What can I say about this day’s journey from Columbus to Lovell? Hmm, well the Super 8 motel in Columbus has amazing air conditioning and I slept so well. I kept the shade down to obstruct the view of parked semis and cooled off from the day’s heat.
Our ride started with rolling terrain, a lot of horse pastures and hay fields. Then we headed south right into the wind for most of the day. The heat rose to 91 and it was a slog. We polled people at rest stop #3, “ what does this landscape remind you of?” Desolate, Martian, desert. Enough said.
All day I was preoccupied with tomorrow’s climb up into the Big Horns. It’s long, and a lot of climbing. I realize I’m not a strong climber and accepting of it too. I don’t see that mountain and get a thrill of kicking ass and conquering! (Insert chest beating GIF here) Nope. It’s like labor, remember Lolo? I’m fearful of a repeat of the Colorado ride where I was climbing in heat for miles and miles at altitude and got really sick. I want this ride to be fun and fulfilling and not more of a “sufferfest” than it already is. So, strategy is to start the day and get to second van stop. From there a ride to the top or check in on how it’s going.
Time to sleep!
