tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28303635340882013692024-02-18T19:25:32.446-08:00bike drifting Multi Day MTB & Moto
(wandering, roving, & touring)
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-1823711301474130602019-12-04T11:12:00.001-08:002019-12-04T11:12:17.740-08:002018 Tour of Idaho Days 7, 8 and 9<br />
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After the day 6 crash that took my right knee out everything
changed to; how can I finish with a torn ACL?</div>
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Day 7 was the crux day, a long day that involved tricky
rocks, hopping some logs all mixed in with a bit of modestly difficult
nav/trail finding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strapped the knee
as best I could got an early start and tried to ‘just keep moving’ at a steady
pace thru the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crashed about 5 times;
one caused by going to slow around a tight switchback where I almost lost the
bike off a steep slope into a creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
saw my whole tour flash before my eyes before the bike barely kept from sliding
off the trail into the creek 30 feet below. The other four crashes were all
related to the bum knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could ride
fine as long as I did not need to catch my balance with my right leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times, I ‘popped’ the knee when I
would instinctively dab with my right foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was painful to the point of tears and eventually I would accept a
tip over rather than dab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slowly
progressed thru the day, cleared the difficult sections while making all my
check points along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Once I
reached the last checkpoint for the day, Scurvy Lookout, it was a long but non-technical
slog down to Lochsa Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily I
arrived right be for everything shut down for the day so got my gas and snacks
for day 8.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Day 8. That evening I had a nice warm room at Lochsa, a full
tank of gas, snacks for day 8 topped off by a hot take out meal from the
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baring a major mechanical or
rider error I only needed to get thru 10 more miles of real single track and I
would be home free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those last 10 miles
of single track turned out to be the most difficult of the entire TI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because they were the most technical,
there was really only one short section with high consequence exposure, but
because I was toast and scared to death that I would screw up so close to the
end of the difficult stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, in my
mind I thought I had closer to 20 miles so when I unexpectedly reached two
track I was over the moon with relieve and a huge sense of accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled into Wallace and the Ryan Hotel knowing
I would be able to knock out day 9 and finish the Tour!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As can be imagined day 9 was quite anti climatic, an easy
‘adventure type-big-bike’ route up to Sundance Mountain, the hardest part of
the day was climbing the steps up to the lookout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snap a few pictures and back and on the bike
over to Sandpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picked up the U-haul
and I was done done done!</div>
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It took me two years of effort but “Tour of Idaho” complete.
Overall, quite the experience, big thanks to Martin for setting up such a unique
Moto challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Some huge memories in
getting that finisher number #54, and being one of about 10 or 12 solo
finishers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would love to do it again
someday as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not know I ever
will but as a team and now that I have the dirt bike skills it would be an
entirely different experience.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-69543095152622868232019-10-30T20:27:00.002-07:002019-10-30T20:27:30.950-07:002018 Tour of Idaho Day 6<br />
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Day 6 <o:p></o:p></div>
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Early on Day 6, while riding across a meadow in deep wet grass I got
the front wheel up in the air and over a ‘surprise’ angled log but just caught & slid the back tire and crashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I hit I knew I was in trouble as I
felt my knee twist and pop on the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torn ACL was
my diagnosis as I lay there on the wet ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turns out, I was right, torn ACL along with a fractured, slightly compressed
top of my tibia, at least that’s what my surgeon said when I got home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pre crash……my Jedi knight light saber pic......<br />
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Post crash, got out to the roads--lucky for me Day 6 was long but non-technical , note the extra gas in the bag, really the only day I really needed my gas bag.......<br />
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Eyes starting to tell a story, much of the day I was 2 degrees
from panic knowing that Day 7 & 8 had some remote, semi-technical sections. I was just moving forward according to my former plans--not sure what was coming........<br />
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As close as I could get to this check point without crawling……..pain was'nt bad but only if I kept my knee/leg just so...........on the bike I could stand with almost no discomfort...on/off was a problem but not so bad on day 6's easy terrain<br />
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Hanging on, wondering how/what I was going to do for Day
7/8, did not want to give up my Tour but….?? Not sure no real plan yet but get
to the end of the day…...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ha, she did NOT want to have her picture taken but played
along, also that is the fakest smile you will ever see on my face….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plan was-- I bought some ace bandages and would reinforce
the straps on my right knee brace (was wearing braces cause my left leg had ACL
some 20 yrs ago and I am old and brittle, had I been wearing them ‘correctly’ I
might have avoided all together the need for a second ACL reconstruction………then
again, maybe not…..) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway I had a plan, very sketchy but a plan……….<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-24846465493969662432019-10-30T19:31:00.003-07:002019-10-30T19:31:33.919-07:002018 Tour of Idaho Day 5Day 5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDen-_s9zbvsQzR7WYBpW1g8-COafboYbBYsgemt00p2aqS59CZ-6yESz2LTBlk2Xul4cql0X-KNa0YeL1sF53DED0fgH4ZWVqyebVx81baVVQOiWHFFFNZk-fizxiETrnDy5EP91i2v4/s1600/20180820_060933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDen-_s9zbvsQzR7WYBpW1g8-COafboYbBYsgemt00p2aqS59CZ-6yESz2LTBlk2Xul4cql0X-KNa0YeL1sF53DED0fgH4ZWVqyebVx81baVVQOiWHFFFNZk-fizxiETrnDy5EP91i2v4/s400/20180820_060933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Early start, rode slow at 1<sup>st</sup> to keep warm, all
in all a pleasant slog to the top……..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7EvDqDmZGl0nb6qH69MsDODBL3ELLhRuTg2UBl3fqqkYsKwAAm5BdPbwY6ZTa0ylU5k9_EA1c3V8VlxGPkpktaMgrDcP37pqDQW5mtfkpjEh4UFgLEyY57aCxNwUqmYGW01VeO_opx0/s1600/20180819_180829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7EvDqDmZGl0nb6qH69MsDODBL3ELLhRuTg2UBl3fqqkYsKwAAm5BdPbwY6ZTa0ylU5k9_EA1c3V8VlxGPkpktaMgrDcP37pqDQW5mtfkpjEh4UFgLEyY57aCxNwUqmYGW01VeO_opx0/s400/20180819_180829.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Fire Reroute on day 5, nice single track to here then pave
and road to days end, dual sport ride today…..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygFi__hpDqeGegGDeP8otfQh0CijycTBizeOr9EoMFV_oO0X7IxqBdj8b3zVjRAM5INRaWIf5pjEXuKDlfFs9k7D2UtiNANv5Kz0ywZOwCPV9RDVgh8giJ4DGYMpgRrsaVN7XjmuLhkc/s1600/20180820_141738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygFi__hpDqeGegGDeP8otfQh0CijycTBizeOr9EoMFV_oO0X7IxqBdj8b3zVjRAM5INRaWIf5pjEXuKDlfFs9k7D2UtiNANv5Kz0ywZOwCPV9RDVgh8giJ4DGYMpgRrsaVN7XjmuLhkc/s640/20180820_141738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sort of sad seeing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway like I said day 5 was easy dual sport ride for the most part……..<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-77264793640267134542019-10-30T19:17:00.000-07:002019-10-30T19:17:57.462-07:002018 Tour of Idaho Day 4<br />
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I am back----Day 4<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nice cabin at Smiley last night, good night, met a TI enthusiast. Up early before light and out on trail…….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Amazing views on day 4<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKthvDCIh26MRn74tvFFS72sg0l1_5WLYIdkJDIeqX5_xzLRcmsX5YM0lA4bPJxtKOjwuAgP3p0LO9FaUohs3R3yviOITPtD1emlVudNDmnBaEqYM5DABI2hBV0LlZYjeHfYpD3VcfWs/s1600/20180819_102738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKthvDCIh26MRn74tvFFS72sg0l1_5WLYIdkJDIeqX5_xzLRcmsX5YM0lA4bPJxtKOjwuAgP3p0LO9FaUohs3R3yviOITPtD1emlVudNDmnBaEqYM5DABI2hBV0LlZYjeHfYpD3VcfWs/s400/20180819_102738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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High point……..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65HVigjOU27YjZg5sSMBuXgLGhbaTIpFgAp8XJYyl0uw0FKep5AR9txlN6t3aE8bkmQr35h8WL8MHR0W1NxrqonvQgGoChbcN5Fm6NEwSiNq_2Sd_B6Z8pzR02UJz4tb5KkCEFP4zHqI/s1600/20180819_134539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65HVigjOU27YjZg5sSMBuXgLGhbaTIpFgAp8XJYyl0uw0FKep5AR9txlN6t3aE8bkmQr35h8WL8MHR0W1NxrqonvQgGoChbcN5Fm6NEwSiNq_2Sd_B6Z8pzR02UJz4tb5KkCEFP4zHqI/s640/20180819_134539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During my 1<sup>st</sup> TI attempt the trail up to and
down from here was intimidating, this time it was all fun……..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCAWRXREUSiMVJ-XgsntDu3z1kAEgP1g8QLXn-bdI76cMlTVHB6_4jicgkCZEq99XqnxfF3McSKL-IgQkpiAPm860fFhLucojaYWBs1yjNBtrkjorAW_RFHiT42ir225SAsY4pQlmzOw/s1600/20180819_170031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCAWRXREUSiMVJ-XgsntDu3z1kAEgP1g8QLXn-bdI76cMlTVHB6_4jicgkCZEq99XqnxfF3McSKL-IgQkpiAPm860fFhLucojaYWBs1yjNBtrkjorAW_RFHiT42ir225SAsY4pQlmzOw/s640/20180819_170031.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Day 4 almost in the bank, wow and still way early. All in all day 4 was one of the best……..oh and I see my gas bag cap had'nt fallen off yet<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-25925518415558654762019-01-20T16:03:00.003-08:002019-01-20T16:04:14.658-08:002018 Tour of Idaho Day 3 <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTZCHB6YOZVoEeuaOsODsI42oFjzTLKP5Qn1fngn_8rBjLcvw0Gwwsz8GB5xVo7fGetwW9blWS0Mmpun6nORzcJ5nH_98SOO2ZnpkFD12IcerV3rifpCyANWCwYJW-1oggs_O-qqsgNY/s1600/20180818_074611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTZCHB6YOZVoEeuaOsODsI42oFjzTLKP5Qn1fngn_8rBjLcvw0Gwwsz8GB5xVo7fGetwW9blWS0Mmpun6nORzcJ5nH_98SOO2ZnpkFD12IcerV3rifpCyANWCwYJW-1oggs_O-qqsgNY/s640/20180818_074611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tour Of Idaho (2018) Day 3:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Up and on the road at 4am
with a plan to reach Smiley Creek before the restaurant closes and the gas
pumps are shut off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First checkpoint for
the day, Beverland Pass is only a short 30 min up the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C6B8OofsMTbHXu8eRir6k7Cwn7hmgs-ZNeGlCQlAwQAZRWs4lA2KnSZqG5JbH6tvCrL6v0D8pBQOKeyMIHaS4y8fZmmV7eeGKSakrjp56iAX1ozTwvx-RX97sD7C6EjC47I6QmVNsIU/s1600/20180818_043702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C6B8OofsMTbHXu8eRir6k7Cwn7hmgs-ZNeGlCQlAwQAZRWs4lA2KnSZqG5JbH6tvCrL6v0D8pBQOKeyMIHaS4y8fZmmV7eeGKSakrjp56iAX1ozTwvx-RX97sD7C6EjC47I6QmVNsIU/s400/20180818_043702.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s still pitch black and
not much to see but the 2 track road and some sagebrush.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>My Tour almost ends:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Heading down that backside
of Beverland Pass there was a major washout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The road was completely gone, replaced for ¼ or so mile by 4 to 10 feet
deep channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some just a foot or so wide,
others wide enough to ride down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
dark I can’t see any obvious work arounds and start to slowly pick my way across
and down the washouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soon come to a 6-foot-deep,
2 feet wide gap and cannot see an easy way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set up to power across at 90 degrees and
easily reach the far side but land my front wheel 8 inches to the right, smack
into a tough bit of sage brush. Forward momentum halts and I stumble off to the
side of the bike—right into a deep washout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My chest hits the far bank and my head smacks the ground, hard enough to
‘bounce’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speed of my little mishap
was slow, ie walking speed, but the hit to my head was hard enough to displace
my goggles, visor and helmet light. I could tell I just missed hitting hard
enough to cause a concussion, ie I wasn’t ‘quite’ seeing stars. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all this was my most scary time for the
whole tour. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But other than scaring the bejesus
out of me all was good and I was soon past the washout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Easy relaxed riding on
road, forest service roads and a bit of ATV trails to the next Check Point, Stewart
Canyon/Corral Creek. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSNG5SQ9XdwwKYeSO_Y5nIhgwF6O5ksqWmOAaCRDZYYZzRMmyQ2K65FkjZUgL-ACAl55wC-SWb2E9ap7RcYdTXy7Oz6hCEMQE32Hj6NWsNTb7X6RNQH4G9Pv7i2oItW4VsaZ8FL-Mqi4/s1600/20180818_074628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSNG5SQ9XdwwKYeSO_Y5nIhgwF6O5ksqWmOAaCRDZYYZzRMmyQ2K65FkjZUgL-ACAl55wC-SWb2E9ap7RcYdTXy7Oz6hCEMQE32Hj6NWsNTb7X6RNQH4G9Pv7i2oItW4VsaZ8FL-Mqi4/s640/20180818_074628.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXoWEc4jvw7bxFrN1k5gqOwWnLdb8YdVr4qLJCFfbq1so7DTkyU0VY5I_brNwxLJEprxflUj2cDuZ0oMoxOHXEmUx_-BRhoiniZxbrOC6upN10XKFS25mPqbFomtdg84vimhjTvPYts0/s1600/20180818_074642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXoWEc4jvw7bxFrN1k5gqOwWnLdb8YdVr4qLJCFfbq1so7DTkyU0VY5I_brNwxLJEprxflUj2cDuZ0oMoxOHXEmUx_-BRhoiniZxbrOC6upN10XKFS25mPqbFomtdg84vimhjTvPYts0/s400/20180818_074642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sun is up, bike is running
great, miles are being racked up, all is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Next Check Points are Wildhorse
Look Out followed by Burnt Aspen/Kane Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQg50SpEe7SrAvaC-FXn-lClf-eK15s7RlOqM-H0XkzP9USAp42bi2ssBzxVkMSDmMRG_fyVKOYyOx0vezP5FiTJmATCDRhxfKXFhmJdEP-Zsgq39kXUW-35kUNf1AFjxBBlQKld19Vs/s1600/20180818_091145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQg50SpEe7SrAvaC-FXn-lClf-eK15s7RlOqM-H0XkzP9USAp42bi2ssBzxVkMSDmMRG_fyVKOYyOx0vezP5FiTJmATCDRhxfKXFhmJdEP-Zsgq39kXUW-35kUNf1AFjxBBlQKld19Vs/s640/20180818_091145.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfNAcCPkCceb9hgADrsL3gGGoi-0oOK6aam3fZaLApAijSkrdX2fiZVz-CW0eMzQXekwKaJtjRwhDks88BWWUTKdvj1kZ8fgN6USUuL3Qr69nj2aPVjxVISZIVsR3KnsK0m-Kf5eMwK4/s1600/20180818_101511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfNAcCPkCceb9hgADrsL3gGGoi-0oOK6aam3fZaLApAijSkrdX2fiZVz-CW0eMzQXekwKaJtjRwhDks88BWWUTKdvj1kZ8fgN6USUuL3Qr69nj2aPVjxVISZIVsR3KnsK0m-Kf5eMwK4/s320/20180818_101511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Last year (2017) the loose
shale rock sections near the top of the climb to Wildhorse tested my skill just
a bit, this year the same rocks were well within my comfort level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This year the Burnt Aspen switchbacks,
the ones with the stupid angled logs were a non-issue, unlike last year when I
lost time man-handling the bike over them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I rolled into Ketchum at
11:26am, gassed up, ate a hot snack and was back on the route by 12:00, a 30
min pit stop!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just outside of Ketchum
the route dives across a small river and into long sections of flowing singletrack
mixed up with a few short technical sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Basically the rest of the day is singletrack with just a few miles of
connecting roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once past the last
Check Point for Day 3 (Paradise Peak) you cross some intimidating but relatively easy side
hill and then on into Smiley Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here is a video link of Martin’s
</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/A8caEtrdWTg">“Side hills of Concern"</a> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">coming down off the saddle at Paradise Creek/Snow Slide
Viewpoint.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Not the only side hills on
day 3 but one of them is pretty tall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I reached Smiley Creek
Lodge at 7:15pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after I arrived
there was a power outage so I missed getting a hot meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But even with the power
outage the lodge staff went out of their way to take care of me, had the cook whip
up a two tuna sandwiches, and with some cold drinks and snacks I was set. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Days 4 & 5 up next....</span></div>
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-21635700852853053172018-11-09T14:31:00.002-08:002018-11-09T14:36:33.469-08:002018 Tour of Idaho, Rest Day & Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7lnAlTDOH49aU3nsPL174TkIi8WYWsESMrk6c4_s6bZc9GQvwGFe4jsLLNSaqqNCU6SPMfNW257ixkyUM4FgvhcdA5CQipzQcr-mwv9nYGOvlIdV8cCIhSrfR3_Bxipd7ecNTjXXrZc/s1600/20180815_173907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7lnAlTDOH49aU3nsPL174TkIi8WYWsESMrk6c4_s6bZc9GQvwGFe4jsLLNSaqqNCU6SPMfNW257ixkyUM4FgvhcdA5CQipzQcr-mwv9nYGOvlIdV8cCIhSrfR3_Bxipd7ecNTjXXrZc/s400/20180815_173907.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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End of Day one, ahh transitioning into my ‘Rest Day’ with
early dinner at the <a href="http://pokysandtrap.com/">Sand Trap Restaurant</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>(ya, ya I know…I am not really the 'selfie type with
strangers' but hey, this pic was worth an extra Tour of Idaho point-- yup, that’s my story and I
am sticking to it…...)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>REST DAY:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Day 1 I chose to use the optional rest day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bit counter intuitive to take a day
off after only one day on the route during a 9 day event, but……by taking a day
off I had a chance to do some routine maintenance, grab some extra points and
repair a broken kick stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Lots of extra time on my Day off for great meals (@ <a href="http://places.singleplatform.com/college-market/menu?ref=google">CollegeMarket</a> for the semi-famous TI sandwich)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It’s not unusual for Bike, Gear or Navigation issues to
crop up on Day 1 so the riders who plan for a day off have a higher
success/finish rate than those who didn’t.
Physically I did not need a rest day that soon, gear wise I didn’t need
to change anything and bike wise I ‘almost’ didn’t need that day off. Stress wise, knowing I had a planned day off
coming made my Day 1 virtually stress free.
Just knowing I would have a chance to rectify any bike/gear issues was
worth the extra day. And it turned out
my bike also benefited from the rest day…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of my Day 1, right after I finished my early
and tasty dinner at the Sand Trap (and collected the extra bonus point), the
retaining spring on my kick stand fell off as I went to leave the parking lot. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Sand Trap Parking Lot. (I don’t know it yet but my Kick
Stand Spring and parts are about to fly off)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">KTM style kick stand/spring assembly’s bolts together
with a couple of very specific parts.
When the spring went flying off in the Sand Trap parking lot & one of
those tiny but key parts was lost. The
only way I could keep the kickstand retracted (and hence ride the bike) was to
utilize the rubber retaining loop. (I never use it but thank goodness it was
still on the bike). It’s very awkward
and time consuming to slip this rubber loop over the end of the stand when the spring
is gone, the stand is just flopping down and the bike has saddle bags. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Getting the bike prepped for the rest of the TI at Pocatello
PowerSports (they all know all about the TI)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hey: A big big shout out to <a href="https://rideidaho.net/"><b>Pocatello PowerSports</b></a>. On my day off they let me work on my bike in
their parking lot, lent me some tools, gave me some top-off motor oil and
cleaned my filter sock. But the icing on
the cake was when they sold me the needed but ‘not-in-stock’ kick stand part
off a new bike on their showroom floor. YES!!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So in the end, getting the needed replacement part on my
day off saved me time each and every time I had to get off/on the bike going
forward. The stress free Day 1 was more
enjoyable, I got several extra points and a topped it all off with tons of
sleep for a super early start on Day 2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DAY TWO:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 2 for me was a long but relaxed, easy day. The single track is easy but fun, the double
track was fast and fun, and the weather conditions for the desert/sand were
ideal. All in all, other than being a sort
of ‘long’ day, Day 2 was my easiest day.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 2, 1<sup>st</sup> check point up on Scout Mtn, got a
snack, helmet light is now off and tucked away, great start to a great day</div>
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'Lime Green' Red Bull and fast but hot lunch in American
Falls. I hit my self-imposed time checks
all day long during Day 2…</div>
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2DAFSD Check Point, parked it right up on top of the
little dune for this pic, weather was ideal and hence the sand was an absolute
blast!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are two video links to some of the D2 sand riding,
both vids are raw, uncut/edited. A bit of Martin’s 'flags in the sand' trail and also the fun little drop into/and big
sand bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ADLUTc8byQI">https://youtu.be/ADLUTc8byQI</a></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/ze0qMsJNM90" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #167ac6; cursor: pointer; font-family: "YouTube Noto", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>https://youtu.be/ze0qMsJNM90</b></span></a></div>
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Getting ready to drop into the big sand bowl</div>
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Last CP for the day, Big Southern Butte, views were a bit
cloudy but the hawks were hovering on the thermals everywhere. It was really fun to watch them hovering
‘below’ my vantage point and then seeing a dive and pounce into the grass on
the side of the mtn.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arriving at Arco, the end of Day 2, I automatically fell
into my pre-planned ‘RECOVER/PREP’ routine (which I followed pretty much each day
going forward). It goes something like
this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Get gas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Buy food for the room and next day. If available I would microwave dinner,
breakfast and have lots of snacks, chocolate milk and Pedialyte. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Check into room and then multi task as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Store
GPS track manually on both units and reset/charge GPS/Tracker/phone etc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Bike
Maintenance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Facebook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Study
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Dress<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Pack
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Hot
breakfast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Hit
route within +/- 15 min of planned departure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most nights it is a big rush to get everything done in
time to maximize sleep time and be prepared for a early start. For me the end of Day 2, and the following
evenings, were simply an extension of ‘doing the Tour’. IE: Every action/decision at the end of each
day greatly impacts the coming day, for good or bad. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-66581111179198983312018-09-18T07:41:00.002-07:002018-09-18T16:30:04.255-07:002018 Tour of Idaho, Day 1<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">D1 Statistics:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Distance:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>158
miles (from the hotel in Malad City to the Flag Pole)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Total Time: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12:15<o:p></o:p></div>
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Moving Time:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>10:16<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stopped Time:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1:58<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speed:<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> 15.4</span> mph<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiFyMkpgH3hyjUYH6-Or5bHeaA3xoRSlpuJgSrEnBB7ZB2R69NLLHL187vg2qUx4cJ5mm-TR2NVMmKZ5WaOBGvkxqoBlkyH-UP1J1uRiG8LDIMuw6WjGutGfsiIEjWarO1BgJWmspL4M/s1600/20180815_052059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiFyMkpgH3hyjUYH6-Or5bHeaA3xoRSlpuJgSrEnBB7ZB2R69NLLHL187vg2qUx4cJ5mm-TR2NVMmKZ5WaOBGvkxqoBlkyH-UP1J1uRiG8LDIMuw6WjGutGfsiIEjWarO1BgJWmspL4M/s640/20180815_052059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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5:10am, At the Utah/Idaho Border, let the Tour begin, I
was thinking---stay mellow and conserve energy---be smart, no stupid mistakes
allowed….</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Day 1 of the Tour starts at the Utah/Idaho border and
winds its way along dirt roads, OHV trails and some single track generally
north, up to the Flag Pole in front of Martin’s house on the edge of
Pocatello. (see <a href="http://www.motorcyclejazz.com/">motorcyclejazz</a> for a full description, note- route for 2019 will be different ) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The riding,
while not overly technical in nature includes truly long extended climbs, loose
rocky sections and some brake testing down hills. My GPS shows just over 29K of climb and just
under 29k of descent. It’s a long day in
the saddle and D1 is deliberately arranged to ‘test’ tour riders. In short if you struggle on D1 from a skill,
navigation or endurance point of view you are not yet ready for the full Tour,
end of story (literally for many).
