Pushing it over the top

 

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

Woodruff.......

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

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

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

The ride back

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

Monte Cristo

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

A lot riding on this year

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

HOPE

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

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

Pulling for REED! Ride HARD!

What do you find on the floor of a chicken coop?

 

Ready to go....

Genuine Badass

Sometimes I need a harsh reminder of what hardship and struggle may really feel like. Lets face it - I'm soft. No match for what the world is capable of throwing at me anymore. These guys (above), they knew death and destruction on a scale unimaginable. These guys are a tender 19-years old in the picture. It was taken as they were loading up for a raid on Kiel, Germany - early 1945. Top left is Hugh J.(Mac) Maguire (radio and waste-window gunner), Ivy Murphy (ground crew chief), top right Ray Weistling (tail gunner), bottom left my dad (general badass - not a rank) bottom right Ed Thomas (top gunner and flight engineer). When this picture was snapped, none of them had any idea if they would live to see the actual image. It has been nearly 80-years, but I feel a certain sense of responsibility and pride when I look at those big mitt of hands that I would later know as my dad's. He knew how to fight and never backed down. He stood his ground even if it meant taking the short end of the stick. Shortly after V-E day (victory over Europe, May 8, 1944), he called out his left-seater (command and control) in front of other officers - calling him "chicken-shit". That was a term well known in the military during those days, as chicken droppings are the lowest and smallest thing on the farm. It cost him his rank, but what did he care - he was still alive. He sat right in the front of that bird in the background. Those were the guns he fired. As a matter of fact, he was the ship's armorer - responsible for all the guns in flight, as well as the payload (bombs) and dropping them over the target. I know for a fact they were all scared beyond anything I can ever image. These guys are all long gone at this point, but the lessons still burn deep into my soul. Don't be the smallest thing in the farm yard.

Soul Searching and Second Thoughts

2024 CVC Course Map

A couple months ago, I signed up for the Cache Valley Century. It's one I try to use as a gauge toward my position and readiness for LOTOJA. Last Monday morning I woke up very sick. It lingered on all week, but I thought to go and give it a try anyway - after all, I'd paid for the dang thing. An early start meant I had to leave home about 04:30 regardless of how well I didn't feel. I did head up there and jumped out with some pretty fast and incredibly strong riders. Conditions were absolutely harsh. Punishing headwinds made for a brutal ride - for everyone. If I had felt like crap before the ride, afterward I felt as though I had been run over by the gut-truck and sprayed by a farmers shit-spreader at the same time. I can't say it was pretty, but I needed the experience in all it's glory. In the end, I have reconsidered my sorry ass excuse for a life, along with my whining and whimpering. I'm still feeling the effects of being sick - like way sick - but I can work through my misery. If I'm going down, "go down swinging  - for hell sakes!" And if you couldn't hear it, that was my dad laying it out for me. To give up now is simply chicken-shit!

Pulling for Reed

Sometime toward the end of this past week, I received my jersey from Huntsman. From the very beginning, I have always written names of those for whom I would dedicate my sorry excuse for an effort. I will admit, it seems almost cheap in a way, while being a heavy load to carry. From that first year when I spontaneously wrote my cousins name on my sleave just prior to the race, I've felt the gravity of what it means to honor someone else - as cheap as it may otherwise seem. As I looked at that unopened package, I realized how I was being shallow and a quitter all at the same time. Talk about the ultimate chicken-shit, there I was. I know my effort will not end another's suffering, but ....I committed to pull for our brother. I have a few days to get it together. I need to get healthy, but I've had to ride LOTOJA while sick before - albeit a lot younger and more fit. It's never been about me, but here I am making it about me anyway - whatever "IT" is anyway. There is no forgiveness in giving up when someone else wouldn't have the same opportunity to walk away from their personal fight. After all - what does "Ride HARD!" really mean? Do it when it's easy? Time to put it to work and get over my own sorry excuses. I'm doing this thing - and I hope hurts bad enough I learn an indelible lesson.

Mile Post 44

If you've followed this post from previous years, you know what MP44 means. I need to feel that hurt and the satisfaction of making that post for the year. You simply can't cheat that one. I have to earn it all if I want to post about it. And here were are again - talking about "IT". Load your gear. Lets face this one head-on and take it wherever "IT" goes!

