TO know, or not to know that is the question

My friend Scott, when he was biking with me would always look ahead to see what
big climbs were coming. I, on the other hand did not want to know exactly how big the climbs were and when they were coming. When I get to the climb, I want to know all about it. How high, how far, the percentage grade. I say all that, but it’s not entirely true. I can say I i don’t want to know what’s ahead, but part of me does, or at least I want to know a partial view of the road ahead. On the road to Jackson Montana.

I biked over a mountain pass that required me to climb 2400 ft to 7000 feet elevation, or so I thought.. When I got to the top, I got a Wisdom surprise. When I turned onto this road, to Wisdom Montana I realized that I had to climb another 300 ft. It took all I had to continue.

I was thinking about wanting to know in other areas of life. What’s going on in politics, what’s going on in kids’ lives, what’s going on at work, (when I had a job).
How much do I really want to know. Sometimes I feel like I know more than I want to, sometimes I feel I know more than it’s good for my mental health or the health of others. It’s a complex question.And for me it’s always changing. I want to know more. I want to know less on any given day. There’s a tension of being happily ignorant and needing, and wanting to know more. It is a dynamic that is different for each  person.

At the wisdom pass, I also ran into a hitchhiker pictured here. He didn’t talk at all when I talked to him Very strange.

I  met many other cross country bicyclists. On the road to jackson I ran into AJ on the road. He is from australia and it’s heading towards california from virginia. He is the one that pointing me towards. The really good hotel

The other group of five other cyclists I met at the bunk house hotel in jackson, montana. I’m actually gonna ride with them to Dillon Montana. They are a married couple and four other guys who are all independent of one another.

The route to Jackson. was a very difficult day of riding.because of the altitude and the climbing. I was completely spent by the end of the day. Many days, i’m just hoping for the ride to end.

Some days the ride is absolutely glorious with nice trails, and roads, beautiful scenery and fun people to meet and I remember why i’m on this trip.

Most days, there is also some sort of challenge. Wind, rain, hard climbs,,hot weather, cold weather., long miles, sore body, no water or food along the route are all hard situations to manage.? On the really hard days there is such a joy at finishing the ride. Other days, the good stuff drowns out the challenges.