Assessments and Damage

The Ryan Hotel, beautiful downtown Wallace, Idaho.

 Race BDA (battle damage assessment)

Many a race, fight, or game have been lost prior to the start of said event. Thus was the case this year. Only a few weeks prior to race morning, I was convinced it was a lost cause. Having the Cache Century at the end of that week, I decided to let that be the "bell-weather" event. They day before Cache, the Huntsman jersey arrived. That weekend had me doing so serious soul searching. What I didn't do was evaluate all my assets and liabilities - requiem for any battle plan. A such.....well I let myself make several "fatal" mistakes. With those known liabilities in my head and not focusing on the remedy, I was doomed to be my own worst enemy.

The lead-up

The week prior to the race was less than ideal, but when is it ever otherwise? One long ride for confidence and a lot of time working on the bike. The plan was to get a couple dirt rides in prior to Friday, but everyone's schedule got into my way. The bike was giving me a few problems indexing, but I thought I had that figured out. Friday night went much later than planned, with a 04:00 alarm - like has happened too many times.  Still, we were out the door, crew and all, in good time. Several last minute texts and emails on the drive to Logan kept my mind off the nerves, but maybe I should have been focusing on what was coming. Weather forecasts predicted warm temps, a lot of sun and little if any wind over in Star Valley. Confidence was certainly there, but looking back, it was a false sense of something. You know - that feeling of how this isn't gonna be as hard as you are making it seem. Boy, I was anything but prepared...........

The ride out, the chase and the blow-up

The group was large - nearly eighty overall in our starting pack. The ride through the rolling neutral was calm, but disorganized. When we turn out onto highway 91, a couple guys took off. Like...REALLY? That breakaway gapped the rest of us by a fairly short distance. It didn't make any sense. Just before Franklin (or so it seems), a breakaway from women's race group caught us. Two women just putting the hammer down. I mean, this is nuts! At the Preston turn off, another large group of women racers had caught us, causing a huge traffic jam just ahead of the turn up to the Riverdale climb. By this point, we had been pushing it pretty hard, but still comfortable. The motor-marshals had to hold us back, as there must of been around two-hundred riders at the intersection. Pushing up the two climbs prior to the quick drop into Riverdale, the leaders of our group decided to put the hurt on the rest of us. I chased pretty hard going over the top and felt like I was in a good position to close at the bottom. At the turn at SR36, I really had to push it, as they had lit the after-burners. After the first couple miles it was clear I was on my own. Thing is (that I didn't take into consideration) was a very large part of our group was behind me and in worse shape than I. By that time, I was solidly lost in my head. At MP 13 I felt defeated and gave into the desire to put my foot down - for the first time. Going over the false-summit at MP 17 I felt depleted in everyway possible. At the neutral feed zone I was completely out of water (which has never happened before). Stopping, I was nearly locked-up. I downed two bottles of electrolyte and water, filled up again and headed up and over the summit. The seventeen-miles down was the slowest I have ever experienced - or so I thought. By Ovid, I was convinced I was cooked and would be pulling the plug. By this time, most of the race had already passed my by - which has happened before. This time, it seemed like I was in the desert alone. At Montpelier, I told the crew I was done and took my helmet off. They tried all they could to convince me otherwise, but I was done - period. It was perhaps one of the hardest things I've had to do for some time, knowing that within 30 minutes I would be pissed and wanting to go back. I had been beaten by my own disgust and weakness.

Turns out, the wind through Star Valley was terrible - as in 12 -15 MPH direct headwinds most of the way. Here's the thing; I always get beat-up on that first climb. I struggle over Geneva, it always gives me trouble, with KoM and Salt River usually up in the air. I can usually turn the last 100 miles into my best of the day. But that was well out of my head when I gave up - flat out QUIT! When I got home, I docked my Garmin and looked at my stats to see how I was really doing. Turns out, I threw it out way too fast. I've had trouble getting my heartrate up all summer long, typically not getting above 157 BPM for only a couple rides (intervals). This time, I pegged 170 BPM and was fully anerobic for nearly a full 35-minutes (Zone 5). Worse yet, I was also fully in threshold (Zone 4) for well over 2-hours getting there. I was fully aerobic for just over 80-minutes on top of all that. Yep, I took the bait and got the crap kicked out of me as a result. In the end, I didn't have to pull the plug, I only needed to have planned for what to do rather than panic and whimper. (What a dumb-ass!)

