Last week, one of our female guides (Rose Caiazzo – far left at bottom of photo) did a four-day road bike tour with a company called “Woman Tours” – the only all women’s bike tour company in America! There was much to see and do on this ride, which took place in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks . . .

Day one, we escorted the ladies through the West Yellowstone entrance – riding past baby eagles in their nest and massive buffalo lying on the sides of the road. The group then headed south, stopping leisurely to investigate the many geysers, bubbling pots and fumaroles within the park. Ending the day at Old Faithful Inn, the ladies marveled that no two eruptions from the famous Old Faithful geyser were alike! It was good to rest after riding 34 miles.

Day two started with an intense climb up Craig Pass and the Continental Divide. After a stop to refuel with a Cliff Bar and take a few photos at the top, the ladies headed down (some going 42 miles per hour!) and over to West Thumb geyser basin. It was amazing to see elk feeding in the hot spring area – as everyone carefully gave them plenty room so they could make their way back into the forest. Then, it was a fabulous picnic lunch put together by Woman Tours and a ride of rolling hills over to Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The view of the lake from a bicycle was absolutely beautiful! 39 miles made for a long day.

Day three was a shorter day of biking, as we began by hiking with the ladies in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A group picture was taken there and only a 19 mile ride from the hotel back to West Thumb gave everyone plenty of time to shuttle by van into Grand Teton National Park. One of the highlights of the day was witnessing a grizzly bear and her cub, sauntering across one of the buttes in Yellowstone!

Meeting the women bright and early for day four, it was a slow start due to the pouring rain – but most braved the weather and took the option to pedal from Jackson Lake Lodge into Moose. One of the nicest parts of the ride was the new bike path constructed from Jenny Lake to Moose. It was smooth riding! Then it was time for a relaxing lunch at Dornan’s, where there was some time to dry out before pressing on into Jackson to complete our 47 mile ride for the day. Breezing through Antelope Flats, the group was finally able to shed some clothing because the sun came out and it was blue sky all around!

After reaching their hotel in Jackson, everyone said their goodbyes to Teton Mountain Bike Tours. It was a fantastic trip, and the ladies were all smiles as they headed up to their rooms. Thanks Woman Tours, for visiting these National Parks with us and sharing some wonderful memories!

Teton Mountain Bike Tours is proud to announce the start of our very own blog!  It will be a place for information on bike trips, the guides we employ and some photography of the amazing terrain we encounter.  For a more in-depth look at Teton Mountain Bike Tours, you can check us out on our website at http://www.tetonmtbike.com

Teton Mountain Bike Tours was established in 1991 by David and Teresa Hunger, who had a passion for the outdoors and loved sharing it with others.  Before arriving in Jackson Hole, David worked in several retail stores while guiding outdoor programs for NOLS and Outward Bound.  David had earned a degree in Biology from the University of Oregon and was experienced in backpacking and climbing, but he was not fond of being away from home all the time.  He wanted to stay and enjoy the area in which he lived – the land of the Tetons!

David and Teresa thought more seriously about starting their own company when realizing a niche in the mountain biking world was not being filled.  They took a year to figure out the permits needed with the tours they would offer, and with about 10 RD Coyote Mountain Bikes (which had rigid forks, ie: no shocks!), they started their business from the ground up.  This husband and wife team did it all until 1995, when their continued success made it necessary to begin hiring professional outdoor guides to help with daily trips.

Since then, TMBT has been established as the valley’s premier mountain bike adventure company.  David and Teresa also have a son, Caleb (age 13), and a daughter, Amber (age 10).  Both enjoy biking and helping out dad when the season gets super busy (their son has been riding single-track since the age of 5!).  Teton Mountain Bike Tours also guides with other established groups as well, such as Backroads, Escape Adventure, Trek Travel, Western Spirits, Woman Tours and World Outdoors.

Years of remembering mountain biking trips instantly bring a smile to David’s face.  “My friends say I should write a book of the many memorable excursions I’ve taken people on.  It would be my take on the world of guiding families, executives, famous folk, and the like.  If I do write a book, it would be called, ‘Cogs, Whistles and Bells,” and it would be a hoot!”

Thanks David and Teresa, for 18 years of offering an excellent way to be active – while seeing and learning more about the unique characteristics of the Greater Teton and Yellowstone areas!