Final Post 2018

Heroes.................

Click Here for more info about the Fighting 486th

Another sleepless night.  I need to be moving snow around 03:30 as this is where my day starts this time of year.  What a better time to put it in the can - so to speak.

About the ride

Well..........there hasn't been a ride for a couple weeks due to weather.  I've also not had the chance to hit the "shore-line trail" either, but I don't expect to have much time there before that is under snow as well.  So I'll tell you about the ride some 33 years ago.  Actually, a series of rides that started when a friend of mine and I bought our first mountain bikes.  In the day, revolutionary.  By today's standards........... it makes me laugh.  We used to ride from the top of Ogden Canyon, up Wheeler Canyon, to Snow Basin - my old stomping grounds.  Occasionally we'd ride up the service roads to the top of a couple of the lifts - because we could.  It was way different back then.  We never saw any other mountain bikes, in fact, people on horseback would look at us if we were from another planet.  Snow Basin was completely deserted during the summer months. Still, it was a break from what had become a rather crappy situation in most other respects.  Somehow I knew things would never be the same, but I never realized how cold it would get.  The next few years I rode the heck out of that bike, simply to get away from whatever was behind me.  During the winter months, I'd ride around Willard Bay as fast as I could, while later I'd take my dog and ride the always empty and local North Fork Park.  Man, has that changed as well.  I always had a little hope and that was all that mattered.

If you go back a read my final from 2017, you'll tie hope to heroes.  If not, just trust me on this one.....

This year..............

"Hadley My Hero" - is where we left off last year.  It was my inspiration for what I needed to do this year.  That was before the busted ankle and the humiliation that became last summer.  Thanks, Reggie and fam; It made literally all the difference on race day.  You are my heroes.

To those that contributed - in any way.  Thank you so much.  Your overwhelming support literally took me to my knees.   I know you were supporting the cause - the "purpose" and not the "porpoise", but my gratitude for your support is well beyond measure.  What a humbling experience to know of such tremendous people.  It does give me hope.  Thank you for showing up when you did. Obrigado!

I've learned a lot -still, but have even more that I need to resolve.  That's for another day.  I'm already looking toward next year with optimism, as I have already scheduled a couple races and am considering something a bit unconventional for HHH.  All I can say is, swing back around in a month or so.  I'm not going to put it off like I did this past year. 

One last thing to answer a question

I've been asked about the "Juniors Farm" thing.  It's nothing too deep, but it is like this: That was a very happy time in my life.  It formed me.  The Scotsman that wrote the number (Jimmy), died not too long after that.  Linda died about twenty years ago - of cancer.  Both of them are something to me for reasons nobody else will ever understand.  The short of it is, it reminds me of when times were good - before the realities of life.  I long for the chance to reconcile.

Please come back in a month or so.  We have a lot to fight for............

Here's to heroes - Click and enjoy this one.........

The Porpoise 2018

Thanksgiving Morning

Pressing My Luck

Seemed like a good idea at the time.  You know - going for an early ride this morning before the weather got much worse.  There are few, very few things that will keep me off my bike, but ice is certainly the one thing, if not the only thing that I truly hate.  I love the cold - I can dress for it.  The wet, the mud, even the snow - I can deal with everything but ICE!  Don't ask me how, but I managed to get all the way to the hill at Cold Water before my bike came out from under me.  I really had to think it through, as I was committed to getting a ride in this morning, but the risk - scratch that, the danger is not worth the chance.  One of my neighbors had this very thing happen to him a few years ago and it put him in the hospital for four days - dang near killed him at that.  Last year I had my bike come out from under me after riding over Ben Lomond peak, down past Willard Basin.  There is no more gut-less feeling than when your bike goes from under you.  It is completely unpredictable, never the same and always bad.  Just stopping for this pic below I was standing on an icy bridge deck.  Bad idea..............

I've never been a big holiday fan.  However, as a kid, I used to love going hunting on Thanksgiving morning.  From my earliest memories, I remember some of the most unbearable conditions; snow, fog, ice, wind - it didn't matter I truly loved that experience.  From probably four years old 'till....well when things changed. I couldn't carry a gun until I was twelve, but I didn't care.  Truth is, most of those hunts were completely unsuccessful from the hunting perspective, but I remember so much about them all.  One year it was so cold while duck hunting, I remember thinking if I shot my gun a few times, I could warm my hands on the barrel (stupid) - not that I would ever do it.  The last year I can remember was perhaps the only successful hunt on Thanksgiving.  Chasing Chukars in a foot of snow up where I would ultimately break my ankle last March.  The irony......