During my 2017 attempt D1 was a medium sized eye opener. I did not find
it overly technical but at the same time some of the riding was challenging my
skill set and the climbs and descents were a lot longer and a bit harder than
my practice runs back home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-umg8F9T9qBf4i_sGJziQef0TfbmNoCwmWA8E06zxyiP2gsYNxRcrq4htHmX-TacQw5p1PkR5oxxq9rJFZCJ-9tG9q0RAf9yHNPdrEJsaMlOGTHSBalQzT5gp0j8gbHcM4h3qqmV6xo/s1600/20180815_130902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-umg8F9T9qBf4i_sGJziQef0TfbmNoCwmWA8E06zxyiP2gsYNxRcrq4htHmX-TacQw5p1PkR5oxxq9rJFZCJ-9tG9q0RAf9yHNPdrEJsaMlOGTHSBalQzT5gp0j8gbHcM4h3qqmV6xo/s400/20180815_130902.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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1:05pm, at Check Point 3 for the day, top of Robber’s
Roost Trail. Personally I think the
trail down is more challenging than the trail up, greater consequence for a
mistake anyway…</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I have some D1, Robber’s Roost video “<a href="https://youtu.be/AnDgMf6qZEQ">click here</a>” posted
up on my YouTube channel </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year D1 was basically a long, fun, mostly mellow
ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Partly because I ‘knew’ what was
coming but also because my skill set was a notch higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My game plan for D1 was something like: start
early, ride easy but steady, conserve energy, stay mellow clear till the
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufFJOKM6UlyOHBRpAkDlaPPHFTUL56Cuut5WNYSE4S1h50721zDJWHCmpsqWd2HXFYcPArMU2XoUsJdMj_7D1prKyB4lBEXXPbJimbUQcP01IBFatDfPEWYMupDD5bUo-WRwEVi3bUUY/s1600/20180815_140713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufFJOKM6UlyOHBRpAkDlaPPHFTUL56Cuut5WNYSE4S1h50721zDJWHCmpsqWd2HXFYcPArMU2XoUsJdMj_7D1prKyB4lBEXXPbJimbUQcP01IBFatDfPEWYMupDD5bUo-WRwEVi3bUUY/s640/20180815_140713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3:08pm, a pretty bike just sitting there at Inkom Pass,
Check Point 4 for D1</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout the day, over the more challenging sections I
was constantly gaging my current riding skill against last year and was happy
with my progress from a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also,
knowing that I was taking the optional rest day made it easy to sit back and
relax, I was going to have lots of recovery time and also if I had minor bike
or gear issues there would be time to fix them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpe7M9J12QazyMGbS9eieg9HYu9UBdZjKP1Rh45pGDP1Ho6EQSlsKM1k7TyERz6a9uDWlt3dLVXoeiBRoZa8tmOi-PTrvmM34qJGbCSx_6SS4lg2XtJDA9uMPCZ38_fpuAPZw0VUef4OM/s1600/20180815_161251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpe7M9J12QazyMGbS9eieg9HYu9UBdZjKP1Rh45pGDP1Ho6EQSlsKM1k7TyERz6a9uDWlt3dLVXoeiBRoZa8tmOi-PTrvmM34qJGbCSx_6SS4lg2XtJDA9uMPCZ38_fpuAPZw0VUef4OM/s640/20180815_161251.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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4:10pm, At the Flag Pole, D1 in the books, unfortunately the main pirate wasn't home..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxAGJs5jKQmTnwDX_ZWSLaruuf30mihoCbClVuM8ChuJoCvwEHJGaQEsEPhU7Z9aGDJ79zCFCYvY_bkAoFdk4hmKCKk4DOx1-jWrRw9EOUJQhd5cNeTihQBa3EUYql1Kvxi6HZGtbzfA/s1600/20180815_161329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxAGJs5jKQmTnwDX_ZWSLaruuf30mihoCbClVuM8ChuJoCvwEHJGaQEsEPhU7Z9aGDJ79zCFCYvY_bkAoFdk4hmKCKk4DOx1-jWrRw9EOUJQhd5cNeTihQBa3EUYql1Kvxi6HZGtbzfA/s320/20180815_161329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was pleased with my day and looking forward to hanging
out, sleeping in and working on the bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And…it turns out I did have some minor bike issues that
needed to be addressed on my rest day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: red; font-size: large;">Up Next—Rest Day in Pocatello…. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-27205055591446998632018-09-16T11:08:00.000-07:002018-09-16T11:08:03.618-07:00Tour of Idaho 2018 (a two-year journey)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5RovjLskvAMKr6n2j7pqXPlEVlQu2Zvz-EGV5eWq4SP4P5SJ6HKzsPcw1R4dbel_hE_6tZOQtC9hH5B9OQYkg3pB0LwMwQ5tCNsnDkYpHNArHarLLOtMGEIGaXFNIR4vMm2lxGXoldc/s1600/TI+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="377" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5RovjLskvAMKr6n2j7pqXPlEVlQu2Zvz-EGV5eWq4SP4P5SJ6HKzsPcw1R4dbel_hE_6tZOQtC9hH5B9OQYkg3pB0LwMwQ5tCNsnDkYpHNArHarLLOtMGEIGaXFNIR4vMm2lxGXoldc/s320/TI+map.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.motorcyclejazz.com/TID_Route_Description.htm"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Link to Tour of Idaho Webpage</span></b></a></div>
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Background:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD7WzfAxc6Q7cfMmunacIWNNe9qpkmrF_-k6jjYp00e6r2HKBrgi_QK_6nxjPVWQ6gbQYL2iJ0I_NMVb_yQ5MWv93JrJtl_8HSJ6rYl_2mO07U_oHoR-oE7itSKxB7Dw7U7EYNU0AQdA/s1600/20161001_164909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD7WzfAxc6Q7cfMmunacIWNNe9qpkmrF_-k6jjYp00e6r2HKBrgi_QK_6nxjPVWQ6gbQYL2iJ0I_NMVb_yQ5MWv93JrJtl_8HSJ6rYl_2mO07U_oHoR-oE7itSKxB7Dw7U7EYNU0AQdA/s640/20161001_164909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In early Oct 2016, while on a dual sport ride (Adventurized
KTM 690) in Moab UT I mentioned the Tour of Idaho (TI) to my brother. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our conversation I made up my mind to put the TI on my bucket list. </div>
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Step one was to learn how to ride a dirt bike. By the end of October I had purchased a Beta
XTrainer and the journey towards the Tour was on. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e21H_ZAPPec1z2QarFO6u1YHiIDhiAwJlwJpsOP84PMhms_RXTOvPCWMdoNay7_SVk_5AHq9jxfN2Prp5GumLdxCAgD0NN1eT8YlbxmBvVZ-0b4XxDV4KfKxgY_H3Pall4iSw9AS1zY/s1600/Beta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="960" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e21H_ZAPPec1z2QarFO6u1YHiIDhiAwJlwJpsOP84PMhms_RXTOvPCWMdoNay7_SVk_5AHq9jxfN2Prp5GumLdxCAgD0NN1eT8YlbxmBvVZ-0b4XxDV4KfKxgY_H3Pall4iSw9AS1zY/s640/Beta.jpg" width="640" /></a>You can go to my YouTube channel and scroll
to my <a href="https://youtu.be/Sy-CLW3uzkc">1<sup>st</sup> ever Beta video.</a> <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Subsequent</span> videos show my training and prep
for a 2017 Tour attempt.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Come Aug 2017, nine months of practice and learning to
ride, route study and bike prep I was headed to Idaho for the 2017 Tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can go to my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAxzWVYXAj09tqPfmWHNOzd4XQWZK-oTj">Tour of Idaho 2017 playlist</a>,
and watch a day by day account up to my fail on D5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Needless to say my bike skills were not quite
up to the task at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I climbed more
hills and rode more single track on Day 1 alone than my entire 9 months of
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short I had developed the
needed baseline skill set but did not have enough practice “using” said dirt
bike skillset in backcountry single-track terrain. <o:p></o:p><br />
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To successfully complete the TI I feel you need the
following six elements (in order of importance):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The right mind set<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->An in-depth understanding of the event rules<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->GPS Navigation skill (understanding of explicit
TI methods and actual practice with said method)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Correct Bike and Gear choice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A small bribe to the demons of good luck<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Requisite dirt bike skills<o:p></o:p></div>
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In retrospect I can see that going into my 2017 attempt I
had 4 out of the 6 required elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
I was still lacking in #6, dirt bike skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And even though #6 is at the bottom of the list, weakness here
eventually ate away my confidence and hence I lost the required mind set, ie:
the most important requirement for a finish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Driving the long long road home from my failure in 2017,
tail between legs, I almost immediately began planning for 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time I decided there were three things
I absolutely had to have for success in 2018. Better bike skills, a riding
partner and a even lighter bike/gear combination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end I really just needed more time on
the bike in the backcountry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tour of Idaho, 2018, D1 up next....</div>
<br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-48941329801250260932017-05-10T16:04:00.000-07:002017-05-10T16:04:21.382-07:00Day 6, Last Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0yIyExyoAApx3o1U-Y_g5PfxqqtkuG9yef09A3hIP_Whvr9GPSP1Vwj3M8aLXC8fVp5gzHEqZBXkZau6kxhptFGio7JXEHjUGlBWxgb_RMFOuRcQ3bKVSTDc5Tim-GEU4AMb0_wjwWg/s1600/20160602_093320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0yIyExyoAApx3o1U-Y_g5PfxqqtkuG9yef09A3hIP_Whvr9GPSP1Vwj3M8aLXC8fVp5gzHEqZBXkZau6kxhptFGio7JXEHjUGlBWxgb_RMFOuRcQ3bKVSTDc5Tim-GEU4AMb0_wjwWg/s640/20160602_093320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I slept on the side of the road for a few hours and then
up & off. At this point I was well
into a smooth steady routine. The last
day strategy was simple, easy and steady to the finish about 100 miles away. I costed down into Fort Augustus by 8am and
got some breakfast, cleaned up a bit in the public washroom. I remember sitting in the warm sun thinking a
nap would be nice but eventually pushed on down canal path to Fort William. I enjoyed the easy pedaling while checking
out the boats, locks and idyllic scenery. </div>
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In Fort Williams I thought of finding a restaurant
for a late lunch but settled for a small grocery store along the route. It was
them some climbing up then down to Kinlochleven.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIq-lXLaYg40RiM1b9lMzHBZfEAu5jBQPYc4dU8TR_N6u9kaot1IjhsCjs1y_291FGTOPrwH1ArHQZFnz_7gZA81uTiPd4zQHLbu385qAcAj29aP59t2RtXIyJ3ZP1QV7Ao-gw1rmyg8/s1600/20160602_143315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIq-lXLaYg40RiM1b9lMzHBZfEAu5jBQPYc4dU8TR_N6u9kaot1IjhsCjs1y_291FGTOPrwH1ArHQZFnz_7gZA81uTiPd4zQHLbu385qAcAj29aP59t2RtXIyJ3ZP1QV7Ao-gw1rmyg8/s400/20160602_143315.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Kinlochleven has a touristy feel to it, lots
of day trippers busing around, felt a bit hectic after the relaxed canal riding
earlier in the day. A quick resupply and
then up over a long steep climb and on to the finish. I rolled the last 10 miles as hard as I could
and reached the finish at Tyndrum around 10:20pm. Right at the finish line there was a small
group of racers and friends hanging out.<br />
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<br /></div>
I looked for my wife and son but they weren’t there so after a bit of
banter I left to find them. And so ends
my HT 550. <br />
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More of a ‘fast tour’ than
race with a official finish of 5 days, 13 hours and 21 place out of about 40
finishers. Not bad for a 60 yr old. If
you get the chance I can’t recommend enough you race the HT 550. One of the best multi-day races anywhere.<br />
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The rest of the week was spent playing tourist with
Sharon and Scot. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFtyQyU_BC82_0UiYuToipP70ygMoIcXouuLsgkGZPERueL1jmU5BLBBBpg8L8W2pq505WwTT0qOy6mnXbS4NPIm4Ub3MNmamDrQzvlvfR0OGbfPMLCXCjERSkEhP_LqUyaYdZ8h3fUU/s1600/20160605_163139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFtyQyU_BC82_0UiYuToipP70ygMoIcXouuLsgkGZPERueL1jmU5BLBBBpg8L8W2pq505WwTT0qOy6mnXbS4NPIm4Ub3MNmamDrQzvlvfR0OGbfPMLCXCjERSkEhP_LqUyaYdZ8h3fUU/s320/20160605_163139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We saw castles galore
and all the usual stuff. We visited the McPherson
museum (family tree stuff) and had fun driving on the wrong side of the road…..and in general just had a great time. I would go back to Scotland in a heart beat........Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-47592562086957434382017-04-07T21:08:00.000-07:002017-04-07T21:08:05.334-07:00Day 5 (slow drag)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shortly after I got going on the morning of day 5 I
tipped over and hit the ground pretty hard.
Knowing that I was not going to make my self-imposed finish time goal,
hurting a bit and surprised from the crash and just general exhaustion I now
lowered my expectations and mentally let go of the race. In retrospect this was the end of my
‘race’. My sense of urgency to push on
moderated from high to medium. From this
point onward I didn’t take as many pictures, I stopped more and more, and in
short I was cooked and just riding out the miles to the finish. The weather was perfect, the scenery
fantastic and basically I took a mental deep breath and transitioned to a
‘I-am-on-vacation’ mode and proceeded to enjoy the remaining miles from a more relaxed perspective.</div>
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I soon arrived at Kinlochewe and kicked myself once again
for pulling up short the night before as I realized I could have spent the night
at the small Kinlochewe Hotel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I6MUlpoqbJ-bDgKCyzTv6gfLC6nJHi5Oup4LBm4IqWrpjxZhkwtX-dtwltfVM0Qm-Edpc8jMaZLyIzgptEYJKdIBZob-SLfupc200-Sw51kn7wIdQBSVShQrrtQ77FLoSar8iDi_ToM/s1600/K+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I6MUlpoqbJ-bDgKCyzTv6gfLC6nJHi5Oup4LBm4IqWrpjxZhkwtX-dtwltfVM0Qm-Edpc8jMaZLyIzgptEYJKdIBZob-SLfupc200-Sw51kn7wIdQBSVShQrrtQ77FLoSar8iDi_ToM/s320/K+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gurr, Missed staying in this cool little hotel by about 2
hours…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the other hand I had gotten a fairly good night, under
the stars in the Highlands, so maybe that was better. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Took a rest inside this little bothy, and unlike in this web pic, the sun was out, the day
presently warm, the legs tired and even though it was only 9:00am I actually
took a short nap on the floor of this cute little bothy. Its more of a day rest hut than sleeping hut.
The sun and big windows had warmed up the small room, I easily could have
stayed 2 hours but after 30 min I still had enough ‘race’ in me to move on. </div>
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Soon I was riding again with Karl Booth (he
had gotten a room that night at the Kinlochewe Hotel, slept in a bit and seemed
to be pretty chipper) across the fast & fun Achnashellach singletrack. Once again wishing I had bigger tires with a
bit more traction. By the gate at the
end of the steep technical section Karl was gone and I made no attempt to catch
back up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The next 10 or so miles to Strathcarron were flat and
easy pedaling along a sealed country road. Many times I find these type
sections 'easy road riding' the hardest going as I tend to let up, relax, get
sleepy, start to feel each ache and pain etc.
By the time I rolled up to the intersection at Strathcarron I needed a break. Got a nice lunch, one of my
few real meals, even had pie for desert.
I tried to sit off by myself as I am sure I stank a bit but was treated
nicely and left refueled from a meal and the little post office, I was now somewhat refreshed.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwKoUzn2621fhqYdbHF1LYaPt45hMdwWEBxIuTjSn0FEEXCBcp86dAfDG7Ik2FdcSw6fqIVRFLtCxB5C2nFRSnKU3NOmJv-apLdfele-G9EpWWSNrqUUIXlPt_i3tSdFsjbNYtP19T04/s1600/Lunch%252C+Day+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwKoUzn2621fhqYdbHF1LYaPt45hMdwWEBxIuTjSn0FEEXCBcp86dAfDG7Ik2FdcSw6fqIVRFLtCxB5C2nFRSnKU3NOmJv-apLdfele-G9EpWWSNrqUUIXlPt_i3tSdFsjbNYtP19T04/s400/Lunch%252C+Day+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Strathcarron Hote & Restaurant <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I leisurely made my way on to Dornie arriving about 4:30. Took pictures of the 'tourist' castle and then sat
next to water and ate some snacks from the post office. I remember being tired,
content and in no hurry to get anywhere, yup I was feeling the vacation mode….</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMFXneHAps7ar7oFwtlpHOhoS-dZo7-prcpbGkXEjK1PAWPOxtFqv-IONA-yCwmlsbLE1-uPE3VU77RLV5LBUm75we1I7clC86KT2qZDrGSR15Ni1eEgbsQ5EyRocaLL2zrM3Cr00UDc/s1600/20160601_162123-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMFXneHAps7ar7oFwtlpHOhoS-dZo7-prcpbGkXEjK1PAWPOxtFqv-IONA-yCwmlsbLE1-uPE3VU77RLV5LBUm75we1I7clC86KT2qZDrGSR15Ni1eEgbsQ5EyRocaLL2zrM3Cr00UDc/s640/20160601_162123-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The route passes by the Eilean Donan Castle <a href="http://www.eileandonancastle.com/">http://www.eileandonancastle.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Soon after leaving Dornie the route returned to the
backcountry and does so with a steep sharp hike-a-bike climb. The climb got me going again plus I wanted to
finish off any singletrack before dark.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wkdc3PqEMvX0LT42D0ftPx_PW869e2wzGUH2vMF9jjukg-k6ZGmw452Go7MKRS4KvqUlwOYx-SoOPC_q65QtdChmdq5SvKRAMvuq4gZBui9qLCeVq9AL8jDMz3njDlfpICcPvxExHNI/s1600/20160602_154548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wkdc3PqEMvX0LT42D0ftPx_PW869e2wzGUH2vMF9jjukg-k6ZGmw452Go7MKRS4KvqUlwOYx-SoOPC_q65QtdChmdq5SvKRAMvuq4gZBui9qLCeVq9AL8jDMz3njDlfpICcPvxExHNI/s640/20160602_154548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cool ruin right before the hike-a-bike begins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I passed by the Camban bothy around 8:40 pm but couldn’t quite
bring myself to stop. There was still
daylight and I pressed on for 3 more hours.. At 12pm shart I camped up right next to the road
in some lonely pine trees. It had been a long, slow 20 hour day with only 75 miles to show for it. At this point in the race I was still putting in the hours but really just riding out the remaining miles and taking in the sights. A little disappointment going from a 'race' perspective but 100% satisfied from a vacation point of view.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-39532377800409278012017-04-04T17:23:00.002-07:002017-04-04T17:24:17.269-07:00Day 4 (short, strikingly beautiful & very hard)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgzr2uH-WLMEjcUP2Sp8Q6UMBHTBIUuusT7GtZXUnd5IQCuB22L6qZWpe3Dr_w5lB1_AtQgexnKrj37C-tQ-8GW4OP0DprFu6Qo0Xb3JpsOAJjAAaJY6aqdUx3tSpCZqbR9sDoTix258/s1600/20160531_105550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgzr2uH-WLMEjcUP2Sp8Q6UMBHTBIUuusT7GtZXUnd5IQCuB22L6qZWpe3Dr_w5lB1_AtQgexnKrj37C-tQ-8GW4OP0DprFu6Qo0Xb3JpsOAJjAAaJY6aqdUx3tSpCZqbR9sDoTix258/s640/20160531_105550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The 4th day was overall probably the most spectacular day from a constant WOW factor. But was also one of
the hardest days from a motivation point of view. Up and going by 4:30 am, it had been a less
than restful night, buggy, interruptions from other racers, little recovery,
just a bad night overall. And to rub
salt in the wound about 2.5 miles into day 4 I pass by a nice modern Bothy with
a bikepacking bike leaning up against the wall.
