Loop Through Dayton and Tongue River Canyon-Sheridan Gravel

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Sheridan, WY, US

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Route Overview

We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

54 mi.

2,730 ft.

This ride includes rolling terrain, punchy climbs, quiet countryside with big sweeping views of the Big Horn Mountains and the land that rolls eastward from its base.

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Route Details

This route starts in historic @photo[Downtown Sheridan, WY](15898839). The gravel on this ride is fairly well maintained, mostly firm and fast.

After leaving the downtown area, the route puts you on Rte 331. For the next 8.5-9 miles you will be on paved road. Be patient, there is a good shoulder the whole way out and not much traffic. You will also be facing the Big Horn Mountains for the entire stretch which is just a warmup for the amazing views that are yet to come once you hit the gravel in Beckton where you turn right off Rte 331 onto @point[Beckton Rd](d,16000.6).

As soon as you turn off Rte 331, the gravel fun begins. 
Here you will start a @photo[short 1 mile climb](15898844) with steep grades in the 10-12% range as you get closer to the top. The payoff when you get to the top of the climb makes it worth it as you will be rewarded with a @photo[panoramic view of the valley and the Big Horn Mountains](15898841).

For the next 10.5 miles, you will wind up and down @photo[the prairie hills](15898840) with several short and long punchy climbs until you reach the town of Dayton, WY. Here you will have an opportunity to fill up on water and snacks at the @photo[Dayton Mercantile](15902015) or convenience store at the gas station across the street.

Continue North through the town of Dayton. A few hundred yards after you cross over the Tongue River, @point[turn left onto River Rd](d,36564.9) which almost immediately changes its name to Tongue Canyon Rd. Follow this road along the Tongue River as far as it goes through the canyon and enjoy the amazing scenery all along the way. @photo[Photo of Tongue River Canyon](15898850)

The route takes you out of the canyon and back into the center of Dayton where you will turn left at the Mercantile and start making your way Southeast back to Sheridan. This also gives one last chance to fill up on water and snacks before completing the remaining 20 miles of the route.

After leaving the center of Dayton, the route takes you back onto rolling prairie with 3 short climbs for the remainder of the route. 
Photos of @photo[Wolf Creek Rd](15898843) and @photo[Soldier Creek Road](15898849)

**We Ride 4** - This route is part of a collection of three routes that were part of a 3-Day gravel adventure conducted by We Ride 4 for its Cycling Club Members. Click on this link to view a video capturing the 3 days of riding. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngLM0GqIU3o](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngLM0GqIU3o)

**Sheridan, WY** - Click on this link to view an extensive history of the town of Sheridan. [https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/sheridan-wyoming](http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/sheridan-wyoming)

**Dayton, WY** - Dayton was named in 1882 after Joe Dayton Thorne, one of the founding fathers of the community. The town has the distinction of electing the first female mayor in Wyoming, Susan Wissler. Wyoming's first rodeo was held here in the 1890s. Fertile land and abundant water attracted many ranchers and farmers to the area. Timber harvested in the mountains above Dayton was hewn into railroad ties and floated to Dayton and points beyond via a wooden flume, and the Dayton Flour Mill provided the first electric power in the area.World War II saw the community protected by an all-woman volunteer fire department. @photo[The Dayton Bell Tower](15902154), used to spot planes and sound fire alarms during the war, is now a town landmark located in Bicentennial Park. Ranching remains an important part of life in the Dayton area today.

Loop Through Dayton and Tongue River Canyon-Sheridan Gravel

Route Overview

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