Indian Summer

 

Pumpkins at the Monastery Farm

Morning TT Rides -sort of.....

There is a little 40 mile loop I would normally ride on the road bike as kind of a tempo thing. The path I take using the hardtail is a little more consistent in general conditions, with some great variations in the way of rollers and features. As such, I've been using it as a quasi Time Trial course, where I'm constantly trying to improve my overall time. I currently have a specific time I'm personally trying to beat and am short by about 75 seconds overall. It is ideal in the sense that I can't really make up any time on the downhill sections, as I'm already spinning-out in my fastest gears. I do have to push harder on the return trip with just under 500 feet of climbing in the last 5 miles with more than 200 feet in the final 1 mile. Doing this three days a week is not too bad, but I wouldn't consider myself at an off season base level condition. I probably need to make some minor adjustments to the schedule as to improve the situation.

Hardtail at the point

Continuing Assessments

It's good to be busy, but time sure flies by in the process.  Looking toward next year seems kind of ridiculous, given the events of the past year.  However, one needs to be looking far enough ahead as to keep an eye on the potential future. Sure, there are those things that can't be seen, but having a plan with some room for contingency is a must. Allowing for things outside of our own control to dictate the outcome is a sure way to fail. As time moves along, the assessments need to continue. Its that classical loop of ; plan, execute, assess, adjust, execute assess....  It never gets old, just a little frustrating at times.

Full out Autumn - Somebody has to do it.

A Time to think things over

Generally, long repetitive rides make for a good time to think about.....stuff. Trying to make it a TT kind of takes some focus, as it does require a constant effort, but somewhere along the way different tasks and projects seems to float into the mind. I've been known to figure out some fairly complex engineering problems while doing extended rides. I mean, not actually doing the detailed calculations, but enough as to know the general result. Sorting through controls, motor torque calculations, dissolved gas analysis results - its all just stuff that I need to sort through, but need to also be away from it at the same time. Then there are those personal matters - the things that just linger. The spice of life, or the heartburn that follows. Either way, I do make use of my time riding when I can.

Most recently, we had another fellow alum pass away. Not really one of the regular group, as he was in a different class and definitely ran with a different crowd, but still a kid we all knew from way back in the day. It's a bit curious as there are certain things, or places you immediately associate with someone when your first hear their name after so many years. This kid was a year younger than me and played on my little league baseball team when I was in sixth grade. Our coach was a really nice guy, but a terrible coach. He had this younger guy, maybe in his very early twenties, helping him as well. Truth is, he didn't know anything either and was a genuine jackass. Very early in the season, probably a pre-season game, we were getting throttled - badly. After a couple innings, our two "coaches" decided to call the game and go directly into what they hoped would be a very intense practice. So the young coach decided to start driving hard line shots at the infielders, when after only a couple quick hard hits, he nailed this kid right where it hurts the most - use your imagination. I mean...I though the poor kid was dead right there. Needless to say that was the end of a bad idea and the beginning of a very long season. To this day, when I hear his name, I remember that event as though it happened yesterday. I'm pretty sure that line-shot from fifty-years ago didn't contribute to his untimely and premature death, but its crazy how you associate that type of memory with people over the years. Turns out, this kid had gone on to law school and had a successful career in Las Vegas. I probably haven't seen him in forty-years and wouldn't have recognized him if I had ran into him recently. But that's how life is - it moves on regardless of virtually everything else. In the process, our memories are refined to things that may otherwise have a specific association - event, place, time...you get the picture.

How are you associated?

