JIM THE CYCLIST

Life lately...

2011-07-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

Can't seem to post to this blog from my ipad. Thought i'd get on my Mac just to keep this thing alive.

I've been riding the recumbent exclusively for the past 3 months (when I can) and i'm just starting to get the hang of it. Still a tough climber but fun on the downhills and flats. I get stares and fingers pointed at me frequently, are these bikes THAT rare?

I'm struggling with the decision I have to make of whether or not to do the HooDoo 500. I'm entered, but my training has been spotty with family and work responsibilities. Very, very difficult to decide.

On the one hand, I don't know anyone with so little training, who would be dumb enough to attempt this, it's an insanely tough race already and by doing the Voyager division... I should be committed.

On the other hand...

If I were to live by Teddy Roosevelt's quote, "Far better it is..." I should race regardless. Plus, (still on the other hand) it's not in me to back down from a challenge. It used to be, but that's another post...

Ok, back to the first hand. Have you ever ridden a recumbent? No? you're in for a treat. Sure, the weight is off your arms. Yes, you're body is more aerodynamic. Of course, it's fast in the flats and downhills. But climbing? I had an old woman in a wheelchair go around me up Kong. Regardless, there is 30,000 feet of climbing in HooDoo, it's no ride in the park.

I know...blah, blah, blah, so make up your mind. I will, this week or next. I guess it will just come to me as usual.

Other news, had a great time with the fam in southern California last week. Cool weather, beaches, Mormon Battalion visitor's center, and topped off with a crowded but fun Disneyland.

I miss my son Jared who is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Portland Oregon. Just gotta get over the initial separation then emotions should normalize.

I'm getting older. I see and feel the changes and though not easy, I think i'm coping well. (probably ought to add that to the first hand ; )

Bye...

Some people

2011-04-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather during this morning's ride. Haven't been out with a group in a while but thought it would be nice to see some familiar faces. The Thomas's were out of course, along with the usual "groupies".

Saw Lorie and Todd head out west on McDowell and Kim told me they were headed to 9-mile and pancakes.

I went to Saguaro and pulled over near the dam to watch some perching vultures for a while. A recumbent goes by so I took off with him for a chat. He's been riding his bent for about a year and loves it. His name is David Brake and it so happens he rode Mulholland last week (the race I couldn't do because of my neck status). He said it was the hardest thing he's ever done, or race, I can't remember. Anyways should be nice having another recumbent rider to ride with occasionally, maybe.

Randy Nunley came by and he said it was a tough race as well. Dang it !! We both talked about how we work too much and how we're gonna slow down a bit. He said one of his patients finally retired and died 8 months later, now his wife is dating and spending. Uh huh, I think a vacation is in order...

Came back via the Usery climb and half way up two men and a female passed me. I just happened to feel good at that time and picked up my pace a bit. I passed them back slowly, (I never want others to feel like I'm challenging them) and one of the men (a short stocky fellow with an Empire jersey) goes by me and stays just ahead of me. If I speed up he speeds up, if I slow down, he would slow down. I really didn't think a fellow cyclist would mess with another but I guess he felt like I challenged his manliness or something. We got to the top and I turned around to a repeat. He turned around as well and as he passed me says (cue condescending tone...) "I was hoping you were gonna push me to the top"

I shrugged it off but it started to bother me that this punk is trying some power play on a Saturday morning fun ride. I imagine he bragged to his friends how he put me in my place. I get so tired of some people sometimes. I'm just riding, I go very slowly around your friends and you think you're Lance? C'mon...

I thought of turning around and offering a little fatherly advice on life and etiquette but I felt this was the type of person who didn't want to hear it. So...I let it go.

Rode back up with Bridgette Verhaaren and Ruth Collins, great people and good conversation. Bridgette and Rob are going to Greece this summer and I am full of envy, sorry...I love Archaeology, I'm envious.

So I ended up riding 3 hours and will head back out in support of Kyle in 30 minutes. Shouldn't be too crazy, he hasn't ridden in a while and the pace should be easy. Maybe i'll practice what I learned this morning and ride just ahead of him, mark his every move and show him what a powerful rider I am...

Some people...

Vision Quest...

2011-04-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

I'm entered in the HooDoo 500 i'm nervous to say. It would be nice to actually train for a race, maybe do a "Vision Quest" kinda thing.

I think i'm more stable now, with the thyroid replacement stuff and the recumbent ordered. The neck has greater mobility after the MUA and it looks like migraines may be a thing of the past because of it. I'm having some left arm radiculopathy (numbness) but I've been medicating for that and am hopeful. Blah, blah.. I just wanted to disclose my physical considerations.

So, I figure 4 months to the event should be adequate to prepare. Lots to consider besides training...lights, clothing, equipment, nutrition and mental status. Nutrition may be the most critical, it's everything to be hydrated and fed properly. I've been given the ok to race on my new Carbent Raven by the HooDoo organizers and i'm looking forward to the new challange.

Got a week to prepare for my training. I'll scour the internet for options and methods and hopefully work it out.

Wish me luck....

MUA DONE!

