Beautiful cool morning for the climb on bike to Bruce's Bridge. The bike route starts relatively easy, then a gradual climb through pasture land and small ranches until you enter Sinks Canyon and the State park and the National Forest. The canyon is beautiful and I passed "The Rise" of the Popo Agie River and "The Sink" the locations where the river emerges from the limestone and the place where the river disappears. Sept 6th happened to be round up day on public grazing land so dodging cattle on the road was required. Upon reaching Bruce's Bridge parking lot there is a bridge to the right (Bruce's Bridge) and to the left of that a flat area where I locked my bike to a tree. Once secure, I crossed Bruce's Bridge and proceeded up the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie Trail. There are numerous spurs (The Cattle Bypass and The falls Trail) so paying attention is important. The run up was pretty much elevation gain and minor switchbacks but absolute stunning views and constant perspectives of the river. 6 miles in you reach a sign that delineates the Sheep Bridge Trail. At that point, turn left and in .1 mile you hit Sheep Bridge. Sheep Bridge crosses the Popo Agie so do not continue to the other side. Snapped a few photos (Embedded in Strava files) and reversed course for 6.1 miles back to Bruce's Bridge. The decent was very pleasant and quick. I reached Bruce's Bridge and remounted my bike for a very rapid decent of Sinks Canyon and returned to the Noble Hotel. Total time of 5:29.
Overall a very pleasant day working on a challenge that I think will be re-done by many other individuals and my time smashed substantially.
Everything for the run of this route was carried by me (H2O, food, etc) I did not require a resupply.
Safety:
1. There is no cell phone coverage in many parts of Sinks Canyon and the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie Trail. I recommend a Garmin InReach
2. There is substantial black bear activity in the area and scattered and infrequent grizzly bear activity. Bear Spray is highly recommended.
3. Sinks Canyon Road is a very bike friendly road but a strobe is recommended.