From happiness to misery in one day - Day 21: Jackson to Dillon (50 miles)

The one thing we knew we were light on when we packed was rain gear. Here we were, thinking we'd be riding in summer. If it happened to rain, we'd either be able to sit it out or tough it out. Summer to us means it will be hot. Riding in the rain, getting a little wet should not be a problem when it's warm outside.

Turns out we were wrong.

Surrounded by the country's expansive and greyness

It rained all night in Jackson and we finally got a break in the weather to pack our wet tent at about 7:45am. The day looked miserable, but after a good breakfast at the lodge we decided to tough it out and hit the road. Camping another night at Jackson Hot Spring Lodge and soaking in the hot springs all day might have been a better option. Or at least I should have spent more time warming my butt in their camp toilet before we left. They use the water from the hot springs in the bowl and it was a very toasty place to sit and contemplate for a while on this cold morning.

It seems we have hit some unseasonably cold and wet weather in this neck of the woods. It is meant to be warm and dry this time of the year, but today it did not stop raining the whole ride. Actually, it hasn't stopped raining around here for the past 2 weeks. The whole way to Dillon was un-sheltered, with only one place along the way to get out of the elements to try and warm up a little - a tin shed where they store the salt and grit for the roads during the snow season.

Our highest elevation to date

Fingers wet and frozen, stabbing pins and needles from lack of blood flow.

Toes cold and burning, shoes and socks wet.

Pitter patter, pitter patter on my jacket and helmet.

Lips blue and tingling.

Cheeks red and stinging.

The icy, biting wind cutting through; hitting me head on, side on, but very seldom from behind.

Water spraying off my front wheel cutting into my face on the descents.

Two passes to climb, neither very long but a little steep and slow especially into a headwind and crosswind. After each pass a downhill that would have been welcome on any other day but today. Speed is your enemy when you're cold and wet. You get there faster but you pay the price.

Getting up Badger Pass in the rain

The weather forecast is not looking good for the next couple of days. There is more cold and rain in store for us. I wish I did not let Steve convince me to send my insulated winter cycling gloves back with Tiffany. To make up for it, he headed straight to the Patagonia outlet store in Dillon and came back with fly fishing gloves to put over our cycling gloves in hope that this will do the trick.

It's the Sundowner Motel tonight in a futile attempt to dry everything out and get ourselves warm for the coming days. Good news is our Ortlieb Panniers and Sea to Summit dry bags are holding up really well.

Trying to dry out our gear

The status of Steve's beard after 21 days!

CRANKING ODYSSEY STATS

Total Odyssey miles: 1,200

Overall Fastest Speed: Steve (39.9 miles per hour) Mandy (35.4 miles per hour)

Bludge Days: 1

Bonks: nil

Dog chases: 3

Dummy Spits: Steve (2 - Day 10 because it rained; Day 16 - because the rocks in the river were slippery)

Mandy (0.5 - Day 14 those freakin' wreckless Idaho drivers!)

Flats: Katie (4)

Wrong turns: 6

Beer of the day: Red Hook Longhammer IPA

Lesson of the day: we should have packed rain gear. Those gay shoe covers would be so nice right now!

No. of days with no shower: 8

Starting weight: Steve (90kg) Mandy (51.5kg)

 

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