I have stayed in two different places in Medicine Bow:
- Stayed in motel named Trampas Lodge
- Camped in the town park

This was 2008 when I organized a mini-tour for cycling group from Loveland, CO. During the scouting trip, I cycled from Fort Collins, CO to Caspar and stayed in Trampas Lodge. Prior to our group trip I contacted town clerk from their web site prior to our trip to request permission to camp in the park. Our mini-cycling trip was a three day Laramie to Saratoga to Medicine Bow to Laramie loop.

Things may have changed since then but found Trampas lodge on the web: http://www.northernusavisitor.com/me...ow_wyoming.htm

Thanks for the heads-up on that, I was kinda worried that I'd be pretty much isolated from Casper to Laramie, so that makes me feel bettter.

Just out of curiosity, I checked for a rest area south of Casper. There is one about 42 miles north of Medicine Bow on Hwy 486. You know you can get water there, and may even camp there.

Perfect! Sounds like this trip is gonna happen! ;)

I would be concerned about your eyesight issues. As long as you think you can safely ride on roads with traffic most of the day for several days then I see no reason not to to it. But as always see your doc for a physical before setting out. If for anything a tetanus shot if you have not had one in 10 years.

I've been riding/commuting regularly for almost a year now, never had an issue with my vision so far. Most of it comes down to being aware of my surroundings, which I've gotten used to after 21 years of having less than 100 degrees of visual field :P

I strongly suggest this for everyone, some kind of good rear mirror, but perhaps even more if you have specific vision issues and perhaps less peripheral vision.
For anyone, using a mirror gives you advanced, accurate info of what's going on behind you without the need to turn your head. For over five years I've used the helmet mounted "Take a Look" model, it's flat mirror gives an excellent distortion free rear view and by turning your head slightly, you can change your view easily.

I did a bit of bike touring at your age, more or less without training or preparation, and I was (and am) by no means athletic. What I found, empirically, was 70/day was the most realistic goal, with a fully-loaded touring bike. If we went further one day, we wound up not going as far on the next. We also found it was far easier to break it up into an early morning ride and a late afternoon ride, avoiding the heat and peak UV.

Well, the folks weren't too excited about the idea of me going 250+ miles on a bike by myself, but hopefully I'll be able to bring them around. (They're worried about the crazy people we tend to accumulate here in WY for some reason, of course that's why I carry an M&P)

Tell them they have not seen crazy people till they have visited inner city LA. :) Tell them you gave up the bicycle tour and you are going to visit the inner city instead. They will insist you go on the bicycle tour.

Hah, I wish it was that easy. I don't think they grasp the idea that I'm doing this moreso for my own enjoyment, not because I "have" to. They were telling me that they'd drive allll the way out from Seattle just to pick me up, take me there, and then drive the 1600 miles back. Uh-uh, not making them do that.

Shilo, I rode to school my junior year, from Boston to Detroit. Very different from your ride. Much longer (800 miles) and far more options for stops/food/water/people. I rode and camped 5 days, stopped at a motel in Niagra Falls to shower and wash, then rode two hard days into the wind to Windsor Ontario.

My advice is to make your first day not so long. I find that I am better the second day and if I have done my homework (enough riding and good prep) by day three I am rolling and the miles come easy.

You will never regret this.

Ben

It is a parent's job to worry about their kids. If you have the time do a couple of overnighters, make some longer rides, and show them you are capable; it will not only build up your confidence, but could help allay some of your parents' concerns. Be sure to send them pictures!

Good luck.

The suggestion of keeping the first day distance to something like 40 of 50 miles is a good one, as well as doing some test weekends to get everything sorted.

Quick update: Talked to the parents again, and after explaining how I had planned out the trip so far (stopping at key points along the way, making sure I'll have enough water, staying close to civilization when possible) they still seem a little skeptical, but more accepting than before. So that's good?

Still haven't managed the trip to Lander (school/work getting in the way) but I did just over 20 miles two days ago with zero issues. Legs were quite sore the next day, but what else was I expecting? haha

Would you happen to know exactly where that rest area north of MB might be? I've been trying to find it on google maps and might have missed it.

Do a google search for "Shirley Rim Rest Area". Among your results will be one that gives GPS coordinates of the rest area. Use that in Google Maps.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/42...!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

Thanks a ton! Looks like I've got a route pretty much set at this point, now it's just a matter of figuring out what to bring.

I was doing search prior to reading mev's reply. While I was at it I did a street view of the rest aea. You might want to look at it. Unlike the rest area on highway 20, the one on 486 has a loop road going around the area. This might make it a little more challenging to camp there.