This one is playing in my headphones as I finish writing this post.........

Click here for "Cool Change" Little River Band

Pulling for Reed! Ride HARD! (make it hurt  - A LOT!)

Pulling the plug

 Sometimes you just don't belong here

It's been a rollercoaster of a year. Too many lows to offset the highs. I took some water up to the top of Monte last evening - knowing all along the inevitable task of climbing over that mountain a few times before race day. As I drove up and back down, I recounted every single mile, every curve, every landmark and the countless times I have done that ride - alone. This morning when my alarm went off at 05:00, I had the distinct impression that I just don't belong in that group of riders. For that matter, I don't belong in any event - much less LOTOJA. For years I have been kidding myself and every year it only gets worse. It's pretty bad when you lie to yourself. It is worse when you begin to believe your own lies. I don't belong here - end of story.

Thanks to all that have supported the cause. I know most of my page views of late have been bot-crawlers, so I don't know that many, if any are even reading this thing anyway. To those that have been loyal- Thanks for the ride. I'm sorry to be the disappointment that I am. Thanks all the same. I hope it all comes back to you someday.

Enough said...............

Time for A PUSH!

 

Grinding up "The Mule" in between storms. No place I'd rather be.....

Sharing.........

Its a big world out there gang. You know someone that knows somebody, that is friends with someone else.... You get the picture. At that, we ALL have some capacity to do good when it counts. In fact, I believe we do more good than we ever really know. At this point, it is that time of year again - "The Push".  The organization (HHH) is struggling this year - again. It is a function of the "real" economy. These types of things take a backseat when the coin tray gets emptied out. The need is still there, as I personally know several people who are in the fight for their individual lives. I'm sure everyone else knows that someone that is also dealing with a struggle, if not "the struggle". It's time to brighten another persons day and share a message of hope and optimism.

Because you are here......

Because you are here, the world is better place. Because you are here, others feel they can conquer the insurmountable. Because you are here, life is worth living. "Here" is where you may be when someone else may feel your goodness and inspiration. Life is hard -make no mistake. Sometimes we make it harder than it really has to be. We can be our own worst enemy and put us in a place that seems too dark to continue going on. You are that light that someone else will need at that very moment when it matters most to them. Leave a light on for them (thanks Tom Bodette). In that darkest moment, the littlest bit of light can shine well past it's output potential. The thing is, you never know when that will be the case. All that said, you are unique......special in your own right. I don't personally take much stock in coincidence. Sometimes you are right where you need to be when you are needed most - even when you don't know it yourself. And now, you are here. Time to push and share hope.

The Goal

As of this writing, HHH-LOTOJA is just above a meager 25% the season goal. Porpoise page views are kind of flat. And frankly...training has been anything but ideal. But here we are anyway. So, I challenge everyone to share this post with three other people immediately after visiting the page. If "the six degrees of Kevin Bacon" is a thing....well, it won't take long to get some traction. And traction is what is needed. The challenge is simple; increase the donations on the HHH-LOTOJA site by 10% and produce the number of Porpoise page views by 1,000 - all by August 24th (sun down). Simply share with three other people. Even the smallest donation to Huntsman will make a difference. You do make a difference. Please share!

Climbing the single-track up Mules Ear.

A few final notes:

Hats off!  Lachlan Morton made a great showing at Leadville and podiumed as fourth place. Of course Keegan just had a point to prove. Nice job Lachlan Morton. You are still a stud - for an "old dog".

The OG donation of the year is dealing with a worn out knee. Kind of slowing down the "ball of fire" that never slows down. I hope you are on the mend soon kiddo. All that energy in one place for too long could result in spontaneous combustion.

The "Inspiration" (CW) is making a return. Although not exactly as planned, it will work itself out. Don't watch the wheels. Look out ahead.

A little hidden blues from "Ram"

Click Here for Paul & Linda "Great Cock & Seagull Race" - 12 Bar....

Pulling for Reed! Ride HARD!

