ALCOVA TO ATLANTIC CITY – 140 miles

Top off your fuel tank in Alcova and stock up on food and drinks as the next stretch is 140 miles long and remote to say the least. Leaving Alcova you’ll ride 19 miles of Highway 220 before heading off-pavement for the remainder of that day. This is the beginning of the Beaver Rim section and it starts with easy riding on Dry Creek Road but don’t let that fool you. Follow the tracks and look for a BLM marker signaling the start of Beaver Rim Road #2401 (signage after that is unreliable). Thus begins the many miles of doubletrack that can be loose sand, round rocks, deep ruts, slippery puddles and everything in between. It’s a scenic and spectacularly fun riding challenge you’ll never forget. It is important to pay close attention to the track on this section as there are many private landowner parcels that the route skirts–stay on public land!

Save your energy as this will be a long day and you’ll need to stay focused on the track. There are many places to stop for photos when you reach the rim itself and continue along its rolling roads. If the daylight dwindles or your internal reserves run low there are a couple roads to bail on that will get you south to Highway 287. The main optional bail point is Ore Road which is near the center of Beaver Rim and takes you to Jeffrey City and a gas station which is occasionally open, but don’t count on it. Those who are desperate and find the station closed, can limp another 24 miles on highway 789 south to Muddy Gap.

After Ore Road you are pretty committed to completing this entire section. The going finally gets easier as you start heading southeast on wider roads. At the end of this grueling section you’ll be in historic Atlantic City (pop. 39). Stop into Miner’s Grubstake for a meal and drinks and stay at Miner’s Delight BnB. The owner, Bill, sells fuel here as well. Fuel is also available in nearby Lander.