Through some of those years, as I got a little older, there was this phenomenon called FM radio.  In particular, there was this early local station that would play nothing but deep tracks and extended full versions.  Virtually no commercials and absolutely no talk - none.  It was XM/Sirius thirty years earlier, but better.  I'd leave that playing all night, very low, with only the light of the tuner illuminating my bedroom.  It was magic. While at work yesterday, I was going over a project with a tech.  While going over the details of some calculations he used the phrase "FM", which I learned early on in my career, that's what techs often call engineering.  Later in the day, I had business over in the other valley.  Afterward, I took a couple of my boys over to the farm for a little target shooting.  Cold and windy, it was reminiscent of those earlier days, when on a cold autumn night, I would listen for hours to the magic of FM.  Those were great days and I miss the magic.

Some uncut magic with a touch of Chopin

Watch out for the ice and Ride HARD!

Slowing down?

Next season is in the gate......

A couple of good rides on the dirt this week.  The ride Monday was pretty cold and pretty much the way I like it.  27° by the time I got back to the house.  Tonight was a tad warmer like upper 30's when I got home - riding shorts weather.  The trail is mixed with snow, ice, some minor mud and a ton of leaves.  No other riders either night, but I did happen on to a bull moose Monday night.  A couple weeks ago I tied a bell to the bottom of my saddle for such occasions.  Still, this feller was right in the middle of the single track, not sure what was coming at him.  By the time I saw him, I was coming out of a blind turn at just under warp speed - literally no time to adjust.  Fortunately, the moose had already turned around and was for getting out of there.  I've had it go the other way when the moose has sent me packing all the way back from where I just came.  All that is what makes this absolutely great.

Had a quick meeting with the company riding club Poobah.  He's getting ready to retire, so another guy and I are going to split duties.  Thus, we are already starting to look at kits, gear, rides, and activities for next year.  This is where Huntsman and Lotoja get the primary funds for the HHH function.  I also registered for my first race - okay ride.  True Grit is March 9th near Santa Clara.  This is the race I was training for last year when I jacked-up my ankle.  I've also been getting notices for Leadville, but that is definitely a long shot at best.  I'm also looking at a different approach to fundraising for next season.  Stay tuned.....................

I've noticed the page views have started to slow, so maybe time to cool it for a while.  Still, if I can still ride in North Fork, the season can't be over yet.  Meanwhile, riding is always good when you can get it.

We're not done yet.

Ride HARD!

Should I stay or should I go?

Sacrifice

What is the cost?

Cold and dry today.  Took a short little ride out on on the oil (and a little dirt), to appreciate 33° in the face.  Schedules have been less than ideal for riding and such, but I've made a few changes that will remedy that problem.  Still, not a lot of time left on the local trails before I'll be on the other side of the mountain.  Registration for "True Grit" opened yesterday - the one I was training for when I busted my ankle last March.  I need to figure out how to get some training rides in down there before I sign-up.  13 weeks, I think I can make it.

So..........on this, the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the thought of true sacrifice definitely comes to mind. A sacrifice is something you give up, to never get back, or reimbursed.  It is not a donation, it is absolute giving - to never be given back.  There is a lot to be said for someone that will sacrifice for another, without knowing who that other maybe.  It doesn't really matter the cause, just the fact that someone - anyone, may be willing to sacrifice for another.  That is character of the highest kind.

You locals know of the most recent in our area.  These are truly the people that make a difference.

No matter what you may believe, who or what you worship, how you vote, how you voice your opinion - somebody paid the price that you may do so.  It wasn't free.  More so, the debt is never satisfied.  As I've said so many times before; you've got to put your self in a position - prepare yourself, that you may step up when the time comes.  It's not easy.

Thanks for your service.  Thanks for the sacrifice.

Riding is so easy.

Find the Cost of Freedom - CSN&Y

Cold and Muddy

Needs/Wants - Wills/Desires

Yesterday was ideal for almost any kind of ride, so why not do yard work instead?  After spending yesterday doing yard work, and the completely overwhelming week at the office, I needed a good ride.  It just wasn't going to happen while the weather was agreeable.  This afternoon had to be it; cold wet and raining/snowing.  I really didn't want to go out, but I needed to just get away for a while - something that took a lot of convincing on my part.

With North Fork closed to all motor vehicles for the season, it was a great time to head up to the north canyon and Bicentennial Trail.  Dressed for wet and cold conditions, I wasn't too concerned about the elements, but more concerned about leaving everything else behind for a spell.  Before jumping onto the single-track, I rode up to a couple summer home gates, just to get a look around.  I ran across a pretty good "fire-scar" from a quick brush fire last August.  Lots of variation in terrain and conditions made it hard to get comfortable.  One minute on a tight hard surface, the next, grease.  Even on the service roads, it was sketchy at times not knowing if the tread would hook-up, or leave me sliding.

The start of the single-track was pretty tight.  Most of that is climbing, with good traction and manageable grades. Just around those fur trees above, the trail immediately got greasy.   This was the case most of the way up to the junction.  At times the tires would load-up, but quickly clear, often not fast enough to take sharp turns very fast.  Several places you could see where a couple of horses had a tough time keeping a solid footing along the way as well.  There are some steep grades that are hard enough dry.  Add the grease and it's pretty much hike-a-bike.

