Day 44: Dillion to Sula hot springs
Woke up at 6 thinking I had another hour to sleep. Unfortunately I really had to pee so I got up and immediately regretted it as it was cold. I was really getting sick of the morning weather. Coming back from the bathroom I saw everyone else was awake. So much for going back to sleep. I packed up my stuff and headed back to McDonald’s for breakfast. Even though it was cold outside it didn’t stop me from getting a large caramel frappe. We had a big day ahead of us so I wanted to get started. We were headed to Sula: 107 miles away. Three passes stood in our way. The first one didn’t look so bad on the map but the last two were going to be rough. I rode about 10 miles to the base of the first one. I called my mom to distract myself but had to hang up with two miles left. At the top I ran into the Chinese couple who gave me a high five for making it to the top. I smiled and said good luck and let’s go in Chinese. I’ve picked up a couple of words from them. So far my vocab includes yes, no, hello, shower, sleep, hard, good luck, downhill, bison, pretty scenery, thank you, let’s go, and food. 

The descent was chilly and I had to stop to put my long sleeved shirt on. The terrain flatten out for a while. I saw a ranch in distance that had some cattle in the middle of the road. Getting closer I got to see my first real life cowboy in action. He rode across and rounded up the cattle back through the gate. He was decked out in tradition cowboy looking garb including spurs, hat and pants. I spotted two cyclists ahead and hurried to catch up with them. I introduced myself and leaned that they are also biking the trans-am westward. However they weren’t going as far as I was that day. I was grateful for the company and the second climb didn’t seem that bad. I learned that Erika studied environmental sustainability and it seemed like we had a lot in common. I wish she joined our group! I said goodbye in Jackson and continued another 18 miles to Wisdom where I planned to take a longer break. The day started to seem long so I decided to memorize some song lyrics. I picked the hardest song I knew: Alphabet aerobics by blackalicous. I only got through the first three verses before Wisdom was in view. In the town I stop by the only store and bought an icecream, banana, and a coke. The coke was lukewarm and didn’t hit the spot like I hoped it would. It was just after three and I had 33 miles left so I hit the road again. Just as I was leaving another cyclist came into town and asked if I was Hannah. I said ‘yes’. She (her name was Monica) had run into the rest of my team and said if she found me to tell me to go to Idaho hot springs campground. It’s 6 miles outside of Sula. Glad for the info I started up the last climb for the day. I was still trying to memorize Alphabet Aerobatic but the day turned hot and slightly windy so I didn’t feel like concentrating on that. It was 19 miles to the top. 5 miles in I was regretting that I agreed to do so much mileage. I was feeling every mile I had done that day. What on earth where we thinking we decided to climb three passes. I had no service so I couldn’t call anyone. I resorted to singing but I was so out of breathe from the climb that singing was a bad idea. It was so hot that the asphalt was half melting. Pieces stuck to my tire and made it lumpy to ride on. I pulled over and sat down on the side of the road to weigh my options.

1) I could turn back and go stay in Wisdom. 

2) hitchhike to Sula

3) struggle up the rest of the climb

Turning back wasn’t an option as I would be separated from my group. I was too afraid of hitchhiking with no service and in such a remote place. Gritting my teeth I knew I had to make it up this pass. I decided to take it a couple miles at a time. Every two miles I pulled over and admired something in my view. Sometimes it was an oddly shaped tree or a particularly beautiful flower. Paying closer attention to my surroundings gave me the extra push and I was surprised when I saw the sign for the top of the pass. At the top I rested for a few minutes and took a picture the sign. There was no sign of my group so I decided to meet them at camp. The next 6 miles were downhill and went by so quickly compared to the last 27. I made good time to Sula hot springs campground. When I got there I was surprise to see Ellen’s bike. Had see passed me and I didn’t notice? I went inside to see her relaxing in a pool. It looked so nice that I barely said hi before changing my clothes and joining in. Turns out she ended up hitchhiking. I made the mistake of not grabbing dinner as the campground restaurant was closed. I had enough snacks to get me through the night. The rest of the group soon arrived. It was 16 dollars each to stay at this campground or 10 total to stay at one a mile down the road. Everyone was so tired that we didn’t even want to go down the road to the cheaper option. We relaxed in the pool until it closed. It was getting dark so we headed to our designated spot. It seemed like there were no good spots that were flat. Some motorcyclists were camped next to us. They came over and offered us some of their mountain meals. It was their last day touring wand didn’t want them. It was perfect timing as we were really hungry from the ride and there wasn’t any stores near us. Although it was getting late we fired up our stoves to eat mac and cheese, rice and chicken and ramen noodles. After our late dinner we headed to bed. It was getting cold so it was nice to crawl into my sleeping bag.