Later I would learn I had this bothy pegged once in my pre-race prep as
a potential stop but had lost track of it and neglected to place it on my final
cheat sheet map. Ahh, if I had only rode
out my planned 100 miles for day 3 I would have stumbled upon it and had a
perfect camp with 1 fellow racer—if I ever get a re-do I hope the route and
timing takes me to this specific bothy (humm, does this sound like good excuse,
I mean reason to go again?).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKtl5UC3DLvQOHGxtev8vMhGaBAU1tSYKNcsbWjn6_91K380jAq80H7ZE3BjLvkpLaj9ensL5ftXgWbhenB7Lxb2C5fYUPLhOjtnBcYtTMhS4Te4uMSiJ5BJp6QZpiSANKP3tQ9U3PXE/s1600/Schoolhouse+Bothy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKtl5UC3DLvQOHGxtev8vMhGaBAU1tSYKNcsbWjn6_91K380jAq80H7ZE3BjLvkpLaj9ensL5ftXgWbhenB7Lxb2C5fYUPLhOjtnBcYtTMhS4Te4uMSiJ5BJp6QZpiSANKP3tQ9U3PXE/s400/Schoolhouse+Bothy.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Schoolhouse Bothy (lifted this pic from the web) <a href="http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothy-details.asp?bothy_id=7">http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothy-details.asp?bothy_id=7</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Side note; I never hit a bothy at the right time to spend
the night, always to early or to slow to reach one. I did spend about 30 min in one the following
day, took a short nap under a sunny window all the while wishing I could stay
much much longer….</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Shortly after I the missed Bothy I was joined by the
occupant who had the good fortune to spend a solo night there, Karl Booth. Karl was back to finish the HT 550 in 2016 after
a missed attempt the yr before. Karl is
a younger, stronger rider but we did spend some time together working our way
thru some tricky sidehill tracks and on to Ullapool. A late grocery store breakfast and full
re-supply in Ullapool and back on the route about 1 hour later. After stopping for 1 hour, eating and drinking
all I could get down, I could tell that I was not fully recovered. Normally this would have been upsetting but I
was still taking in all the fantastic Highland scenery, enjoying unusually good
weather and basically was quite content to ride along in a ‘fast tour’ frame of
mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QT_xDR3as_4op7JHFhctGiwB30KFUVrohdf51SpR74LU5UXFbBoK9_o_vjfmEVco_RAteK65oHdMuds1egSOB2l73AK3XA2eCI8Cj-XwxuEUhpco6w-W9yvvqkF8OoZdatvJ6Vb2qWY/s1600/20160531_140014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QT_xDR3as_4op7JHFhctGiwB30KFUVrohdf51SpR74LU5UXFbBoK9_o_vjfmEVco_RAteK65oHdMuds1egSOB2l73AK3XA2eCI8Cj-XwxuEUhpco6w-W9yvvqkF8OoZdatvJ6Vb2qWY/s640/20160531_140014.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A long steep climb and I had a reached this high point
with great view. I tried to take a quick
360 deg video but had the start/stop settings backwards and shot 30 sec of my
feet—but you get the idea with this still shot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The route drops down and across the Dundonnell River then
up and back down to the head valley above Loch na Sealga. Again I was being wow’ed, almost overwhelmed by
the terrain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszaHluxp8yD1rrDTwIuyRo6KZHVMi1yYWQOkA4KAgFoh5zQA5gP_VueayruhQDyBjMh0K5Z3rprfGohwBGhCTFTMKes6L_t2vkxoyv73RHBoW51cHoM-yeeqtpKHAvdkJwuRnZbhQUPk/s1600/20160531_144103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszaHluxp8yD1rrDTwIuyRo6KZHVMi1yYWQOkA4KAgFoh5zQA5gP_VueayruhQDyBjMh0K5Z3rprfGohwBGhCTFTMKes6L_t2vkxoyv73RHBoW51cHoM-yeeqtpKHAvdkJwuRnZbhQUPk/s640/20160531_144103.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Old cottage on the way to Loch na Sealga<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh50aZgqZEjZYAPd7Bj2Dp860cmv0nP3edqYQW7LQnxTwhVEG6yp07MfiR8wC7_RmwanrdjyoNINAP03SwBnmbwZLW5VZQ8cbFbik5hwfudB9pGzBouAfytVxvVIUDKMWwIzNzoJX-gc/s1600/20160531_151134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh50aZgqZEjZYAPd7Bj2Dp860cmv0nP3edqYQW7LQnxTwhVEG6yp07MfiR8wC7_RmwanrdjyoNINAP03SwBnmbwZLW5VZQ8cbFbik5hwfudB9pGzBouAfytVxvVIUDKMWwIzNzoJX-gc/s640/20160531_151134.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I rolled by the Shenevall Bothy at 3pm, again wishing my
timing was different, although this particular bothy was busy with backpackers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5YEiwcF1AHD6ospzT5vv7jIxNNbGZbW4iK8q2t8QRmGZmavlpT6L1dMgMjTMMcY-7J2v0baR_yZ5EhQ6jy3nGJ-z_kiDfDYbl8Xd_rxc9cqlTCQ4d1wYk0V-4T_p90ruBmPoOzQakxs/s1600/20160531_151248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5YEiwcF1AHD6ospzT5vv7jIxNNbGZbW4iK8q2t8QRmGZmavlpT6L1dMgMjTMMcY-7J2v0baR_yZ5EhQ6jy3nGJ-z_kiDfDYbl8Xd_rxc9cqlTCQ4d1wYk0V-4T_p90ruBmPoOzQakxs/s640/20160531_151248.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Inside of Shenevall Bothy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Moving on after a quick tour of Shenevall I arrived at
the “potentially dangerous river crossing” mentioned in the route discretion,
the same one that in other years proved a huge stumbling block with high dangerous
water. I had been stressing about this river
crossing ever since I began serious HT 550 prep. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh607_EL9rEPxWOVZcC0tB-6pMGfj0HpTJ4JpsFl04VJjmIQi13HyS2d1JEKAWPK_mn-05qwrGey9MrkMwUKmxIlqr11O_Jp_weUAWrlqAtlcM0g-eO1HW-bjF8uneiVYThjW3jLd-YaK4/s1600/20160531_154902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh607_EL9rEPxWOVZcC0tB-6pMGfj0HpTJ4JpsFl04VJjmIQi13HyS2d1JEKAWPK_mn-05qwrGey9MrkMwUKmxIlqr11O_Jp_weUAWrlqAtlcM0g-eO1HW-bjF8uneiVYThjW3jLd-YaK4/s640/20160531_154902.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Well for my HT 550 it was all cake, ha a sunny day, shallow,
still water, maybe almost knee deep at best <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Otw6Mo_n8cu_XvTcLNBVQYy50lP0ZuCUWaG_4-CkG2ylvPIMgtfHk62E8liNf70UziCugedroqLpXonE2DgWkyT97Q7xIl_-sDIDDCpFTRK3lxwgX0CYlBoKAee61Gj4auFnqzYl2A/s1600/20160531_154913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Otw6Mo_n8cu_XvTcLNBVQYy50lP0ZuCUWaG_4-CkG2ylvPIMgtfHk62E8liNf70UziCugedroqLpXonE2DgWkyT97Q7xIl_-sDIDDCpFTRK3lxwgX0CYlBoKAee61Gj4auFnqzYl2A/s640/20160531_154913.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On the far side, putting the socks and shoes back on<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIcdaqCq7Mxni1czw4m6gSZ6SXyicQARmyx9zOkPi1oQl96oiSxcNonpwCJ4dIsGwdOuVb7-MQOKWPSz26twmEoyRM0V6OHvnHdQcasu8SjAyn4fEqcEXekBrRy5EprAkjnx2oAA3CBY/s1600/20160531_160813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIcdaqCq7Mxni1czw4m6gSZ6SXyicQARmyx9zOkPi1oQl96oiSxcNonpwCJ4dIsGwdOuVb7-MQOKWPSz26twmEoyRM0V6OHvnHdQcasu8SjAyn4fEqcEXekBrRy5EprAkjnx2oAA3CBY/s640/20160531_160813.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Pushing the bike across the rock, on route along the
beach at the tip of Loch na Sealga.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Around 4pm I was climbing away from Loch na Sealga and
starting to mentally drag a bit. There
was a bit of hike-a-bike, trackleader says about 30 min for me, before the drop
back down to the Duba Lock Causeway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2wQTA1eO_G5tsVsgcjfhi7ZLT8CBIeMDeS34IfnpXhqugCGbHp58hrQP8JOUlKBU8KhAn-MAPl80XzlXnhMTWtc_-2UMfxb7rHyRxrz8lIUklz8ZnnaOGUOYSE2q7gn490waXw-gnSs/s1600/20160531_184144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2wQTA1eO_G5tsVsgcjfhi7ZLT8CBIeMDeS34IfnpXhqugCGbHp58hrQP8JOUlKBU8KhAn-MAPl80XzlXnhMTWtc_-2UMfxb7rHyRxrz8lIUklz8ZnnaOGUOYSE2q7gn490waXw-gnSs/s640/20160531_184144.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Nice trail after some hike-a-bike. Plus size tires would have been way more fun
in these type sections….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyaEvroQiSaSvtpkgeKAn9vBJEGb5Hu2UopWA23gaPL6eTmSnLlqbePyjAzJ4Kh18fobE5-s58IbuELQu7q5qBWHPvtlvisVxUDRiyU98_QRNSsG3QfhDn54TGUg8H387z0chGoVpZBg/s1600/20160531_185459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyaEvroQiSaSvtpkgeKAn9vBJEGb5Hu2UopWA23gaPL6eTmSnLlqbePyjAzJ4Kh18fobE5-s58IbuELQu7q5qBWHPvtlvisVxUDRiyU98_QRNSsG3QfhDn54TGUg8H387z0chGoVpZBg/s640/20160531_185459.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Causeway can be seen in the upper left<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiggOW7VaaBswIjKjaeo420h5J-s6x_2GG6wbwrrIo6onnO1dP_-NTMszh_mfgh8OHbvsy6zBlfDiLzUIgrxsg-bVmEt1vcWy1EFVd_5Gh5y73mCfEHOvkA4992bE7ROxIheggkoSKrM/s1600/20160531_191555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiggOW7VaaBswIjKjaeo420h5J-s6x_2GG6wbwrrIo6onnO1dP_-NTMszh_mfgh8OHbvsy6zBlfDiLzUIgrxsg-bVmEt1vcWy1EFVd_5Gh5y73mCfEHOvkA4992bE7ROxIheggkoSKrM/s640/20160531_191555.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Causeway, after which the route heads to the far right
and then hooks left and up a valley<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Around 8:40pm I topped out above Letterewe Estate (<a href="http://www.letterewe-estate.com/estate">http://www.letterewe-estate.com/estate</a>)
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SkfHrgcMsr1YPH4DhViwoWTBY5-18Bhaoe78DsyjUFnmdJJkrMCAvtQaaJWri-R7VFofj8_OM4SPt6-nhdjIsipWKakFm-Q_Zdh93E1_qqqg68XXXFgYbciWAl40LwXLzLGYUAKUJLg/s1600/20160531_210222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SkfHrgcMsr1YPH4DhViwoWTBY5-18Bhaoe78DsyjUFnmdJJkrMCAvtQaaJWri-R7VFofj8_OM4SPt6-nhdjIsipWKakFm-Q_Zdh93E1_qqqg68XXXFgYbciWAl40LwXLzLGYUAKUJLg/s640/20160531_210222.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Looking down on Letterewe. The route comes up the now closed road that
was cut in just to build this estate. So this building now only has access by
foot or boat if I understand correctly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2FGVpMYH7l10uht2rET5WzjDF-DVgg-XN2JLwPzNaMNSJNhutgQQ7jE60aEY35x3HemWGxjANseiI5q-_PmKgWUvvMB1a7F_uhZeRuVJr8hAf7UrbifbiXkZkdxhllaiK-_Vbp0XEc0/s1600/20160531_210623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2FGVpMYH7l10uht2rET5WzjDF-DVgg-XN2JLwPzNaMNSJNhutgQQ7jE60aEY35x3HemWGxjANseiI5q-_PmKgWUvvMB1a7F_uhZeRuVJr8hAf7UrbifbiXkZkdxhllaiK-_Vbp0XEc0/s640/20160531_210623.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hum, I wonder if they drove that truck on the left in or ferried it in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The route skirts along the edge of the main buildings and
shoots off to some tricky sidehill singletrack.
Once I reached this section, apparently an old ‘walking postman path’ dark
was closing in and I became a bit concerned about crashing and walked the bike more
and more. This was also one of the few
times I got ‘bogged’ with a bad line choice and had to wade thru some mucky
muck to get back on track. The hope was
to reach the end of this 'postman path' before camping but it was not to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgYB7dTAnVrDzBMTS96IE2DXJcaIdHWoacy1tBBFp9fCpJwNRTFAqSU0XJ6Sel5-At035ruV_CJDVV2oVi6y-jMKNNwe-Lm2hAHTrZQJVTF8h3086R5UAOQ7xey3aV1OuMF7nxZxFI5o/s1600/20160531_231130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgYB7dTAnVrDzBMTS96IE2DXJcaIdHWoacy1tBBFp9fCpJwNRTFAqSU0XJ6Sel5-At035ruV_CJDVV2oVi6y-jMKNNwe-Lm2hAHTrZQJVTF8h3086R5UAOQ7xey3aV1OuMF7nxZxFI5o/s640/20160531_231130.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
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Only 60 miles in a long 18 hour day I was cooked and
found a small hill top with a light breeze to keep the pesky Midges mostly at
bay. A short, hard day but in the end a
very rewarding day….but I did sleep good this time.<o:p></o:p></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-34024748464332935142017-04-03T22:13:00.000-07:002017-04-03T22:13:38.858-07:00Day 3 (HT 500 starts to bite back)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH76ParKqvUdvoI4fqEPwjZ4Q7qFJQkFNvAeEq3hdVoxY5V4vh-rqVnjomwzjy3i0PA7W3P39a54AoHnlNpFF4EtTbxuCYAU2Bqptc1_eb3jLZjhISFIEIkGqsFiSiQ-X7aXuELMBs10/s1600/20160530_073759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH76ParKqvUdvoI4fqEPwjZ4Q7qFJQkFNvAeEq3hdVoxY5V4vh-rqVnjomwzjy3i0PA7W3P39a54AoHnlNpFF4EtTbxuCYAU2Bqptc1_eb3jLZjhISFIEIkGqsFiSiQ-X7aXuELMBs10/s640/20160530_073759.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 3, have left planet earth for a few hours......</div>
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It was cold and damp when I woke the morning of day 3. I had slept on the steps of a small building,
wasn’t my best ever choice for stealth camp spot but got the job done. Heading
out thru the mist and fog I felt lots of solitude even knowing other racers
must be nearby. The sealed road turned
to dirt then to a rough two track. Soon
I was riding next to then above the Glen Golly River. </div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviBiM6JMMDL3Vf5uafmN2wksp42PTjaoXMlvEK5m_G3zQe1WUKWVzWT9EEm-GPwvpactYEJf7wGCEXS92_a9ofeM83LTsfB1kSlxIoU2QD7CPJwz9vl6HDkidPJjIinyVZ807Ri6_NOo/s1600/20160530_064818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviBiM6JMMDL3Vf5uafmN2wksp42PTjaoXMlvEK5m_G3zQe1WUKWVzWT9EEm-GPwvpactYEJf7wGCEXS92_a9ofeM83LTsfB1kSlxIoU2QD7CPJwz9vl6HDkidPJjIinyVZ807Ri6_NOo/s640/20160530_064818.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
Foot bridge across a tributary of the Geln Golly <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A racer just a tad faster than I was could do a lot worse
that to set up a 2<sup>nd</sup> day camp down in the shelter of a low meadow area,
where route gets near this river. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbXAHVvkbdKF5haHVj1QroJgm9XuChUf9CW3nQXRcZG9fNYC0H6Lz-IG96BmU6LRczuYv05Kir3TU1LsoxjpLldoyrD1yoM0DkkRUU549MmoQYT8MO-VjoIlnYssgTYvKBNvbhUL8Q_Y/s1600/20160530_072510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbXAHVvkbdKF5haHVj1QroJgm9XuChUf9CW3nQXRcZG9fNYC0H6Lz-IG96BmU6LRczuYv05Kir3TU1LsoxjpLldoyrD1yoM0DkkRUU549MmoQYT8MO-VjoIlnYssgTYvKBNvbhUL8Q_Y/s640/20160530_072510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Above the Glen Golly, heading into the remotest (coolest?) part
of the route<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As I slowly climbed up to Lochan Segreach the going got
steep, other racers began to roll by and the terrain and trail became single
track to bushwhacking. Not a section to attempt
at night unless you like wasting massive amount of time and energy. During the day this section is great fun as
even in light mist and fog you can see enough to pick a reasonable line to follow,
riding or hiking. This section like many
others is now deeply embedded in my ‘western US cowboy county memory’ as truly
other-worldly. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZLlwbHaxOZeExy3IVAY5fyy3cQXnVVoxMvSoHM-f-Y5KkHBA96NeHuUksANKpOHku679FbGoHxicEHeQHVGPtnHjvmQcgPX66LjBDmHoQHgwltHxAktVgALO7x1Sr_VIP5niwFOAmlo/s1600/20160530_083142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZLlwbHaxOZeExy3IVAY5fyy3cQXnVVoxMvSoHM-f-Y5KkHBA96NeHuUksANKpOHku679FbGoHxicEHeQHVGPtnHjvmQcgPX66LjBDmHoQHgwltHxAktVgALO7x1Sr_VIP5niwFOAmlo/s640/20160530_083142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For a short time I felt I was on a different planet, ahh such
memories….</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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After some hike-a-bike I shot down out of the rough
backcontry, back down to rural highlands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtXyN1pma5BYg4l9ERbmZilMD-wGwXogoOgqQfTEcYnLVfLSPvnRbzlrNqc1zuf41v9SMyFA8wEPugAy74qy8kEAhOF5hVVEq5SJtGIgzTlD1XZWyWibZhWwVndIyEStL7X4_AQNd-1g/s1600/20160530_103101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtXyN1pma5BYg4l9ERbmZilMD-wGwXogoOgqQfTEcYnLVfLSPvnRbzlrNqc1zuf41v9SMyFA8wEPugAy74qy8kEAhOF5hVVEq5SJtGIgzTlD1XZWyWibZhWwVndIyEStL7X4_AQNd-1g/s640/20160530_103101.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Once you pass thur these gate rocks you have returned to
planet earth<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In a couple of miles the route has passed me by the few
homes and buildings of Achfary and up a steep climb, up to some unnamed saddle
and on towards the coastline and Kylestrome then Drumbeg (got a snack there)
and on along the coast to Lochinver (lots of resupply choices here)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyI7_mNIAHIwFIOz4s63AGbNE3YO63SX2JVPyDxFHMpJYPfHaKpywaky_xwoCtTeQvgOr-688kOvbaCaBfsTnAAwId1Ty1-3lhsC6ee-X0pZ6VhqCBcnLD1IbwFxiw5atRQo4cn7g3wA/s1600/20160530_161340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyI7_mNIAHIwFIOz4s63AGbNE3YO63SX2JVPyDxFHMpJYPfHaKpywaky_xwoCtTeQvgOr-688kOvbaCaBfsTnAAwId1Ty1-3lhsC6ee-X0pZ6VhqCBcnLD1IbwFxiw5atRQo4cn7g3wA/s640/20160530_161340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fun singletrack next to the Atlantic Ocean <span style="font-size: x-small;">(when I at this picture I again realize I was not in peak race condition, carring about 10 extra lbs--and on day 3 I started paying the price)</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I moved along the coast line other racers came and
went and for the first time since the start I talked and chatted with the few
that were close to my pace. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHYqOM-WC_qc5hq49eBpIB05zGqE2Wc5puMl3ca5ed-AhZU2uhIqd9z0nkiYykLpLhP9X6JWjh5cRLeMaffLnuyrV2aG_cvg65jnjGG0UThp0CxM2orWIeUF1XazGGg6tmSbVA4Rm79g/s1600/20160530_170049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHYqOM-WC_qc5hq49eBpIB05zGqE2Wc5puMl3ca5ed-AhZU2uhIqd9z0nkiYykLpLhP9X6JWjh5cRLeMaffLnuyrV2aG_cvg65jnjGG0UThp0CxM2orWIeUF1XazGGg6tmSbVA4Rm79g/s640/20160530_170049.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Singletrack that drops you right into Lochinver<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After a fast resupply I was back by myself and found
smooth sailing till just before Lochan Fada.