Use your imagination

Sunrise at Downata, Idaho

When it counts, expect a flat

Pulling the road bike off of the hanger this week, led to some unfamiliar challenges - like pinch-flats. I've not been shy about ripping the shite for roads in the upper valley this year, but the hardtail is equipped for the adverse conditions and garbage - more than the Six-13. The week started with two back to back 14 hour work days with clients. Wednesday I was able to push out a 50-plus mile tempo ride without having any stops. Feeling pretty good about the effort, Tuesday was 40-pus miles with highway intervals (30-30). Again no stops until a phone call from a client 7-miles from home. Twenty minutes cooled me down enough, I was gassing it pretty hard when I hit some rough roads and pinched the back-wheel. A not so quick tube replacement and was on my way again. Another phone call from a different client one-mile from home had me stopped for another 10 minutes. The Garmin stats for when I was riding looked okay, but not where I should be in August. Out the next morning for what should have been another 50-plus mile tempo ride was cut short by another pinch-flat about 16-miles out. Rather than fight fate, I called for a bail out and went home to do hills on the hardtail. Not really where I need to be this late in the season, but I'm not giving up quite yet.

"....it's driving me nuts".

Right - the sixth-grade pirate joke. Had a follow-up with the doctor this past week. Nothing new to report, other than I'm cleared to fly - for now. We'll make some further evaluations after the race (ride) - maybe in October. But for now, there is really nothing to be concerned with, other than some sore tendons - which is just part of the drill. But then there are the things I can't control. More like, things that other people tend to control for me. Being spent like pocket-change gets a little old, but it is expected. The early part of this upcoming week is already looking like a challenge to stay on task. Whining about it does nothing but make matters worse. It really gets to a point that desire and willingness aren't enough. I have to constantly remind myself how it feels without the option to even have the ability to ride. One small mistake and I could be out of the mix without the choice to ride, or whine. Sucking it up.............

"Better Lucky than Good"

A phrase I started using some number of years ago, as I realized how lucky I have been. Let's face it, I'm far luckier than good on my best day. When I consider where things could have been, I know at times, I'm lucky to simply still be in the position to do what I do - whatever it is that I do. I'll take luck when I can. I just need to learn to fully exploit the opportunity when luck does roll my way. All that said, don't expect luck to carry the baggage if the work hasn't been put-in. Make that investment and work as though there is no luck to be had. Truth is, you can't be any luckier than work you put into a situation. The pain is only temporary. Always position yourself  as to be in a position to win.

"Honey let me introduce you to my redneck friend" Click here for J-B

Pulling for Reed! Ride HARD!

A pretty big boost.....

 

Anyone for a "Star-Burger"?

A reliable supporter.....

As has been the case for sooooo many years, one of the sisters jumped in again. Yep - a true stud in my book. It has been a crazy three years, dealing with some mutual issues, but we are finally through it - COMPLETELY! And now on to the next chapter, whatever that may be. What is for sure; I'm absolutely grateful for all she has done over the past 60 plus years. One of my most favorite exchange, Christmas gifts of all times was nearly 50 years ago (actually 47, but who's counting?) - "Band On The Run". Thanks for everything sis. You are truly an inspiration. (see the link below for the track selection)

Tire mods on the Hardtail

A different kind of riding - for now

Having swapped the dirt tires for the "Serfas - Drifter" commuter tires, I've been doing virtually everything on the hardtail. I added an inexpensive cycle-computer as to have a better idea of real-time rolling ground-speed. Definitely not anywhere near as quick as the road bike, but kind of fun to ride all the same. The rolling resistance is not too bad, especially on the new gravel over on SR39, but the lack of anything "arow" really cuts back on the overall speed. What are normally quick tempo rides out and back in the mornings have become a serious leg workout, as there is literally no letting up. Unfortunately, I'm not really pushing the heartrate up at all. As a matter of fact, my overall heartrate is staying sub-aerobic nearly 90% of the ride. That goofy little "bike trail" that so many people think is meant to keep ALL bikes off the road, is a bit of a joke. The hardtail is a very good choice on that thing, given all the inconsistencies, variations and general obstructions encountered. Some of the other bike riders on that trail are sketchy - to say the least. So much for general trail etiquette. 

