Last minute details

 The Race is On - Tomorrow!

A last minute ride last night to check out the bike had a quick stop at Huntsville park.  Those shadows are sure getting long.  Feels a lot like autumn.  

Start time for my group is 06:00 - in the dark.  Groups being spaced out like they are will make for a different race dynamic. It may be harder to find groups along the way. The weather forecast looks agreeable for the most part.  It now is a matter of where the winds may shift, and at what time.  This never gets old, but I'm still as nervous as ever.  I've reviewed this ride over and over in my mind for many weeks.  There will be suffering and frustration.  It's gonna be a good day.

The Porpoise

As has become a tradition, I mark up my jersey as kind of a reminder of why I do this, as well as to honor those caught in the fight.  It is an inspiration to do this, if not a solid and sober reminder.  Donations have been a struggle this year, but I get it.  Still, the images above are about true struggle - much harder than anything I'll experience tomorrow. For some, there is no relief, where as I can choose to stop anytime.  A few weeks ago I was on my way back from Woodruff when I was thinking about this very thing.  It occurred to me that either of these two individuals have endured more than the little pain I was feeling that particular day.  From there, I thought I could focus a little harder and pull through.

I still have a lot to do before I get some sleep tonight, but I thought this important enough to stop and make this post.  I'll be leaving far too early tomorrow to risk making a post before I leave, so this is it before the race.  Just know, somebody is truly suffering and some of us have the capacity to render aid - in one form or another.  

Tune in a few days from now.  I'll try to make a post from Driggs Saturday night, but no guarantees.

Until then, here is my gift to all of you that stopped by for this post.  Thanks for being here......  Pass it along. 

Click here for that thing that makes everyone smile - Mr. Blue Sky

"....Please turn me over."

Any Suggestions?

What a mess!

With only a few days to go, things just seem to be getting more and more complicated.  Last night (early this morning), an epic wind storm blew through the area knocking out power.....everywhere.  This entire valley is out, as well as Ogden canyon and pretty much everywhere else you can point to on a local map.  Judging by the damage, I'd say we are looking at a couple days before we get power restored - which really complicates matters.  Add to this, the bike shop that has my Six-13 was supposed to have it ready this past Saturday.  Well, that certainly didn't happen, and now they are closed due to the power outage.  This really has me nervous and a tad bit ticked at the same time.

Proving a Point

With no road bike to ride, and lets face it, conditions too crappy to do it anyway, I did a hard sprint up the old reliable dirt trail.  Of course nobody else to be found anywhere in all of the park tonight.  As hard as I worked getting up there, I was sweating profusely and freezing at the same time.  The image above shows the snow that fell on Ben Lomond this morning.  I must say, the climb to the top met expectations all the way around.  The descent was darn cold - all the way home.  This is easily one of the best climbs on this trail I have ever had - like ever.  That only proves to me I'm not in a completely bad spot anyway.  I still may lack the road endurance, but I have plenty of leg strength and stamina.  This was very important for me personally tonight and I think it did prove the point.

Packet Pickup and Check-In

They have moved everything up, starting tomorrow.  The location has changed and there are several details that aren't important.  Just chalk it up to more things Covid.  Riding down to Centerville tomorrow to get our stuff and get started with the event.  I have also sorted through the kit and gear and have my stuff kind of thought out.   I have pair of DNA bibs with a Huntsman jersey that will be a big departure from all years past.  Not only have I never worn bibs, but this will also be the first year I haven't "flown" the company colors.  I've never been a fan of bibs, although more people use them than don't.  They've been known to complicate emergencies.......

I guess we'll see how this works.  You'll want to swing back on Friday and see what markings are on the kit this year.  You'll like it........

This internet connection through my phone is trying my patience, so lets cut it here.

Oh, before I forget - Please pass this along and lets get a few more donations before Friday.

Click here for a little Blue Monday

Ride HARD!

 

Last big ride before LOTOJA 2020

 Woodruff - one last time for the season

If you've followed this post in years past, you certainly understand where Woodruff fits in this whole thing.  This ride is not for someone that is not committed.  It works you both physically and mentally - like HARD!  I've lost track of how many times I've done this ride, either from home, or Huntsville - it's a lot.  I can honestly say that there has never been a single time stopping in the local store, that the people there have ever been anything less than friendly and hospitable. I'm not an easy person to impress, but I truly enjoy my time when stopping in this place. That is certainly the biggest reason I continue to do this ride year after year.  It is always bitter-sweet knowing when it is my last ride for the season to Woodruff.  For the past few years, we have come home from the Race through Randolf and Woodruff.  When we make that turn west onto SR 39, it is a hard reminder that the season is over.  Add that to the last look at Monte and it really makes me miss it.  I seem to forget about the pain......