The take -away

The positive is what I was able to do. I mean, 170 BPM? My cardiologist may have something to say about it, but I was impressed. The fact that I could push Zone 5 that long is also impressive. I mean.....it was all in my head and I knew it and certainly know it now. Sure, the bike was indexing like garbage, had an annoying creak in the crank, but seriously? I didn't have the posture fatigue that has plagued me on longer rides this year and my legs had the strength I didn't think they had. The illness that had beat me down just a mere couple weeks prior certainly didn't help. But I was under-trained, in that I didn't have the confidence to punch through and re-assess. Training is more than building up the body, but also training your mind to resist the desire to put a foot down. With all this, I know what needs to be fixed and am working on the methods to put it back together.

West Portal at the Taft Tunnel

Set-backs required

Humility is an important ingredient to success. Sure, confidence is a must, but too much is dangerous. Well...I certainly wasn't totally over confident, but I wasn't truly humble either. That undeniable feeling of having experienced such a thing can work in your favor - if you let it. Will it work? Only time will tell, but I have experience to draw from if I can remember how it felt.

Resetting the System

Back to the Hiawatha for some easy riding and therapy

Thirty-eight years with my better half. We decided to take the bikes back to Montana/Idaho to do the Hiawatha again. Conditions were a little cool, but we layered-up and used the right gear for an enjoyable 30-miles on some easy dirt. We stay at this little place in Wallace, Idaho called the Ryan Hotel. The town itself is right out of the 1930's and the Ryan is certainly part of that experience. It has become a peaceful retreat for us. A helluva long drive, but the S-XM radio fills the gaps when the conversation lags. This was out second time up there, from five years ago. A lot more riders on the trail for being the last weekend of the year than what we had encountered that first go-around. One thing I noticed were all the E-bikes. People younger than me using them to ride both ways. A lot of seniors (older than me) riding them, because they can. That made me take an inventory of where I am in that mix. Some of these people were likely fit at one time, to the point they could have easily cover this trail on a "gravity" and pedal bike. Made me wonder when will I be in that situation that I won't be able to really ride like I prefer to do. The cold truth is it will come for all of us someday. Until then, I'll do what I can to resist the inevitable. Hell.... I ain't that old.

Rain Ride

A little different look than what I had posted earlier this season from the same spot....

Rained hard last night and was still off and on this morning.  Not too many years ago, I would push myself to ride in all the worst conditions. This morning, the coach in me took over and the drill was on - riding in the hard rain, with temps in the low to mid 40's along the way. The Drifter's (tires) aired down to about 20 PSI, conditions were ideal for a cold morning wake-up call. I dunno, maybe I'm really a dumb-ass, but I'm not that old. It was only 32 miles, but I did it in pretty good time and form. Frozen feet, hands and soaked to the bone - I intentionally decided against full cold-weather gear. Shorts, woolies (socks), an ear-protector and thin gloves. No helmet-cover, no leg-warmers, no shoe-covers - only lite-layers and a Gore shell up top. Damn miserable - but I loved every minute of it! This is what the of-season needs to look like - until my visit to the electro-physiologist in October.... I have a hunch they may want to take me out of commission for a couple weeks. A problem for future me. Until then, I'll act my age and continue doing stupid things - because I can.

The fate of us all,  Doolin-Dalton

At some point time will catch us all. We have to decide when to give it up, or go down swinging. Along the way, the spectators will watch, as though it will never happen to them. Eventually it catches all of us. I'm not putting them shootin'-irons down quite yet. I have a point to prove....

"The stage was set...." Will there be any tomorrow?

Click here for "Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (reprise) - "sooner or later....."

Pulling for Reed! Making it hurst when I can....

Recognizing those that support the "Porpoise"

 The Purpose of the Porpoise

Without the support of all of you, this thing wouldn't go anywhere. I cannot be too grateful for this support and what it actually does to make this simple, but yet potent machine function. Here's to you all - including those that simply stop by occasionally to see what nonsense I scratch-out. 

The coolest of sisters.......

