61 Miles
July 1
Dedicated to Mama Meadow's COPD & Emphysema




The good, the bad, and the ugly all into one day! Continental Divide climb, Lt Governor of Montana gave us a personal tour of the Capitol building, met the Governor, road through two hail storms, then got sick and went to the emergency room! WHAT A DAY!

The morning couldn't have been any better. We left Avon with a quick warm up before climbing up the Continental Divide at MacDonald Pass.  I was so excited to finally be doing a real climb! I was feeling great and was the first one up the pass. Made it to the top and started taking pictures.

Then we headed down hill trying to go fast but wind was holding us up - check out the video Andrew took of us descending . I'm in the yellow jacket - one of the first down with Izzy.

Lunch was in Montana's capital.  Andrew and I decided we were going to walk into the Capitol building and ask to speak to the Governor. What did we have to loose? We were expecting a no, but I guess our cycling clothes won them over. We were sent to the Governor's office (but he was not there at the time). The Lt. Governor came out to greet us and give us a tour.  Lots of history learned. Did you know that Montana is the only Capitol building that has the 7 Indian Nation flags displayed? (our picture in front of the flags below). The Governor has an open pet policy - both he and the Lt. Gov bring their pups to work. Below I'm hanging out with the Lt. Gov pup (I'm a sucker for dogs, and was really missing mine).  On the way out, we saw another dog walking. A light bulb went off that it had to be the Governor's dog - it was. We looked up and saw this tall guy in jeans and a button down - looked at him and said - that's the Governor's dog so you must be the Governor. He smiled, laughed and said you are correct. I don't know his politics, but I'd vote for him for his pet policy and open door policy. Very cool!!

After the tour of the Capitol tour, we headed to the museum per the suggestion of the Lt. Governor. It was pretty neat as well - you can see some pictures on my Facebook page .  While waiting for our group to finish the museum, we noticed some dark clouds coming in.  Radar on my weather app on my phone didn't look good at all! It was time to hit the road.




We had 9 people formed up in a pace line which I led out.  Out of Helena there was a gradual climb with a huge mountain off in the distance to our right. We kept peaking over watching this mammoth black cloud coming over, working its way down the mountain totally engulfing it! I've never seen anything like it. We new we had to get out in front of it. Lightening off in the distance, thunder rolling, and rain starting to hit.

This is where the trouble for me started.  Dumb me didn't drink at all while we were in the capitol nor museum, and as I was leading our line to out run the storm, I was more concerned with our team and the storm and ended up not drinking.  I started feeling a little sick, dizzy and lightheaded. At the time, I didn't think much about it other then I probably am just tired and need food - I'll be fine once I'm back to camp and can lay down.

Brad, Izzy, Timmy, and  I took turns leading the line, when finally I said I would just take us. It was selfish at the time, not heroic. Izzy was leading and standing - as I sat behind him watching his tush go side to side, I just got nauseated (yes we joke about that now).  Soon the hail started hitting and it hurt! We probably road at least 10 miles in hail as there was not a place to seek shelter - no trees, houses, bridges, nothing!! FINALLY - some trees and a house appeared. What was left of our line scattered. I saw a house and thought porch, however the german shepard in the fenced in yard suggest I go elsewhere. I road back across the road to join Brad and Jan in a ditch under some trees. Now that we were stopped, I really started feeling bad - very dizzy, lightheaded, like I had cop webs in my head. I've never felt this way before and I new it wasn't good, but again, thought I just needed to get to camp to lay down. While waiting for the hail to ease up, I "sat" down hard, ate some Accell Gel and Clif bars and tried to drink to feel better. It wasn't working. As the hail eased up, Brad, Jan, and I climbed out of the ditch. I really didn't say much to Brad and Jan other then I wasn't feeling great. I tried to mount my bike and lost balance. I knew if I could just get going I'd be fine. I couldn't look left or right or have anyone in front of me. As long as I was peddling and going straight I felt ok. It wasn't long after we got going again that more hail came.  I ended up just taking off to try and get through it.  It was at this time that I glanced at my heart rate and noticed how low it was especially considering how fast I was going.  I soon started slowing up and getting very tired. Brad and Jan caught up and guided me into camp. I can't thank them enough. As we got into town - I saw the hospital signs and thought, humm, maybe I should just go there. Instead I went to camp - which was a high school. Parked my bike and walked directly into the gym to lay down. While laying there I started feeling worse and then ran outside to the yard...just in case.  Shortly after, I lost my lunch numerous times and earned the name pickles. Timmy and Izzy, my ride family, came to comfort me and take care of me. I couldn't move without getting sick.  It was the worst feeling I have ever felt. Our ride director, Bridgette, brought me salty food and water. However, nothing was staying down. Bridgette made the wise decision to call the ambulance and I agreed.

Tim and Richard, volunteer firemen and EMT's, came very fast.  These guys were the nicest guys ever. They took very good care of me from the school to the hospital, and even stayed with me in the ER for a while. Tim kept throwing warm blankets on me, and pointing out to the nurse who was still a student that her "patient is grimacing" as she attempted to put in an IV in my wrist area. That IV never got in - but I do have a tiny scare to remind me.  After some more dry heaves, two bags of fluid, sprite, ginger ale, and a sandwich which I kept down, I was able to go "home."  Bridgette stayed with me the entire time and made sure I was taken care of.

Once I got back to camp - I was so touched. Timmy, Izzy, Sue, Sam, Big Tim all got my bags from the truck and had my bed ready to go when I got back. The support and concern from fellow riders was very touching and something I could never forget.

WHAT A DAY!

Sorry, no pics from ER or from being sick in the yard (that I know of)...but this is a picture when I stopped with Brad and Jan in the ditch minutes before I started feeling really bad.