My Garmin said I had a poor night sleep of less than four hours. It was definitely cold and my tent and saddle were covered in frost. I had to be patient for timing my descent from the summit so I would have some sunshine peaking through to hopefully help warm me up. The good news, sort of, was that it was a very gradual if minimal descent for the 22 miles into Stanley.
All the way down I was thinking warm, thank you god for the amazing Sun and I hope I can find a place that has biscuits and gravy, at least three eggs sunny side up and hopefully a hot chocolate (I don’t drink coffee). When I arrived in Stanley about 8:30 am I rode straight to the Mountain Village Resort Restaurant and was promptly seated. They were busy and everything looked great. I asked the waitress if they had hot chocolate or orange juice and she said both. I said both please. Then the special of the house was homemade biscuits and sausage gravy with hash browns. I ordered that plus a side of sausage and three eggs sunny side up. My projecting was totally spot on this morning. So delicious. They had a great place outside for me to repack my mess of a pack that morning and nice big restroooms to get my sunscreen on and change bandages. I had intended to only be in Stanley for an hour, but by the time I ate, repacked, got ready to ride, then headed over to the market to get some supplies as well as batteries, it was just past 10:00 am when I finally rolled out. So I was leaving Stanley on Day 6 as originally planned but very late.
The original plan for Day 6 was to ride from Stanley, Idaho to Arco, Idaho. 133 miles. With the late start I knew that I was going to need to adjust. While I had an amazing day all day yesterday, I was definitely zapped from the effort and the poor night’s sleep in the cold. But refueled I was ready to take on the day and see how it might end up. There was a smaller climb than a fairly big climb at about 80 miles that would start at 5,029 feet and summit at 7,158 feet. A lot of time on Idaho Highway 75 and along the Salmon River. Not as beautiful as the Payette, but still a scenic ride for sure.
After the very chilly start, the day warmed up quickly. With the heat of the asphalt and very little shade, it became work not long after leaving Stanley. I knew I had to really watch my hydration and make frequent stops whenever I could get shade or shelter. I maintained a good fast for me pace while pedaling but more frequent stops along the way. There were little resupply opportunities, so my food bag and water leaving Stanley were critical. As it turned out, there were literally no resupply stops on this route and the ones from my notes were duds. It was my feed bag and four bottles of water (two with Scratch) for the remaining 110 miles to Mackay, Idaho where at some point, I decided was my new goal.
I was starting to question my sanity when I got to Grand View Canyon. I sometimes wear sony earbuds or wired in-ear headphones as I ride to listen to music or audible books. But only when I am in the middle of nowhere and not on a busy highway. I stopped just before starting the climb in the canyon and put on my favorite Rolling Stones in Mono album. Mostly I listen to Jazz or Classical when riding, but I was needing a boost. I had a change in mental attitude and put on my “let’s do this” face and it was a new game. This started the long climb to Willow Creek summit and I was all in.
At 99 miles, I reached the summit. Another hard day but it would be pretty much downhill the rest of the way to Mackay. It was just over 30 miles to Mackay and I was feeling confident now after completing the climb and being so close. I also knew I was running out of daylight. I pulled out my five and dime method again and started working the miles hard in 5 and 10 minute blocks. I had no idea what my options would be in Mackay but that was my goal.
I got to Mackay just before dark and as I got to town I saw the Wagon Wheel Motel. I went straight to the office and a young woman (her and her husband owned it) and her seven year old daughter welcomed me. They were so friendly and accommodating. She set me up with Room #2 and told me since it was Friday, the BBQ place just down the street would be serving food until late and had live music. The daughter asked me if I liked Donuts and told me about her favorite donut shop in town. And she loved the donuts on a stick.
As it was close to 9:00 pm I rolled into my room, took a quick shower, put on my Bergen pants and a long sleeve base layer and headed down the street. L7 Grill and Tap house was hopping. Packed inside and out. There was one table in the center of the bar inside and the bartender directed me to that table. I had stopped drinking alcohol as part of my training but tonight I ordered a beer. She suggested I get the house special Red Brisket sandwich which I could get with a salad. It was the best brisket I have ever tasted.
Here I was in Mackay, Idaho. I am guessing the only left leaning person in the whole town. The annual Rodeo was also starting this weekend. My opinion is that the wonderful people I spent the evening with, only want one thing, leave me alone, let me live my life my way and don’t waste my time or my money. That is it. That simple. After an amazing meal, I went outside to the bandstand area. I couldn’t get over all the people. After the first song, there was a spontaneous USA, USA, USA chant. I get it.
I walked back to my motel, happy, full, tired, exhausted really, but feeling like I have a better understanding of this whole us and them thing. Only politics makes us divided. We are really all moderates until asked to take a side. So dumb. It shouldn’t be so hard and so ugly. I feel better about humanity and the real people that make the world go round.
Tomorrow presents the challenge to really buck up and make it to Ashton, Idaho. This would put me back on track where I should be at the end of Day 7. Fantastic stop in Mackay. I will be back.