The trail was a tad better from the summit down, but still, a few areas that the tires wouldn't hook-up.  I hadn't been up this trail for a couple years, so I wasn't sure how far anything was.  I knew this sign was just a shade over a mile from the crossing at Cutler Creek.  A couple switchbacks and a simple little water crossing.  With temps in the mid 30's, it wasn't a good idea to get wet feet.  Sure enough, cold feet for the rest of the ride home.  With some daylight left, I headed up Cutler Creek Trail, as I hadn't been up there in quite a while either.

This is an old trail I used to run some thirty years ago, with my yellow lab.  Back then, there weren't many single track trails - besides the original Bicentennial Trail.  I used to ride my old hard-tail mountain bike over the service roads, but would seldom ride up this trail, as the terrain was not enjoyable on that technology.  Still, this was a pretty quiet place that I could trail run with my dog after a long day at the office.  There was never anyone else up there.  It was up at the top of this trail that I caught the picture of the "frozen mushroom" on the stump (at the top of this post).  That place sees direct sunlight about 20 minutes each year.  A stretch of marsh right down the middle of the trail always slows things down, trying to pick through it.  With the park now closed, there won't be anyone up there for a long time - not that it goes anywhere in particular, just a quiet place.

You may notice the little blue bell zip-tied to the bottom of the bike saddle.  There have been a ton of "cat" sightings (lions), including a lioness and her two cubs in this particular area.  The bell serves to let other riders know I coming on "blind" corners, but in this case, keep the lions from considering me as prey.  You'll also notice the RaceFace flat pedals.  Still no confidence in the SPD's.  I think I need to try some EggBeaters.

This afternoon was all need and will.  Literally, no want, nor desire involved.  It was cold, wet and everything else you' expect,  A darn fine ride and am glad I forced myself out there.  I really couldn't come up with a good reason not to go.  I mean, cold and wet is nothing.  Rather, I'm fortunate to be able to ride right out of my driveway and onto top grade trails.  It won't be long and I'll have to drag my bike to trails that aren't covered with a few feet of snow.  I'll lament not being able to ride with such ease, but until then I'll have to make the most of the conditions - but will I?

Blues Deluxe - Beck/Stewart, Fillmore West '68

Ride Hard!

Halloween

Reminiscing - '78

Yep, That's snow falling again 'bout 8,000 feet.  A little late getting out, but still worth the effort for sure.  Temp was something like 38° when I got home and getting pretty dark.  Next week it will be too dark to ride without lights, so getting time on the trail now is a must.  A few spots are getting a little slick and sketchy.

Not sure why, but I got to be thinking of Halloween, '78.  My parents had gone to Hawaii for a couple weeks and I had to work almost every night during that time.  That is except for Halloween.  I was bending tacos for a little joint at the time and felt like I was making it happen.  I mean, I wasn't a Rockafeller, but I wasn't hucking newspapers anymore either. Times at TJ's were pretty good.  For that matter, everything seemed pretty good - or so I remember.

That night I swung by a little church social with one of my "friends" - that I couldn't tell you his name if my life depended on it.  Don't ask why, but I do remember clearly an event that tied back to that previous Saturday, of which I wasn't really paying attention otherwise.  Nobody would ever remember this but me, however, I can still tell you of the "Foreigner"  45 RPM disc, song name and all that sticks in my head to this day.  I couldn't tell you about anything else from that day, but I remember about ten minutes as though it happened this afternoon.  Those two events and a similar time about one year later would come to play an integral part of .............. how I would see things for the rest of my life.

My parents wouldn't be home for more than another week and I would end up missing the Pheasant hunt because of it.  Still, when they did get home, I was sitting on a pile of cash from nearly three weeks of straight work - after school of course.  A week or so after they got home, I bought new skis and boots, which would prove to be another significant event.  My first love was always skiing and buying this gear was like an engagement ring.  It was mine, not somebody else's old stuff.  I had arrived.

I remember the very moment I heard John Lennon was killed and the events of that evening.  I remember exactly where I was when told Ronald Regan had been shot.  I clearly remember where I was when somebody told me about the Challenger exploding.  Key things that really didn't shape me personally, but were staggering all the same.  Yet I remember two events in October 1978 that seemed at the time completely insignificant and one other in the Autumn of 1979 that changed everything for me. At times, it is still what drives me.................................

Man, times where good.

Snow is coming.  Ride while you can.

Ride HARD!            Here's to the good 'ol boys - Don W.

Oh, Oh, Oh,..............Canada!

Back to the front..................