I have ridden into a lot of towns and can tell you, none of them are like riding into Woodruff.  Most, if not all little towns in North Cache would rather ban all bike riding - period.  I've walked into some places were my kit, gets some pretty.........different reactions.  Not in Woodruff.  Just today, I roll in, wearing a Lycor kit, over stuffed pockets, Gu's jammed in my leg grippers, wearing patent leather Italian road shoes, and I'm just another guy talking about the weather, or whatever it may be.  There is a reason I enjoy this ride, and it has everything to do with the people in this community.  You guys are the thing that has made our country great, and you are awesome!  Thanks for another terrific year.

By the looks of this sign, I'd be better off going to Ogden rather than home.

The Kids Alright....

The new guy, okay call him the newer guy these days, pulled through with a donation to Huntsman.  A sizable donation at that.  He has helped Huntsman in the past, as he knows how much it means to me personally.  He also knows how "the company" put the screws to this entire effort.  Simply put, the kid (and his fam) are alright! Thanks for being a great supporter again.  It is truly appreciated.

Today's ride

Generally speaking, all rides have some specific tasks and key points.  Today's ride was to manage a full out and back - from home to Woodruff and back - about 126 miles with about 7,800 feet of climbing.  Out the door just before 06:30, the temps were cold.  Heading up SR 39, I had zero use of my fingers.  It was a good 20 miles up toward Monte before I could do anything with my fingers at all. Several places I could see my breath.  The right shifter was delayed from it being so cold. No arm or leg warmers today, just the simple Lycor kit. Rolled out with the nearly full moon just setting behind Ben Lomond Peak - kind of cool.  

I setup my RXL wheelset last night, with some R3 700 X 25 Bontragers and a 11-28 cassette.  As the day wore on the shifting cables stretched, making proper indexing next to impossible (thus the visit to the bike shop). The RXLs are considerably heavier than the DT Swiss, but they are much faster in the descents and flats.  They don't buck the wind, and actually make the wind a force to be reckoned with.  Going into Woodruff the wheels were a tab bit faster than the DTs, but also a little more unstable.  The loss of overall speed comes from having to use brakes in curves, as I'm not use to how they handle.  On the way back, they were a little easier to predict, albeit the wind was far worse than in the morning.  When coming over the shoulders (the top of Monte - see the elevation graph from last week), you hit MP 44 going west.  From that point, it is pretty much WFO for the next 12 - 14 miles.  As I was passing MP 44, I gassed it hitting 46 MPH right away.  Initially the bike felt a little funny and wasn't sure if I had the confidence to let it out.  Crossing over Little Monte, it sure didn't feel as stable as the DT's but I was also flying a bit faster.  The curves felt really good and took most of them with the brakes wide open.  By the time I went through the snowmobile parking area and Ant Flat road, it was wide open with complete confidence - wind and all.  The biggest difference with the RXL wheel set (aside from the bearings) are the bladed spokes.  Fewer than the DTs with a bladed configuration, that acts like a wing as the air passes over the wheel - maybe more like a vertical rudder.  Still, as the air flow passes over the wheels, across the spokes and the bike itself, it can create some interesting dynamic characteristics.  Add any side wind and it can be.....an adventure.  Still, I have used the RXLs for many years and the DTs for only a few.  We'll see what the conditions are like just before race day, but either way, one set will be on the bike, with the other in the truck as the backup.

Most metrics today were met satisfactorily.  The morning segment was better than the afternoon, as I was able to stay in the big ring upfront further than ever before.  The mistake today was giving up time too easily.  Dropping the bike at the shop was not in the plans, but after the shifting problems in the second half of the day, definitely a requirement.  Power to weight ratio is okay, but the VO2 max is still not where I want to be.  Perhaps the most significant deficiency is in posture fatigue. This is contributing to overall threshold issues.  At this point, I am where I am.  

The next few days will be more dirt than road.  I will run the bike after it gets out of the shop, and then include a fast tempo ride Wednesday evening (less than 40 miles).  Spin bike to keep things moving in the right directions.  Nervous - as usual.

MP 44

Whenever I pass MP 44 going up, I know I'm on the shoulders and will soon be flying.  Coming down, I know I'm on the way home.

Well, that is what's left of MP 44, but if you've been following this blog in past years, you know what that means.......... Bring it on Home!

Bring it on Home - 1969 - Zeppelin II

Who can't appreciate a mic'd up Les Paul Custom with a Floyd Rose tremolo?

Stick around, some really good stuff is yet to come........

