What a Response!

What an awesome weekend

Okay, I'll detail the race in the next couple of days.  More importantly, the "Porpoise" really took off!  That's what this is really all about, The race is just what it is.  The purpose is to fight for those who cannot - and boy did you ever show up!

After getting back to the truck at Teton Village last night, I decided to take a quick look at the overall response.  I was hoping for a mere 100+ additional page views, to actually see more than 200 - with more this morning.  Add to that the donations that were coming in while I was already on the road - it was exactly what I personally needed at exactly the right time.  More on that with the ride detail later.

Donations

How about my sisters!  They know all too well why we do this type of thing, and they showed up in force - again.  Every year they are involved in the "porpoise".  And of course, mom decided to jump in as well.  You can pretty much figure out where I get it from.  I'm pretty lucky, and I, well................they're a bunch of good eggs in my book.  Thanks, you guys!

Of course, there is Jennifer.  A chip right off the old block and I mean that in the most sincere way.  I've got to be honest.  It took me a couple minutes to register Jennifer from Jenny (it was 04:00 race morning).  Man, I'm getting old, but not too old to express to you how grateful I am that you and your mother are supporting the effort.  This type of surprise just before leaving for the race really set the tone and ignited my drive.  Thank you so much.

But wait.  Dave and his crew also made a pitch, that I caught wind of while well into the race.  Dave is a real go-to guy and knows how to do...........pretty much everything.  I need to get him on the bike and have him drag me over those hills.  On second thought, he'll hurt me.  He's a lot tougher than I.  Another thing I owe you for.  Thanks, man!

Brett; I've been racking my brains over this since last night.  If you had any idea my state of mind when I saw this email last night..........well, you get it.  It was literally as I got my phone back when I got into the truck - after taking a helluva beating.  You, sir, are spot on.  Never forget your best friend.  A special part of what you have become is directly attributed to him, as demonstrated by your willingness to jump into the fight.  And fight, well that's just what we do as a result. Obrigado!

To all of you that stopped by and took the time to make a difference in somebody else's day; you are all heroes.  It all has to start somewhere with someone, and this weekend was just that - a start for someone that needed a little help.  

Normally, I'd drop a link here for your enjoyment.  Tonight.........I'll leave it up to you.

We put this one in the books for Hadley and all of our friends.  Let's take a break for a day or two.

Soft Pedal.......................

A Plea for Hope

6/1440....................

Time: Irrevocable, non-refundable. You are granted 1440 minutes every day.  How you spend it is generally up to you.  Once gone, you can't get it back.

The Challenge

I ask two things of you - now that you are here: First, pass this blog and specific effort on to two more people immediately - like NOW!.  Second - give 6 minutes of you to something, or somebody - TODAY!.  If you can't think of something you can do for someone else, spend 6 minutes passing this effort along to ten people.  Buy a cup of something for that guy in need.  Help a mother in the parking lot. Donate old clothes to a charity.  Whatever it is, just do something to put aside any differences and give somebody the gift of hope - it's only 6 minutes.  If you can help the Porpoise great, if not great still - just give a little bit.

The Goal

The goal I extend to everyone is to effect enough change to drive 100 page views, thus 600 minutes.  By Sunday night, we should have more than 2,735 page views.  That is a lot of hope.

Here's why

Tomorrow I will ride because I can.  More so, I will ride in memory of Hadley and in tribute to her family.  I asked them to write on my jersey, of which you can see above.  On my shoulders all day, it will be there, and it is an honor.  # HADLEYMYHERO - "Ride Hard for those who are fighting - and in Memory of those who's fight is finished".

If you have the guts, or just want to know why, follow this link to the final post of 2017. Click Here for Final Post 2017  If not, just make a difference.  Seriously - it's your turn to be a hero.

Pain

We are born into this life with pain, but we endure.  Give a little to help someone else endure.  It's what makes us all great in the end.

Click Here and Smile - Supertramp

Please - help.

Ride HARD!