Seems whenever there is a crap-storm, I find myself right up front.  Another last minute booking back to Canada.  I can't be the smartest guy in the company, or we're all in trouble.  Dealing with equipment from Europe, in a building designed by Europeans, make s for a challenge.  400-volt commie-motors running on 575 volt, drives that were spec'd incorrectly.............engineering is truly overrated (sarcasm).  The Canadians I get to work with are great and make it tolerable.  These guys are pretty good at what they do and are darn good guys to boot.  Getting a little later flight got me up there just in time to enjoy the parking lot that is otherwise referred to as I-75.  By the time I got across the border and up to the facility it was nearly 19:00.  I didn't get out of there until sometime after 01:00 the next morning.  It was like that all week.  Saturday morning I had to leave Windsor around 05:00 to be to a planned power outage in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  After a long day at Auburn Hills, it left only enough time to head back to the airport - and sit in more traffic.  I kid you not, 60+ hours in four days - as an exempt employee.  What a bunch of crap!

Since my last trip ten days before, Canada legalized cannabis.   Thus the brown cloud hovering over the University, just off the Ambassador Bridge.  It's kind of like Boulder, Colorado on the Detroit River.  There was an automated highway sign up on the 401 with a Weed plant and red circle and line through it saying "don't drive high".  Huh, I guess we're not in Kansas anymore Toto.  

So what does this have to do with riding?  NOTHING, as in no riding for me.  I'd hoped to get out this afternoon for a quick trail ride, but I'm just hammered from the past couple of weeks.  The more I don't ride, the worse it gets.  I need to start building a maintenance program in the mornings.  I've already lost too much ground and can feel it.  You lose it faster than you can get it back - at my age anyway.  The registration for True Grit is November 10 and I really want to be in that race.  It isn't until March, but that isn't much time to train if I have to get it all back.  I also got a notice from Leadville, for a lottery registration in December.  I'd love to ride Leadville, but that would seriously take 9 full months of dedicated training - which would be hard with my current work schedule.  Along with this, I need to coordinate some Huntsman stuff, with the Company and Club.  Life used to be so simple.

On that note, today is October 28th.  Forty years ago, it was just another Autumn Saturday afternoon.  I wouldn't come to realize how significant that particular day was for a few years later, but it changed everything.  Man, things were so simple back then.  I should have been paying attention.

Dirt ride tomorrow afternoon -if I can get away from the office.

Only in Canada -Before and After

Ride HARD!

Need more time to ride

Problems on several fronts

Last Friday night I found myself, near midnight, standing in a rainstorm in Southern Ontario, Canada - for whatever reason.  Thing is, I didn't even know it was raining until somebody mentioned it.  That all started the day before when one of the guys that wear all the headdress-feathers (a plant manager) stopped by to brief me on a problem that I wasn't aware existed.  In other words, somebody else's problem that I needed to get in the middle of.  By 04:30 Saturday morning, I was driving back to Windsor, to the hotel, for maybe a few a hours sleep and a shower.  At this point, I didn't have a flight home and was hoping all along to be home earlier enough Saturday afternoon to ride.  When I got back to the job site later that morning, I was just hoping to be in my own bed that night - a small consolation - forget about a ride on the MTB.

So goes it since race day.  Actually, I was putting off several of these projects until after the race, but I had no idea it would be like this.  It makes it really hard to keep a positive attitude and update the blog.  I go out for a short ride, all the time thinking of all the worlds problems I'm dealing with - only to get home more frustrated than when I left.  What's the point?

This morning I went out for a ride on a familiar trail, using the Mokocam.  As expected, I had to address issues from work that "just can't wait".  I got a pretty good clip on the descent, that really doesn't do the ride justice - but................  The files are too large,. I'll need to post them on YouTube.  That will be down the road aways.

For now, I've got to head back to Canada next week with an early morning project in Michigan, Saturday morning.  The local weather looks good enough to ride every day between now and then - hopefully.  Something needs to change....................

A couple weeks ago, while driving back to DTW on a Saturday night, I caught a radio station out of Detroit that was doing a non-stop fifty-year commemoration of the mighty Zep.  It's hard to believe it was that long ago.  Three years ago, I was on the tail-end of a long couple weeks in China.  One of the guys talked me into a Tex-Mex the night before we flew home.  Out of nowhere came one of the classics from II.  Suddenly, I thought - "I can do this".  It's always good to get home, and I and II take me back home - in a way.

Click here - Your time gonna come

I can do this...........

Cold Weather Riding

Soft trails with snow on the horizon

Trying to make the most of the available time, I've been out on the mountain bike several times this week.  A couple later evening rides with a pretty nice early morning ride in the mix.  With temps in the low 40's. and always a chance for precip - cold weather gear is in order: Helmet cover, long finger gloves, and a good rainproof jacket.  With temps above 30°, warmer socks with shorts are still pretty good.  The rain has really made the trails soft and responsive - not too muddy and certainly not twitchy.  Still, an occasional blanket of thick leaves may hide rocks and stumps that can catch you off guard.

The season on these trails locally may be getting short, as this picture from this afternoon shows snow only a couple hundred feet above this location, with heavier snow not too far above that.  The forecast for tonight puts snow a few hundred feet below this point.  It likely means there will be no ride over Ben Lomond this year, but I suspect we'll have a few more weeks on the lower trails - hard to say.  What is for sure, I'll make the most of the time before I have to start riding down on the Shore Line Trail.