I've said this before, my sisters are the coolest a kid could have. I'm the youngest of the herd, so they always had an influence. "B" stopped by again this year and gave the "Porpoise" a solid shove. She has always been kind of a leader into new frontiers and the future. Pretty sure she was the original Beatles fan on this continent -she has a sophisticated sense that makes her an original. More importantly, she is true to herself and her standards. I've said this before; 1978 Christmas - 52nd Street. Still a favorite of mine and one I would never have had the savvy to have bought on my own. That is only a small sample of the things I have learned from my "wiser" sister. Thanks for the support big sis!

The Legend

"D(o)" is back yet again. He is truly a legend. A man of which you can always find a solid demeaner. I'm always amazed at how he has vision well beyond the horizon. What seems to be an always even temperament, he is definitely a guy you want in your corner when the situation is tough. Thanks for being here again. I truly appreciate all you have done over the years. You are without a doubt - a true legend!

Partner in Crime

For a number of years, back when I was gainfully employed, I was fortunate to have worked with a couple really good engineers. Lots of projects all around the globe with some pretty interesting situations. I learned a lot from these guys. The guy I travelled with has been a frequent supporter of the Porpoise over the years. As a matter of fact, he was instrumental in me completing my first LOTOJA. We have both long since left that place, but stay in contact on a regular basis. He is without a doubt the smartest rider I know. I still ask him for advice in everything from engineering to cycling. A darn good guy who helped me survive a lot of stuff over the years. He even survived my driving in foreign countries. Thanks for showing up again TD. Lets stop a Fuagou for some meat on a stick....

Dearing-Dor

Yet another legacy supporter of the Porpoise, we've have a few good times on projects over the years. An endurance guy himself, he is often giving me ideas on nutrition and training. And then there are times when he gets talking about churros. Holy crap! Next thing you know, we are completely sideways on a job and wondering how we may have got to that point. Still, we knocked down some pretty good dragons over the years and I'm always glad to work with him. Thanks for sticking around. Just be a little careful taking calls at odd hours from Rod.....

One of the Home Crew

I've said this a million times before; my kids are 100 times smarter than I could ever be. This kid is no exception. Level headed and smart, with a ton of discipline. His own little cadre is quite the crew in itself. He's been around before the Porpoise was even a purpose. He's been to a handful of LOTOJAs over the years, so he know the in and outs of the entire season and event. Never been a bike rider himself, he still gets the bigger picture and manages to help out - a lot. I'm sure I can find another bottle of "Mule Sauce".

The Brightest Stars in the SKY

There are those individuals that simply seem to shine brighter than others in a crowd. Such is the case with A&M. Wow! We go back a long way. We seldom have much interaction anymore, but when they show up, they show up as the brightest in the sky. Call it a countenance, I dunno, but that's really the way it is. It is always good to see them again, as it brings back memories of better, perhaps simpler times. I wish I could say more without taking the luster off the finish. Lets just say they are always a welcome sight for my eyes. Thanks you two...........

Arrr! The rest of the crew...

These are the same knuckleheads that keep me going every year. Undoubtedly, this year was harder than others. In fact, this year just sucked (more about that in the wrap-up in a few days). Nonetheless, the crew stayed the course and kept things tolerable. It can't be done with them, especially the "first-mate" - Number 1. This year certainly didn't go as one would have liked, but then there are those things kind of out of our control. We have a lot to sort out between us, but we do have a solid crew and I know we'll be ready for the next season.

One more from the Road

Ah, the great Lynyrd Skynyrd album. Talk about great, this one came in while I was updating the post, but didn't notice it until on the way to Montana for the weekend. TK - the heart and soul of Cache Valley and a great friend. I worked with him form many years and learned what a calm demeanor and level head are really like. Also a loyal follower of the thing we call "The Porpoise", he is reliable as a new calendar. The one that coined the phrase "darker than the inside of a cow", he is a man of true wisdom and insight. Thanks for all you do......

The others - already covered

There were the others that stopped by earlier, in fact way early (see previous posts). I would be remis to leave them out of this wrap-up. The earliest came at a time when the wheels were coming off. It kept my mind in the game. Later, things really went south and the other sis pulled through - again at the right time. I can never say it enough; thanks for jumping in with the Porpoise this year. You have made a difference.