The trail hear was chunky and beyond my tired legs to ride. I pushed my hardtail for what seemed like
hours (Trackleaders says it was 3 hours) till I hit A835 and could remount and
ride. It was about 10pm and for the day
I had around 77 miles and 17hr behind me.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40gHI97voPp61ZPlWekB7kyi5AwP3kl7_N3XO1ITwTi2JZAAksgodD05Q5x16YdVC5n_jnu4eGqnPbaRCUvac6PTVefxuOHRhVh0CFqJUEj53rAh3kYIYtEIKX34w_z1a6fNg_iyLUoM/s1600/20160530_213537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40gHI97voPp61ZPlWekB7kyi5AwP3kl7_N3XO1ITwTi2JZAAksgodD05Q5x16YdVC5n_jnu4eGqnPbaRCUvac6PTVefxuOHRhVh0CFqJUEj53rAh3kYIYtEIKX34w_z1a6fNg_iyLUoM/s640/20160530_213537.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
9:40pm, I had just finished pushing my rig down that shoreline,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I was now about spent and found it hard to fully appreciate the spectacular
view, it had been frustratingly slow going the last 3 hours…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The plan was to push on till I hit 100 miles for the day
and then camp up. At 92 miles I gave up
and called it a day. I picked what I
thought would be a great camp spot but soon was fighting off Midges as I ate,
cleaned up etc. The next morning, in only 2.5 more miles, I would
learn I had <i><b>made a truly major blunder</b> </i>in not staying on plan and going for the full planned 100 miles…….as I write this report this gaff still bugs me almost a year later...ahhhhhhhh......</div>
<o:p></o:p>Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-72899047691604787592017-04-02T09:11:00.001-07:002017-04-02T09:11:44.411-07:00Mike Hall<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A few days ago Mike Hall died during the inaugural Indian
Pacific Wheel Race in Australia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/">https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We never met, we never raced at the same time but we
raced some of the same events and exchanged a bit of forum talk. I studied his bike prep intently and tried to
emulate in my own way his hard core race strategies. Mike was a front runner
and I mid pack at best. Once when Mike wrote some unexpectedly complimentary remarks
about one of my upcoming races it made my day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I don’t write this lightly but Mike was one of
my few multi-day racer heroes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have been away from this blog, pre-occupied with my
current prep for the Tour of Idaho (moto event). But Mike’s death has really made me reflect
on my multi-day racing. It’s made me realize
that while busy with other things I am not done with multi-day bike racing. Look for me to finish off the Highland race
report, and in time post up future multi-day stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tailwinds forever more Mike.<o:p></o:p></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-24343401142383180392016-08-30T20:03:00.000-07:002016-08-30T20:05:26.010-07:00Highland Trail 550, Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz6173sXSJbaK1CCn_HeQ4j7ZGWBzAHpMgfLdrvRYgXqbxI8tYWP-sB5cQz4PA60OaGE6Hv19ReEZiO9u2izeBRqbSVCEGSi5Cmrojcl6wpAB37y4kqoBTLuO8C5T8NcgO2rbyhkJFAA/s1600/20160529_101650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz6173sXSJbaK1CCn_HeQ4j7ZGWBzAHpMgfLdrvRYgXqbxI8tYWP-sB5cQz4PA60OaGE6Hv19ReEZiO9u2izeBRqbSVCEGSi5Cmrojcl6wpAB37y4kqoBTLuO8C5T8NcgO2rbyhkJFAA/s640/20160529_101650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Nice resort (I think), really caught my eye as I passed by on day 2</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Day 2</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started my day with a short bit of bonus miles up the
paved road I had woke up on, that smooth pave had me zoned out and not watching my GPS track. Once I got back
on route I climbed up to the wide open terrain around Loch ma Stac. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO0LhSwqndx7SOJaryufKqEagJ6KcRaAnmV0jc1lnTOiYPfR8eVWVJ5P4OpmMN82EUXLlaRe212sLZyel2WKLMHbvFXEml9-Ib3bCperBupLyypj_jLMcN6bG-skPh1WCTzrPm_JLYBQ/s1600/20160529_053738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO0LhSwqndx7SOJaryufKqEagJ6KcRaAnmV0jc1lnTOiYPfR8eVWVJ5P4OpmMN82EUXLlaRe212sLZyel2WKLMHbvFXEml9-Ib3bCperBupLyypj_jLMcN6bG-skPh1WCTzrPm_JLYBQ/s400/20160529_053738.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> There was some hike-a-bike across some marshy
areas and along the shore line. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMiBeFCxpTfIhnHqgpHFVzyeNbTNJBoJ16RO2SI1vCbZwEosXNq8gZQcUmuKZi9yM_LASv1hNUZqHMUectqlZuqqGn1UroGGUPZfxGUNogtF0Z0t39ja60Pe631xYYfruc5ypHAeWLAE/s1600/20160529_095226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMiBeFCxpTfIhnHqgpHFVzyeNbTNJBoJ16RO2SI1vCbZwEosXNq8gZQcUmuKZi9yM_LASv1hNUZqHMUectqlZuqqGn1UroGGUPZfxGUNogtF0Z0t39ja60Pe631xYYfruc5ypHAeWLAE/s400/20160529_095226.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
Other
than this I remember the rest of day 2 terrain as being roads, two track and
quite a few short climbs, seems like only one required some pushing. Alan
Goldsmith, the event organizer spent a few minutes riding and chatting with me
as he passed by. Alan was making up time
after a too fast 1<sup>st</sup> day followed by a long sleep in. Thanks once again Alan for a great route, one
of the best multi-day races around, one that should be on everyone’s bucket
list.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">After some fast food resupply from the Contin Filling
Station I got rained/hailed on. I was ‘expecting’
to get rain during the race so I simply suited up and kept going. Had I been a bit more in tune with the local
weather I might have realized it was just a passing storm and not anything long
lasting. But rather than shelter up I just but my head down and
paced on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk10KhKRoAFDqX8wJmR6VsxbAGNXz58R2eNAKGuZwtVYATxSNTweItfSJ3nRbDgrUCSOpPzYG-N-sNmrQaySlSZMgrTkO07m8aqNt9HYJTir3hCeJXBTQY31SkA4A5zaEGGtI3_Elwlg/s1600/20160529_170643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk10KhKRoAFDqX8wJmR6VsxbAGNXz58R2eNAKGuZwtVYATxSNTweItfSJ3nRbDgrUCSOpPzYG-N-sNmrQaySlSZMgrTkO07m8aqNt9HYJTir3hCeJXBTQY31SkA4A5zaEGGtI3_Elwlg/s640/20160529_170643.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The entire day was one long
slow easy pace. I did some extra miles
by initially missing the café at the Oykel Bridge Hotel, needed to turn left
after the bridge. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOWgWMhDQcdjUwegUhoQtym66cznhMEFsJrxL_Kay_8sTKQLEcDEy1xx2Tycw996hGLBg7PVXevkSLNzMDO2u2_RL6eozLeRKPKtRpk0dtWdDyYn-BJbLmgMq48wZfd1dYbzN6C3s7AM/s1600/20160529_190209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOWgWMhDQcdjUwegUhoQtym66cznhMEFsJrxL_Kay_8sTKQLEcDEy1xx2Tycw996hGLBg7PVXevkSLNzMDO2u2_RL6eozLeRKPKtRpk0dtWdDyYn-BJbLmgMq48wZfd1dYbzN6C3s7AM/s640/20160529_190209.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I wasted some time
getting a real meal at Oykel but enjoyed listing to all the other racers
milling about. The café is very in tune
with the race and had set up the bar area to dine in for all of us stinky dirty
racers. Worked out good, when I left I
could see the normal clientele watching us come and go out the main dining room
windows. I wonder what they thought of
all the crazy bikepackers, hopefully one or two saw we were all having a good
time….. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_KAYqk3BbPphkoeULYYPaoECx_yIvrsqA2R08a-zB-Ld0wlzBva9N9N2LHSI4IFP0f0AMfTARjpRBAS0XfO3RbTnXOEXP-GgpLRLiNRXZoDsTMrSkdjpdajqAZOlMG9-MyYhRcHHr-Q/s1600/20160529_171930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_KAYqk3BbPphkoeULYYPaoECx_yIvrsqA2R08a-zB-Ld0wlzBva9N9N2LHSI4IFP0f0AMfTARjpRBAS0XfO3RbTnXOEXP-GgpLRLiNRXZoDsTMrSkdjpdajqAZOlMG9-MyYhRcHHr-Q/s640/20160529_171930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I finished up the second day after dark at tip of Loch Shin. I was 220 miles into it and had made up some of
my hoped for miles but not enough. I was
still about 15-20 miles shy of where had I hoped to be. Also at 220 miles in I was basically done
with the easy miles. Up till now it had
been relatively easy and fast, at least in comparison to what was coming. Day 3 would be quite a bit more
strenuous. If I were to ever run this
race again I would push much much harder on days 1 and 2. I think for a ‘average’ racer like myself days
1 and 2 are where one should burn some matches and gain as many miles as possible. </span><o:p></o:p>Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-90282549234510313322016-08-29T20:04:00.001-07:002016-08-29T20:08:47.519-07:00HT 550 Ride Report, Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15aO4wrSfNLvhsVoqbetFXMKcHDshs_kDAre8zfvTexhDpz5g0s_IubVqdCB5IacVvjpcoYAyjyjj76_7QDGTqpMuXUDkQo87VfR_xP8uUSxq1ge33c9GYXngEQsOEiBjWdZtVxxn9D8/s1600/20160528_173200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15aO4wrSfNLvhsVoqbetFXMKcHDshs_kDAre8zfvTexhDpz5g0s_IubVqdCB5IacVvjpcoYAyjyjj76_7QDGTqpMuXUDkQo87VfR_xP8uUSxq1ge33c9GYXngEQsOEiBjWdZtVxxn9D8/s640/20160528_173200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It begins...</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">The start was typical for a multi-day. Low key, everyone checking out bikes and
gear, riders and friends gathering at the start, lots of pictures, last minute
questions, jokes about last year’s follies and then off we roll with some low
key jockeying for position up the first hill.
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuLcmDmGgLG68pk6z91n7EGxzYvyZdfXwB-PTcpfsIztf-ixZw9iJhL4543uIYuOUE8503B-wdrOIh04Nr6ZxeisGGJ_LxDUIdnC5VCPDx8Xd15DXqMXL3p8WBDPZn9ciulZaOd6bH20/s1600/20160528_083345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuLcmDmGgLG68pk6z91n7EGxzYvyZdfXwB-PTcpfsIztf-ixZw9iJhL4543uIYuOUE8503B-wdrOIh04Nr6ZxeisGGJ_LxDUIdnC5VCPDx8Xd15DXqMXL3p8WBDPZn9ciulZaOd6bH20/s400/20160528_083345.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGHF_Gt-ma5s9F6wxzEKWbkjlz6__A1lhLcGgLcOnoHmPjA16UoVtmU-ot213s2vtiGky2yc4A0OlQa34MVShY3_cKUOUWeN5I2saRfPrVTWfjw4FoMslB0yJPbBdAvCWLgqs4C1-3SE/s1600/20160528_085041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGHF_Gt-ma5s9F6wxzEKWbkjlz6__A1lhLcGgLcOnoHmPjA16UoVtmU-ot213s2vtiGky2yc4A0OlQa34MVShY3_cKUOUWeN5I2saRfPrVTWfjw4FoMslB0yJPbBdAvCWLgqs4C1-3SE/s400/20160528_085041.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMO0qNUUaDaNEj1Zxm0sMku5H_RRWVviKoYTS_09QCt-DKSQ4R4XaK3ge9Oewp_hBjiEDwcJEEWzOIaOpCdtVC7gn-9v8RF0ygxLA9Cz9HPKYME6jfF82IrIqUIkXjBy0muFMQhqacs4/s1600/20160528_085141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMO0qNUUaDaNEj1Zxm0sMku5H_RRWVviKoYTS_09QCt-DKSQ4R4XaK3ge9Oewp_hBjiEDwcJEEWzOIaOpCdtVC7gn-9v8RF0ygxLA9Cz9HPKYME6jfF82IrIqUIkXjBy0muFMQhqacs4/s320/20160528_085141.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Within a few miles everyone will find their pace and settle in. It’s always interesting how within the first
few hours you can tell who you will most likely be seeing and possible riding
with over next few days. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bGs5UOuTzU-Gl9fzdGFd6yNGIyFFfsvjUl5xXYiuGDFzLyWlVJfTVS6qeHGuEMQiBBw26kchyphenhyphenFnA-DlfsKcForrV6ms2H4W6-EcHM1zHka_xuoDgiUDe_chToIIHAKcFxojjHeKHFUQ/s1600/20160528_101839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bGs5UOuTzU-Gl9fzdGFd6yNGIyFFfsvjUl5xXYiuGDFzLyWlVJfTVS6qeHGuEMQiBBw26kchyphenhyphenFnA-DlfsKcForrV6ms2H4W6-EcHM1zHka_xuoDgiUDe_chToIIHAKcFxojjHeKHFUQ/s400/20160528_101839.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDYtIa6TEQcW9Hy2FTz8lP-AEtvJSfq6vPHfKklFp-A7AGEXhB-BUJ3daLFZzC6Yy6fv38pnSHXJI5tJj6wd2fbyfDCMi1NyhJrMHDvagrI3ioHmF58Wjs5_sqxFVJmOHeWvIDnPsEpE/s1600/20160528_101832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDYtIa6TEQcW9Hy2FTz8lP-AEtvJSfq6vPHfKklFp-A7AGEXhB-BUJ3daLFZzC6Yy6fv38pnSHXJI5tJj6wd2fbyfDCMi1NyhJrMHDvagrI3ioHmF58Wjs5_sqxFVJmOHeWvIDnPsEpE/s400/20160528_101832.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I really
enjoyed the first several hours, unlike many multi-days I was not really
focused on my pace or effort. Rather I
just could not drink in enough of the scenery.
Every cottage, lake, stream, stone wall, old arched bridge made me think
I had stepped into a post card. I was
giddy like a child on their birthday with lots of cake, ice cream and big boxes
of presents.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Race wise day one is a ‘make miles’ day over mild, mixed
terrain. The first 100+ miles consist of
rocky two track (everything is rocky in the Highlands), gravel roads, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclog_TLHVwMDB7m1lYF7TuWEHTGVILcVd0sne4kDjesYifv619R-O3MkWr5zlqnM-gNb57z6cA9SH2XThQqDdLivIAiuKSaEgZi9xpZbVV61r4WIzOQKMl-yaakEZg6U_mRmTm1ZO6VA/s1600/20160528_164234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclog_TLHVwMDB7m1lYF7TuWEHTGVILcVd0sne4kDjesYifv619R-O3MkWr5zlqnM-gNb57z6cA9SH2XThQqDdLivIAiuKSaEgZi9xpZbVV61r4WIzOQKMl-yaakEZg6U_mRmTm1ZO6VA/s640/20160528_164234.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">some
sweet bikeable flowy single track but no technical riding, that would come
later. Strategically there was only one
objective on day 1. I wanted to reach Fort
Augustus (95 miles) in time to get some re-supply. Other than that is was just ride steady and
long, enjoy and get as far as I could go. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">If I was to make notes to and comments to myself for a
future race day 1 was like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->First extended climb at mile 26 (a non-technical
but steep gravel road climb from the valley floor up into the hills). This 1<sup>st</sup>
real climb was where I realized my poor shifting was not just my imagination
but really had gone south. Once up the
climb I remember being surprised to see small logging operations & trucks
in the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Soft marshy area with disappearing trail as you approach
and skirt the edge of Loch Ericht around mile 49. Route stays above, to left of Benalder
Cottage/bothy (I lost some time and effort thinking the trail would go to and
on past the bothy)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-A6F_YmjpIEBxagUlCYIaX7EldxZRnWQaulTjlUyPjtnmMl6phjrPyCfIRv0gYcbE87N-XixGpWjO8RaIhO3yjjVjBDiuuts2gZ4T0SIdor82Z2IbH1nh979eC0ctynRzs2lbhjYbi0/s1600/20160528_150915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-A6F_YmjpIEBxagUlCYIaX7EldxZRnWQaulTjlUyPjtnmMl6phjrPyCfIRv0gYcbE87N-XixGpWjO8RaIhO3yjjVjBDiuuts2gZ4T0SIdor82Z2IbH1nh979eC0ctynRzs2lbhjYbi0/s640/20160528_150915.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Closed Café around 72 miles at Laggan Wolf
Tracks Mountain Bike parking lot TH. Closes
at 5pm and I did not roll by till 6pm. Might
have possibly made the Café if I knew it was there and hadn’t stopped several
times and adjusted [make worse] my derailleur.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7AzhsoqqR4EbZQwxqjQtQFo8Te8L3S_qKSB574Ad4DI9eKwVRXzFwcsom_q2whhhUjfQNks8oHP8xbyBwNCJ3DZQ0AKNbKq_xFToU85XvUSwIvd0a4Ysi1tVGYC18yZkkBKa3eJzVGg/s1600/20160528_192309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7AzhsoqqR4EbZQwxqjQtQFo8Te8L3S_qKSB574Ad4DI9eKwVRXzFwcsom_q2whhhUjfQNks8oHP8xbyBwNCJ3DZQ0AKNbKq_xFToU85XvUSwIvd0a4Ysi1tVGYC18yZkkBKa3eJzVGg/s400/20160528_192309.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The steep approach to Correyairack Pass about
mile 86 was a huge surprise. It shouldn’t
have been as this is our Check Point 1 on Trackleaders. But for some reason I had not picked up on it
in my pre-race prep and was not expecting it till I saw it. One of the few roads that had switchbacks vs a straight up is better approach. Ha ,
still had to walk some of it. Anyway it’s quite an eye full on the approach and
very intimidating when you are a bit tired and trying to make a re-supply cut
off time. This pass (not really that
long) was particularly hard for me because I was mis-reading the time on my GPS
clock by 1 or 2 hours and thought I was going to miss making the re-supply at
Ft Augustus. I had fiddled with my GPS
and got it on 24 hr instead of 12 hr time.
I did not want to fiddle again and dump my track so the 24 hr clock threw
me off several times on day 1 and again on the last day when I was really
tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ft Augustus at 95 miles. I made the cut off, barely, and proceeded to made
what I consider to be one of my biggest mistakes of the entire race. I got to the only open restaurant a few
minutes before closing and ordered a pizza.
Mistake you think? Well a couple that
was picking up their earlier order collected two trays of fish &
chips. I wanted to just reach out and snag
their order it looked so good. Ahh, huge crispy golden fish fillets and perfect
chips. But my mind was locked into
ordering a pizza and so I did. Mostly because
that’s what all the race reports had mentioned so it was in my mind to do so and
also so I planned to eat some on the spot and slip the rest into a zip lock for
a late night snack. The pizza was not
very good, never order a pizza right before closing, and even if it had been I
can still see to this day that tray of perfect fish & chips…yes this
mistake will be a lifelong regret……..If you do the race, order the F&C and let me know how they were.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGUqKulOc5tr_AYJLmMG1CD7nEHZQspplEEARMREBOSp7UY1J4zJcqdRYrHxSfLwLQfGqcrCPWpnrczy8rcjzKmezo6kJicnAe56UvWQPKBqCMuIroea98yZtqfb0PmgAkc7Qk00kY90/s1600/20160529_001626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGUqKulOc5tr_AYJLmMG1CD7nEHZQspplEEARMREBOSp7UY1J4zJcqdRYrHxSfLwLQfGqcrCPWpnrczy8rcjzKmezo6kJicnAe56UvWQPKBqCMuIroea98yZtqfb0PmgAkc7Qk00kY90/s320/20160529_001626.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;">I wrapped up my 1<sup>st</sup> day at midnight with
a bivy in the weeds on the side of the road, around 110 miles. I had hoped to get 10-15 miles farther but considering
my middling training effort that had produced a slightly overweight race engine,
one with some extra padding around the middle I had no room to complain. And it HAD been such a wonderful ride across
the Highlands I was stoked for more.</span><o:p></o:p>Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-12791189795363287142016-08-13T20:27:00.003-07:002016-08-13T20:33:43.946-07:00Highland Trail 550 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zgv4nSc7jz-EXKS5DkSclcBCzIwc0Y1qbAb70EmlNMPMJqHgZUlEXBnYDithyphenhyphentHAF8JXhv-3fZVcQ_c4Gr3ojHiI8ntdWG96zzAII4swodwhMRXuw-RbTSOIZ9dYuTom4KrkyuSLBQw/s1600/20160529_171051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zgv4nSc7jz-EXKS5DkSclcBCzIwc0Y1qbAb70EmlNMPMJqHgZUlEXBnYDithyphenhyphentHAF8JXhv-3fZVcQ_c4Gr3ojHiI8ntdWG96zzAII4swodwhMRXuw-RbTSOIZ9dYuTom4KrkyuSLBQw/s640/20160529_171051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Highland Trail 550 (My Birthday Present)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.highlandtrail.net/">“The Highland Trail
is a long distance self-supported mountain bike time-trail route through the
Scottish Highlands. For 2014 the distance is increased from 430 miles to 560
miles with the addition of a loop further north into Assynt. There is no entry
fee, no prize money, and definitely no support. It is a self-timed Individual
Time Trial (ITT). All that is provided is inspiration, a suggested start time,
a GPS track file, and a list of completion times. Riders are limited to 40 for
the suggested start time.<o:p></o:p></a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.highlandtrail.net/">You may experienceScotland's beautiful sunny blue skies and cool mountain streams and lochs asfar as you can see! But, be warned, the weather in Scotland can change on awhim, and you may be just as likely find yourself getting besieged by coldlashing rain and high winds. In short, don't attempt this ride unprepared - noone will be there to rescue you! Approach the ride as though you are on anindependent expedition, fully prepared for your own limitations and whatevernature has in store for you.”</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I found out the 2016 Highland Trail 550 (HT) started
on my 60<sup>th</sup> birthday and had scrutinized lots of the Scottish
Highland pictures the die was cast, I was going. Before I dive into my short, typically boring day-by-day account
of my race let me detour and comment a bit on the HT verses some other
multi-day races (CTR, AZT 300/750, Stagecoach 400 and TDR) I have had the
pleasure of competing in. The idea here
is to encourage any US multi-day racers to add the HT to their bucket list!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Number one:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All told compared to the other major multi-day routes the
HT probably has the most technical sections. Ha, I think it’s against Scottish
nature to construct trails with mild grades, probably have to pay a tax or fine
if a trail or old cart path has one to may switchbacks in it, straight up and
straight down 'over the rocks we go' seems to be the required construction
routine. Actually I think Alan, the
event organizer, simply went looking for fun, long descents and then figured a
way to string them together regardless of required hike-a-bike in between. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03Ut4ruShMQkwNO81SN1GqBTdHb_y-zA3KjDFqoT5Kt9ri2AnbiXFv2EOLG1uVT60PkcNdr4XRMYrsApwxF-n9LRimcmav51EvES8hz4htpyK7CK8penRHasRNVzWUG7j19uddHKXDM0/s1600/20160531_184144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03Ut4ruShMQkwNO81SN1GqBTdHb_y-zA3KjDFqoT5Kt9ri2AnbiXFv2EOLG1uVT60PkcNdr4XRMYrsApwxF-n9LRimcmav51EvES8hz4htpyK7CK8penRHasRNVzWUG7j19uddHKXDM0/s640/20160531_184144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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No this is not a technical section, just a pretty one. Funny how the camera stayed tucked away when the pucker factor was in play...</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Anyway all joking aside there are lots of
hike-a-bike sections going both up, down and even flat plus many many rocky, semi-challenging
descents, ie: lots of technical riding on this route. But there are also miles and miles of mild
Tour Divide type sections, paved sections and bike path cursing. In the end, if you are inclined to some semi-‘enduro’
style sections the HT route will probably put the big smile on your face. I should point out I am a technically modest
rider at best and what is challenging for me will be much less so for many.