2011-03-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

Procedure done. Had to wait a couple of months, but after much frustration and discomfort, I finally (and joyfully) got to have my prescribed surgery.

This morning, I had a procedure performed on me called a MUA or manipulation under anesthesia. This procedure is used to break-up scar tissue and help a patient regain full range of motion, in my case, my neck. Were not sure this will help me enough to overcome my neck pain during cycling but there is optimism. If it doesn't work, i'm not sure what the next step will be, but I assume it will either be more invasive or a drastic lifestyle change (no cycling)

I was prepped (changed into a gown, ekg, temp, h&p, etc.) then wheeled into a surgical room where I was transferred to a table. Got the O2 mask on and after 4 deep breaths I was gone. In my particular case, I was given a facet block injections under x-ray guidance to free up those joints so the manipulation would be more successful. Then my neck was adjusted and stretched beyond what a person could tolerate without anesthesia. Wake up was difficult as usual but I was finally able to come out of it and Meri brought me home.

Not sure about how it'll turn out but I hear results are statistically good. It's now 12 hours later and my neck is pretty stiff. I'm trying to stay positive and will do whatever is asked of me as far as rehabilitation goes.

I plan on riding Saturday and should know more then...

My "Been Awhile" post

2011-02-27T18:38:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update on things.

I was on a bike ride the other day and I was overcome with the thought "this just isn't fun anymore". I'm talking about my beloved sport of cycling. Or, to be more specific, how I feel WHEN I'm cycling. I've never, ever told myself that before, not even in my worst suffering.

The nagging, dull ache in my neck is finally getting the best of me. Still hits me at around 20 miles in and is unrelenting. I've tried different positions and stretching and good internal talk and prayer and I just think I'm done. My last option if my MUA (manipulation under anesthesia) doesn't help, is riding a recumbent. Yesterday I was riding around Las Sendas sitting completely upright with no hands and I felt some relief, that position takes all the head weight off my neck. That's why I believe a recumbent might be the ticket "positional correctness" I call it.

We'll see how it plays out, in the big picture of life it's not a huge deal but cycling is something that's important to me and I'd like to get back on track with endurance racing, even on a recumbent if I have to.

Better go.

Coulda been squished today...

2011-02-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

This just in...

As I was heading into Las Sendas this afternoon my life was spared by an attempted random act of kindness.

While riding my Nag east on Thomas Rd and just as I was entering the intersection at Power (with a green light) I slowed and asked two young girls who were on their bikes if they needed any help. They were stopped and fiddling with one of the girls bike chains on the right side of the intersection. Just as they said they were okay I looked up and saw a flash of blue just in front of my bike. Someone had ran a red light in a Minivan and I was a split second from death.

Not "I might have been hit and been hurt" I'm talking undoubtedly--death. The van was doing at least 50 plus and a second faster would have put me in front of the grill. That second or two it took to ask how they were saved my life.

It's funny how I didn't feel shaken by it, i've been close to IT quite a few times in my life and because it happens occasionally, I guess i'm used to it, I just shook it off and just kept riding.

My point of all this isn't how lucky I am or that I feel i've been preserved once more, my point is that helping others, or even just TRYING to help others may actually save your life ;-)

A written account of one of my recent dreams.

2010-12-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

This may be a bit personal, but I thought i'd post my dream from the other night. Vivid and vibrant and so real, I had to write it down. Mind you, I wrote this down furiously because I was losing detail.

You know, typically, 10 minutes after waking you usually cant remember anything. I haven't re-read the dream because I didn't want to be tempted to modify it.

I do remember being impressed as I jotted the dream down that the neighbor woman, and possibly the neighbor man, were manifestations of me as well, even though I was interacting with and seperate from them. I don't know, maybe some dream translator out there will be able to shed some light.

My Dream 12-26-2010

I found myself living next to new neighbors, she was white and he was light skinned black. We each had children. We would always be playing music and singing or playing or just living liked we do, just to see if they would have interest in being friends but they had there own lives. Our apartments were open between the two and we could always see each other. One night Meri and the kids went off to go to bed in another part of the apartment , it was far away. I said I would be awhile. I started singing a song and the neighbor woman heard me but didn't say anything, she just listened while she cleaned. I went out for a walk, it was snowy and I kept trying to clean off park benches for a place to sit but I kept giving up and other people would sit down where I had cleaned. I saw a garage/storehouse that I could tell was full of cool old stuff from my past, toys and things as I looked through the window. The door was locked and I wanted to break in but didn't want to get caught. I then thought I would walk to a more populated part of town to buy some things. There were a lot of people there so I stayed on the outside, not wanting to be around the crowds. Then the neighbor woman (Jim's girlfriend in The Office) was walking along so we walked together. after a while I started to softly sing the "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston and first George Benson. I wasn't very good and sang softly. After awhile she joined in and we sang together. She was so much better I faded out and she continued. She finally began singing alone and increasingly louder and sounded exactly, if not better than Whitney so I stopped and just started listening to her. She was loud and uninhibited and people gathered to hear her. She was incredible but very few heard her. She finished and we walked and the people went away but right before we started the climb back to the apartment she started singing the same song, this time many more people stopped to hear, she was perfect. I recognized some of the people in the crowd as old high school classmates and other people that I recognized, but weren't friends with. No Kyle's or Kent type friends. I listened and marveled and silently clapped my hands. I felt a great peace and happiness thinking I had discovered this woman's talent that she didn't know she had. Her husband walked up to the crowd with a bag of cycling gear and I thought he might stop and listen but he just turned and walked away in his sport event shirt, it had names of a bunch of races on it. I thought that was odd because he didn't know she could even sing but still away he went. She finished, looked at me and gave me the biggest smile. Then I woke up.