Race Summary and Fall Posting

Heading off for an easy dirt ride tomorrow. Helluva long drive, but beautiful country. Nothing technical at all, but some pretty neat features along the way. While out there, I'll draft up a season and race summary. After that, look for weekly posts through most of the remaining year. Normally the Porpoise rides until it snows. This year.....lets try out that snow bike and see how it goes.

Stick around and check in weekly when possible.

Here's one that kind of sums it all up nicely. That two string picking arrangement is something he and George developed early on. You may recognize it....

Click here for "Put it there" - McCartney

Pulling for REED! Enjoy the ride while you can........

A gift to everyone - Pass it along!

 Play it loud! Mr. Blue Sky....

Click here for "Mr. Blue Sky Sky" It never get old.....

"Please tune me over" The late and ever so great, Richard Tandy!

Going out strong

 The Kit

The front of the marked up jersey.

No pressure here! That is a lot of support from a great crew of the absolute best people in the world. We've also added a few names along the way, from other supporters that have dealt with this garbage as well. This gets very personal and I think it needs to be that way. It will be a long day tomorrow with a very early start from the home-20. Start time is 06:34 with a very large group of some very fast riders. It will be hot. I'm about six-pounds over an ideal riding weight, but certainly not my heaviest. A few problems with the bike last night and today, but it is ready. Now.....it is all about the mindset. We are doing this for our brother. There are no options other than to drive it home.

Back of the Marked Up Jersey - gang, bib number and all!

The Gang

All the names on the backside of the jersey are pretty much the gang. A bunch of old farts these days, but still the gang. We've all gone on to live our own lives, with the subtle influences we took from each other, as we were trying to figure it all out. I'll never forget the bus ride home from our JV football game out at Tooele. Most of us would be getting time the next day in varsity, but those away JV games were just a blast. That particular game I recovered an on-side kick just before the end of regulation, that resulted in getting the wind knocked out of me. I mean really!? On-side? We were drumming them like 296.8 to nothing when they finally scored. The bus ride home was late, but a lot of fun. The entire bus singing at the tops of our lungs to most every song that came on to the radio along the way. I'm pretty sure we took a few liberties with some lyrics. Perhaps "My Sharona"  wasn't really the way we seemed to sing it -but we were legends that night. That may not of been the entire crew, but it was exactly how we were all together. And to think we actually got away with it.............

Sobering Truth

Look........this isn't going to be easy. It never is. Every year I think how bad off I am and somehow manage to pull it together, but it is nothing short of a miracle. I'm not gonna preach, but I'd be lying if I said anything other than the truth. I pray a lot on this ride - some years more than others. It is much larger than me personally and it takes more than I have alone. And this year........that is a lot to carry. I'm soft and fold way too easy most of the time. A good fight is all talk any more. But here's the thing; there are too many of our crew and classmates that have been taken too soon. Rule number 1: Life not fair. Rule number 2: Get over it. It's largely a mental game. I know where the fatigue will set in. I know where I will get dropped. I know what the wilderness will feel like. I can control those things. I pray there are no accidents, no mechanicals and especially for a tail-wind from time to time. That's just a normal day - right? Maybe I should find out what riding hard really means and do something other than whine. You've gotta be smart. Don't blow it up. Look for groups to hook on to and watch out for the knuckle-heads. Fuel up every 30 -45 minutes. Manage the discomfort - it ain't pain. Somewhere in the end, I hope to see more daylight at the finish line than in the past two years. 

Traction for REED!

If you are reading this, pass it along to no fewer than two other people. Let them know about our brother and how we all want to take a pull out front for him. Between this post and my gift early tomorrow morning, lets make it personal and get as many page views and hopefully donations directly to his "Go Fund ME" as possible. Make it personal. If you don't donate to Reed or Huntsman, give that guy on the corner a couple bucks. Put away someone else's shopping cart - just do something - anything that is bigger than any of us individually. The world will be a better place because of the effort.

Click here for "My Sharona" - You figure it out.........

Pulling for REED! Ride HARD!