Something about the Autumn that takes me back.  I used to look forward to this time of year. I used to spend a lot of my fall in the field hunting - anything.  The colder, the better.  A good day didn't involve much, if any shooting, but rather just being in the field early and taking it all in. Being out with my yellow lab, literally for hours on end - it just beat just about everything. Even in the summer months, I'd like to carry my 9-pound, ultra-precision rifle (unloaded), take my dog, and hike from our house up to Ben Lomond peak.  Going up a back trail, we'd generally not run into anyone 'till about a mile from the peak.  The scope on my rifle provided great optics to spot wildlife a long way out.  All the times I did that little hike, I don't think I ever loaded a single bullet into the gun.  It just provided a great conditioning ballast and fantastic optics.  My lab has been dead for nearly twenty years.  I think I fired my last round through that gun last year - from a box of bullets I reloaded in 1997.  Shooting once a year, typically at a fence post 500 yards away - not a lot of bullets being used. I just don't get out much anymore - thus the bike.  I cover a lot more terrain, a lot faster, but it's not the same...........................

A lot to do before the snow flies and the first heavy frost.  Until then, enjoy the changing of the season.  Maybe another month and it'll be time to register for some spring mountain bike races.  Probably a good time to head south for a couple of days.

Click here for a little "Young Blood"

Ride HARD!

Off the bike for too long

Back home

After that ride to Porcupine two weeks ago, it seems there was just one more thing after the next.  Finally, last Wednesday morning, I headed for Michigan.  What started out as a busy week ended even busier.  Basically something like 60 hours between Wednesday and Saturday night - getting home just after midnight.  So much for burning some vacation............

Commitments and weather have kept me grounded until tonight.  Taking what I could get, I rode over to the horse corral trail and went part way up the back side toward Ben Lomond.  The trail was pretty rocky and washed from the  1 1/2" of rain last night so I couldn't make very good time. I should have gone for something a little more familiar.  Still, I wasn't really up for a hard ride and should have known better.  Riding the spin bike this morning was more of a strain than usual.  I guess that's what ten days off will do to you.  You lose it a lot faster than you can get it back - it a vicious thing.

More rain forecast tonight, but maybe I can get out tomorrow afternoon for a longer ride.  I could use the break from work  - and everything else for that matter.  I really don't have any confidence on my mountain bike anymore.  It's to the point that some of the technical stuff is more effort than fun, in fact, kind of tenuous.  I've gotta fix that before snow flies.

The leaves have all but turned, but not from the cold.  It's just so dry, the colors are not what they usually are this time of year.  Still, pretty darn nice just to be out and about.

Give me a couple days.  I'll come up with something................better.  The season is a changin'.

Try a little Steve Morse Click here for Ghost Wind

Suck it up! Ride HARD!

Long Distance Dirt...........

Porcupine

I love the dirt.  I was born to ride in the dirt.  It's just like everything else - just ain't good at it.  Still, there is something about riding my mountain bike that makes almost everything...........alright.

This past week was way busy.  Work, work, work commitments, and more work.  Getting ready for a busy trip out to Michigan, and its gonna be busy until then.  With time for only one ride this week I took a few liberties and decided on a long ride I'd never done before - but always wanted to do just the same.  Tuesday night I spent a few hours going through the fleet of mountain bikes; tuning, adjusting and adding racing sealant in the tubeless tires.  So Wednesday was prime for a 40 mile trip to Porcupine reservoir and back.  3600 feet of climbing and roughly 2500 calories - an effort.

Porcupine is in the next valley to the north, across the Avon-Liberty divide.  I usually ride to the top of the divide road early in the spring before the gate opens, but not when I have a broken ankle - like this year.  Needless to say, the ride to the top was kind of nice - just to say I was back.  From there it's another 8 miles down what is called South Canyon, and into Avon proper.  To the top of the dam is just a shade over 19 miles.  The last 7 miles (or so) is on rough oil, but still pretty good.  The last mile to the top is steep, rough, rutted dirt, but still a service road.  A beautiful ride this time of year - for sure!

A couple minutes to snap some picts and back on the road home.  Not sure what to expect, I called a friend that lives in Avon to see if I could swing by for some water - if needed.  I left home with one bottle in the cage and a 74-ounce hydration pack on my back.  At the turnaround, I still had more than half the bottle with Zipfiz and 3/4's the hydration pack.  Still, I stopped by his house to chat for a minute - kind of hoping he'd want to hop on for the climb home (the guy is a machine).  No luck, as he was committed to a soccer practice with the kiddos.  Riding home alone gets kind of old, but when you have the entire South Canyon to yourself.............well, you kind of forget about everything else.  It was the break I really needed and it was fantastic.  Making pretty good time, I consciously decided to push the bike for a while, simply to just take more time.  If you could put this in a bottle, it'd be against the law to sell it.

