I awoke today with a pounding headache around 3 am. When I moved I would puke. Vertigo at it’s worse. I desperately tried to figure it all out but it hurt to think. Could it be the wildfire smoke in the air. Last night I had the beginnings of a headache and I did get a bit of car sickness. But even if I figured it out the fact still remained that I was sick.
I did my best to march towards the start line. My plan was to down a ton of excedrin and then when it kicked in I would start the ride. Even if it meant missing the start, I had the route on my GPS. I didn’t care. I hurt. Bad.
Photo courtesy of Scott Fitzgerald
Thankfully for me the Spots didn’t arrive on time and by the time they did the excedrin was working. I quickly put my bike together and strapped things down. We were off and I pushed to the front. I knew when the excedrin wore off I would have to bivy out until I got better. Or down a bunch more excedrin … if I was lucky enough to find a store on route with drugs.
At Saint Anthony I was feeling the effects of excedrine and worst of all it was wearing off. Funny thing though, my mind didnt register with a returning headache and the need to buy more excrdrine. I was worried about my stomach. I got water at the first gas station I encountered and notice a wobble in my step. My stomach was trashed by the drug cocktail and I just felt depleted. I tried to eat a little coconut mana.
Moments later I was pulled over wishing I didnt eat something. I was headed into the desert and reportedly some sand dune crossings. I assessed my water as adequate, got back on my bike, and trudged forward.
Photo courtesy of Tracey Petervary
The first half of the desert wasn’t bad. I felt I was riding pretty good and was amazed at how easy it was to traverse the desert so quickly. And it was remote too. Really freaking remote. I mean sometimes the weathered double track disappeared and I had to rely on the GPS. About 1/3 of the way through the hot dry land I started noticing some disturbing elements.
No trees and no shade. I felt I needed to stop every hour to get out of the sun for just a bit. When I did I felt better and kept a pretty good pace. But after one stop the trees were gone. no shade. Nothing but rock. And sand, sometimes deep enough to force a dismount and bike push.
By the time I emerged on the other side of the desert I was delirious. Just beofre gaining the road into Debois I sat under a bush next to a gate. It felt good and I slurped the last remaining water from my bottle. After 5 minutes I decided I must continue on. The desert was over and I couldnt wait to get to Debois … and Ice Cream. I couldnt wait.
I stood but fainted back to the gound. I couldn’t stand up and was so dizzy. I couldnt eat because I would hurl. I laid on the ground for about 40 minutes. After a while I could stand but felt horrable. I slowly made it to Debois and passed out leaning up against grocery store wall. My plan was to get ice cream and water. But I couldn’t stand up. I went in and out of consciousness. I felt so completely beaten. Here I was sleeping mid day and about to abandon the race. I looked around for my phone.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Baldwin
I decided to call Mo to have her drive to Debois when Jay P came pedaling up the road, pulling into a resturant across the street. He spotted me and waved so joyfully I just had to energetically raise my hand to eagerly greet him back. And behind him was another rider … then Tracey. I climbed up my bike wavering before I walked across the street. I sat down next to them in the cafe and reported that I was trashed. Then I proceeded to order a burger and fries. It is what they were doing.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Baldwin
The burger came up and before that I didnt find the energy to get excited enought to buy ice cream or anything at the grocery store. In fact when Aaron asked me if I wanted to buy any food I just waved my hand while trying to not barf. I couldnt stand the sound of any food items. And the burger I just ate was the hardest thing I ever ate. And …. well, that didnt stay with me long.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Baldw
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Aaron gracously lead me up to what we thought was Bannock Pass. Instead of calling Mo to abandon I thought maybe if I could make it to Jackson where we could meet up and stay for a couple nights to recover. I fell asleep in my bivy wondering how I got so far since Debois. So many times almost passing out as Aaron peddaled out in front of me. Keeping an eye on me as I faded. When the small band comprised of Tracey, Aaron, and I stopped amongst sage brush on top of “something” and declaired that we were stopping I gladly collapsed in my bag and drifted off to sleep. Or maybe I passed out. I cant remember. The last thing I saw were the ememse stars.
Next :: Fitz-Barn Day 2 :: Fitz-Barn Day 3
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