I knew was going to be a difficult day right from the beginning. It included 3 climbs over 7000 feet and another over 6700 before reaching Dillon. Dillon was also over 100 miles away. The first of the 7000s was the most difficult because there was the most elevation climb. The second two were both over 7300 feet but the gain was not as great. The fourth climb, at 6700 feet, was the killer.
The day started with a 2812 foot elevation gain that was not the best way to start a day, but the sooner I did it the better. The road uphill was great with a passing lane so I never felt pressured or in harms way. After the first 7000 footer there was a mile wide saddle to tackle a second pass at over 7300 feet. Then it was a sweet downhill and slow uphill to Wisdom, MT and Jackson, MT. The area is just as pretty as the Tetons in Wyoming. It was 1:15 when I got into Jackson and still had 45 miles to go. Over the next 45 miles there were no services so a stop at Rosa’s Cafe for a BLT and chatting with two bikers and another cyclists. Right out of Jackson was the third and final climb up to 7400 feet. It was long straight climb because I was already starting at 6500 feet in Jackson. After Jackson it was a sweet downhill with virtually no traffic for 20 miles.
Then came the killer, after 82 miles I was at the base of the 6700 foot pass and going directly into a sustained head wind. It was by far the most difficult climb encountered to date because of the wind. At times the grades were over 6% but the headwinds made it worse. A few stops were needed along to the way to get some liquids and when I finally made it to the top it was a relief. It was all downhill to Dillion, just 18 miles away, however the downhill from the pass was treacherous. The winds that were formerly headwinds where now crosswinds and I was getting blown around the road. There was one time I thought I was going to get blown off and needed to slow down. I hate riding the brakes downhill.
At the bottom I crossed under I-15 and had an unexpected ride of 3 miles into Dillon. I had no more water and needed liquids badly. Finally I pulled to a gas station for gatorade which was consumed in moments. Tomorrow is an off day. I need it after riding 14 days straight and averaging 68 miles per day over that time.
Today’s states: total mileage 104.8 miles: average speed 11.4 mph; maximum speed 39.4 mph; elevation gain 5261 feet; and elevation loss 4432 feet.