Checked in

A day to go

This afternoon was the check-in for everything down south (Kaysville).  It was already hitting home this morning as I was awake at 03:30.  Some minor calf cramps from last night's ride were easily remedied with some pickle juice.  A crappy afternoon at work kind of took my mind off everything until I got down to Bikers Edge, then it really set in.  This is for real, and ready or not, we start at 06:27 Saturday.

Weather forecast looks a tad warm, with temps possibly in the high forties at the start.  I'll decide when we get out of the truck whether or not to use arm warmers.  Last minute road condition updates indicate significant construction on the course.  The radios guys have passed some info back regarding chip seal in Riverdale, up to the summit.  I may want to air down to 110 PSI, rather than keep the tires at 120 max.  Still, the 25s will fair a bit better than the 23s.

I spent about two hours cleaning and lubing the bike tonight.  Running the DT Swiss wheelset, with the RXLs in the truck for a backup.  I need to take the bike into the shop in the morning for a chain check.  This chain should have less than 2,000 miles, but I better make sure it's good.  A smaller wedge bag under the seat with only one tube and two shots.  The shifters seem to index well, with a little light lube in the levers and shifters.  I think the bike is ready for another epic day.

Pretty nervous this go around.  Getting tense in the shoulders again.  A little better rest tonight, a nap later in the morning, and a little more protein and some lite carbs tomorrow night should set me up.  The feed bags will be a bit more simple this year than in the past.  Drinks...........still thinking that through.  I've got to avoid the bonk at all cost......well at most practical cost.  I know these guys will make an early jump, which means I need to be patient.  Going anaerobic early will cost me in the end.  In fact, I should avoid getting into transition at all, unless it is within the last 5 miles.  The question is then; how will I manage a respectable time if I don't occasionally pin it?  I've got to be patient and smart - something I'm generally not known for.

Eight years ago I was pretty nervous.  I was probably 15 pounds heavier and really couldn't stay in groups.  Riding up to Logan I heard an old favorite on the local station that kind of helped clear my mind.  That morning was anything but hot, As I wore a jacket, leg warmers, long finger gloves, and ear warmers.  Rolling through Preston just before 07:00 that day, it was 28°.  I had ice on my stache.  It was cool all day, but I finished -  just not fast.

Swing back tomorrow afternoon.  We're almost there..............

The old favorite - Too Hot to Handle

Rest up!

Bringing it all together............

Making it Happen

Time is getting short.  Tomorrow is check-in and packet pickup.  Friday is final prep and load. I'm still not set on a few bike details - including wheels.  The DT wheelset has the new R3's, 700 X 25 at full pressure.  They're trued back up pretty well, it is only a matter of confidence and reliability.  

As I usually do every year, I took tonight (the Wednesday before the race) to do a fast tempo ride.  This gives me a pretty good idea of my overall condition and the performance of the bike.  Major changes this late in the program can spell disaster.  The time to Huntsville was not too bad, considering the headwind a good part of the way.  The problem I knew would be the winds switching after the sun dropped behind the mountains - which it did.  So.......headwind both ways.  I think I worked it a little too hard, with a peak heart rate at 171 BPM and an average of 155 BPM.  Compared to the same ride two years ago at the same point, that is a lot more work, for about the same time.  That's what the wind will do to you.  Riding on an empty tank wasn't the best idea either, as I felt a little sick shortly after getting home.  Really no appetite, I just put down some chocolate milk and a hard-boiled egg.  It's too late to eat a full meal.  The DT wheels seemed to work okay.  I'll completely go through the bike tomorrow night, but I think it's where I want it to be.

Confidence overall is pretty shaky.  Total road miles are pretty low.  Considering I really couldn't stand up to pedal through the end of June, I'm pretty lucky to be able to ride at all.  The ankle isn't 100%, but it is still intact.  Working on spinning intervals with left-right leg isolations tells me pretty much the whole story.  I honestly don't know that I've ever been this nervous before an event - any event.  Truth is, I'm as strong as I've been on other years.  My weight is pretty good and other than a few minor issues, I should be capable of....................being just fine. The break back in March is still my head.  Man, I need a kick in the butt!