The end of a session on the hill - Top of Durfee

Back to the old reliable - RACKS

Many an evening spent running stairs in my younger days. It's not glamorous and generally rather boring, but there is no substitute for interval training. Anymore, the only way I can seem to get my heartrate up is to do hill intervals, which are pretty much like the old days of stairs (racks). Even there, I'm gradually losing ground with the heartrate, as I track it very closely with my Garmin. I've not been in Zone 5 for nearly five weeks and am now starting to spend more time in Zone 3 than Zone 4. I'm told this means I'm getting stronger, but I think I'm just adapting. It may be time to add a few twists to that part of the program, as to push it even harder. Darn boring, but a necessity all the same. I can't count the number of times I have done that stupid hill.

More to come

Time is getting short and I need to make some improvements. Moreso, I need to get out of the Valley, whether up Monte, or over Trappers. At this point it is matter of, will be on the hardtail or the Six-13. Also need to start pushing the "swag" and other Porpoise things. We're darn near near out of July! Before you know it, the kiddos will be back in school and it will be time for the Cache Valley Century. Time just flies by.........

True inspiration and motivation......

"Band on the run" was the third complete studio album by "Paul McCartney & Wings". I've said it before and will stand by it; Paul's best work was definitely with Linda - say what you will. She was the reason - the impetus for everything he did from 1969 until here untimely death. Sure Denny was a solid contributor during Wings, but had it not been for her, there wouldn't have ever been Wings. Sometimes there is simply no substitute for true inspiration and motivation. "Helen Wheels" was a song about their trusty Range Rover. If you've read some of my previous posts from many years ago, you'll also recognize "Helen Wheels" from that same period in my very young and impressionable life. Hell-on-wheels............

Click here for "Helen Wheels"

Pulling for Reed. Ride HARD!

Adapting

 Familiar Places, Changing the Methodology

The image above is from the main gate of the former Trappist Monk Monastery. Early morning rides up this way have always been more a tempo ride, than anything too stressful. Given the conditions of some of the roads this year, I'm still not crazy about taking the road-bike out. A very good work-around has been to swap tires on the hardtail for some extra wide commuter treads, still going tubeless. Along with navigating the numerous construction sections, it is also riding on the notorious "bike path" part way across the valley. This is technically a pedestrian pathway, as it is not conducive to riding a fast road-bike - for multiple reasons. The hardtail with the faster rolling treads allow for quick transitions in and out of the trail. The variations in elevation also make for a bit of an interval type thing. I'll pickup up the trail just off the end at River Drive, cut around Eden Park and jump across the highway to catch it again by the elementary school. On it around the back side of the lake to SR 39 at Huntsville. Aside from that, it is still pretty much the same route I'll take on the Six-13. The hardtail does run out of gears on one downhill at about 38 MPH. Aside from that, it is a constant effort pedaling - quite a bit more than on a road-bike. I still need to replace the front ring with a couple more teeth. It's a great ride early in the morning - the earlier the better.

Wild Onions....

Recent light rain sprinkles have really brought out the familiar smells. Sure, it is a little sticky in the mornings before the sun breaks over the mountains, but it is that reminder of what I knew as a very little kid. Early mornings trudging through the dew laden sagebrush to go fishing with my dad....it still smells the same. Our house is built in the middle of a lot of Gamble-Oak and Maples. The wild onions take root in that rich soil with a tiny flower and a very large smell. It is only for a very short period when it does happen. Some years it doesn't happen, but when it does - it is home. Sure it's hard to get motivated some mornings, but I know it has to be done. Whether it being longer rides, or 90 minutes of hill intervals, you just have to push past the lack of motivation and inspiration and shove-off. It sure gets lonely some days. But then the smells take me back to my youth and put my mind almost right.

...tell him your plans.

The Vanzant bothers did a little thing a few years back that deserves a little attention. How true it is; "You hear God laugh? Tell him your plans". I guess sometimes we do get a little full of ourselves. It is better to have a plan, as it at least gets you going in that general direction. Just be prepared for a little disappointment along the way.

Click here for "Help Somebody" ...& Get right with the man.

Pulling for Reed. Ride HARD!