With all of this, I've wondered how other people associate me with their memories. Mention a name of anyone from my past and ask me to say the first thing that comes to mind - it may surprise even me. The same goes with places, events, or dates. It's kind remembering where you were when  hearing that John Lennon was killed, or Ronald Regan had been shot, or what you remember about hearing Led Zeppelin IV for the first time - okay maybe that is a stretch, but you get the picture. But really - what is that thing that people will always remember me for when they hear my name after fifty-years? Unfortunately, we really can't go back and change that impression. I suppose it is like the first impression being a lasting impression - but is it really the prevailing impression? I was recently listening to a podcast where the person being interviewed was given a rapid-fire format list of names and asked to say the first thing that came to mind. Wow! that was truly revealing. I know it's too late to change the result, but what is that "thing" that will always be associated with you, with any one individual from your past? Is it a fair representation, or is it the result of a really bad experience? I suppose it could be a very positive experience as well, but still....I really wonder.

Back to the Daredevils.....Man this is deep.

Click here for "It'll shine when it shines"

Pulling for REED! Just ride...

New Methods & Familiar Vistas

East end of Causey, Kamp Keisel Entrance

A different kind of autumn riding

Autumn always has been my favorite time of most any year. Going back many years, generally after the football season and a long summer of working to store up enough money for the school-year, there was always some time for hunting and enjoying the change of the seasons. Seems that as I have gotten older, I get some of my best dirt riding in during this period. So many other things have changed as to keep me from the other things I used to be passionate about, but somehow I still get some riding into the schedule. After that wet ride earlier in the week, I really needed a longer - more taxing trek somewhere else. Causey is about 50-miles round trip from my garage. On the road bike, it typically is somewhere in the three hour range - depending on traffic in South Fork Canyon. The hardtail isn't nearly as fast as the Six-13, but does offer a nice break from the usual. I normally don't go up there after LOTOJA, as I tend not to get back on the road bike until the following spring. The hardtail is nice in that I can roll off and onto tarmac (asphalt) and dirt without any concerns. When on the road bike, I stop at the top of the oil, about a mile from Keisel, as that dirt section would be hell with those skinny tires. Gotta admit, it seemed to call me that morning when I was deciding where I would ride. I took a few detours into areas that had been closed for the year, where I found some very nice, quiet pedaling - all on dirt.  Still my favorite time of the year, it's just not that same with more responsibilities that I had in my youth.

Same place different day.....

Amazing what a couple days can do...

After that ride to Causey on Thursday, my better half wanted to do a little ride Friday morning after the kids hopped on the school bus. Still pretty cool when we left the house about 8:45, but it turned out to be a very nice day well before we got out to the point. Of course they have that all closed off to motor vehicle traffic - which is okay by me. Still, Fridays are just way busy with road traffic in the valley anymore. Add to that, all the construction and the event that was going on up in North Fork, well...getting home was not the best ride, but beats riding in town for sure! Trying to maintain a base level of fitness is critical for the off-season, but it can also lead to burn-out. Keeping it real, but enjoyable is a trick. Admittedly, the hardtail has given me options that are making it more enjoyable. There is getting to be so much traffic in North Fork Park, that it just isn't nearly as fun as it used to be. Given the unpredictable weather of the autumn, the hardtail will make it easier to stay into the meaningful rides - longer into the year. The cold doesn't bother me as much as slick roads and greasy trails. It's gonna be a great autumn - until we go back to see the doctor....

The trusty full-sus out again

More Cowbell????

Sometimes it's good to take the less than serious side of life for a while. Taking the full-sus out for what I hoped to be a easy ride to the top of the "mule" didn't pan out tonight. Turns out she needs a little love and attention. I need to take it completely apart and service everything on that bike. Making little tweaks here and there only get you by so long (as is always the case with everything in life). Two or three hours on the bike-stand, maybe a new chain and a complete brake service - she'll be ready for a little more cowbell. Speaking of beating on the bell and things not as serious, it sounds like the Daredevils are coming to Park City next year. That is definitely something that would be worth the price of admission - leaving everything serious at the door.  Meanwhile, lets get a few things out of the way this week and see what we can do with opportunities.

Who knocked off who? The Heads or the Daredevils....

Click here for " A little More Cowbell" The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Still Pulling for Reed! Enjoy the ride whilst you can........

 

 

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!