Donations

My Bro's and Sis' at the Alta Ski Area rolled in - with a thunder.  You guys are awesome! The beautiful area is one thing, but the people - the heart and soul of that mountain, they are what makes Alta the gem that I love.  Thanks, you guys!

And then there's Pete.  We'll generally talk business for about .........maybe 35 seconds.  Then we spend the next 45 minutes discussing the more important things - like Laser Floyd, or what we may have seen at the old Terrace Ball Room type of thing.  Thing is, Pete gets it.  He knows what is important, what is a necessity, what are formalities and what is frivolous B.S.  A darn good guy and a long time supporter of this battle.  (who's this Dave cat anyway?)

But wait, behind door number 3 is the venerable Jim D.  Talk about a team.  Jim and I get to working and I swear we can lay 12 miles of track a day - or something like that.  Here's a guy with his head screwed on straight, a hard worker and a great friend.  At some point, the NSA will crack the code and we'll both catch heck.  Until then...........our secrets are safe on Hilary's server.  Keep dave out of it - he's an idiot.

Tune in Friday, the day before the race!

We're gonna do something a little bold this year.  We'll need as many eyes on this page as we can get Friday afternoon.  I can promise you, it will be worth the visit.  Now that I've said that..........  You'll be glad you did.

Click here for a little contrast - Breathe

Ride HARD!

Bring it on home...........

Last big ride before race day..........

Monday was too unsettled two attempt Woodruff.  After last week, I wasn't in the mood to take any risks.  This morning was clear as a bell - and darn cold.  I postponed until a little after 07:00, hoping for a little warming, but it was still 40°.  Down in the river bottom, I'm sure it was mid 30's.  I added arm-warmers and took-off.  Hands were too cold to grip a water bottle for the first hour.  My toes were frozen all the way to MP 36.  I mean, I can gear up for those conditions, but riding unsupported for most of the day necessitates taking the very bare minimum.  After a couple hours, the arm-warmers had been rolled down for the rest of the day, as it started to get warmer going over the top.

Key times going over were ahead of schedule - nearly 15 minutes by the time I got to the campground.  As luck would have it, I had a headwind all the way into Woodruff, so I lost about half of my gain.  As is always the case, the wind changes directions between 10:00 and 11:00 like clockwork and I had a terrible headwind all the way back to Huntsville.  The climb back to the top was pretty long.  Fortunately, the air temperature was tolerable, but I was still going through fluids fast.  Over the top, I still had most of two bottles (one empty in my middle back pocket.  The winds required a ton of effort to get down, which left me with part of one bottle at the Causey Turn-off.   I decided to make a run at Causey and climb the spoke bender at the top - after I had about 108 miles - all climbing.  Knowing the wind was blowing harder as I got down Southfork, I was trying to make the last bottle last to Huntsville.  By Huntsville, it was blowing too hard to head for home, so I grabbed some water and did an 8-mile recovery ride while I waited for the pickup.  Call it 121 miles, and maybe 6,000 calories.  For the most part, it was satisfactory.  There is only so much you can do with the elements going against you.

I tried a different bottle mix this go-around, and it seemed to work rather well.  Zipfiz in the front cage, high protein with water only (no dairy) in the back cage, 50/50 Cytomax/Tang in the middle back pocket.  The protein made a huge difference, whereas I've normally had something like Propel in the back pocket.  This is important as the protein actually went down very easy and should be a big benefit on a couple of the long stretches come race day.  I just need to get a better electrolyte mix upfront.

Donations and support

The "porpoise" has really gained some traction.  Seriously, when I see the list grow as it is doing, it motivates me to push on.  This is the true meaning of our effort.  It's not about some guy on a bike, it's about all of you making a difference - a HUGE difference.  It brings a sense of humility to me personally - knowing this is so much larger than any one individual.  Ya'll are simply awesome!

Thanks to Becky for responding as you have.  When I saw your name appear, it struck me as the enormity of our effort.  I always had confidence the stuff would find the right folks - where ever they might be.  And in this case, I'm not yet sure from which part of the country you hail, but you are certainly a hero.  Thank you so much.

