Based on yesterday’s performance it was obvious I need to be strategic if I had any chance of surviving the massive climbs of the GDMBR.
I looked over the map yesterday and decided to ride another 40ish miles to Island Park and get a hotel, eat tons, and sleep in a bed. From Island Park the route goes over the Tetons to Colter Bay Village. Yes another pass.
The days riding was easy and mostly downhill and I arrived to the edge of a town where there was a Subway. I am not sure why this gets noted on the map or why I have been looking forward to it for days but as it came into sight I could taste my footlong meatball sub. It was closed – double boo. There were some CDT hikers, a cyclist, and a motorcyclist out front all as dejected as me.
This is a good time to discuss my mental stability or lack there of. I consider myself a reasonably level headed person. I have been told I am robotic and seemingly unemotional – ask my ex girlfriends! This trip has been very different. I am a giant toddler. Any little thing sends me spinning into a full melt down tantrum or flying with pure joy. The pendulum swings far and fast. Flat tires, soda, closed towns, a birdie, no vacancy motels, traffic, smooth pavement, chunky gravel they all have an outsized effect on me. I can not control it and it makes me feel soft, silly, and weak minded. Don’t get me wrong I know how to roll with almost anything but I am amazed how in a matter of seconds I go from time of my life to no chance I can do this to feeling like the luckiest person in the world at that moment.
This brings me back to Subway. Angry and after some choice words shared among the other hungry mob members I crossed the street to a “grocery store” and got a premade wrap and a soda. There was no picnic table. In a fit I sat sprawled out on the concrete in front of the store and made it clear I was not to be looked at even though I was right at the front door. Childish at best but there I was.
The rest of the day was in town with AC, a big meal of pasta, and lots of planning for the days and climbs ahead.
On a technical note I have no idea what is going on with pictures. When I get it sorted they will return but for now my words will have to suffice.
2 responses to “Day 29 – Childish Behavior”
The humanness of this post had me rooting for you and laughing with you. It got me wondering, if toddlers maybe behave the way they do because their body and brain are physically handling and doing so much that their intake (in calories and experience) is sometimes simply too much, which causes the swings from one end to the other. Keep on riding the wave!
I wish you had a kick ass wife there with you…..but okay! You’ve got this!