Day Seventeen – Lovell to Sheridan

Admittedly, I’m a day late in writing and posting about the ride on Day 18, but it makes it no less impactful for me, and no less of an amazing experience.

Today’s ride was another century ride, but one we’d known was coming since the moment we signed up for the overall trip. Well, maybe not that early – but as we begin to receive updates and information regarding our route, we could see the daily distance and elevation profiles. Today’s ride was to be perhaps the most challenging of all the days we would be riding. The day itself is a century ride – meaning 100 miles (sadly, not a metric century which is roughly 62 miles and 100 kilometers). That in and of itself is a challenge. We will be doing those back-to-back, but the ride on day eighteen also includes a sizable climb of roughly 20 miles along which you will gain an altitude of 6000 feet.

I had been somewhat apprehensive after my challenging climb early on in the ride on day four where I faced a nasty climbing challenging towards the end of the ride into Condon. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to overcome similar climbing challenges and believe that my focus on the four elements – rest, pacing, fuel, and hydration – had changed my overall experience on a day-to-day basis. I knew about the rest and pacing, and – in theory – knew about the fueling and hydration but wasn’t putting into practice my habits from my training rides. In fact, I hadn’t done that with the pacing either. Once I had the epiphany of these four simple elements and figured out the combination that worked for me, my overall experience on the ride improved. I was able to tap into my strength that I’d built during my training and was finding the sweet spot and rhythm for my climbs. While they were challenging, they weren’t crushing me. I watched my heart rate on my climbs and rarely did I go above 140-145. Keeping my heart rate in a reasonable range made the rest manageable. 

What I have also focused on in the last few weeks is the mental aspect of the ride. It is easy to look at the distance, elevation, weather – or any other element of the ride and feel defeated even before you clip into your shoes. I knew that applying the power of a positive mindset would be critical to making it through the tough moments. I have been emphatic about keeping my thoughts positive and focusing on what I’ve already achieved to ensure I know that what is coming is also achievable.

We have a WhatsApp group for the ride where we share photos, videos and other communications. As a sidenote, I’m grateful for all the photos from our stronger riders because I don’t often feel I can stop to capture some of the wonderful things we are blessed to see along the way. 

In any event, there had been a post in the group a few days ago regarding today’s climb suggesting that we had been undersold on how difficult it would be. Admittedly, I found myself frustrated to see this post and, while I don’t believe there was any malintent by the poster, it wasn’t helping anyone. I immediately chimed in with a photo of the ‘Believe’ sign from Ted Lasso and said, ‘Believe you can, and you will.’ Jokingly, I noted ‘Don’t make me bring out the David Goggins memes.’ But I wanted to immediately crush the idea that anyone who had done their training homework couldn’t do this climb. Would it be challenging? Yes. Would it be painful? Yes. Would it be a long uncomfortable experience? Yes. But was it possible? Yes. And would it be over by lunch? Yes.

We got up early that morning and followed our instructions from the night before. Our bags were to be ready for the van by 5:15 and we would leave for breakfast at 5:30 am. A second wave of riders would do the same shortly thereafter so as to not overwhelm the small restaurant where the 27 of us would be eating.

After breakfast, we had the opportunity to stop at the hotel on the way out of town for a restroom break before we made our way to the mountain. Since it was in the mid-30s and dark when we set out to breakfast, some of us took advantage of the opportunity to grab another layer or two for the first leg of the ride out of town.

We rode across the beautiful flat foothills next to the mountains. We watched the sunrise over the mountain as it invited us in to experience the challenges it had waiting for us. Our first rest stop was just as the climb began around mile 16.5 – it was a gradual and gentle beginning. We shed several layers because the temperature had warmed nearly ten degrees, and we knew that we would be moving slowly and sweat on the climb. 

We rode and talked as we set out of the rest stop. The early section of the climb was forgiving and allowed for us to visit as we made our way up the pass. Very quickly, that changed. Our second rest stop was at mile 24.8 and the climb between the two points had grown steep and, in some places, long. During this phase we climbed mostly switch-backs up the side of the mountain facing the valley below. There were barrier walls to the valley below and steep walls of rock above. I arrived at the second rest stop feeling good, but tired. While I hadn’t studied the elevation maps, I had heard from someone that the climb was really three climbs. One fairly long, but easier section at the beginning with a few punchy steep grades. The second section was the toughest with the steepest grades but was also the shortest. The third section was also longer but had some stretches of relief punctuated by long gentle climbs as well as steep grades.

One of the fellow riders, Dave, arrived at the second stop just after I did. We set out together to head to the third rest stop at mile 29.4 – less than five miles ahead. Normally, our rest stops are roughly 20 miles apart. The fact that we had four rest stops between miles 16.5 and mile 38 – a nearly 20-mile stretch – tells you all you need to know about what we faced.