Rides like this make it all worth the effort to get and stay in shape.  Later that night, I was online looking at the rides I'd really like to do this winter and spring.  At the top of the list is "True Grit" - the race I busted my ankle getting ready for (bad grammar).  True Grit is far more technical, but about as long time wise and distance - unless I'm stupid enough to think I can bag 100 dirt miles in March.  Who knows................whoa, what am I thinking?  It's stuff like this that gets me into trouble.  We'll if I'm gonna act stupid, let's try to get into Leadville - again.  Man, I'd love to ride Leadville, but then again, I'd fight the toughest kid in the school just to say he kicked my butt.  What is with me?  Forget about it, Leadville is next to impossible to get into by lottery alone.  Still......... I'd do it in a second!

I've only got two days this week before I jet off to Michigan.  I've got to ship all my gear tomorrow and take care of a few loose ends.  A meeting Tuesday morning and a little thing with my daughter that evening.  I need to get a solid ride in before I leave Wednesday morning.  I scheduled this as tight as possible, getting home way late Saturday night just so I can sleep in my own bed.  I hate hotels.  With 12 -18 hour days scheduled all week, doing some fairly detailed and difficult tasks, I'll be scorched come Sunday morning.  Better get a long ride in before I leave.

A few things to tie up with the Porpoise, but for the most part, we're already looking at next year for something bigger, maybe way big.  We'll see.

Don't ask me why, but this link seems to fit the mood after 40 miles in the dirt.

You Can Still Rock in America - click here

Ride HARD!

LOTOJA 2018 Ride Summary

Apprehension and Expectations

The day after I broke my ankle, the ortho-doc told me I may be able to ride in September, but it wouldn't be my fastest time - if I could ride.  Undeterred, I was determined to ride and shoot for a good time.  Ha!  Riding is one thing, but conditions on a 200-mile ride/ race can change enough over the course of the day so many times, it's completely a crap-shoot.

Arrival and Start

Don't ask why, but somehow things got a little confusing on our way up to Logan.  When we arrived at Center Street, it was very congested.  So, we just stopped right off to the side of the road and threw the gear and bike out.  A quick pic and I was loaded and rolling toward Federal Avenue.  As I got to the queue, I could see my group in the starting area, getting ready to go.  With a couple minutes to spare, I got in without any time to really think about what was happening.  The count-off and start, and then we were on our way.  100 feet into the event and on to First North, we all could feel raindrops - argh!.  All the same, we're on our way.

Logan to Montpelier

The first five or so miles out 10th West to 2800 North, back to 91 is a rolling neutral.  They hold us back to under 20 MPH.  Our group had two motor-marshalls (race officials) for some reason.  One of them kept sweeping us from the roadside all the way back in the neutral to move over the fog line (emergency lane).  Fifty-five guys, riding two abreast makes this kind of dangerous.  By the time we got past Smithfield, it was getting ridiculous.  All the other riders we complaining between each other, but nobody would say anything to the cycle-nazi.  Finally, after a couple guys nearly crashed when dodging some garbage on the far outside edge, I stopped they official and told him he was going to kill someone.  Being on the roadside of the line, he told me to get over, at which point I told him it wasn't going to happen, and we were supposed to be in the lane of traffic.  He rolled back and disappeared.  I was sure he was writing down my frame number for either a penalty or disqualification.  A little while later, he came back through, but not quite as determined to push us off the road.   Through all of this, our speed into Preston was a little slow, but the rain wasn't a factor - until we got through Preston.

At the turn up to the first climb (Strawberry/Immigration), the group quickly split.  I stayed with the main body for maybe five miles but got dropped at maybe MP7, or 8.  Still, I was able to get onto some other groups up to the steep parts at MP12-ish.  As usual, over the false summit, I was able to get some pretty good speed but had a nasty headwind.  By this time, I was seeing groups that had started six and twelve minutes behind me.  Passing the neutral feed zone, I was passing a bunch of people that had passed me in the climb.  By this time, I was seeing the fastest Cat-5s, that started almost 45 minutes later.  Usually, I can get on a good group heading down through Liberty, but not this year.  I hooked onto a couple groups, but let them go, as they were way too fast for me.  I rolled into the Montpelier feed zone alone, but not too far off my target time.  I wasn't feeling too bad, rather pretty good for the two climbs ahead.