Stacy and Cory, I know are from a pretty solid group as well.  As often as I don't see you, I will make it a point to make sure I never forget your support.  You just can't tell anybody my real age - after all, I'm not really the "porpoise" (see the adjacent page).  Anyway..........  a sincere thank you to you both.

And then there's my brother Greg (kind of).  A stud all the way around, of which is unrivaled.  I think I owe you a kidney or something.  I'd better check, I may have promised that to Dan ............. either way, I owe you big time!  You guys up there are great!  I'm proud to have you all as friends.

Bitter Sweet

Something about making the final ride to Woodruff is hard.  Those folks over there are absolutely fantastic.  I love riding into Woodruff and hanging with them for a while.  The ride itself is beautiful -, especially in the autumn.  I would recommend to everyone - at least drive it this fall before the leaves are gone.  Swing into the Woodruff store, have a Snickers bar and a drink (if not lunch).  They have supported the "porpoise" for several years and have made those long rides possible.  Thanks to Robin and the gang.  The ride home is kind of melancholy as I know I won't be back for another 10 months (unless I drive through before the road closes).

So..........  a few picts from today.

From about MP52.  Follow that road another 4 miles over that pass way out there and you'll find the campground. 

MP 50, looking back toward Evanston - pretty steep right there.

At Causey, just over the spoke bender, looking up toward Keisel and Browning.

So here we are.  A lot to do before next week, but I'll update.  If nothing else, tune in just before race day.  I can't promise you anything, but I've got an idea.

Did I say bring it on home? Oh yeah............ click here and hang on.

Home stretch.  Ride HARD baby!

Less than 2 Weeks 'till race day

More traction and the Cache Valley Century...............

Donations

Friday was quite a day (please read the post for 24 August).  Literally all day blog traffic and donations.  Honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time.  With things getting close, I always start to get a little edgy -almost unbearable.  I'm honored to be associated with so many people that have become part of the Porpoise. 

Paige, Larry, and Heather; Thank you so much for hopping onboard.  It is your type of support that I know will win the day and you are making a difference.

Eric;  You are a stud - and I really mean it.  Add to this the absolute inspiration of your crew, Yana, Elke, Anda and of course Christa.  You are the sunlight of our valley.

My sister and her husband; Always in the right place at the right time, and longtime supporters of HHH.

Like it or not, you are all part of the Porpoise, and you are making a difference. Thank you so much.

Cach Valley Century - The assessment

This ride is one I look forward to every year.  It is a charity ride, put on by Common Grounds Outdoors.  They use it to help those with disabilities enjoy the out of doors, that they wouldn't otherwise.  The ride started at 08:00 with a handful of riders that are an absolute inspiration.  They struggle to move their bike and.or whatever they had, to roll off the line and led the event.  It really puts things into a perspective that drives home the point: We fight for those that otherwise cannot for themselves.