Touching the top

 Monte Cristo

Mote Cristo Camp Ground

I've said this before, Monte is like an old friend; brutally honest and always dependable. I love Monte for all the right reasons - and maybe for a few of the wrong ones as well. You pay a price to get up there and it it is a grind at times. Straight up SR 39 from Huntsville, it starts easy enough, but quickly turns into a series of gradual climbs and rollers. Starting at MP 19 it is a constant 2% - 3% maybe. By MP 23 you are in some minor rollers. All the camp grounds - Magpie, Botts, South Fork, Meadows, Willows, Perception Park and finally up on a flat just before the Causey turn-off. About a quarter-mile of something about 5% and then it levels out to something more like 4% for the next couple miles. At about MP 30, it is a constant 4% - 5%, with the occasional upward pitch. Approaching the "blue roof cabin", there is a solid stretch that makes you push ever so hard without going into the bailout ring. Once at that crest, you have a little rest to get a quick banana down before it starts again. By MP 34, you are at the spring and ready to go to the smaller front ring. MP 36 is Ant Flat road. The snow gate is just prior to MP 37, then the Wagon Wheel and Big-Horn. Then it's past Marriots at MP 40. Dry Bread is MP 41 with Little Monte at MP 43. MP 44 outbound, you are officially on the "shoulders". From then on, you are back in the big ring and making some pretty good speed. Just past MP 46 you are well above 9,000 feet elevation and the air is thin. The Camp ground is closer to MP 48 than MP 47. When Going to Woodruff, you'll pass MP 49 at Curtis Creek and finally MP 50 before you are committed. All the way, Monte never disappoints - you just pay the price.

SR 39 MP 44 Outbound

A final ride to the top for the season

It may be a little late, or too close to the race, but I had to go back one last time. This time there was no construction, but the new road was pretty rough. Rather cool in places with sweat pouring into my sunnies (glasses).  Equipment problems made for a distraction, which didn't do anything to build confidence. The camp ground was closed for the season, but still had the hosts trailer and running water. Of course, he still had most of the water I took up a couple weeks ago, but there is something magic about Monte water - or so I'd like to think. Being up there in the Autumn takes me back to my youth. I ran across several grouse just off the road. Last week was the odd coyote. Traffic is generally not bad. Yesterday was pretty quiet, with the holiday in the rearview mirror for most campers. Standing up at the top, taking a couple picts, the breeze blowing and no traffic - this is Monte Cristo. Then it was time to let it go for yet another season. Time to get back to business.....

SR 39 MP44 Inbound - Bring it on home....

The long ride home

When you blow past MP 44, you still have a long way to go. Invariably, when you get to Red Rock at the Causey turnoff, you catch the blast furnace trying to push you back up the canyon, but you only have ways further to go. Still, that canyon can just go on and on - or so it seems. Finally, you are out of there and it happened faster than you care to remember. The price paid seemed so distance - like a lifetime ago, but it was just a few hours earlier. In the books for yet another year, I will long for that ride come the middle of winter. But that is what makes it so precious. It's not always available. When it is......well, you're grateful for the beating she gives you.

You gotta love Zeppelin II. It has aged like a fine "cheese". SHARP!

Click here for "Bring it on home" 1969

Pulling for Reed! Ride HARD!

Things are getting tight.......

 Doing it for our brother.

Back of the 2024 Huntsman HEROES jersey.

Front of the 2024 Huntsman HEROES jersey.

This is the eleventh year riding for Huntsman. It's been a helluva ride along the way. I've written about that first year and how I spontaneously wrote my cousins name on my sleave the night before the race. Her fight was with Glioblastoma (brain cancer). A few years later it was little Hadley - same thing, Glio. Along the way, every jersey has been worn only once with meaning to each one. Names of individuals somehow involved in a fight against the "Big-C". Last years jersey was pretty intense and I cut it a little close on the finish. After all that, I felt a little of the gravity that goes along with the honor and commitment of doing this type of thing. Right - I know, I'm not curing cancer, nor am I making that pain go away, but I can do this - I hope. Turns out our brother (Reed) is fighting Glio as well. As such, the "gang" has all agreed to place their names on the jersey in honor of Reed and his fight. We didn't have time to send it around to all twenty-something of the group, as I just received the jersey about nine-days ago. At that, two-weeks ago I thought I was out of this thing (another story that I would just as soon forget). Here were are, getting it ready and I'm in this thing for keeps. The jersey will go to the family tomorrow to markup the front, sides and wherever it fits. Reed won't know about it until after the race (ride). Absolutely zero pressure on this one.......UGH!