Also you can look at pictures of my bike you will see that it is more of a TDR
set up. In retrospect I personally would
have been a lot more confident on a light FS bike with larger tires and some of
my gear carried in a backpack for a lighter front end, better balance and less seatbag
sway in the back. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Number two:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Highlands are truly stunningly beautiful to this
American bikepacker. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipho-bwQNgyzh7BsOpwTpkUlQlaVZauOyENMOPcaMjFnlTP7Lt9ODuh4CTY95KD3lsozX2ZVRi4OxfrJl7nlyT2Rc7Sv29TxgE9sM_JsAlwPDcYHlXLUHEFL1oLXNEWboxMomC3w0V898/s1600/20160529_053738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipho-bwQNgyzh7BsOpwTpkUlQlaVZauOyENMOPcaMjFnlTP7Lt9ODuh4CTY95KD3lsozX2ZVRi4OxfrJl7nlyT2Rc7Sv29TxgE9sM_JsAlwPDcYHlXLUHEFL1oLXNEWboxMomC3w0V898/s640/20160529_053738.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The terrain and
scenery was simply beyond expectations. I should point out that this was my
first trip to Scotland and the weather was basically perfect. Also what will be routine to many locals was utterly
new and somewhat exotic to my eyes. On
the other hand backpackers and day walkers come from all over England and
Europe to experience parts of the Highlands so it’s not just me being ‘new’ to
the area. You decide but just take a look at my typical tourist snapshots but also google up some better pictures and see for
yourself. If you have never been there
and think you might want to do the HT, the scenery alone makes it worth the
trip.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Number three:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The HT was easy for me to to finish compared to the say
the AZT or CTR. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1eIpQfHd9idzy9Gw-7_WO-JmPcCnm4jou-S9aNf57KGdaD9yvY2FNGQYQH3ayxu_jziWhxn7oxFSviMS7Ii2kzPgR29h_OcIL0_Hf5R2ohw4hGPnocZ9WYxma8e0PHSU21wpSq05boc/s1600/20160602_222831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1eIpQfHd9idzy9Gw-7_WO-JmPcCnm4jou-S9aNf57KGdaD9yvY2FNGQYQH3ayxu_jziWhxn7oxFSviMS7Ii2kzPgR29h_OcIL0_Hf5R2ohw4hGPnocZ9WYxma8e0PHSU21wpSq05boc/s400/20160602_222831.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ha before all the HT naysayers
jump in let me clarify. The ‘2016’ HT
was easy to finish because we had truly perfect conditions. Just read the 2015 accounts to get a feel for
how tough this exact same route is with more typical weather. Plus I rode a hard but not true 'race-pace' as I was simply not in shape to do so.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, every multi-day route has its challenges, from my
mid-pack perspective:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://tourdivide.org/"><b>TDR</b></a> is all easy resupply, non-technical
but so so very long and so easy to go so very hard……beautiful in a different
way from all the single track races………….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://topofusion.com/azt/300.php"><b>AZT</b></a> 300 has average to difficult
resupply points, rocks, hike-a-bike, sometimes cold/snow and almost always sun/heat. The 750 has the 300 plus 450 more miles of
mostly high desert the dreaded Highline trail and for desert the Grand Canyon
on foot. All in all the 750 is probably
the hardest route overall I have done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/"><b>CTR</b></a> single track is ‘mostly’
fast and flowy (Sergeants Mesa 2-track excepted) it has average resupply (with
a one rather key ‘no-resupply’ section) and many times has afternoon lightning
strikes and sometimes serious rain plus lots of high altitude climbing. Rain and high altitude temps are one of my
personal worry points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The<b> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">SC 400</span></a> </span></b>has good re-supply, snow,
sea, desert, wind, rain, sand plus interesting urban night life. Such a unusual little fun route, I have done
this one three years running……<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.highlandtrail.net/"><b>HT</b></a> has plentiful resupply (at
least during 9-5 hours), ridiculous easy easy easy water re-supply, lots of
bothy’s to sleep in (if needed) and low elevation with mild temperatures
overall. If the rain is out of the
picture like this year all that’s really left is how hard and fast you can push
though the constant punchy steep climbs, the numerous hike-a-bike sections and
how fast you can or are are willing to descend.
In short in 2016 with good weather the HT was all about pure/fun basic mountain
bike skills and strength. Note: even with little to no rain there is still
water everywhere by US standards, stream crossings, constant puddles, marshy
areas etc so your feet could be wet much or most of the time. And again least you think I don’t get-- it I
did read the 2015 accounts—so if the HT route is on your radar screen-- for a more
typical, 180 degree opposite, picture just read those 2015 accounts, anyone who
finished in 2015 was hard core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upcoming <a href="http://bhexpedition.com/" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Black HillsExpedition</span></b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;"> </span>(a 430-mile Bikepacking Race through the Black Hills of South
Dakota). Check back—it’s on the list for
Sept. But I already know it’s likely to
be a tough one, at least the Centennial trail single track section is hard from
1<sup>st</sup> hand experience—that trail put in the hospital with an IV drip
due to mild heat exhaustion a few years back……<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Number four:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The base speed and technical riding skill of the average
HT racer is a notch above what you might see at the SC 400, AZT or CTR. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV-npfkWy1AYhjW06F5VPPZ8g05uIqT-uWeUewz6ii36aZCDxtI0LXLl9RBo5E2fLfGj4bpXVk1ulXQTbCLStuiZWFyLFOys7KU04C2chyphenhyphenmqz55vytjVOpwl7965BlKyqqnf2PsaN1J4/s1600/20160527_170946-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV-npfkWy1AYhjW06F5VPPZ8g05uIqT-uWeUewz6ii36aZCDxtI0LXLl9RBo5E2fLfGj4bpXVk1ulXQTbCLStuiZWFyLFOys7KU04C2chyphenhyphenmqz55vytjVOpwl7965BlKyqqnf2PsaN1J4/s400/20160527_170946-1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Alan, the event organizer is limiting the
participants to roughly 40. As this event gains in reputation he said he must
pick between potential participants. If
I understand correctly he is picking mostly those who have some base level of
racing and or bikepacking qualifications.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here is a call out to all the top CTR, AZT and TDR finishers
(and/or the not so fast yet experienced multi-day racers like me)—take the HT
challenge, get your name down on that start list. Ha, in a wet year the HT will be one of the
toughest, most challenging routes you can finish. And in a picture perfect dry year its pure
unadulterated mountain bike fun for hundreds of miles mixed in with plenty of
friendly, skilled, fast competitors, from the front of the pack down to the not
so back backmarkers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Number five:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the US perspective Scotland is a fantastically easy place
to vacation for a multi-day. Glasgow is
easy to fly into from the US. A mid-size
airport with all the convenience needed but not the size/hassle of a huge
airport. English makes it easy to
navigate, both from a verbal and written point of view. So if you screw something up its easy to ask
for forgiveness and get things right. For me this kept the stress down as I did
not have to worry about or contend with any major or minor communication
snafus. The race itself is a loop vs a
point to point so you start/finish at the same location. You can arrange to store some stuff at a
campground, hotel or bed & breakfast etc near the start/finish. Minus the
plane ticket the overall cost is similar to doing a US event, ie: food,
accommodations etc are similar to US costs. Plus after the race you can play tourist as see castles and stone rings and and.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayqvej10j5i9nA0Qi4yQjasDlbqBhuHWS1a8qWZJaGodqu0fv0F2NzpYrDlgJ3WFn4A-FWxWWbbLTRTdnKoERz4CmMKOYGJUDcWx3RY6YKyRW11pjYRl9qcNJVz12nTM07v5Yw1MR4oM/s1600/20160605_104443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayqvej10j5i9nA0Qi4yQjasDlbqBhuHWS1a8qWZJaGodqu0fv0F2NzpYrDlgJ3WFn4A-FWxWWbbLTRTdnKoERz4CmMKOYGJUDcWx3RY6YKyRW11pjYRl9qcNJVz12nTM07v5Yw1MR4oM/s400/20160605_104443.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMaKrMdHRH7OVO-yAEwE88V9poJduOe3KEF3eeDkO-IWfnMKXZ9rK0Ch8jRCK06NOpFJXy0CvgOmCl-oMwijrt52Qhfzko9Yp6CR77aHn_q6z18k8OwQUdrHXRvG5BVY9K9gwOsIVlss/s1600/20160605_161817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMaKrMdHRH7OVO-yAEwE88V9poJduOe3KEF3eeDkO-IWfnMKXZ9rK0Ch8jRCK06NOpFJXy0CvgOmCl-oMwijrt52Qhfzko9Yp6CR77aHn_q6z18k8OwQUdrHXRvG5BVY9K9gwOsIVlss/s400/20160605_161817.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You do have to drive and ride on the left side of the road. And the back roads are truly one lane with motorized
traffic taking turns. On the bike my rule was to simply keep my ‘left hand’
always on the left side of the road or trail.
I only messed up twice (once, because even knowing it was wrong, I
followed a local who cheated a corner and the other time because I was tired
and briefly forgot my rule)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could go on but you get the idea. The HT is a fun challenging event, ideal for
the experienced US multi-day racer. So go do it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">On
the flip side any UK or Europe HT racers looking to come to the US there is a
</span><b style="font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/2016-ultra-racing-calendar-(sticky-thread)/">whole list </a></b><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"> of routes and races to pick from, including the ones above, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwSZ9wZa3EQeTjS6CsPblkhFX5qGDqQW2hyphenhyphenkAgZ4hHneZRhzmgM45ceRx7Ea1-RhrPfr1JOyVMqt9LB_K-aHmv-kpXaI3amWY63-u34HpzlGivSeZoozrb-ajFgTe_Tcsawk1xseXM80/s1600/day+3+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwSZ9wZa3EQeTjS6CsPblkhFX5qGDqQW2hyphenhyphenkAgZ4hHneZRhzmgM45ceRx7Ea1-RhrPfr1JOyVMqt9LB_K-aHmv-kpXaI3amWY63-u34HpzlGivSeZoozrb-ajFgTe_Tcsawk1xseXM80/s400/day+3+2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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even the non technical routes can be hard sometimes...</div>
<span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">all ‘hard’ yet appealing in their own way.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-17416163062989604932016-07-22T13:46:00.002-07:002016-07-22T13:46:53.772-07:00<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Stagecoach 400, 2016<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJrwhoTb9f3IXb6YvsyD1B5j2Jhop2T33I4weotLTHLvBO1BH-URWsyphk1isDB_ZZk2JtwFNjC7a9S0wDZGhDLontSfc6O5nQNrVbcziPcudhbscD1kQ9kJlKxG2WGCsTIaTnVtYlCA/s1600/20160304_081618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJrwhoTb9f3IXb6YvsyD1B5j2Jhop2T33I4weotLTHLvBO1BH-URWsyphk1isDB_ZZk2JtwFNjC7a9S0wDZGhDLontSfc6O5nQNrVbcziPcudhbscD1kQ9kJlKxG2WGCsTIaTnVtYlCA/s640/20160304_081618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I never wrote up my Stagecoach 400 (SC) race so before I
move on to the Highland Trail 550 (HT) write up here is a quick summary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My work pulled a fast one and scheduled a last minute
“mandatory” meeting the week of the SC so I changed my vacation plans and ran
the SC 400 as a Individual Time Trail (ITT).
This is my first ever ITT of a multi-day race vs the usual group start. I was using the SC as a training /stepping
stone for the HT and did not want to totally mess up my training plans. Also the SC route is one of the most
interesting routes I have done so along with my training schedule it was easy
to convince myself to attempt my first multi-day ITT.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In past years the route ran clock wise, this year for the
first time it ran counter clock wise so my previous course knowledge/ time
splits were of marginal value. However a
couple of others did ITT’s before mine so by studying their Spot dot times I
had a rough plan for my hoped for time splits.
You can look up everyone’s Spot history here (<a href="http://trackleaders.com/stagecoach16">http://trackleaders.com/stagecoach16</a>
) Turns out my planed splits worked out for some good and some not so good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 1:<o:p></o:p></div>
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One nice thing about a ITT is a relaxed no-stress
start. Just pick your time and get up
and go, no nervous waiting around for everyone else to assemble and be sent off
in a huge wave of twitchy bike handling and over pacing. The initial climb out of Idyllwild was a
smooth, pleasant warm up. With no one pushing a race pace around me the
singletrack decent down to hwy 74 was mild and relaxed. Humm, this ITT stuff
aint bad……<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Other than a whole series of ‘water the tree’ stops
during the early hours of the day (note to self—don’t over hydrate so much the
night before) the whole day was one long, firm but relaxed, pace into San
Diego. A truly beautiful day out on the
bike. I started at 6am and hit the Escondido gas station 12 hours later right
at 6pm. I was right on plan for my first
time split. By 9:30pm, some rain and mud
in between, I was down to the ocean. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(The SC 400 route starts in the high pine trees wanders
over hill and dale down to the ocean, runs right thru all of San Diego with
cool urban single track, interesting residential side roads and plush bike
paths, climbs sharply up to Pacific Crest Trail altitude, drops down down down
to true scorching hot desert and then finishes with a big climb back to the
pines.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By 3:30am I was 180 miles into it and pretty much out the
far side of San Diego. It had been a
great day for maintaining a smooth pace and riding strong. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However in hind sight I should have pulled up
about 1-2pm as although I made my pre-conceived split distance I paid for the
lost sleep on day 2.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Up with the sun after a few short hours of sleep for my 2<sup>nd</sup>
day. With the short rest it was going to
be a long slow slog and if I was to enjoy it I needed to be smart and pace easy
all day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
About 8am I was quickly passed by a larger group of road
riders on Willow Glen road, out for their morning ride, and saw the same group
a few hours later going by up in Alpine, different routes, dirt vs pave,
different bikes mtn vs road, but same beautiful S Cal morning out on the bike…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By the time I hit Alpine the sun was beating down and hydration
and pacing was the order for the next few hours. A short stop in Descanso for a taco and
resupply had me refueled and feeling better.
The climb from Descanso to Sunrise Hwy took 5 hours. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The highway pavement was a welcome rest followed
by fun singletrack in the dark and a ripping rocky decent down Mason Valley
truck road and out into the desert. But
first a detour to Auga Caliente for some water.
The desert sand was not to soft and I paced on till about 12:30pm. Nothing beats drifting off to sleep under the
bright desert stars after a long day pushing the pedals……<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I made a tactical error by sleeping in a bit. My thinking was I needed the rest for my last
day, which I did but it cost me as the wind really caught me after the turn
west on hwy 78 at Ocotillo Wells. I have
been riding bikes a long time and I swear the head wind from Ocotillo Wells to Borrego
Springs was the worst I have ever experienced.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
side ways palm trees.....yha the wind was a blowing right in my face....</div>
We are talking standing up to barely turn over a super low 24X42 gear
ratio! Had I reached that turn west just
1 or 2 hours earlier I would have saved massive effort/time.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After a huge lunch at Borrego Springs I pushed on thru
the dwindling wind but still hot sun up to camp cabin in Canyon Springs. It’s hard to put into words how strange it is
to hike-a-bike in the desert thru running water and a green grotto of brush and
willows. I wrung out my wet socks at the
cabin and freshened up a bit for the final push to the finish. Leaving I was regretting my desire to ‘race’
for time as it would have been so pleasant to crash out in the cool little cabin
for a few hours of sleep…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The climb out of the canyon seemed to take forever as I
was in full conserve bikepacking ‘pace mode’ with no energy reserves. On the other hand the finish was getting
closer and after a few hours I was past hwy 78 and climbing in light snow up the
final few miles to the finish at Idyllwild.