Geneva, Salt River Pass to Afton

Up Montpelier canyon, I had been fuelling (feeding) right on schedule.  I was only in the feed zone for a few minutes and felt like I had good legs under me.  Given the congestion at the feed zone, I planned to stop about six miles up the canyon to take care of some business.  Other than that, I wasn't stopping until Afton - 47 miles away.  Geneva summit was pretty much what I'd expected, but still, no good groups going down into Geneva.  A crosswind from the south was welcome, as this would be my tail-wind to KoM.  Most of this stretch was again by myself, occasionally hooking on to small groups that were still too fast.  Past the watering neutral, I really felt like I had the legs to climb, just not too fast.  Just before the KoM start, I felt very confident and kept pushing straight into the timed section.  This is four miles, with 1,064 feet of elevation - nothing I'm not used to.  The first couple miles I was passing pretty much everyone.  The last mile or so, I was getting passed by two, or three for everyone I'd pass.  Still, I was feeling okay and confident - just not super fast.  Up until about five miles before KoM we had cloud cover.  Now it was direct sunlight and getting a tad warm.  About halfway up, I was doing the full "Batman" trying to keep cool.  With no intention to stop at the neutral feed zone at the top, I took a hand-up water bottle and rolled through.  I still had to stop as I needed to zip up my jersey.  I won't risk riding with no-hands at a point like that.  There is too much to lose and stopping takes about ten seconds.  Off the top, I was still feeling pretty fresh and my overall time wasn't too bad.  The last straightaway before the bottom, I hit top speed for the day at 50.7 MPH - not as fast as last year.  The ride through Smoot and into Afton was fast with a tailwind.  Not many groups.  The ones I did find were either too slow or too fast.  The time to Afton was about 35 behind schedule for the entire day.  With a tailwind to Alpine, maybe I could make up some time.  Wishful thinking.

Afton to Alpine

The few minutes I was in the feed zone at Afton was all it took to shift the tailwind to gusting side/headwinds.  Normally I can get through this little 34 mile stretch in less than 90 minutes and as fast as just over one hour - not this year.  At about Thayne, I was nearly out of water - and that has never happened before.  My support tracked me down and gave me a fresh bottle that got me into Alpine - cooked and with a brewing problem in my right leg.  By the feed zone, I was cooked and hurting where I've never hurt before.  At this point I was done looking at a good time, now just getting the finish.

Along this stretch, I had to really get my mind straight and put everything into perspective.  Normally I can fly through this little stretch, but this time I was starting to have considerable self-doubt.  Quitting wasn't an option, but dogging also couldn't happen either.

Alpine, Hoe Back and the Finish

Going up the canyon, I started to feel the ankle.  This was causing the IT band in that same leg to burn - making it hard to pedal. I could feel the time slipping away as I let groups pass me.  I had to regularly stand to pedal with the IT band and ankle not cooperating.  I've made it a rule to skip all the neutral fed zones, but this year I decided to stop at Hoe Back for some quick caffeine.  Turns out, they didn't have what I needed and I spent ten minutes there for no reason.  Worse yet, I let about 30 riders get ahead of me - the only ones I had been riding with since Montpelier.  Worse yet, I had a solid headwind from about five miles before Hoe Back going in.  This was to be problematic (not a Ronco product).

Just passed the roundabout at Hoe Back, it was a stiff,, occasionally gusting headwind all the way to the finish.  The last hill into the Jackson Valley proved to be harder than usual with the wind.  Getting across the highway and heading west, I was totally wasted.  Somewhere along the way, I took my last Gue for the day, expecting to find a small can of Coke at the bike trail - no luck.  Instead, I stopped just long enough to let a really good group get by me - again.  At this point, my ankle and IT band were competing for attention.  I was having to stand - regularly.

At Wilson and off the bike path, I only had seven miles to go.  I had never been in such bad shape this late in the day.  Still, I held my own with nobody passing me, but I wasn't passing anyone else either.  At the 4 KM mark, I usually gear up for a big push for the last 3 miles - not this time.  I didn't fade, but I couldn't "mash" the pedals either.  I finished with a little dignity and a ton of frustration.

Post Ride and the Assessment (second guessing)

Getting back to the truck I checked my phone and saw the donation totals that came in through the day.  Truth is, having the message on my shoulders and knowing what everyone else had done to this point, kept me going.  Stopping was never an option, but I need that to push through what I thought was pain.  Putting it into perspective, I felt pretty stupid and lucky.  Still, I was not happy.  How many times do I have to do this to prove the same thing year after year? The ride over to Driggs, Idaho gave me time to think about a lot of things.  Who am I kidding....................

The next morning at the awards ceremony, I was still a little ticked about my ride.  I only stopped long enough to read the time sheets, making sure I wasn't DQ'd - I wasn't.  After talking to the Huntsman rep, I realized my time didn't matter - at all.  As a group (the Porpoise) we did really well, but HHH as a whole was down.  There were also a ton of folks that DNF'd (did not finish).  The wind played a big part.  There was a three-man breakaway that got ahead of the headwind, took a tailwind and smashed the course record.  After all was said and done, finishing when I did wasn't that bad after all.  Still, I was dead last in my group, but it also appears there were a bunch of DNF's.  My bike time to actual time was about 50 minutes off, with more than an hour from my target.  I lost most of that in the last 65 miles, where I had hoped to make it up.

