Sunday I embarked on a ride that would take me from Sula to Wisdom and then back. The ride would of involved climbing over Lost Trail Pass and Chief Joseph Pass twice. I planned it last Sunday at a time when I thought I would get the best weather. For that reason I know I will never make it in the forecast business because what I got was a blizzard.
As I took off from the car in Sula I was on dry roads but as I reached the chain up area at the base of the climb up the pass it started to rain. The temperatures were in the 40s but I figured that at some elevation the rain would become snow and I could stay half way dry and warm. It was a huge climb and indeed the rain turned to snow. Then wind and more snow! When I reached the top of Lost Trail Pass I immediately went for Chief Joseph Pass which was only another 2 miles to the East.
Once on top of Chief Joseph I stopped for a snack break and an assessment of the road conditions. I noticed on the last mile that the snow was starting to stick to the road. I took only a 5 minute break and in that time the roads started to really fill in with snow so I decided that it was too dangerous to continue down into the big hole because I could not see the road. One pot hole or rock and I could disable the bike and get stranded in a stow storm.
I headed back to the car disgusted that the ride would only be a 35 miler and just over two hours. “Where is the challenge”, I thought. The challenge hit me in the face as I descended to the Lost Trail Pass. The temperatures had plummeted and my face instantly froze and all the moving parts on my bike that were wet instantly froze. It was such a cold wind it hurt and I was amazed how cold it had gotten. On top of that the snow was really filling in on the roads and I was thinking that my decision to turn around was very very appropriate.
I tried to descend the pass to the valley floor but the biter cold was freezing me so bad I could not hold control over the bike. My back break had worn off due to excessive braking in the gritty wet slosh muck I was descending through. I was shivering so violently I almost lost control of the bike and thought at times that a spoke was broken. I could not feel my arms or understand how they were holding me off my bike let alone squeezing the breaks. Almost a hundred feet from the bottom I started to think I was in trouble with my body temperature. I had stopped at least 12 times to try and warm my hands. I finally made the bottom.
I was on the verge of hypothermia so I put the bike into the big ring and started to press the pace in an attempt to produce some much needed energy and in turn warmth. By the time I reached the car I felt that I was out of danger but as I was driving back home I sneezed … the spray was ice cold. I stuck my finger in my mouth and it felt cold. I drove back home with the heated seats full bore and the heaters going full blast. After a long hot shower the ordeal was over. The ride was everything I had hoped for … grueling!
Next week I am headed out to Phillipsburgh to ride the Pintler Pass and then to the No Name Pass and back. I sure hope it is warm because I don't think my bike can handle any more abuse I gave it this last weekend.
Boneshakerbike 
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