I rolled up to the Hub (<a href="http://www.hubcyclery.com/">http://www.hubcyclery.com/</a>)
at about 2:20am (2 days, 20 hours, 25 minutes) and my 3<sup>rd</sup> Stagecoach
400 was in the books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Final thoughts on the Stagecoach 400 route. I have had the opportunity to race the
Colorado Trail (CTR) Arizona trail (AZT both 300 and 750), Great Divide (TDR)
and recently the Highland Trail 500. I
can heartily recommend each and every one of these routes, each is quite
different than the others. But with regards
to the SC 400 it is the most unique route I have raced. Pine trees to ocean to true desert. Singletrack to fire road to pavement to bike
path. Remote to reservation to suburbia to
urban. High altitude with maybe some
snow, sea level and desert with sun, wind and heat. This route is just so varied compared to the
rest----well worth putting on the bucket list.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-44888767912059398712016-01-23T22:34:00.001-08:002016-01-23T22:38:39.475-08:00Race Strategy, Stagecoach 400<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgSwpwEzwgP5v1Ug67RR9_K5Nhv6_bVuxnzuReP_eq8HJnfrHyDuEFZYpj03zQ1JpHp8cEYybHPOi6vYlgI3V3CNXQ8kQfqlDi-p0vp4WNacY7DNlBEWsidjO5puSRKztWTruTcJ8S28/s1600/SC+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgSwpwEzwgP5v1Ug67RR9_K5Nhv6_bVuxnzuReP_eq8HJnfrHyDuEFZYpj03zQ1JpHp8cEYybHPOi6vYlgI3V3CNXQ8kQfqlDi-p0vp4WNacY7DNlBEWsidjO5puSRKztWTruTcJ8S28/s640/SC+400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Link here for race info: </strong></span><a href="https://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>https://socalenduro.wordpress.com/stagecoach-400/</strong></span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">My ‘passion’ is self-supported multi day bike racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been at it for a while now and feel I
know the basics pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In terms of
importance one could break down the basic parameters as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fitness<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bike/gear/craftsmanship<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Route knowledge<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Race Strategy<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">This break down isn’t absolute, one might come up with a
logical alternative but this one suffices for this post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Fitness</strong>, ahh even at my age fitness is an ongoing work in
progress but in general I just need to reach my ‘race weight’ and that gets me
90 to 95% of my maximum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all honesty
I do not have the inclination (read time and dedication) to work on that last 5
to 10 %.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave that to those who want
to and can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggle hard enough just
to reach the desired weight and frankly that’s good enough for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Bike/gear/craftsmanship</strong> is also a never finished
project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly enjoy honing my gear
and craftsmanship However unless I take up wintertime multiday racing I am
pretty far along the learning curve in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work at this more for the satisfaction and
fun rather than noticeable improvement. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Route knowledge</strong> is something I do spend a lot of time
at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know many like to approach a multi-day
with less than ideal route knowledge because that’s the way they want to experience
the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I on the other hand truly
enjoy the study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studying a route is one
of my simple pleasures in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s
also a huge stress relief from my day to day work life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps someday I will do a multi-day without
my usual in-depth pre-route preparation, just for the experience, but I sort of
doubt it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Race Strategy</strong>, now this is currently where my head is
at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where one tries to put all
the pieces together in such a way so as to minimize your finish time and maximize
your race placement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if I ever archive
perfect implementation of an ideal race strategy my head will explode from pure
satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t happen because first
I always make too many mistakes during a race and second I can always think of
something I might have done better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
me strategy is a journey not a destination (thanks Ralph)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">So right now as I prep for the upcoming 2016 Stagecoach
400 I am working on fitness/weight but really I am wondering and thinking about
strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How should I approach this particular
race?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My current thinking (sure to
change) is to focus on pace, followed by duration with a set recovery time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not so different than what I always
think I will do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in both Stagecoach 400’s
I have done it seems I never quite nail the ‘pace’ part of the plan, ha-not even close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which then throws the rest of my strategy out
of sync, and I wind up yo-yoing most of race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">So how might I actually hold a sustainable pace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds easy but when you factor
in my untested/current/improving/early year fitness level, huge temperature differential
vs my home base and the shock of always longer than trained for ride hours—well
let’s just say I could not possibly do worse than my first two Stagecoach races
at holding a ideal 1st day pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If fact this
is a common issue (horrible first day & maybe even second day) in almost all my
multi-day races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only in the TDR have I
avoided this issue, I think because the TDR sort of regulates your effort due
to the easy terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZGH2czX4uUz2TEBllGezerlCk3v7OZnzQ3guOipsjvT04vDTAWtjcJHWgd8gNOlHFlk9QWKj3x7WEtfoK2G9eV3zunEJ1bpqf4zPqJ9ysXBQwh-2mwOxhhbxu8ud7Rkm9Bwr4WxfeQ/s1600/Palmer+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZGH2czX4uUz2TEBllGezerlCk3v7OZnzQ3guOipsjvT04vDTAWtjcJHWgd8gNOlHFlk9QWKj3x7WEtfoK2G9eV3zunEJ1bpqf4zPqJ9ysXBQwh-2mwOxhhbxu8ud7Rkm9Bwr4WxfeQ/s400/Palmer+Park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thought about it for most of my 5 hour ride today.......nice day bty....</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Power Meter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heart
Rate Monitor? Perceived exertion scale? Jedi focus? Forget the whole idea and
just go with the natural flow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What say
you?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am open to all ideas......</span></span>Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-3331556670912361632015-12-30T22:58:00.001-08:002015-12-30T23:02:18.310-08:00Lets Wrap It UP!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVHXucBMraNQRixCerMcKyZwMkj3jTo4ZEDqzDhW3dr-_BV-1tSCb-I7wvuDR-iR-CYbn0hGBOLZUwaMoEG2emptkO0tB31Xo-qHYOJb4MM1O7KCj3YFaD1T70MwCdIbD_wlI255COYA/s1600/2015-07-01+06.07.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVHXucBMraNQRixCerMcKyZwMkj3jTo4ZEDqzDhW3dr-_BV-1tSCb-I7wvuDR-iR-CYbn0hGBOLZUwaMoEG2emptkO0tB31Xo-qHYOJb4MM1O7KCj3YFaD1T70MwCdIbD_wlI255COYA/s640/2015-07-01+06.07.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjFCQZYWZc_-U_weVqkdqAVU7vV5sYApVNTfMSJ2p_xYPo427uKtIuICMNfRaRy3bZ6XAkl64D6Is5d-VxPQJiAiDTqltVhGr7X_AryrtkN3oBMsfPBzcQCevPyARCznfmgU2Z-loWv4/s1600/2015-07-01+06.18.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 13, 21hr, 141 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I stopped early so I got up and going by 2:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The riding in Colorado is mostly easy and
fast and I was soon in Silverthorne/Frisco/ Breckenridge area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I worked my way thru civilization I
stopped first at a convenience store for some quick resupply, then at a
sporting goods store for some additional MSR Aquatabs, then for Ice Cream
(Yum), one more convenience store and finally at the Subway leaving Breck.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBFPc5ILcgwNEu9XxEIbAdPpypm8dS4UQ7Eaa_vnVBD6w7p8iwKvJCrM3O70yXg3BRJ4FaWNZu-NPqfUYwkzMAsutPAqr-mJog2u8sV725q_44X3hpxuMFLJx7MO_RuBpy2w63rriKs/s1600/2015-06-24+10.58.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBFPc5ILcgwNEu9XxEIbAdPpypm8dS4UQ7Eaa_vnVBD6w7p8iwKvJCrM3O70yXg3BRJ4FaWNZu-NPqfUYwkzMAsutPAqr-mJog2u8sV725q_44X3hpxuMFLJx7MO_RuBpy2w63rriKs/s320/2015-06-24+10.58.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say I wasted some time but as
most stops involved ‘some, but not too much’ calorie intake I was able to ride
strong into the night.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8EHnXsaLHnxvTWHGbF1daJs0lfgmRKg0VOOHWeZ0_aH2E0NtFSw5wK4R4woAE4CqO2fjHc8vI5a_h2L3Sow_AbYbvVR1_5tiGsVr9_KfExI6bs8kIOzvkSV-nT8RFCZ_q5dQ6OJwIWI/s1600/2015-06-24+11.03.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8EHnXsaLHnxvTWHGbF1daJs0lfgmRKg0VOOHWeZ0_aH2E0NtFSw5wK4R4woAE4CqO2fjHc8vI5a_h2L3Sow_AbYbvVR1_5tiGsVr9_KfExI6bs8kIOzvkSV-nT8RFCZ_q5dQ6OJwIWI/s320/2015-06-24+11.03.00.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">On the way up to
Boreas Pass I met Beth Dunne, we rode together on and off into Hartsel where
she stopped for a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
several bikepacking bikes outside the café but I pushed on solo as I had an
extra Subway and the riding was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later I saw Beth’s and Josh Daugherty’s light sail past my camp spot. In
my mind this had been was my first good day sense back in Butte MT. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 14, 19hr, 154 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I slept in a bit and felt I had gotten enough
recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However six hours later I had
only gone 40 miles and was feeling totally spent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the start of Marshall’s pass I was sitting
in some shade, it was one of the few times I was truly hot, when Josh Daugherty
rolled up stopped and asked if I was Marshal Bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seemed a bit strange but Josh explained
that he had seen my Spot on Trackleaders back in town earlier and knew my
name.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kFTJ6Xj1VgbvD3bkkPbBzW6dJuHMNKvtQOxbW8x9fkyIZUOennkVqWPxgPpZxzE40DEbFbKLaHhZxDzPO4terMBi6IPogQR60MZvwS-y3pMfGBLiyVig31noUJ6WXbPdMYE38HV6OMU/s1600/2015-06-25+13.12.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kFTJ6Xj1VgbvD3bkkPbBzW6dJuHMNKvtQOxbW8x9fkyIZUOennkVqWPxgPpZxzE40DEbFbKLaHhZxDzPO4terMBi6IPogQR60MZvwS-y3pMfGBLiyVig31noUJ6WXbPdMYE38HV6OMU/s320/2015-06-25+13.12.17.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks Josh for being just the right inspiration when I really needed it</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like a light switch I felt I
raring to go and asked Josh if I could ride with him a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was nursing a sore leg so our paces
matched for most of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soon
caught up to Beth and three of us bounced back and forth for the rest of the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the day we passed Lukas
Aufschlager who was fighting a flat tire and from where he was I think also
fighting some mosquitoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked hard
to try to match Josh but he was stronger and finally I let him go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Beth again at the Storm Mtn CG block house—ha
she had to let me use the ‘facilities’ before she could claim her enclosed bivy
spot for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled a few more
miles and spent one of my most enjoyable TDR nights under the ‘almost desert’
stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later I would learn Josh was
camped just a few miles behind me and Lukas had also stopped at Storm King
CG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would see Josh the next day, after
which he moved on ahead for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would also see and ride with Beth (and later her husband Seb) several times
over the next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would also see
Lukas several more times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had gone
thru a rough spot up on Marshall’s Pass but Josh’s good company had saved me
and Beth’s example of “constant, steady pace” had re-sparked my desire to also
stay strong.</span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 15, 16hr, 111 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was up and going around 6am, twas a beautiful morning
and I was looking forward to some resupply in Del Note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long before Josh rolled up and we
enjoyed some play racing thru the desert and sandy almost single track sections
into Del Note.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzWLAlBzL7qe77QNcRY_Xtuo6aFZlbkOYsQcfXVUCgXd5U4OfRgsCqJUDKFqaksiJeXA8KYSHECQ4WkldAtKnnilbMkgHsKZDtkJwNC6BY0IqkXsnbrjLCrSTyyO5FYn5t0KMvfdjHVs/s1600/2015-06-26+07.51.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzWLAlBzL7qe77QNcRY_Xtuo6aFZlbkOYsQcfXVUCgXd5U4OfRgsCqJUDKFqaksiJeXA8KYSHECQ4WkldAtKnnilbMkgHsKZDtkJwNC6BY0IqkXsnbrjLCrSTyyO5FYn5t0KMvfdjHVs/s320/2015-06-26+07.51.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AIlw8ljykEIcvx1Sv2Z3RW_JhPrNwnmdtsl-7tkADG7awygMgvYwqgL61liLsKqAeEmcBag1F3LxMC7XN4EOqYGyA5eXWwpMjxZzMi6J8p9heB0iuLRWYBSZinwnKQ6je41SAAy0qDM/s1600/2015-06-26+07.50.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AIlw8ljykEIcvx1Sv2Z3RW_JhPrNwnmdtsl-7tkADG7awygMgvYwqgL61liLsKqAeEmcBag1F3LxMC7XN4EOqYGyA5eXWwpMjxZzMi6J8p9heB0iuLRWYBSZinwnKQ6je41SAAy0qDM/s320/2015-06-26+07.50.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Josh was pushing hard,
making up lost time from earlier in his TDR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried to match his drive and intensity but it just wasn’t to be, he
sailed away from me on the paved approach to Summitville pavement, a man with a
mission.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh35Pi-T4eyvRLH9-ZE03oep7LTpsEJFQl5qvVbhlPZd8F7Pe9NNqyv4S-KuoUdoiYS3YFxwAQynBJAQ5i86YgiPrbXiO-NscbOJL_8jfKNXjs220vjHaXUpU1Zz4IRDmzLD2M62Ysc8/s1600/2015-07-08+01.31.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh35Pi-T4eyvRLH9-ZE03oep7LTpsEJFQl5qvVbhlPZd8F7Pe9NNqyv4S-KuoUdoiYS3YFxwAQynBJAQ5i86YgiPrbXiO-NscbOJL_8jfKNXjs220vjHaXUpU1Zz4IRDmzLD2M62Ysc8/s320/2015-07-08+01.31.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">I kicked back and rode my own
pace and while stopped for lunch Beth passed by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rained on us that day and like a idiot I just
rode in it without covering up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey it
was warm at the time….. Later I had to dry out at the Platoro Lodge and had a
big meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josh was just leaving as I
arrived and I wish I hadn’t let myself get so wet but had no choice but to dry
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beth showed up a few minutes later and we shared a table
for a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again I was impressed
how she handled herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain had
been a bit of a shock after so many nice days and after some aborted attempts
at finding a room for the night I watched as she sucked it up and made the
decision to keep on pushing, rain or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I left about 30 minutes after Beth and several hours later in the dark,
just about the time I was looking for a place to camp got a shout out from two
campers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could see were lights but
then Beth called out as I rode by “Instead of a bear in the woods I found a
husband in the woods” !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha, Seb
(Beth’s husband) who bty had been running top 4 into NM had had a mechanical
and once repaired decided to tag along with his wife on to the finish at
AW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They apparently had met up in Del
Note and Seb got his bike fixed in time to rejoin the trail right when Beth was
in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway I rode on for a few
miles and found the most cool circle of pine trees to camp in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was almost like being inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear some animals hunting in the
night, wolfs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe but for some reason
felt quite safe and content in my circle of pine trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many miles today but just over 10,000 ft
of climbing—not a bad day considering the rain and stupid but needed extended
dry-out stop in Platoro. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 16, 17hr, 127 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was up at 5am and packing my gear when Seb and Beth
rolled by, I followed there tracks for the rest of the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day brought more rain and rather than
fight mud I ducked into the empty Post Office building just outside of Vallecitos
(ah Vallecitos, the town of nasty dogs—actually it’s the dogs horrible owners
who are to blame…)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a short nap on
the floor of the Post Ofice and headed out after the rain let up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My timing was good and I was able to ride
almost the entire section of dirt to over to El Rito. Only had to scrape mud
and walk for a few 100 yards. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a quick
resupply at the store in El Rito and then a full meal/resupply at Bode’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Abiquiu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was worried a bit about getting real rain in the night so I bought a
plastic poncho with the thought I could use it as a make do tarp if needed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was about 8pm when I started the climb up into the
Polvadera area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking forward to
this next section as it was bypassed in 2010 due to fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 10pm as I came around a downhill corner
at a modest speed my front tire slid out and I landed pretty hard on my broken
ribs and rolled into a barbed wire fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This minor fall was the most painful yet, coming as it did on already
sore ribs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up in till then I had been
feeling good and planning to ride till 11:30 but now I just wanted the first
camp spot I could find. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out is was
once again a beautiful picture perfect night under the stars, no make shift
tarp needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspected Seb and Beth
were camped somewhere near so I set my alarm a half hour sooner in the hopes I
would have some company to ride with in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 17, 16hr, 144 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like the day before I was packing up when Seb and
Beth rolled by (Beth is one of the most steady, consistent multi day racers I
have seen) but this day I was only a few minutes back and soon joined them on
the climb over to Cuba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to
have some company thru one of the more ‘real mountain bike riding’ sections of
the TDR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a literal TDR traffic
jam at the McDonalds/convenience store in Cuba. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myself, Beth, Seb, Greg and his NZ partner whose
name I can’t remember just now and Ryan Correy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lukas was just behind us and 3 riders were 4 to 6 hours in front of this
grouping of racers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My racing instinct
had kicked back in and with all these racers in sight and right at 500 miles
left I was in the mood to go hard to the finish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Cuba to Grants is 120 miles of easy
pavement and I initially planned to ride it out and get a late hotel room in
Grants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this was the same basic plan
the whole little Cuba group had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it didn’t work out that way, about 40
miles outside of grants the wind was now a real headwind and there was a wall
of rain clouds 10 miles ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt I
was expending precious energy fighting the wind and had no desire to ride 10 to
15 dark miles in a rain squall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
section is flat wind swept desert type terrain with no visible shelter for
miles.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28xX2aM6f7O47pQKsa7XWsqQYa_h9sMjb1SiP8l-HXvKQoTBChgYcjiraxZeLafT7N4O9ObOCCOCNNgVngp3PmmWagG1f0oN0rySv_sKH77TEeh2iHuYpvMN1VEaaq5brlTzNRyLO-jI/s1600/2015-06-29+01.56.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28xX2aM6f7O47pQKsa7XWsqQYa_h9sMjb1SiP8l-HXvKQoTBChgYcjiraxZeLafT7N4O9ObOCCOCNNgVngp3PmmWagG1f0oN0rySv_sKH77TEeh2iHuYpvMN1VEaaq5brlTzNRyLO-jI/s400/2015-06-29+01.56.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">At 9pm I made a racers call to
save energy and went to ground (literally) for my shelter and an early stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best strategic call I made during the entire
race. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 18, 20hr, 213 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Up and going again by 2am I could tell I made the right
call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well rested from my warm dry stealth
camp followed by a calm/no wind, ride into Grants I was ahead of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Lukas at a convenience store and
thought he would soon be riding with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we would only see each other one last time in Pie town, me leaving
and him just arriving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a fast stop
for Pie and Ice Cream at Pie Town <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
back at it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjw2D-SnWvxu50OzOpSLHsiBSmkRWfcIhaYS1hedfqTIUjQRg6IW3VCkHTCzSlTkVoSFRvYVobTP_BaP7ziR66aASwwk_elfMVYab1JBccE5iftdg6lxQPSd5GPZxlGjR8V39DT1oITw/s1600/2015-06-29+15.47.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjw2D-SnWvxu50OzOpSLHsiBSmkRWfcIhaYS1hedfqTIUjQRg6IW3VCkHTCzSlTkVoSFRvYVobTP_BaP7ziR66aASwwk_elfMVYab1JBccE5iftdg6lxQPSd5GPZxlGjR8V39DT1oITw/s400/2015-06-29+15.47.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The finish line was singing
out to me and I was riding well, the knee and achilles issues long forgotten, I
was once again a TDR racer if only relatively speaking a for a few more hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was going perfect when it rained again,
hard this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as I was topping out the ridge before
Beverhead Work Center I completely mudded up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sun was down, my wheels were clogged, the bike now weighed about 90 pounds,
wheels jammed with mud <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it seemed I would
be spending the night in an exposed meadow waiting for daylight and the mud to
dry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to give up to soon I
zoomed out on my GPS and saw a road intersection about 1 mile ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoping it might be mode gravel than dirt I
got out the chain brush ala mud scraper and went about cleaning my bike frame
and tires for the next 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once mostly
clean I rode and walked the grass next to the road and carried the bike thru
some puddles till I reached that intersection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough it was ridable and I was back in
business, what a morale booster, I simply flew the next 30 miles down to Beaverhead
and camped up in the blockhouse, warm dry and very satisfied with my second
longest mileage day of the TDR<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 19, 24hr, 206 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjxJN6olQr5Nuqe1_fLm0iLcvlgT1jEpYE-Fb78mJ2X79gkGQKnkzaJffVEbw0zaPbcWeUFAMhywvRLRn6649gz1Cs4Q2FZNiOxiaFNGxBBjtyOlRQEUjl9q1FZ1f5aQfE6JdWUtTv68/s1600/2015-07-01+06.18.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjxJN6olQr5Nuqe1_fLm0iLcvlgT1jEpYE-Fb78mJ2X79gkGQKnkzaJffVEbw0zaPbcWeUFAMhywvRLRn6649gz1Cs4Q2FZNiOxiaFNGxBBjtyOlRQEUjl9q1FZ1f5aQfE6JdWUtTv68/s400/2015-07-01+06.18.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2RvFehOILwDA9x5RTJJv0etCPQhCDP4_I0V4UUma5gxsgawokdaRRR2qlBr6YkI4CWSmzj4HOPAduswEXBeTHGHajFy76kCDgYg2N6bElXeMrvP4THjs2HRWP9umHjZ76TRApd-qaQA/s1600/2015-07-01+06.47.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2RvFehOILwDA9x5RTJJv0etCPQhCDP4_I0V4UUma5gxsgawokdaRRR2qlBr6YkI4CWSmzj4HOPAduswEXBeTHGHajFy76kCDgYg2N6bElXeMrvP4THjs2HRWP9umHjZ76TRApd-qaQA/s320/2015-07-01+06.47.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last day, just 200 miles to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was leaving, up the first hill Andy
Laycock rode by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had seen im fly by me
up a hill back on day 3 and was simply amazed that a rider so strong was near
me with only 200 miles to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Andy
ever gets serious about the TDR he could contend for a top spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway I made no attempt to match Andy’s hill
climbing powers, knowing I would blow up on the very 1<sup>st</sup> one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simple started a long hot slog thru the Gila,
knowing that Silver City and real food would be my interim reward. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzJub8NgH-kRBoOXgqxYdxTTIdCRAtj6k-ARZtNf2k-bznCCJj1buoMH-pTm7OXxtFN7D-QGO5xhUCM7XnMHPOQthaH1n8uqPbu38mtxD2RUMcbuWx5VBWcedt0zacLoClGRcHb7Vlbg/s1600/2015-07-01+06.07.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t quite
remember where or when I figured out I could conceivably finish in under 20
days but I would occasionally think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In passing Andy had mentioned under 19 days and for some reason I
started counting my days again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Math is never
my strong point but is exceptionally difficult when stressed and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I finally remembered that you start
counting at zero days, not at day 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
idea I could squeeze out a finish in just under 19 days gave me a bit extra
motivation thru the next few hot hours. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYg9tVFw4xKUVfS45drbtOE64B8Os6qU0tSkQbpMGTgih0ik9ElwgEMVeA9Q69-QpNOiXwwGdXsPngKMm8qsEg1vBA22OE8y-tP7Jv0VtBBQq9__HUR6o2vqqKO5Ns6ee0rktY6tZQ6k/s1600/2015-07-01+06.19.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tiny bit of single track was a refreshing
break and quite enjoyable during daylight hours and soon I was enjoying two McDonald’s
Milk Shakes in Silver City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving Silver
City I figured out that just like 2010 I would be asking my wife to meet me in
AW’s in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called her and tried
to explain that I would ride a pace so she could arrive with the sun rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And basically that’s how I finished, riding a
easy pace, with some extra stops so Sharon could meet me at sunrise in Antelope
Wells New Mexico .</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqunAzdBFhphIHef2goPWw92DPghrNLi5zYuh2REuxLvfyW0jOn4aCS8kJPq1Zhv8zQOGwMyO_cOTma0rbw863CsKRISotRo7kQiOzeuH4re6cwdEMN1s7-OokmcGrCMkijCAUuC-Io8/s1600/2015-07-01+06.19.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqunAzdBFhphIHef2goPWw92DPghrNLi5zYuh2REuxLvfyW0jOn4aCS8kJPq1Zhv8zQOGwMyO_cOTma0rbw863CsKRISotRo7kQiOzeuH4re6cwdEMN1s7-OokmcGrCMkijCAUuC-Io8/s320/2015-07-01+06.19.09.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tired, mostly satisfied....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oFBRTpiAcLbfIPwLYjX1ySep5zCyKnrjyodb2G0utjqFYIuQwL7dzyar2R6kuzgOmVr5eh_mHdvvOEXEIJtj5_KZi1u1ej6JxCm4zMmiW11TqOuqUOLHRqz83SmL-1k6dH2TDlL7b-Q/s1600/2015-07-01+06.18.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finished at 18days
and 22 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Post Race:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharon and I gave Andy a ride up
to Albuquerque and enjoyed hearing about his TDR experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a bit of a tough go with his race,
mostly due to being rather new to the multi-day race experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he ever comes back watch out as I would
expect him to contend for a podium position. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will I ever do the TDR
again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get asked this and the answer
is 'I hope so' but at my age I am not sure I have it in me to truly ‘race’ such a
long event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if I am not racing it’s
not that big of a deal to just ride it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are other, better routes to just ‘ride’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> On the other hand I would like to shoot for the 'over 60' age record..........</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">What would I do different? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a bit actually. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would run a 2X11 or 2x10 with front suspension
and also a crank based power meter sensor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Front suspension to allow me to maximize my modest downhill and
technical skills along with smoothing out the bumps and reducing the cumulative
fatigue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">2X11 to allow me to have both a
top end and bottom end as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
cry thinking about how much time I lost due to my 32X11 set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still cringe thinking about the miles and
miles of flat or slightly downhill bumpy sections where my legs begged for a
standing position to rest while pushing against some light resistance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Power meter you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josh was running one and he explained it not
only kept him pushing to his real/true capability but just as important let him
rest and pace better in slow or windy sections, knowing he was outputting at
his sustained limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think a power
meter on the TDR could be the most important piece of additional gear a top
racer could use to maximize potential. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would carry a bit more food
and skip some resupply stops.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And finally I would not eat so
much trail mix.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVTM99fbGIEjS-6gmAvNWDGvCliUYpKZf180TRLn8QklUwEU03xC3-AODsfSVBnG_yfoNN_B92u6EaO10n8326IXbRPvhdLLi6gAbeTWO7tv0RIu44Q04ebCm8Dc2GQbvM6nRPBEaE-I/s1600/2015-07-01+05.59.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVTM99fbGIEjS-6gmAvNWDGvCliUYpKZf180TRLn8QklUwEU03xC3-AODsfSVBnG_yfoNN_B92u6EaO10n8326IXbRPvhdLLi6gAbeTWO7tv0RIu44Q04ebCm8Dc2GQbvM6nRPBEaE-I/s640/2015-07-01+05.59.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-39234682971756312762015-12-26T21:38:00.000-08:002015-12-26T21:38:54.746-08:00Safe Harbors
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd03_ci_bcfezmoxaWm7k_kUBLF7aAFl_DdvYOjI8IBxo6qc48wPWg9lO9KG_etZhg-qsqGv_-YxAv5eGLmCA0Ukd4Dn4LEbMe5ceoXqdhzyoXhSYcK7PT96gPyXt1zwkDF7WO61gHXM/s1600/Steamboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd03_ci_bcfezmoxaWm7k_kUBLF7aAFl_DdvYOjI8IBxo6qc48wPWg9lO9KG_etZhg-qsqGv_-YxAv5eGLmCA0Ukd4Dn4LEbMe5ceoXqdhzyoXhSYcK7PT96gPyXt1zwkDF7WO61gHXM/s640/Steamboat.jpg" width="640" /></a>Leaving Steamboat, new arm & leg coolers (Thanks for the pic John)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 12, 10 hr’s, 90 miles<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Steamboat was my pre-planned bike maintenance stop so there
was no reason to get up early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I
set my alarm for 7:30am but woke up well before it went off, I stayed in bed and ate the rest of my midnight snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 8:30am I rolled over to the bike shop, Orange
Peel and waited for them to open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was one other racer also waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
bike went up on a repair stand as soon as the doors opened and they got right