While sitting in the park in Randolf Sunday afternoon, it kind of reconciled - I did what I set out to do.  I was told I was lucky to even be riding and my time wouldn't be my fastest. So.....what's the big deal.  Maybe I could have shaved a little more time off the finish and not finished last in my group, but that is how it turned out.  The Porpoise was a success and I'm grateful for that.  Fortunately, my time didn't bear on the effort of the Porpoise.  I was already thinking about what we can do next year.  Will I ever learn..................

Now I'm looking forward to a couple months on the mountain bike and considering some off-season stuff in the dirt.

Stick around.  There's still a lot to do............................

Ride HARD!

What a Response!

What an awesome weekend

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

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

Donations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Plea for Hope

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

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

The Challenge

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

The Goal

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

Here's why

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

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

Pain

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

Click Here and Smile - Supertramp

Please - help.

Ride HARD!

Checked in

A day to go

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

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

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

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

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

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

The old favorite - Too Hot to Handle

Rest up!

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

Making it Happen

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

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

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

Donations

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

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

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

Tune in Friday, the day before the race!

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

Click here for a little contrast - Breathe

Ride HARD!

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

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

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

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

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

Donations and support

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

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

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

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

Bitter Sweet

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

So..........  a few picts from today.

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

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

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

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

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

Home stretch.  Ride HARD baby!

Less than 2 Weeks 'till race day

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

Donations

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

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

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

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

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

Cach Valley Century - The assessment

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

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

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

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

The task going forward

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

Group Info

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

04:00 is gonna be early.

For now, there is a ton to do.

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

Be fast, Ride HARD!

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

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

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

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

And you wonder why I ride.

Diadhacd John!

  Click here - A true Scot will know

Ben Lomond peak - October 2017

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

You never know what to expect

Wow! What a change from a few weeks ago......

The smoke actually cleared out overnight, making today the obvious choice to have a big ride - Woodruff of course.  Checking the forecast the night before made it appear to be a "typical" Woodruff ride; headwinds both directions, some heat with "a thunderstorm around".  Getting out about 30 minutes behind schedule, I was riding with a sense of urgency for the first couple hours.  The wind in South Fork posed a minor issue, but times to key point were pretty good. A minor adjust on the bike, jumping to the small ring up front a little sooner, and running a set of R3's rather than the Vitorias from last week.  It all seemed to pay-off as thing were pretty good, if not a bit routine.

About 10 miles out of Woodruff, I saw a rabbit (another rider) up ahead.  Amazingly, I didn't see him earlier.  Perhaps he'd flatted and just got back on his bike.  It only took a few minutes and I "reeled him in", then blew right past him.  Looked like a long distance tourist type. After negotiating some road space from a bunch of cows, I was able to make it into town fairly fast.  The last half of the descent was a little tricky with strong wind gusts out of the north - not forecasted.  Just before hitting town, lighting starts hitting all over the place.  I decided to hang around for a little while - until things improved.  About 15 minutes after I pulled in, the other guy I passed strolled in.  Come to find out, he was from Cincinnati and had dropped off a van for some heavy modifications.  He left SLC Monday and was just out seeing the area for the week while they worked on his outfit.  He also rode for a charity - a children's hospital in his area.  Not long after, things looked clear, so I thought it best to get over the mountain before it changed again.

Up to the top in pretty fast order (wind and all), it was still pretty cool and I was feeling rather confident.  I was certain today was going to be a complete ride with some extra climbing at the end.  As I headed across the top of Monte, it became obvious things were deteriorating quickly.  Still, I was determined to push on and not stop.  I know what happens after that.  Only a few miles down, I started to feel a few raindrops.  At 40 MPH, they kind of hurt, but still, I wasn't even thinking of stopping.  Just passed the snowmobile parking lot, I could hear a distant rumble of thunder.  From the looks when up top, I was hoping it was further to the south, as I could see it pouring that far back.  Pretty soon, it was a deluge and lighting was getting closer.  By MP 31, lightning was directly overhead - too close for me.  I pulled off and walked up a dirt road about 250' to a cabin with an overhang.  There I waited for nearly 45 minutes until the lightning was gone.  Back on the road, I immediately got extremely cold - which is highly unusual for me.  Shaking so bad, it was hard to hold the bars.  Just before Red Cliff, it started again.  So, again I pulled off and waited.  Just as I was getting ready to leave, the guy from Cinci pulled in ( he got a ride from a Forest Service truck for a while).  He decided to head for Ogden for the night.  I told him to stay on my wheel and I'd get us to Huntsville, where I'd call for a pickup.  From there we took him down the canyon to the Junction, where he could easily get what he needed.  Not exactly how I'd planned it for the day.

Still, I logged 118 miles and feel pretty good.  Everything got soaked, but still ran great.  Now I need to get ready for the ride on Saturday morning and make the next assessment.

Maybe a bit predictable - SRV, Couldn't Stand the Weather

Ride HARD!