The biggest mobile billboard on the road

Lets face it, I'm not built for road cycling - at all. That said, as wide as my shoulders are, I can put up a pretty good platform for a billboard. You want to get a message out, well.....I'm only a little smaller than a box-truck. It's not about me, but that is a lot of "beef" to push to the top of three mountain passes over the course of a 200+ mile bike race. Last evening I did a session of hill intervals for basic maintenance. I mean.....at this point, other than dropping about 3 ounces of mass, nothing is going to change between now and Saturday morning (barring an injury). I can say those first three sets were still pretty painful. By the mid way I was using the harder gears and pegging the force at lower cadence. To my surprise, my heartrate was still mainly in zones 3 & 4. I never did get into the threshold - again. One thing is for sure, that is definitely some serious mass. I'll use it to my advantage.

Donations

This year is a little different, as I have also pasted a link to Reed's "Go Fund Page". I still have the link to Huntsman over at the top righthand-side of the "PAGES" column. To be clear, Huntsman is a registered 501(c)(3), so you can claim it if needed. When you make that donation to Huntsman, you have the option to direct your donation to an area of your choice, but not an individual patient. It is my understanding that Reed is getting his treatments at Huntsman, but is also having to cover some expenses out of pocket expenses as well. From the looks of it, they haven' seen much activity there for the past several months. The Porpoise rides for everyone, but cannot make decisions as to who, how or when donations are handled. That said, please follow your better sense and do what you believe in your heart to be the right thing to do. I know that things are tight for a lot of people these days - I get it. If nothing else, pass this Blog page along to a couple people and get more traction. The Porpoise gets nothing out of it, but it does help the algorithm find the page when people try to search for it. Page views do make a difference. Donations always help  - regardless of where they land.

The "Gang"

I've mentioned this group before, but will go in to a little more detail in future posting -hopefully before the race. Until then just know, we are all brothers (and sisters) from a long time ago. These jerseys have seen too many of our fellow Scots & Lass names over the past few years. I have a picture in my office of the "Porpoise" coming into the finish line in which you can clearly see a specific name on my right shoulder - that went all the way back to second grade. She had lost her battle with the "Big-C" earlier that year. I mean...........this has gotta be stopped! Until then, our gang still supports those a part of our lives and our principles.

Talk about "big" bodies and mass......... Eric and boys got together back during Covid, as to not be outdone by Morgan and Doug (see the previous post and compare the work).

Click here for "Big Fat Funky Booty" - Spin Doctors

Pulling for REED! Ride HARD!

Pushing it over the top

 

Welcome to Woodruff - Coolest Temps...Warmest Hearts (and they mean it!)

Woodruff.......

If you've been around this blog before, it's likely you know the significance of Woodruff. It's kind of complicated, as it is simply no easy task on the best of days, but always worth the effort. Of course getting to Woodruff requires going over Monte Cristo, which is a topic of its own, but it also requires that you get back over the mountain from Woodruff, heading west and down the other side. From Huntsville, it is all SR39 and is 50-miles one way.

I generally stop at the store and take on some fuel and get a brief rest. The people up there are the best. Over the many years that I've been doing this ride, I can honestly say every person I've met in that town has been genuinely kind and gracious. The highway that runs directly through the center of town, comes from Evanston, Wyoming, where travelers going to Bear Lake, Jackson Hole, Teton Park, or Yellowstone will jump off of I-80 and cut across to Sage Junction, some 20+ miles to the north of Woodruff. It's kind of in a tough place, as Evanston is not too far to the South-East and travelers often stop there for last minute supplies before heading north across the plains. From the north, Randolph is only 10 miles in that direction. There is a little more commerce in Randolph, but the old Maverick closed many years ago. We nearly always stop in Randolph at the little park there on our way back from LOTOJA every year. Because of this, the little store there in Woodruff gets passed by - a lot. Communities like this rely on a local "bodega" as more than just a resource for goods, but also a community hub. When you consider that this little store has to get supplies from a long ways away, it can be difficult to make it all work for a profit. When you also consider that SR39 ends right at that intersection, but is closed for as many as 5-months of any year, you can see the challenges associated with keeping that operation afloat. I do not take them for granted and try to show my appreciation whenever I can. 