to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t roll out till around
11:00am so it took about 2 hours for them to pull all the requested maintenance
items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not happy with the amount
of time it took but this was 100% my fault for asking them to do some things
that in retrospect were unnecessary time killers. Just like always the Orange Peel wrench's did a bang up job, my hats off to them! But-note to self--regardless of where you decide
to pull a bike maint pit stop only ask for truly needed, short duration repairs. On
the other hand I did borrow a shop bike and rode it across town to another shop
to purchase some leg coolers in anticipation of some hot NM days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s sort of interesting to look at the Trackleader
Leaderboard Steamboat, shows me arriving in 20<sup>th</sup> place, I finished
in 18<sup>th</sup>. Most of the racers who were in Steamboat just before or
after I would see over the next few days and most would all finish near the
same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0bvX5JsYX8ruSzPBag3lxhv_1ZSq4-QI5FvKWZwnbDvgP3Tiracl-ewr1uK58GSdBFHNVqMEXelQ5KrYaXv3QOl0ewvKHW1-hsPIrrT5E0RGKW9dFe-LSK-8XGNmr9irEatj7WVPTCI/s1600/2008-09-03+13.44.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0bvX5JsYX8ruSzPBag3lxhv_1ZSq4-QI5FvKWZwnbDvgP3Tiracl-ewr1uK58GSdBFHNVqMEXelQ5KrYaXv3QOl0ewvKHW1-hsPIrrT5E0RGKW9dFe-LSK-8XGNmr9irEatj7WVPTCI/s320/2008-09-03+13.44.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Close to AW, TDR 2010, John, Mathew & Mike</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">While my bike was being finished up John Foster stopped by
and said hi, he introduced me to his son (upcoming bike & X Ski racer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>John and had I crossed paths during the 2010
TDR <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>down in the NM Gila Mountains and
wound up racing to AW on the last day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saw
John again later as I left town,he was on his road bike and we chatted up a storm till the
route hit gravel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I said I didn't leave town till around 11 so I didn’t make
it very far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling good and
planned to ride till 11:30 or so but from the Colorado River crossing to Williams
Fork Res. the mosquitos were as bad as I have ever dealt with. I stopped in the
block house at the reservoir to escape the little buggers and grab a bit to eat
and decided to simply call it a day at 9pm, 90 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha, by far my shortest time and distance for
the entire route.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-70383602534122611572015-12-17T20:01:00.000-08:002015-12-17T20:07:32.446-08:00Do over<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhnJUGuCdVOqRZCVBXGmFeHyVZ3Djfpc7-FpgdHnc91m4BmmrcF8do4K79kd1tv-xQXjAF2_YQyjgzNjLxzWVwryw-10FKHeEqYzUNz0M_cdEwc09cteAVVyTGvcCve9N5t8Vf_mUnF8/s1600/Brush+Mtn+Lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhnJUGuCdVOqRZCVBXGmFeHyVZ3Djfpc7-FpgdHnc91m4BmmrcF8do4K79kd1tv-xQXjAF2_YQyjgzNjLxzWVwryw-10FKHeEqYzUNz0M_cdEwc09cteAVVyTGvcCve9N5t8Vf_mUnF8/s640/Brush+Mtn+Lodge.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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picture from Brush Mtn Lodge facebook account (ha <span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kirsten made me smile like that</span>) </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Day 11, 5:30am – 12:30pm, 19hrs, 135 miles<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I would imagine that anyone reading this realizes I did
finish. But that night drifting off to sleep in my seedy Wamsutter hotel room
I was fully expecting to have to scratch when the alarm went off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did wake up all the ice on both knees
was melted to water in plastic bags and wet towels, but there was still a bit
of ice under my achilles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gingerly
rolled off the bed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and ‘tested’ the
achilles for the prior nights grinding and clicking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my compete surprise there was no grind or
pop or noticeable obstruction of any type whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything, knees and achillies, ribs etc,
was a bit sore but …..I was back in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A huge weight lifted and I absolutely knew in my heart that if I was
careful and didn’t screw up, or have my bike break in half, I would see
Antelope Wells.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Ha most of you are
probably more than tired of reading about my downhill progression, me too but I
am trying to reflect what I thought and felt and not sugar coat anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say that from here to the end mentally
I was going uphill so each post should be in general a bit more positive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I popped over to the truck stop and topped off my
supplies and then headed south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
immediate plan was to baby my achilles along the flat (and dusty from oil rig
trucks) dirt road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was truly a
nasty section of road with the large tanker type trucks rumbling by but I will
say most of the drivers did slow just a bit and always gave plenty of
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However there was no way short of
completely stopping that they could keep from dusting me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long before I had crossed highway
789 and left all the traffic behind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
not just dusty traffic I had left behind, in many ways my race had restarted,
my personal mid-race "do over".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
easy to put into words how relaxed I was now verses how stressed I had been
feeling the last 3 or 4 days. In many ways the ‘race’ was off my mind yet not
really. Now I felt centered, balanced if you will and ready to get on with my
TDR experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">65 miles into my day, about 9 hours later I rolled into
the little town of Savery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped at
the little museum and asked if there was still a soda machine on the premises,
instead I was offered some ice for the water bladder and as many frozen
homemade cookies as I wanted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already had
all the food I could possible need, especially with Brush Mtn Lodge just up the
road, but I took some ice and a few cookies more to be polite than anything
else, although the ice was nice as the day was just barely hot. About 2.5 hours
later I reached Brush Mtn Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The post-</span>race Trackeleaders Spot check shows it was just past 5:00pm and I had traveled about
90 miles at a 7.5mph pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time I
knew I had reached the lodge way too early to stop for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also remember feeling very fresh and
relaxed, I had paced myself all day at a low level and was feeling good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Kirsten offered up her usual racer support, encouraging
words, hamburgers cooked to order, race gossip, a offer for a place to camp
or get a room if needed and on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you want a real feel for just how big deal this mid race pit-stop at Kirsten’s lodge
is I would invite you to go to her lodge’s facebook page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrushMountainLodge/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/BrushMountainLodge/</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and simply click through all the 2015 TDR pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great way to scope out TDR bike set
ups if you are thinking of doing the race-- but what I would ask is you first focus
on is the expression on each racers face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
YES, t</span>hat’s right-- almost everyone has that huge oversized smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC331CGr0u8xG-IUBn76J2b5lLQG9ooNVQj6zYDWQSyzL4npJ0Ph1AINfpfq6jSs71XcgrpQb_dqEBPAbk13lh0aeu9gL2c8JQ_wI4jXEd7suwOIm6vA0zOE9NHA59QoCPyJsrXF3hmw/s1600/2015-06-22+18.24.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC331CGr0u8xG-IUBn76J2b5lLQG9ooNVQj6zYDWQSyzL4npJ0Ph1AINfpfq6jSs71XcgrpQb_dqEBPAbk13lh0aeu9gL2c8JQ_wI4jXEd7suwOIm6vA0zOE9NHA59QoCPyJsrXF3hmw/s400/2015-06-22+18.24.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">ha--here is my usual rather wimpy 'big' smile</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am sure some of those smiles are because at
this point you are just over ½ way done with what by now is turning into a
truly ‘long’ race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the main part
of each racer's smile is I think because stopping at Kristin’s lodge is a huge TDR Magic
Moment. <span style="font-size: small;">(see earlier post about TDR magic moments)</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I had my hamburger, declined to stay the night, listened politely
to some unexpected and thoughtful advice on trailside first aid techniques for
my ailing achilles and just relaxed for about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was simply too early to stop and I
wanted to pass by DB’s last camp spot in daylight hours and say some sort of hi to his ever lingering
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Later up the road, just before the pass I spooked a mama elk
nursing her calf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bikes can be quiet and
I was quite close, closer than I realized before she saw me. When mama did see
me, in her haste to escape she knocked into her poor calf who took a comical tumble,
and then confused baby was up and off like a flash to catch up to mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
reached the pass right at dark, popped on the helmet light, which had a known full
charge for a change, and worked my way slowly down the notorious harsh decent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, how I was wishing for the
comfort of a FS frame like the one Andres Bonelli was running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A post-race Spot check shows he had crossed
the same punishing section the morning of the day before, he was already 1.5 days
further along at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
bumps it was long but easy cruising into Steamboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a good day, the body held on quite
nicely all day with only one ice pack used, back at Brush Mtn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWWp39xAXghEYClFyb5vJJEMI3mYKKHL5lw1lCLbtU3Adjdc8QKwiuc7zapRLXLD7ciJ9ogaxsCLbXixvh7KWtJXuWyd9vHNqVJhViSkmXPjcbHFPEwAHrOTLVeMGOFDiULOe87z7Ezs/s1600/2015-06-22+17.54.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWWp39xAXghEYClFyb5vJJEMI3mYKKHL5lw1lCLbtU3Adjdc8QKwiuc7zapRLXLD7ciJ9ogaxsCLbXixvh7KWtJXuWyd9vHNqVJhViSkmXPjcbHFPEwAHrOTLVeMGOFDiULOe87z7Ezs/s320/2015-06-22+17.54.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brush Mtn was just about the last time I felt the need to ice down </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The 135 miles at a 7mph overall pace was nice,
in essence the whole day had been a rolling recovery day and I knew I was going
to finish it with a long sleep in a hotel with one more ice down and lots to eat and drink.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">So I rolled in to a 24 hour super convenience store at
12:30pm and finalized my plans for the night. Called and confirmed the hotel
room, ate some food right on the spot and bought extra to eat in my room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basic reason to push on to Steamboat was
to sleep warm and snug, recover some more, sleep till just before the bike
shops opened and hit one 1<sup>st</sup> in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to set myself up for some better days going forward.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-63579456556440334782015-12-12T21:35:00.000-08:002015-12-12T21:36:29.102-08:00Days 9 & 10, Almost Match Point<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGBXc6pMRV22ufB5YCqBGL9p3MMMItZHB1hxm3BHn3CbOlA0lkEmvPVP6q1kWmnK7N7L_mGWU0B01fn9TsmX_ekPpxCl3lPDi7FPItdN7K0O7T2y1B_tN4AfimhnvNNe9Ogqcs-2NyFY/s1600/cutoff+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGBXc6pMRV22ufB5YCqBGL9p3MMMItZHB1hxm3BHn3CbOlA0lkEmvPVP6q1kWmnK7N7L_mGWU0B01fn9TsmX_ekPpxCl3lPDi7FPItdN7K0O7T2y1B_tN4AfimhnvNNe9Ogqcs-2NyFY/s640/cutoff+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Days 9 and 10, 4:30am to 9:30pm next day-41hrs, 272 miles<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Note: I am treating day 9 & 10 as a single duration
because even though I stopped twice neither pause was truly a full recovery
stop.</span></em> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The alarm went off with the usual shock and as I dressed and
packed I analyzed the crash damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt
ok as long as I didn’t breathe in to deeply or lift my left arm above a certain
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also I couldn’t ‘pull’ any bag
straps with my left hand as this caused rather sharp pains in my chest. But I
had a sense I would be ok to ride the typically non-technical TDR terrain without too
much difficulty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once out the door and
on my way it was once again a perfect day weather wise. Overall 2015 was ‘record
setting’ conditions just about every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was curious and looking forward to the new for 2015 section coming up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new section does have a short
push-a-bike up a very steep bit of ATV trail (ha, you walk right where the mosquitos
are thickest).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But once up high its
truly one of the more scenic sections. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the common questions any TDR racer is asked is some
version of “WHY”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you do it, why
do you like it, why do you want to go back etc etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of my answer both to myself and others
is what I call ‘magic moments’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A magic
moment is when you are temporary lifted to a higher level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be the rush from a fun & fast
downhill section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe the taste of
a meal at the end of a long day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I experience
magic in some amount at least once every day on the TDR (ha, even the worst
days at least once).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times it’s the
sun rising or setting, coupled with a fantastic view out across wild terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such was the case around 7:30 am that morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had left the nasty mosquitos and
push-a-bike behind and traversed some ‘alpine high’ 2-track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahh at about 9600 feet, with some warm sun
and views to forever I was off to a great start for day 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a just short time all the mental stress, minor
aches and resupply concerns were put aside and once again the magic flowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXAROMX-AybZtnyi_vTUkQvCC-HokuindZUcf9ay4ae16AQaBPMEra72ejGTthKBruLa7Zp3DiUTk_RIcW-ZrO0_eZI-RHcJ3WUErvJ5begIFh-czECzceM5ec3HD-SpVoibrF-3v4wc/s1600/wind+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXAROMX-AybZtnyi_vTUkQvCC-HokuindZUcf9ay4ae16AQaBPMEra72ejGTthKBruLa7Zp3DiUTk_RIcW-ZrO0_eZI-RHcJ3WUErvJ5begIFh-czECzceM5ec3HD-SpVoibrF-3v4wc/s320/wind+river.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I reached Pinedale about 3:15pm, resupplied on food and
found a drug store for some more Aleve pills and my current favorite chamois cream
(Lanacane anti-chafing gel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 6:15pm I
was past the convenience store at Boulder (big ice cream sandwich) and headed
into the big fast rollers with the Wind River Mtn Range to my left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far the day had flowed along quite nicely,
in 2010 this area of the route was a highlight and for a few hours was
enjoyable in 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaCX2mAT0ugxlMkUGTZC4NZH4jKa6nsiJ9wdIGkXcJ5GPkJiSOJaaWvLhbfDW8HbXjAowiEbjiKmupGmn-bGdnHCizSmBLvirbHbBs6rDAC64nKZb8by-AgT191gghD804k6pmRBjskY/s1600/crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaCX2mAT0ugxlMkUGTZC4NZH4jKa6nsiJ9wdIGkXcJ5GPkJiSOJaaWvLhbfDW8HbXjAowiEbjiKmupGmn-bGdnHCizSmBLvirbHbBs6rDAC64nKZb8by-AgT191gghD804k6pmRBjskY/s320/crash.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">funny but I think I felt like the driver about now</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">But as night approached
things began to go south just a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
left knee and achilles once again became almost unbearable but there was no
easy location to soak in any flowing ice water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Oh, I forgot to mention in my day 8 post that back then I had
finally discovered my handlebars had somehow become twisted about ¾ of an inch to the
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had ridden over 1000 miles in a
non-symmetrical position. Needless to say I think this was a significant factor
in over stressing my left knee.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway back to the evening of day 9. In retrospect at this
point I should have found a good camp spot and got in a full nights recovery.
However I had set a goal to pull a 160 mile day and reach the rest stop at Hwy
28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The riding was easy, I still felt
the need to push and despite the growing knee problem I pressed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once at the rest stop I tucked into the
handicap stall, bike and all and locked the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was to sleep for 4 hours and be gone
by 4:00am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDkogO5X9beFAz2qSgQc5FlIXt-hrq0Jtk0ABkvDkccigLp7_8EaipPAeHiZoYq_rTmNEE9-PreOPj3_OFD3rYJmqgwiqhvAF7g7k7abzMQ0DMPaqjKX71un4AyAYJXVx8qpDLccpu6g/s1600/rest+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDkogO5X9beFAz2qSgQc5FlIXt-hrq0Jtk0ABkvDkccigLp7_8EaipPAeHiZoYq_rTmNEE9-PreOPj3_OFD3rYJmqgwiqhvAF7g7k7abzMQ0DMPaqjKX71un4AyAYJXVx8qpDLccpu6g/s320/rest+stop.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately I could not
relax and sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 2 to 3 hours of non-sleep
I packed up and moved on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discouragingly
read all the ‘go JP’ signs painted along the shoulder of the highway and began to feel
really sorry for myself, no painted signs of encouragement for poor ol me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two miles later just
past the turn towards Atlantic City I stopped and had a bit of a break
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing exactly why I found
myself just sitting in the middle of the road, wondering what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind was more than a bit foggy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking how I wanted to stop at
Atlantic City for some food but would be well past there by the time the one restaurant
possibility might open. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My knee was inflamed
and slightly swollen and the rest of me also felt like crap, and why was I just
sitting here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was so atypical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far away the sky was getting light, the sun
coming up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had a mini revelation that
went something like; Marshal you are such an idiot of course you feel like crap
as you have not had any real sleep for almost 24 hours, just ride to Atlantic
City, fine a spot and sleep till the café opens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just like, in a few seconds my mind
cleared, my spirits lifted and I was on task.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Once at Atlantic City I saw I could lay out my bag inside
the big Teepee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slept for about 2.5
hours and then got up and went into the now open café and got some hot breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back I can see I should have slept
for at least 4 hours but couldn’t see the logic at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Atlantic City in the late morning the day was once
again perfect and so was I, at least for a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of hours later and I was soaking the
knee in ice cold water at Diagnus Well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5dxyYUSEeM8F6S9G3Bl7i2hB775GdU3MxrkOyh8dWB2GsVm2UhKcCYEAs6RHhJXEkX-dp2KFqwUCdo3QCTBzATBCjXWCwXh9Tr6A7UCnxMJLn4GEMdHL5ggMhMsrY2AwPvKb2U47jSM/s1600/well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5dxyYUSEeM8F6S9G3Bl7i2hB775GdU3MxrkOyh8dWB2GsVm2UhKcCYEAs6RHhJXEkX-dp2KFqwUCdo3QCTBzATBCjXWCwXh9Tr6A7UCnxMJLn4GEMdHL5ggMhMsrY2AwPvKb2U47jSM/s320/well.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFADJWFzCOjyVUXV6SZHeXSG2OJMN5O8w4C50BnP4YK64e_rKCvPOxPOxr7SkZNP1zquSd9BAR_bMcy5F4m7VKfqMbioY6Lm1LKrvzUYTOruv7kaARAnRUqS3SHy7OmOAr5NzpoP39n7Y/s1600/soaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFADJWFzCOjyVUXV6SZHeXSG2OJMN5O8w4C50BnP4YK64e_rKCvPOxPOxr7SkZNP1zquSd9BAR_bMcy5F4m7VKfqMbioY6Lm1LKrvzUYTOruv7kaARAnRUqS3SHy7OmOAr5NzpoP39n7Y/s320/soaking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepkA4hEdSZ7uZyMrOP1qVLc-ihp88_dauU8QkMT3cYiBACGigsrlDl7vUaHHfPZ2Jc0nN37XV5d9DRjt-uawtZMWaxytqPfY3IH1CIU51d7fT9e0rGt0DSyn6mTAtOz0Hp9B3K9NSWg/s1600/soda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepkA4hEdSZ7uZyMrOP1qVLc-ihp88_dauU8QkMT3cYiBACGigsrlDl7vUaHHfPZ2Jc0nN37XV5d9DRjt-uawtZMWaxytqPfY3IH1CIU51d7fT9e0rGt0DSyn6mTAtOz0Hp9B3K9NSWg/s320/soda.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
multiple uses for cold water</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I didn’t need drinking water but that soak was
the only thing that kept me going. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling restored I pushed thur the new cutoff
over the truly remote feeling backcountry trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl1g8zng1wE5Ya9UxS1R839ZzY7uETYizKDNDQdaU2y_KFyM1gNqg1XPZf0xP_TJ5p-ZlmWzOV8OPdUzU3KzOcipb742OQuPoJyVlU0GTiT9nwIdB37u7nV5eYau1xu4qr5K1iSty-Lo/s1600/cutoff+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl1g8zng1wE5Ya9UxS1R839ZzY7uETYizKDNDQdaU2y_KFyM1gNqg1XPZf0xP_TJ5p-ZlmWzOV8OPdUzU3KzOcipb742OQuPoJyVlU0GTiT9nwIdB37u7nV5eYau1xu4qr5K1iSty-Lo/s640/cutoff+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The wind was fighting me but I really enjoyed
this new cutoff, my magic moment for day 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However when I reached the gravel road into Wamsutter I was once again mentally
out of gas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick Spot dot check shows
that last 25 miles into Wamsutter took 2.5 hours or 10mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not nearly as bad as it felt at the time but
several racers had flown swiftly by depressing me to no end. And to top it off
my digestive system was causing me all kinds of grief; guess it was not use to
a real breakfast followed by massive amounts of trail mix. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">It was about 9:30 pm when I reached the big Wamsutter truck stop and began
my usual resupply routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However my
first step away from the bike I felt the achillies begin to pop and grind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Humm, that's a bad bad sign. M</span>y first thought was, damm race over, no
way I am making it to Antelope Wells with that level of injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After thinking about it for a few minutes I turned on the
smartphone and called one of the possible 'pre-race researched' hotel rooms in town and yes, confirmed a
room was available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loaded up with food and drink
and plastic bags swinging from my bars rode to the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I checked in I confirmed I could stay two
nights if needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow was it a
gunslingers worst nightmare of a room, trashed trashed trashed, but the door
locked and it had a bed and bathroom. Plus I had a bag of ice and a rough plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called my wife and told her to make plans
to pick me up as I was sure my leg was done for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate a meal, cleaned up and then lay on the
bed with lots of ice tucked under my achillies and on top of both knees, ate
and drank some more and slowly fell asleep, about 90% sure match point was at hand and my race was done.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-90067513445650147082015-12-02T23:19:00.000-08:002015-12-02T23:19:19.417-08:00Day 8, Minor Disaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssxjEbq3F7kDCZRSzQi1pzLnZxjFgb4mOkJX6mAXS5IvQM46_qrW7Gp7g0-610QYHN9ppFDjeKSBI2CdMmRzHx7OuaF-SYIsGbM9dZgd5Y2L5QUINnKKDP8zxIPG7ri-YqFaLbekf5fw/s1600/Jackson+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssxjEbq3F7kDCZRSzQi1pzLnZxjFgb4mOkJX6mAXS5IvQM46_qrW7Gp7g0-610QYHN9ppFDjeKSBI2CdMmRzHx7OuaF-SYIsGbM9dZgd5Y2L5QUINnKKDP8zxIPG7ri-YqFaLbekf5fw/s640/Jackson+lake.jpg" width="584" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 8, Jackson Lake, before thing go wrong....</span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 8, 5:30am to 10:00pm,
142 miles<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My TDR day 8 was a rather short day time wise and good
miles overall, but ended rather badly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day started with a ride on the notorious rails-to
trail section down to the Warm River campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally this section of trail is not a big
deal, basically just standing and slowly riding thru continuous sandy woops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along the way I saw a moose and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ran across fellow racer Rob Davidson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I upped my pace bit to ride and chat with Rob
for about 20 miles or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again it
was difficult to deal with miss-matched gearing systems. I seem to remember Rob
was running an internal 14 speed Rohloff hub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where he had the gearing range to cruise this slightly downhill section
of trail I was stuck between spinning and standing and worked hard to keep his
pace. However having someone to chat with was nice, but once we hit the pavement
at the end of the rails to trails section I was spent and stopped trying to
match Rob’s pace. (note: even with a wider range of gearing I would not have
been able to hold Robs pace long term but the difference would probably have
been much smaller, at least I like to think so….).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">To give you an idea of the ‘difference’ a review of our
recoded Spot dots show that 50 miles later Rob had gained 1 hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 95 miles Rob was 37 minutes ahead and
he apparently reached the same Lava Mtn Lodge for the night 20 minutes ahead of
me, interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I let Rob go I stopped at the Squirrel Creek Elk
Ranch and snagged a coke and chatted with the owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my 2010 TDR I had stopped at the Squirrel
Creek Elk Ranch after a rather nasty spill back on the rails to trail section and
they fixed me a hamburger and got me up and going again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year I sort of stopped just to remember
and later it seems crashing was the theme for 2015.….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any way back in 2010 the Squirrel Creek Elk
Ranch knew about the TDR, but not much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now days a lot of racers stop there and they know all about the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well the coke didn’t last long because one
hour later, for the 1<sup>st</sup> ever time in my life, I literally fell
asleep while riding. I woke up in the middle of the dirt road moving at a slow
speed while tipping over and barely saved myself from a slow motion crash. (ha,
the real crash would come later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time
for a power nap!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I stopped and Flagg Ranch and bought a big ice cream sandwich
and pre-charged battery back to try to recharge my helmet light. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after I stopped at the Colter Bay Convenience
store and did the re-supply thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also took the time to turn on my phone, call my wife, call and pay in advance for
a room at the Lava Mtn Lodge (and arranged for a ‘after closing hours’ hamburger
dinner to be waiting in said room).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also noticed that Lael Wilcox was about 10 min ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later I would see her bike parked next to a
lodge but didn’t actual see her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made a stop up at the Togwotee Lodge but quickly pressed
on as I had a room and dinner waiting just over the pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just getting dark as I hit the dirt
section just past Togwotee pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point I was excited to soon finish up the day and
reach my room (and that dinner).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
the lodge would be just closed by the time I arrived but because I had pre-arranged
for the room and dinner to be waiting I really had no good reason to hurry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But hurry I did, looking forward to ending my
day in a warm room with a cooked meal just waiting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I paid for this stupid hurry with a hard fast crash, I
mean this was the full blown real deal, haven’t done one like that in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ya I know, stupid stupid, riding with lights
off to conserve helmet light battery life, rounding a downhill corner, barely seeing
in the fading light a set of ruts, reaching up to flip the light on, hitting
the ruts before getting fully re-centered and then hitting the dirt, hard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a flash I slammed down hard enough to knock my breath
out and slide face first in the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dazed
and confused, like in an old school XC race, I jump up and start riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a minute or two I slowly realize I somehow
hurt but not sure how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not too much pain
(yet), mostly a huge adrenalin rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bike
seems ok (later I saw a snapped velcro strap on my top tube bag).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ribs and knee hurt some but hey I am up and moving
so how bad can it be…...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s now full dark and getting cold fast, now I don’t just
'want' but truly 'need' that hotel room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About 25 minutes later, in said room, I struggle to take off my jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror I
see a strange thing--humm seems my chest is no longer symmetrical but is now literally
pushed slightly off to one side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoa, what
the *&%#.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My chest is ‘bent’ and ‘off
center’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was more than a little
scary but I gently pushed on my rib cage and it all slid back into place and it
stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, now what?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My thinking at the time was I was next door to real help
if things went south, not in too much pain, so let’s eat and sleep on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just wait and see how things look and
feel in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Long story short I think I cracked a rib, not to painful
but it was noticeable the rest of the race. And it took several months of slowly
healing to get back to 100%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Post-race I
now realize this crash had a much bigger impact on me than I realized at the
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time it seemed to be mostly
a minor annoyance that soon became mostly a background issue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">But hey, man oh man, was that hamburger dinner good, was
even still a bit warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real food
followed by a hot shower and warm bed……..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-36566217395994016072015-11-29T18:20:00.004-08:002015-11-29T18:20:51.675-08:00Day 7, slowly fading away....
