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...................
Ride HARD!