Ride HARD!

The Purpose of "The Porpoise"

 Where to begin

This LOTOJA thing has been a thing for me personally for many years. Initially it was just something to do - I guess. One year I hadn't prep'd nearly as much as the years previously and....lets just say I bailed very early in the race. Having left with a gut wrenching effect, I committed that type of thing would never happen again. The off season that year was not great.  A kid I grew up with died, that was kind of an eye opener.  No, he didn't succumb to the Big-C, but that really didn't matter.  A few months later, it seemed liked a good idea to do this (LOTOJA) with a purpose.  That's when I started my affiliation with what was then called "Huntsman Hometown Heroes".  Like everyone else, cancer has hit close over the years. It was the second year with HHH I started the blog, and "Riding with a Porpoise".  A lot has changed since then, more than one can remember.  Through that time there have been several co-workers, friends, classmates, and so on, that have lost their battles with the Big-C. Most recently, this past year, another kid from my graduating class was taken by this insidious disease - (Jeff R).  That was before this whole Covid thing.  Here we are, less than two weeks out, and things are as uncertain as ever.

Taking a little time, I went back to a an old yearbook and scanned through pages of people I have long since forgotten.  That was a long time ago, and I've moved on - to say the least. This wasn't like an in depth "review" just a quick look, but the one person that jumped out at me was our old buddy Amy.  We started kindergarten together.  Had known her since I was five.  Had her in several classes over those years, ran track, and all the other stuff you take for granted.  She was killed by a fluke falling tree that hit her truck on her way home from a shift at the fire department. She signed that yearbook,...... "Always, Amy". Then there was Todd.  A year older than me and a kid that lived in my neighborhood.  He was killed just before I graduated, during his first year at college. As I briefly scanned through the images and messages left by so many, the count of those that have since passed was too many to mention. Hard to forget, but you can't live in that past.

Fruit Snacks in the pocket

As had been the case dozens of times over several years, I was finishing a long week in Brazil. Taking the usual late night, Friday ride out of Gaurulhos (Sao Paulo), I was sitting in the SkyRoom trying to get some reports done, prior to boarding.  Having traveled enough, I understood the importance of keeping stuff like Cliff Bars and water in the backpack.  There was a young family there, waiting for their flight, with a little kid that was just going crazy. This is in a room full (overly full) of burned out business people, all wanting to get home. Having an appreciation for what these parents were dealing with, I checked one of my pockets and found a stash of pre-packaged fruit snacks. I offered them to one of the parents, in my poor excuse for Portuguese.  The end result was a near miracle.  Rationing out the individual fruit snacks, the mother kept things well under control.  I'm sure they had enough snacks to get them on their flight. I've lost track of the number of times the stuff I carried on these trips made a difference for someone else.  The point is, these thing all cost next to nothing, but they proved nearly invaluable to someone else.  The lesson learned; a little of what I can give may go along way for someone else.

So....here we are

We are at the end of this years campaign (for Huntsman). Almost everything else was cancelled due to Covid.  LOTOJA is pretty much the only thing that didn't get scrubbed, and even those numbers are down. It has been a crappy year for pretty much everyone, but we are turning a corner. If you have made it this far, I ask that you consider your situation and remember anyone from your past that made you realize your own mortality, the frailness of life, or simply how lucky we all have been in our pursuits. Really think about that person, or people and the hole left by their absence, and then give.  Not much, just give something to someone else, and then say the name of the person that you are remembering.  Follow the link to Huntsman, buy someone a cup of soup, a little petrol, or something that will bring the sunshine into their day.  Use your better judgment. If you donate to Huntsman, you may do so anonymously, but write for whom you are remembering in the appropriate place. Do be generic, but specific.  Names matter.

If you want a little more prodding, visit these previous posts:

A tribute to a freind 

Final Post - 2017

Final Post 2018

Make a difference this week, wherever it may be, but remember to say that name.

Swing back for more at the end of  this week. 

Click here a "Give a Little Bit" - thanks Rog!

Ride HARD!

Back for more abuse

The Wind!

On a good day, any ride over Monte to Woodruff is a challenge.  When conditions permit, it just sucks!  Who can't appreciate 6,700 feet of climbing?

From Huntsville Town Square, to the end of SR 39, is 49.7 miles.  Add a turn into the camp ground and you'll make 100 miles for the day from this starting point. The above elevation profile shows the climb from both directions. Considering the average overall elevation, the air is a bit thin as well.  The way it looks, you'd think getting back to the top from Woodruff is much easier.  That's always a good way to look at it, but generally speaking......it varies - GREATLY!

The turn around point, looking toward Randolf (10 miles away).  