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjh652rJDh6J43CqnVMfTDmmoUg5rXI2cP9QIIRbVUmbaKLuKPoJwwDUFv3TUi9SvLhDNBZS-uMpNOlTbW_4rcqemC6QAAsSBdMcjxfLgXS-zL03GIiflPkniHXOZIBRvR35nHfhYaWY/s1600/KTM+Rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjh652rJDh6J43CqnVMfTDmmoUg5rXI2cP9QIIRbVUmbaKLuKPoJwwDUFv3TUi9SvLhDNBZS-uMpNOlTbW_4rcqemC6QAAsSBdMcjxfLgXS-zL03GIiflPkniHXOZIBRvR35nHfhYaWY/s640/KTM+Rally.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
2015 KTM Rally, Crested Butte CO, (group leader on this day was Mike Lafferty--you either know who he is or you don't.....)<br />
<br />
Since I last posted I have wrapped up my 2015 racing efforts with a local mtb race (sandbagged a 1st place in the old man cat 3 class) and a 9hr/28 min Ring-the-Peak run. I have also gained my usual layer of winter fat , have done miles and miles of this:<br />
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and am now ready for hibernation till 2016. <br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway before I totally forget my 2105 TDR ....onwards....<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Day 7, 4:30am to 12:00pm, 141 miles<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Overall I didn’t get much sleep, on Trackleaders there is
no 4 hour tent dot…..but I didn’t feel overly tired on the morning of my 7<sup>th</sup>
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was because I knew I would
soon get some good resupply in Lima MT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also I knew the route between Lima and Island Park was basically flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after I got rolling, right on top the
small 8000 ft pass, the one with the historical old Bannack Road sign I rode
past Eddie Clark’s red truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
still sleeping in the back so no photo op for this morning…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After some pleasant early morning ‘cruising’ with a soft
peddle stroke to save the knees I reached Lima at 9:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did some maintenance on bike and body and
had one of my few sit down meals at Jan’s Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ordered a big breakfast and asked for double order of bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my food arrived I realized an order for
double bacon was way too much. I decided to have the leftovers wrapped up to go
in some tinfoil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got on my way around
11:00am, a very time consuming stop but I probably needed it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now while riding my bike thru bear territory I wouldn’t
normally pack a bunch of freshly fried bacon but the upcoming route wouldn’t be
an issue and boy was that the best snacking, best for the entire TDR!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had bacon grease all over my face and hands
as I poked along towards Island Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soon after Lima Andres caught up to me, we had been in Lima at the same
time but didn’t quite cross paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was on a mission and after a few words was soon out of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he disappeared into the distance I really
began to realize what a mistake it was to be running a 1X11 with a 32 tooth
chainring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I could have hung with
Andres’s pace but up till now it hadn’t truly set in just how much of a
disadvantage I had put myself in with my gearing choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the hills and climbs I was fine but on the
flats or downhill sections I could only go fast if it was smooth enough to stay
firmly seated and spin, and even then this took a bit extra focused energy to
spin hard and fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the route
this combination of smooth + high energy wasn’t going to happen but on day 7 it
was truly beginning to be noticed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shortly after Andres vanished my knees started to bother
me (psychological? probably…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Achillies was also hurting and slowly getting worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time for more ice therapy soaking in ditches
and streams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would ride till I couldn’t
stand it and then start watching for a good soaking spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was now in a pattern, wake up, soft pedal
for about 8 hours and then for the rest of the day stop every 2 to 3 hours for
a 10-20 min ice water soak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
probably cost me 1-2 hours of forward progress per day, say 10 to 20 miles but
in retrospect allowed me to keep going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later in the day, while soaking away in a road side stream
crossing it occurred to me that I needed to reach Island Park ‘before’ the
store closed if I want to have an effective resupply for day 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having done the TDR before I was pretty much
winging my daily navigation and mile count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So it took a while to figure out how may miles I had left to reach the
store, how much time I had left till closing and what level of pace I would
need to maintain to reach said store before closing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humm, seems I need to time trial the next 30
miles at my best pace and ‘maybe’ I can reach the store by 9:00pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course I did not know exactly when the
store closed - 8, 9, 10 or something in between?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I knew was I really needed to make it if
I wanted a seamless resupply. Can you say adrenalin rush? At this point, after
7 days of hard effort, even a little uptick in adrenalin felt like a double red
bull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Game on…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The next few hours flew by and luckily I walked into the
store at 8:50pm and learned the store closed at 9:00pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow was I pleased with myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With only a few minutes to select my
resupply, plus a ‘right now’ meal, plus a meal for ‘end of day’ I felt sort of
dazed and confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a hand
basket and just walked up and down each aisle (this store is a small grocery
store as well as ‘convenience’ store and has a bit of everything) I was basically
tossing in this and that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right at 9:00
I place my overflowing basket on the checkout, not really sure what I had in it
but knew it was more than enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could hardly wait till I paid and got outside, I wanted to rip into ten
different goodies drink or cram the contents into my mouth……</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKwCAjZI3H0ZjFrzte4pm01fGhK76QKkwhE16D6s-7p1dcEau1BQqn6YxTcVb_KANZG1OnfODwP0iAzX3kj6A5JkqUNUWsIW4wXc3spEDA6eFhKKSfl7hyphenhyphenlcs1gl38ORm-a9_Bm8tY64/s1600/day+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKwCAjZI3H0ZjFrzte4pm01fGhK76QKkwhE16D6s-7p1dcEau1BQqn6YxTcVb_KANZG1OnfODwP0iAzX3kj6A5JkqUNUWsIW4wXc3spEDA6eFhKKSfl7hyphenhyphenlcs1gl38ORm-a9_Bm8tY64/s400/day+7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">two plastic bags full of goodies on the seat to the right--and you may notice I started with some Aleve pills and a bottle of chocolate milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">While stuffing my face outside the store I watched at least
15 would be customers were turned away at the just locked doors, boy was I smug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also while I sat there eating a local police
car pulled up next me, hum wonder were this is going… Turns out the officer had
noticed I didn’t seem to have much light, I was using a miniature head lamp,
and he asked if I would be ok riding in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained I had lots of riding lights and
would soon be moving on down the trail—it was a nice polite way for him to
investigate the dirty biker with food items spread all over a table under some
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I was finishing up my
meal and trying to figure out where to stuff all the now extra food I saw two
bike lights approaching. It was Rob Davidson and I think Aaron Gardner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a downer to be caught like that, I had
taken two hours when I could have easily taken just 30-40 min and accomplished
the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again I was losing
time and positions and didn’t like it but felt powerless to stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway they went off in search of food and I
headed on down the trail looking for a likely camp spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830363534088201369.post-56119249064323275012015-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:002015-09-14T16:05:00.940-07:00Day 6, Splatter Day <br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know I am taking
a long time to get my write up done but frankly it torments a bit me each time
I sit down and write about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like
to think I may never do another TDR ..........</span></i><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></em> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eEOZMEUva56pBuSKrNbKDbqQqiGGqYhA2A0VKTGbQvMTi0PCZbGxgvOXlOVcLPCWvVGJEU0F_sT-iFz5nL6N0r6V8ISepbjuN37DaUwNuv9U8j_57Out8LxmmdPT2Rcvdkjsl6pWUoc/s1600/20150617_072137-1_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eEOZMEUva56pBuSKrNbKDbqQqiGGqYhA2A0VKTGbQvMTi0PCZbGxgvOXlOVcLPCWvVGJEU0F_sT-iFz5nL6N0r6V8ISepbjuN37DaUwNuv9U8j_57Out8LxmmdPT2Rcvdkjsl6pWUoc/s640/20150617_072137-1_resized.jpg" width="548" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fleecer Ridge, 2015</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 6, 3:30am to 8:30pm to 1:30pm, 130 miles<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 6 was an unusual day. Sort of like dropping a blob of
paint on the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The results might
be interesting to look at, perhaps even pretty, from one’s de-coupled inner
artistic point of view but regardless of point of view in the end you wind up
with a sticky mess that needs to be cleaned up…….. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a nice warm, secure sleeping location but woke up
before the alarm and rather than roll over and go back to sleep got up and was
riding by 3:15 am……<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The section from my
camp down to I 15 brought back memories of my failed 2014 attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually they were good memories as this
section back in 2014 was one of the few enjoyable times I had and also in 2010
was one of my top ‘magic’ moments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Side notes: For me a magic moment on the TDR is when it
all comes together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A writer like Jill
Homer could describe what a TDR magic moment is, I won’t even try except to say
pick the best segment of time you personally have had on a really long hard
ride, IE: maybe your best ever and that was a magic moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, for me, at least once a day,
sometimes many times a day, my mental state + surroundings = magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s these special moments that makes
fighting thru all the difficult times worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not everyone calls them magic moments but every TDR racer experiences this
magic at some point, to some degree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
if you have raced the TDR or read deeply about it then you understand, for
most, TDR magic is special and leaves deep engrained impressions.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well the day got off to a good start, the knees and
Achilles were stiff and bothersome but it would be several hours before they
would become more than a side issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
enjoyed the rising sun as I climbed towards Fleecer Ridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMdvVtJlCAOUSntGMdI3LeIyDiETbska8GnrZJ_i2SWhv0c0SyNGXIPHSBxvR8NIGRvlIZgeOZmqHYwyzdHvSlgR5PTserwgRv13xDR_CjzU8pduBpRmuXWK0XzyGfcGAUVD21Ik7bDo/s1600/20150617_072117-1_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMdvVtJlCAOUSntGMdI3LeIyDiETbska8GnrZJ_i2SWhv0c0SyNGXIPHSBxvR8NIGRvlIZgeOZmqHYwyzdHvSlgR5PTserwgRv13xDR_CjzU8pduBpRmuXWK0XzyGfcGAUVD21Ik7bDo/s320/20150617_072117-1_resized.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;">I look so, so whatever--hey it was just the sun in my eyes...</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now to many Fleecer is sort of a check off
spot, lots has been written about this rather minor section so its sort of on
every racers radar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today would be my 3<sup>rd</sup>
time up and down it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoVwo-rI9Zs0EQgl9FPJMkpDXlHt_HNhi_3Inul_zJZ5T-ARoiUoAyV857rI9IrqPfsbrEsFUXjNxgcoEJ3PezWZd3G5nYyXaAfzCkeZjuY2z2anzq6g6eMzOmpLUYC5FyGZtfvWYNn8/s1600/Fleceer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoVwo-rI9Zs0EQgl9FPJMkpDXlHt_HNhi_3Inul_zJZ5T-ARoiUoAyV857rI9IrqPfsbrEsFUXjNxgcoEJ3PezWZd3G5nYyXaAfzCkeZjuY2z2anzq6g6eMzOmpLUYC5FyGZtfvWYNn8/s640/Fleceer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Fleecer, 2010</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once in fresh 1 ft
deep snow with no rear brake, once right after sunset but still ridable with no
lights and today, my day 6, it would be early in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ask me why but once I got into the last
steep pitch to the top, even with gimpy knees, I wanted to see if I could do
the climb without walking, ya I did it, but probably one of the dumber things I
did that day—think paint splat…. And then I wanted to descend without a dab but
missed it by 1, oh and the on-the-fly re-clip into my one sided pedal was
rather exciting, more splatter…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Fleecer my magic for the day was all used up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL97cSkJSJa_cGldbKk76XdGtmZbeQl1MmCJCaWw-zLAH7DnibOfnbcVNkDBdXR7O829cFwrxvVmTLC06YGeSUTWnqJYemh6ENnDf2bWWszyBLCo1cw4JBxaCSQ8FGEZBHCd6qPoFAjhM/s1600/20150617_150759-1_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL97cSkJSJa_cGldbKk76XdGtmZbeQl1MmCJCaWw-zLAH7DnibOfnbcVNkDBdXR7O829cFwrxvVmTLC06YGeSUTWnqJYemh6ENnDf2bWWszyBLCo1cw4JBxaCSQ8FGEZBHCd6qPoFAjhM/s320/20150617_150759-1_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pavement section from the base of Fleecer
to High Country Lodge was slow going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resupply
and a meal at Wise River followed by several knee soaks in the river combined
with a lethargic pace had me rolling into the lodge around 3:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I splurged in time spent for a meal, shower
and laundry pit stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stop/service
was great but I felt guilty for the time spent and the places lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYWg0dmX5HOMhXOZ3mnBwfFQTx5cuwkc5WZp22lr6rNARkk05K3-P7MHKdbbN4hFAW-BFEaQG6mZye_uiSEnihlFt3pj93HWbJlNg5OYVvs7CEGOy7WQhDtkky_1ZRDSYSm6TBTv2T18/s1600/12.++Marshal+Bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYWg0dmX5HOMhXOZ3mnBwfFQTx5cuwkc5WZp22lr6rNARkk05K3-P7MHKdbbN4hFAW-BFEaQG6mZye_uiSEnihlFt3pj93HWbJlNg5OYVvs7CEGOy7WQhDtkky_1ZRDSYSm6TBTv2T18/s320/12.++Marshal+Bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clean kit and smile on the outside, but not really doing that well by this time....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib56A4vo0gUmFCze1ZvuoV26ogLn6AUHt8Y_LtqlW5-xuAfvFLR8MSL1PwuulUDWs3Lfi40W42FT-0cgrm2LFA4GZiafm-mw7MZWgi8UCSyNBDynK84DCdFHjE7LWxtgDeY-qsqq2us8M/s1600/13.++Andres+Bonelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib56A4vo0gUmFCze1ZvuoV26ogLn6AUHt8Y_LtqlW5-xuAfvFLR8MSL1PwuulUDWs3Lfi40W42FT-0cgrm2LFA4GZiafm-mw7MZWgi8UCSyNBDynK84DCdFHjE7LWxtgDeY-qsqq2us8M/s320/13.++Andres+Bonelli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Andres on his FS rocket</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Shortly after I arrived Andres Bonelli rolled in with the
same plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on he caught up to me
and paced with me as we talked up a storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Andres was the first racer since Banff whom I rode with enough to
exchange more than a word or two. That evening we stopped at dude ranch with
the idea to rent a cabin and escape the abundant mosquitos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one seemed to be around but finally we
found a Spanish speaking ranch hand who told Andres we could sleep in the ‘main’
house as the owners were not home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
we got set up on the floor of said main house I couldn’t sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too early and I was uncomfortable
crashing out in someone’s home on just the ok of their ranch hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway after a while I quietly packed up and
rode up the road till the sleep monster poked up his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a wide spot on the side of the road
and broke out the bivy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drifted off into
a sound sleep laughing at myself for being more comfortable on the side of a
dirt road vs the warm floor of an empty ranch house…So overall day 6 was an unusual mix of smooth and rough going, some fast yet slow, three long stops, some good stuff, some bad thoughts, a little focus and a lot of confusion ie: sort of a big weird splatter of a day...........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bonus Section:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Andres was one of the few racers on a full suspension
race bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we went along we discussed
bikes and also TDR racers and strategies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Andres reminded me there are 4 types of endurance racers, types A, B, C
and D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Type A is fast and can ride for extended hours on little
sleep/recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Type B is fast but uses lots of recovery time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Type C is not so fast but like type A can go on and on
with less recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Type D is pretty slow and yet still uses a lot of recovery
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Andres felt he was mostly a type B racer while I have
always felt I fit into the C category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you plan to race the TDR and classify yourself per these general categories
it quickly follows what type training and strategy you should focus on. All
racers need the basics—route knowledge, solid gear choices, fitness, hopefully
some multi-day race experience, real or simulated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But depending where one falls on the
go-fast/go-long curve, each racer should train and strategize to optimize their
individual strengths while seeking to minimize their weaknesses. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Type A, you need to of course ‘maintain’ your fitness, but
optimize your gear and mostly study and more study for route resupply options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And pick the historic winning time splits you
plan to meet or exceed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Type B racer you need to do the same as the A’s but train
yourself to minimize your recovery time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>IE: you really need to prepare yourself to suffer a bit more than you
are currently comfortable with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Basically</span> work
on your mental game and get comfortable with the idea that if you have the innate
speed you can run with the A racers if you just ‘choose’ to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Type C racer needs to emulate type A but at a somewhat lower
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IE optimize what you have to work
with in terms of raw speed. Some local XC mountain bike races might help shore
up your speed deficit. And perhaps better overall fitness and maybe some
technical skill/work may also raise up your weak area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also you need to be sure you are not carrying
too much gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though you may be
running mid pack speed wise your ability to go long/hard can really pay off in
the TDR.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Type D need to execute all the above but first should get
naked in the bathroom and take a long look in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jump on the scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am guessing most type D racers are packing a
bit of extra change in body weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work
to reach you’re idealized ‘race weight’, it’s worth the effort on so many
levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fit and trim and you will enjoy
your TDR regardless of speed or finish time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you drop the weight, by default you are also getting TDR race fit--and
if you also cover the other mentioned basics you will automatically move to a C
or B type racer.<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span></div>
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As mentioned Andres was rocking a FS rig (eight overall
at 17:05:18—with good recovery intervals most of the way)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said FS gave him both speed and
comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ‘wow’ could he really roll
the flats what with his gearing and fast spin style of pedaling! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way the FS was slowing him down to any noticeable
degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, at the minimum I now believe
virtually any racer, A, B, C, or D would achieve a faster finish with front suspension.
There is just so much of the TDR route that could be attacked with a front suspension
bike vs just 'survived' with ridged fork. And while I personally do not think FS
would lower ones finish time by much if anything neither do I think it would
detract from one’s finish time, at least not by any noticeable amount. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end a FS rig does have some gear space
limitations and does add extra complexity, but if one is inclined to go FS
these are not deal breakers by any means. Don't feel obligated to follow the pack in terms of suspension--most of us are just copying what others do, with no deep experience to back up our bike choices. </div>
</span></span><br />Marshalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194459977789074779noreply@blogger.com9