Day 18: Sula to Wisdom - 37 mi, 3,200 ft elevation gain

Today was an extra early start again, the idea being to beat not only the heat, but also the big trucks on our ride to Wisdom.

The Anticipation/Trepidation Scale was definitely tipping towards the Trepidation side as we all knew that we would be doing a 13.8-mile climb, without any reprieve, at a 4.4% grade and a 2900ft elevation gain on that climb alone!...followed by a 6-mile descent and then another 20 miles of rolling hills for another elevation gain of 500 ft. Not to mention the fact that we would be at an elevation of 7200 ft for the first time on our journey!

Half our group decided to get up and take off without breakfast, having just a quick energy bar and packing a lunch. The other half (myself included) made the smarter choice of having coffee and breakfast before setting off, plus packing a lunch.

Now I don’t know if you’ve ever done a long climb on a bike, but even if you start out together, the group inevitably spreads out, with each person going at his/her own pace. And just knowing that you’re going to be pedaling up that hill, for the next 2 hours minimum, is enough to wrestle with. It’s a mind game really. I eventually establish my rhythm and breathing and change gears to keep that pace constant. Then I go into a sort of zone, almost like a meditation…I’m aware of my surroundings, but not as connected as I might normally be. I stare at that line on the road and keep the mantra going…”Don’t look up!” You don’t want to see that next uphill curve disappearing around the bend…you might get discouraged…just keep pedaling…my backside hurts…next mantra…”burnin’, burnin’, burnin, keep those wheels a turnin” …you get the gist! Just keep your head down and pedal. I can’t tell you how many beetles I saw climbing that hill. And Sue saw a tarantula!

Suddenly someone is yelling at me from a passing truck and trailer…I come out of my revelry to the words, “You’re climbing pretty good for an old fart!” It’s Lesli, our trustee support person and chef extraordinaire, cheering me up the hill! I shout back, “Thanks, I needed that!” And off she roars, to check on the rest of our group. It’s always a comfort to know that if I really can’t make that next hill, I can rack my bike and hitch a ride up!

Well, I didn’t take that ride and eventually made it up the last bit to find Lesli waiting at the top with fresh water and snacks. What a life! The rest of the group had either already passed or were hot on my heals, so I joined up with Stephanie and Suzanne and continued up the last 1 mile to the actual summit, where we stopped to regroup with Pete, Betsy and Lauran, followed by an exhilarating 6-mile descent, where Lauran broke her personal record and clocked an impressive 35mph! (Suzanne had gone on ahead and probably hit at least 50mph – she’s a speed demon!)

The rest of the 20 miles was relatively easy, except for one short (by comparison) hill that we all agreed was “the longest hill we ever climbed!” I think we were getting a little tired by then! Luckily, there was Big Hole National Battlefield Visitor Center to rest at right after that climb. Those of us who went in were glad we did, but it was a sobering memorial to an Indian massacre that happened on that spot some 150 years ago. When will we ever learn that we all live on one big rock…and it’s up to us to take care of that rock and share it!  As the Native Americans say, “I am born of Mother Earth. The land it not mine to sell. It is my ancestors.”

Only 10 more miles to Wisdom! Yay! We arrive to find that Suzanne, Lesli and Sue have already had breakfast, but we are in time for lunch…another guiltless feast after another incredible day! Then we while away the time until our accommodations for the night are ready, by visiting the local lama farm, a little gift shop and finally the local Saloon for a beer.

Finally, our home is ready and we settle in for another amazing evening and meal at “Chez Leslie!”