There is always a mix of riders, but there are a lot of good riders there getting a last-minute tune-up for Lotoja.  For me, it is about the only time I get to ride off other people's wheels - a key to Lotoja.  You simply can't ride 200 miles without catching groups.  Add to that the pace of some of these guys. it can get pretty fast - something I really need to work on.  The Ride starts in Richmond, Utah and heads up into Idaho before it swings back to Utah.  The key for me was to hit a specific bike time, knowing I may have to wait for groups.  Right off the bat, I was delayed for the start by about 10 minutes waiting for a guy that asked me to hold his bike.  This meant I had to "swim" through several groups of less experienced riders to find a good group riding to Preston, Idaho.  At Preston, I had to circle for a few minutes to catch a big group leaving town.  I'd say maybe 20+ fast and hard riders led us to the valley west of Dayton, Idaho.  On what is supposed to be the fasted descent of the ride, I-DOT had a bridge under construction with two remote traffic signals.  I swear, it was right out of "Blazing Saddles"  (something about going back for dimes).  The following climb up to Dayton was my first critical mistake.  I faded on the second crest and let the main group get ahead.  Thinking I could catch them, I burned it hard but only put myself under duress.  I figured I'd catch them at Cornish -which I did.  For whatever reason, most of that group stopped at Cornish, while I was able to hook on to an okay group heading to Trenton.  By the Newton-Trenton hill, I dropped all of these guys as they simply couldn't handle the extended climb.  They all passed me when I made an unscheduled stop in Newton to pay some respects in passing.  Still, the long grade up to Newton dam made them pretty easy picking and I got past most of those guys.  Heading toward Clarkston, I had to gas it to catch come way fast guys, that really put the hurt on me.  Again, at Clarkston, everybody was waiting around.  I saw two guys heading out and figured I could snag them until the next best thing rolled long.  That went way longer than I had expected, and it turned out to be a couple fast riders heading toward Valley View.  It was that stretch that I took a pull and dragged four of us to the intersection with a peak HR of 169 - too hard. The "hot-rods" got through the intersection before myself and one other guy, so we worked together into Mendon.  At Mendon, I got off the bike and got some water.  I saw a small group and a tandem heading out, so I tried to hurry and catch them - no luck.  That cost me dearly, as I burned myself out sprinting when I should have waited for the next group to go.  That would have been a long time as all the way toward Almaga, I didn't have a single group go by, only a couple a super fast solo's that I could only hang onto for a few minutes each.  Basically, the last 25 miles was passing slower groups, with only maybe two super fast groups passing me.  By that time I was cooked, but not far off my time.  Aside from another bee in my jersey with less than 8 miles to go (how many stings is that this year), it was largely uneventful.

Comparing last years Garmin data to this years, I was not happy at all.  Things were too similar, and last year I had two flats on that ride.  Speeds, HR..........it looked too close the same.

The night before was a mess.  Simply cleaning the bike turned out to be a full wheel swap, with some minor repairs.  The new DT's weren't running true, so I used the noisy RXL's - again.  I also noticed a few things that need to be worked on before race day.  That bike has a lot of miles on it - something more than 26,000.

The task going forward

I need to focus on a race pace.  Okay, I know I can't win a race on the climbs, but I need to be faster in the other areas.  This weekend made it clear, I've got to pick up the pace in the areas outside of the climbs.  The guys that will win this thing will ride 100% at race pace.  There are places I simply will have to dig hard and not lose anymore than is neccessary.  If I get cooked in the wrong places, I'll struggle - again.  I'm shooting for one more long ride, with an idea for speed intervals.  I only have about 7 real training days left, then it's rest up until the race.

Group Info

I received my bib/frame number with start time - 06:27.  The group I'm in is about 51 guys.  It's an open Masters groups, so former Pro. Cat1,2,3,4 and 5.  The guy that won this group last year is back.  He did it in 9:15 last year.  That math is pretty simple.  It's almost 22 MPH average over the entire course.  That is remarkably fast.  Still, the earlier start time should work to my advantage, but I'll lose sight of the leader at the turn to Strawberry.  That's the reality of the situation.  I'll make it work.

04:00 is gonna be early.

For now, there is a ton to do.

"I'm gonna crawl" -no way.............

Be fast, Ride HARD!

Things..............

Why they happen that way...............

Was online reading the e-paper again, only to see that a kid I've known for nearly 50 years died of prostate cancer?  This guy was driven.  I mean; trumpet first chair from 7th grade on, business entrepreneur when the rest of us were trying to scrape up pop-bottle money - you know the guy.  Another one of those you just don't expect to see on that page.  At the bottom of his obit it said: "Consider a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute".  Huh................

I immediately sent a text to my buddy out in Cali, as I know he probably knew him better than I.  Not five seconds after I sent that message I heard an email notification.  The absolute nicest and inspired women in our local congregation made a donation.  It's 5:00 in the morning. Talk about the things that stop you in your tracks.  Thanks, Yana.  You are simply amazing.

And you wonder why I ride.

Diadhacd John!

  Click here - A true Scot will know

Ben Lomond peak - October 2017

You know the drill..............................