From the moment I started up SR 39, the wind was howling directly out of South Fork Canyon.  All the way over the top there was wind.  Highly unusual, but you take what comes your way.  Even with the wind, the bike was in the big ring upfront all the way to Ant Flat Road - an achievement for this season.  I made sure to fuel a little better than last week, with a couple Gu's and a banana at timed intervals up to little Monte.  Rolling past the camp ground, I pushed down 350 calories with a ton of protein. Carrying three water bottles was not needed for the cooler front side, but that wouldn't be the case coming back.  Key times this morning were okay, call them respectable for this season anyway, but certainly not my best times ever.  Given that, you always have to take into account the conditions, "best times" are always subjective.

The ride back started with the constant wind that was already shifting on my way into town.  I was hopeful the headwind that fought me going into town would give me a push going out.  In the 20 minutes or so I spent filling-up, everything changed.  Normally the first few miles out of town are fairly easy.  Even with a little wind, the real resistance doesn't hit until about 7 - 10 miles back.  Today was resistance from the get go, and it only got worse as the miles went on. The temps weren't too bad, but very deceiving, in that I really had to watch my water intake. By the time I hit the snow gate, about 15 miles up, I checked to see how well I had been hydrating.  By that point I had consumed about 3/4 bottle, with two full.  I made an concerted effort to hydrate more often and push a couple Gu's on specific schedules.  A few fruit snacks also kept the blood sugar up.  Coming out of the canyon and onto the dugway, I was at times only 4.5 MPH.  The wind was relentless and just flat out punishing.  I stopped at the top of the dugway, at MP 51 (the curve) on found a little shade.  From there it was a constant push back up to the top.

At the camp ground, I was nearly out of water.  A lot of time had been lost getting back, and the wind was increasing.  I choked down a Cliff bar and maybe 25 ounces of water, filled two bottles and set out.

I still had the scoops fully open from somewhere coming back up from town, so I had to stop at MP 44 to zip-up.  Having learned the hard way, not having the kit fully zipped is a sure way to get stung by a pissed-off bee that gets trapped in the jersey. And then the wind, it only got worse. Trying to duck down on to the bars when being that tired is not easy.  In South Fork Canyon, it was worse than normal, and incredibly hot.  Still, a little focus managed that pain.

After shredding my rear tire last week on this same ride, I re-fit the DT Swiss wheel-set with a set of 700 X 23s.  I've never run the 23s on this wheel set before.  Today with the wind, I think it was a good choice.  I'll have some new 25s before race day and will probably kit those on both my DTs and my RXL wheels.  If it is going to be windy, the DTs are they ticket.  If not, I may run the RXLs this year.  

With the Cache Century having been cancelled back in May, my annual tuneup ride isn't going to happen.  Perhaps I'll head to East Canyon for an early morning group "poach".  We'll see what conditions are like.

Check back for a special post this weekend.  Meanwhile.......

I'm sure they were checking for proper hydration indicators - Click here.

Ride HARD!

Dirt ride Redux

 Getting it right....

With the heat and crappy air quality, it seemed like a good idea to ride the dirt last night.  Talk about "shite", to quote Hambini.  Going over from Cutler to the south side just didn't flow.  The climb seemed harder than I remembered.  I couldn't seem to find good lines on the way down.  Overall, I was very disappointed.

At the overlook, I kind of had this moment, the kind that makes you really doubt.....everything.  The ride down just seemed foreign - not natural.  When I pulled into the garage, I took an little extra time to burn off some frustration, for what it was worth.

From the moment I got off my bike last night, all I could think about was doing it all over, but getting it right this time.  I literally fell asleep thinking of the technical details as if I were riding it over and over again - in my own mind.  When I got home from work, I check the emails and saw a donation from a former fellow co-worker; my favorite Bobcat.  That is really the thing that provided the motivation.  There is just something about seeing those messages that get me going.  It really works.

After taking care of a few obligations, I rolled out of the garage and headed to the single track, over near Cutler.  Lets just say the focus and attitude were 180° from last night.  Straight to the top, with considerably more time in the faster gears.  I still spend too much time in the bailout, simply trying to conserve some gas.  I really need to index more in the upper parts of that climb.  I ran into a little race coming out of the park.  Good fun, but when I got to the house, the power was out - leaving stuck outside.  With nobody else home at the time, I had a little trouble getting into the house - given the garage door opener was on hiatus.  Still, I'll give it a B+, with still some room to improve.

