sleeps

1, Hassayampa River, Phone: 520-684-3252) The combina- tion of homemade ice cream and baked goods is nothing Ice Cream, Donuts short of magnetic for those traveling by bike, and the group’s serendipitous arrival on a Friday afternoon was per- fectly timed. The women had just finished 61 miles uphill, and Candy against the wind, and were ready for a break! The Chaparral is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on week- days, and until 7 p.m. on weekends. And get this — they Oases on the TransAm and have candy and gifts now, in addition to the ice cream and baked goods. Ice cream, baked goods and candy? We're just Southern Tier routes waiting for the tent sites out back. For breakfast, Stelly's Restaurant a.k.a. Stella's Starlight By Maureen Taylor Café in Lebeau, Louisiana, provided the winning grits, pan- cakes, bacon and sausage, in the presence of stuffed alliga- tors on the walls, a vintage Coke collection, and a 135 lb. udging from the mail we've received after the inaugur- preserved snapping turtle. (See California to Florida, Sec- al column, eating takes precedence over sleeping on tion 5, Map 75 Thistlewait, Phone: 337-623-4458) any bike tour. And even when we are sleeping, we're Nestled against the foothills of the Wind River Moun- dreaming of food. tains on the banks of the Popo Agie River, Lander, JConsider this single day’s food entry from the diary of Wyoming offers a retreat from what can sometimes be a cyclist Susan Roberts: “ long stretch of wind and heat between Muddy Gap and (Had) oatmeal with banana and a scoop of protein pow- Dubois on the TransAmerica Trail. Rest your weary head der, Gatorade, a Cliff Bar, one huge pancake, grits, biscuit under the cottonwood trees on the grassy, flat grounds of the Lander Public Park on the west side of town (TransAm Sec- tion 5, Map 55 Lander). The park, with picnic tables and a lawn resembling a golf course (with no surprise pop-up sprinkler heads, or goose-poops!), welcomes visitors all summer long. You might even catch the locals playing a night game in the adjoining B.T. McManus fields. And if a swim in the refreshing Popo Agie doesn't wash off enough road dirt, showers are available a mile away at the Lander high school poolhouse for a nominal donation. The bathrooms are open 24 hours a day. Between the Mountain Man Rendezvous the 2nd week- end in June, the Pioneer Days Parade and Rodeo held every July 4th, the International Climbers Festival held the 2nd weekend in July, and various other fairs and rodeos held throughout the summer, this park can sometimes be crowd- ed on the weekends. Nevertheless, there's always room for a bike and tent in one of the most hospitable towns in the west! Best of all, it's free. You can stay for days, and with PHOTO BYPHOTO SUSAN ROBERTS all the money you save, you can spend it in town on what's really important — more FOOD! Thanks again to Susan Roberts for this issue's sugges- The Chapar- with butter and jam, bacon, two eggs, sausage, coffee, o.j., tion. ral Ice Cream more Gatorade, a pb&j sandwich, a Kudo, a beef and & Bakery cheese sandwich, large curly fries, a jamoca shake, a hot We need your submissions for Good Eats/Sound Shop in fudge sundae, margaritas and the hotel dinner buffet!” Sleeps. Send them to Maureen Taylor via email at: moet66 Wickenburg, Susan Roberts and her 27 companions traveled with Arizona @hotmail.com or mail your contributions to PO Box 1177 Woman's Tours from March to May in 1999, riding from Nederland, CO 80466. (Please indicate if pictures or slides offers South- San Diego to Florida on the Southern Tier route. This viva- ern Tier rid- are copies or to be returned.) ● ers all the cious group of women, all over the age of 50 with several comforts, breast cancer survivors in the group, rode for the National and tempta- Breast Cancer Coalition. Susan explained that since she Adventure Cycling member Maureen Taylor is waiting to hear tions, of rarely slept soundly, she just focused on eating! about your favorite place to eat or sleep along Adventure home. The group chose the Chaparral Ice Cream & Bakery Cycling’s Bicycle Route Network. Shop in Wickenburg, Arizona as the best ice cream stop of the trip. (See California to Florida route, Map 13, Section

Adventure Cyclist • April 2000