This fall, before SR39 closes sometime in November, I'd suggest taking a drive over Monte to the "other side", enjoy the autumn colors and experience the warmest hearts you are likely to run across. Of course those Autumn colors go fast, when they begin. You're probably looking at a mid-September drive. Regardless, do it because you can. I know they will appreciate the visit.

The ride back

Coming out of Woodruff can be a little tough. You have already spent a ton of energy to get there in the first place. The drop into the valley starts at MP49, just past Curtis Creek Road. It gets very fast in the first 10, or so miles. Eventually, you are having to push  through a few gears as you get closer to town, at what should be MP68 (the intersection). Somewhere between MP53 & 52 they installed a new cattle gate, that used to only be paint stripes across the road. This is were you are absolutely flying, coming off a straightaway in the mid-40's and heading for another steep grade. Those stupid cattle-gates are dangerous on anything with less than 4-wheels. The key on a bike is to be perpendicular to the grating and try to bunny-hope if possible. Well today, I bunny-hopped that thing at about 41 MPH - crazy! Coming back can include a ton of variables - wind being the most prominent. Getting back to the first cattle-gate at MP60 is generally my first landmark. A lot of rollers to that point, but the wind can make it harder than it needs to be at times. The snow-gate is between MP56 &55 an is the next milestone. Today I was well under one-hour, but there have been times I've had a screwy little tailwind that got me up there in just over 45-minutes. By this time you are now in the top canyon, with the afternoon winds nearly always right in your face. The canyon starts to open at MP54, reducing the funnel effect of the wind, but then it starts to get steep again. By MP53 you are well into the dugway (that place that gets you going way fast on the way down), from where you can see all the way up to MP51 - only to get in your head. As you round the curve from MP51 up to MP50, you are definitely in the bailout gear, knowing you are looking for the relief between MP49 and Curtis Creek Road. By Curtis Creek Road, still in the small front-ring, but indexing between the full rear cassette. At MP48 you are feeling bold enough to jump into the big front ring, only to be pushed through the top-end of the rear cassette. Before you know it, you see the Forest Service sign for the Monte Cristo guard house and campground. This is what we affectionately call the "shoulders of Monte", as you still have rollers for next nearly 4-miles - albeit at 9,000 feet elevation (give or take). As you see MP44 inbound, you are on the way home. All things considered, this is as hard if not more difficult than anything you will see at LOTOJA - assuming you ride both sides (outbound and inbound).

Monte Cristo

I can't count the number of times I have written about Monte. For now, I can tell you that two trips up that thing this week have truly put me in my place. I love Monte for all the right reasons, but like a true friend, she is brutally honest. I'll post that assessment in a few days - when we properly "Bring it on home".

A lot riding on this year

As we get a couple days closer, there will be more information about Huntsman, "The Porpoise" and the jersey. I can tell you that I have not felt this much pressure going into race-week in any of the other 14-years that I have started/finished. The lingering illness is still having some effects, but I feel like it is turning a corner. A few more key rides, with some additional bike maintenance and packet-pickup on Wednesday. The key at this point is to get healthy, keep moving forward and focus on what I can control. Stay tuned for more information in the next few days......

HOPE

I coincidently ran across a video last evening, that I had almost forgotten about. It is from 2020 - you know, that stupid Covid year that jacked up everything. Morgan James and her talented husband Doug Wamble, did a series of recordings from their New York City apartment (the place that was ridiculously locked down like virtually no other). They called them Quarantunes and they were great. With so many of us being stuck in our homes (for some stupid reason), this became the go to for so many music lovers. After all of those releases, they did an REM cover of "Everybody hurts". Toward the end, they do a quick collage of clips from all the previous Quarantune videos they performed. It was and is still one of the most powerful performances that I can remember. The key to the track is "hold on". Given everything that has been happening of late, I can say that showed up at a pretty good time. I recommend going back and finding all of the Quarantune performances, but especially catching this one.

Click here for "Everybody hurts" Thanks Morgan and Doug!

Pulling for REED! Ride HARD!