Dave and I climbed together. This was unusual, because most people find their own pace and rhythm to what works for them. The men, also, tend to be stronger and more capable of climbing more quickly because of more muscle mass. I think I had some advantage on this climb because I do have leg strength but am also fairly light having lost 20 pounds between last October and January and keeping it off. I’ve likely lost a few pounds since the start of the ride which makes less of me to carry up the mountain.

Dave and I barely spoke a word through the climb as we maintained our focus with me out in front and him behind. At one point, we did hit a flat section of relief, and I asked if we could stop so I could do up my jacket because I’d been cold on the mini descent we just encountered. It was the only non-rest-stop we took. The photos we took at this break are included in the gallery. It was a spectacular view of the valley below and worth the 2-minute stop. Of course, as soon as we set off again, we were faced with more steep climbs, and I got hot again wearing my jacket. Can’t win!

As we arrived at the third rest-stop we realized that the worst was behind us. We were greeted with cheers and high fives from the guides, as well as the other riders who had opted out of the climb and would pick up the ride at the summit and ride downhill. That, by the way, was perfectly acceptable for those who chose that option. Not everyone on this trip feels compelled to ride every pedal stroke across the country, and that’s absolutely okay.

Dave and I enjoyed our brief break refilling our water bottles and consuming some fuel. My fuel, of course, was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This had become my fuel of choice, and I ate four sandwiches on the way up the climb. It sounds like a lot but remember – we were climbing 6000 feet in elevation over 20 miles and would be climbing for roughly 3 hours. On this climb, the average pace was roughly 6 miles per hour. It takes a while to go 20 miles at that pace.

One thing to note is that as you climb, you also hit serious elevation at 6000 feet meaning that you are also consuming less oxygen. Your body needs to work harder because it doesn’t have sea level oxygen coming into your lungs. While we don’t start the climb at sea level, it is still significant to go from roughly 3000 feet in elevation to 9000 feet in elevation on this climb. 

Once we were sufficiently fueled and had enough water, we set out again to finish the last stretch. We knew the worst was behind us, but did our legs have what we needed to carry us the remaining 8 miles. This was key. Coming in, I thought we had 5 miles left in the climb but was reminded it was actually 8. That had the ability to be mentally defeating, but I told myself I had done the hard part and while the rest would be long, it wasn’t going to present the same unrelenting climbs we had during the last 5 miles. 

There were a few steep climbs in the last 8 miles, but they were punctuated by stretches of low-grade elevation relief. We pedaled and pedaled and pedaled our way up the remaining section of the pass and finally came around a corner to the summit where we saw the van waiting for us with more hydration and fuel. The van was parked next to the sign showing the elevation of 9430 feet. In addition to eating and drinking and resting our legs, we took photos of ourselves with the sign.

I did it. I did it. I did it.

I was giddy. I couldn’t believe it. After a short break, we set out again to enjoy the descent to lunch. It was beautiful. It was a tremendous gift for all the hard work we had put forth in the morning. 

Nothing, however, could prepare us for the amazing 17-mile 9% grade descent coming off the mountain after lunch. We flew down the switchback roads back and forth across the side of the mountain along the valley on the other side where we would make our way to Sheridan.

Along the way, we spotted someone at a pull-out on the side of the road ready to launch themselves off the side of the mountain with a hang-glider. It was amazing to watch as they stepped off the edge and floated gracefully down around the valley catching puffs of wind along the way. What a gift!

We arrived in Sheridan late afternoon. I was tired but elated at my achievement of riding over the pass. We stayed at a lovely historic inn, and when our rooms were ready – I found that my room had a gorgeous and inviting claw-foot tub. After collecting my luggage and bringing my bike to my room, I immediately drew a bath and enjoyed my Athletic NA Beer and a bag of Lay’s Original potato chips while soaking in the luxurious tub into which I had poured the lavender Epsom salts provided. It was a much-needed relief and moment of self-care.

Before leaving for dinner, one of the couples had bought champagne to celebrate our day, but also for us to toast friends of theirs that were to be married. It was a nice touch before heading to the restaurant next door for dinner.

We had a yummy and filling meal – heavy on the protein. Our table of four decided that we weren’t quite done and enjoyed sharing two delicious desserts of creme Brule and a brownie with ice cream.

We all made our way back to the hotel and I fell into the beautiful king-sized bed in my room exhausted from the day, and in need of rest for tomorrow’s ride – 108 miles to Gillette. I went to sleep satisfied and elated at what I had accomplished in the morning and hoping that my legs wouldn’t have suffered too badly for me to ride tomorrow!

Believe that you can, and you will.