Course Updates

I talked with one of radio guys this evening.  They drove the entire course last weekend and said most everything was looking great.  A stretch of road construction north of Hoeback, where we'll get off the highway for a bit, and follow another side road.  Sounds like we still have to traverse a little road work, but nothing too serious.  He also said the Sportive ride ending at the high school is about 197 miles this year.  Also said there was a lot of changes in some of the feed zones, particularly up Snake River Canyon.  I told you it would be a different race this year.

The Bobcat

Aw, the old kitty.  Yes sir, my favorite Bobcat made a donation to Huntsman today.  Quite a guy he is.  Before he retired last year, I think I had worked with him since the Lincoln administration.....kind of a blur.  Another guy that worked with us for all of those years retired a few years earlier.  Unfortunately, the Big-C took him not long after he retired.  I suspect, this may have had some influence on his decision to support Huntsman this year.  That, and of course, being such a darn good guy..............for a Bobcat that is.  Thanks Pedro.  It was a big boost tonight.

Huntsman Link

It occurred to me this morning that the Link directly to the donation page does not easily appear on the mobile app.  Not sure how to fix that at the moment, so I'll post it below and with every post going forward - until race day.  Please take the time to pass this along and perhaps visit the donation page.

Click here for the Donation Page - Riding with a Porpoise, Huntsman

If you've made it this far, perhaps an 8 minute ride would be in order.  Speaking of Redux......

Click here for a little Chris LeDoux

Ride HARD!

Its time to make it count

 Three weeks out - Woodruff!

The one ride that really measures your readiness is Woodruff.  If you've followed this blog from previous years, you'll know what this is all about.

Woodruff sits on the other side of Monte Cristo, directly at the end of SR39.  From there you either go right to Evanston, or left to Randolf (and Sage Junction).  Travelers going to Star Valley, Jackson and all points that direction from I-80 will pass through this little place.  I've done this ride for years and really enjoy the fine people of this community.  This year is a little later than normal, but than this year has been anything but normal - hasn't it.

This ride has several elements of importance.  It is tremendously physical, absolutely mental and generally speaking - BRUTAL!  It is harder than any climb at LOTOJA, both in length and grade.  When you get to the top of Monte, you have to make a decision; go all the way, or turn around.  At Mile Post 49, you are flying.  In only a matter of minutes, you've gone too far to look back.  Once out of the canyon, you have to pedal to get into town, but still have the grade in your favor.  When you are leaving town on the way home, you see the mountains well off in the distance, and that certainly gets into ones head.  Add to this the wind.  Aw yes, that familiar headwind.  If lucky, it will only be a cross wind, but seldom is the case. Back at the canyon and it is channeled directly into your face.  Often the wind and grade combine to keep you in the old "bailout" gear.  Somewhere between MP 56 and MP 55, there is the snow gate.  At MP 53 you are clearing the canyon starting back up the dugway.  At MP 52, your are midway up the dugway, looking for the bend at MP 51.  You know at MP 50 it will be one steep hombre, but at MP 49, you'll be passing Curtis Creek Road.  Another mile and change.....the camp ground and water.  This is the mental game you learn to play.

The above image is just coming out of the canyon at MP53, heading for home.  Knowing you still have to climb through those mountains can work against you, or with you.  It is really a mental game at this point.  That grade is steeper than it looks, but still manageable.  

Why put yourself through it?

Often we do hard things because we can.  Other times, we have no choice.  Learning to deal with adversity is life in general.  You have to endure suffering to progress, and this is progress.  If you can do this ride with confidence, you can ride LOTOJA. You are capable of far more than you may otherwise believe.  Overcoming the hurt of the body is the hard part.  You'll live through it.  Pain is temporary.  The reward.........well, that's for each in their own mind.

Yesterday was hot, windy and just hard.  I left home without my Halo (sweat-band) - this is why I use baby shampoo during riding season.  I was physically sick by the time I got back to Huntsville.  I shredded my back tire, but still made it home.  I didn't eat and was in serious calorie deficit - again. I decided to wear my old road shoes, which was not smart either.  In the end, it was a pretty good day.

Forty years ago...........I can't believe it;s been that long  I bought the (then) new Bob Seger album.  It's funny how those lyrics seemed to be so distant at the time, but somehow relatable.  I came home from a backpacking trip, down Calf Creek Canyon, Escalante, after a hot, but life changing few days.  Home alone after getting everything cleaned up and put away, I listened intently to that album in the stillness of that evening - looking out over the horizon, as to what laid ahead.  The changes in life and the excitement of the unknown.  Part of the charm of our youth is looking back and realizing how little we actually knew about life, but how eager we were to live it.  It is true; "Sometimes I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then".  If I only knew better...................

Click here for "Against the Wind"

Ride HARD!