Welcome to my weirdness...

Bucket List

2010-12-22T12:35:00.000-08:00

No, this is not my list, only an announcement that I am starting one. The family is gone for a few days and I want to try and open my mind.

I was about to Google some existing lists from other people and maybe borrow from them but had the impression that I want to come up with my own. My own list from my own twisted mind.

I hate to put a damper or limits on this thing, but I'm a bit older so some concessions I'm sure will have to be made. Regardless, I need to have something written down that I can strive towards. I never write things down, I guess I feel I'm bright enough to have goals in my head and at hand, but you know what they say about a goal not written down.

So, more to come. Maybe even disclose a few to the public...

Tour de Safford

2010-11-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

What to expect? Pain and discomfort for sure, maybe pull out a platinum, I don't know.

Tour de Safford was last weekend and though i'm glad I went, I probably should've done the 33 with my son.

Curtis Clifford, Taylor Auwen and I headed over on Friday and stayed in Thatcher with Meri's parents. We stopped in to the diner where Sterling had chosen as a carbo load dinner site but it was a no-go for us, we decided to go back to Thatcher and eat at the Hawaiian cafe there on Main St. I'm glad we did, it was good food and Curtis got to meet a famous volleyball coach and they chatted for about an hour. Then off to the in-laws and sleep.

The next morning we got up late, and got to the start line just about 1 minutes before the gun went off. Nice controlled start, one rider went down on a cattle guard and was out cold, people were helping so I rode on.

I was doing well enough to be in the lead pack until about 1/2 mile from the top of the longest climb. I had to decide whether to redline and stay with them or hang back with Curtis. I felt with my compact gearing I wouldn't be able to stay the LP on the downhill so I decided to fall back with a slower pack. Different pack, same anticipated result, they got away from me on the steep downhill. I was riding at the back and looked up to see a gap, couldn't cross because I was spun out and that was it, 60 miles miles to the finish and nearly all of it solo.

Every now and then i'd ride along with someone but they'd either fall off or stop at the aid stations. When I was on the highway near Safford, Meri texted me to let me know I still had 6 minutes to get Platinum, I immediately let-up and soft pedeled because I knew that wasn't going to happen, 5 miles and a steep uphill to go and I was alone. So, I just rode in easy and finished in 5:14.

The neck was highly bothersome, I would try and ride as upright as I could, stretch and down the Advil but still a nuisance. Chiropractic is next on the list of remedies.

Curtis did well, he finished around 4:58 and in Platinum time. I was proud of my son Taylor, he hadn't trained so he did the 33. He finished 3rd out of about 50 people and did so with no water and on low tires, he forgot his water and didn't check is pressure, live and learn...

I like this race, I like the openess and the friendly people. I'll be back next year and hopefully in better all-around condition.

Just relax...

2010-10-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going to Safford for a road race tomorrow and i've never felt so pessimistic. It's just feels like it's not gonna work, I just don't feel up to the challange.

I don't know how my neck will tolerate it, for sure medication and I guess my wife will be around to pick me up if need be. Besides that, I'm absolutely out-of-shape and out of "determination" that follows race fitness.

This may be my last "race" depending on what the next 6 months brings. I will be doing a fitness program starting next week that may help and I've been considering chiropractic though I have skepicism about it.

Just re-read what i've written and it sounds so gloomy, I don't mean to be, just being a realist. Gotta be patient I guess and relax. I'm going over with Curtis Clifford and my son Taylor so that'll be fun. It's the first Tour de Safford and first races are great, I love the chaos.

So my word for this weekend is...RELAX

I am a cyclist

2010-09-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

For the past 5 weeks I have been undergoing physical therapy treatments on my neck. Cycling and just about any physical activity has been highly limited. I feel like E-Mac must've felt with his neck but hopefully I can work it out and not have a surgeon fillet me up like Eric did. The stiffness is nearly gone thanks to PT. After my little "see how it feels" ride of about 25 miles, my neck locks up, it's momentary when it happens but scary regardless. Not sure what to make of it, kind of a localized spontaneous radiculopathy. Hopefully the MRI i'm having this week will shed a little light. If not, i'll have to assume arthritis unless my doc gives me some kind of alternate diagnosis.

I've always considered myself an endurance cyclist but that may change depending on my progression or lack there-of. Sobering thoughts are swimming around inside my head; "maybe I can ride with some kind of neck brace, maybe it's something that be fixed, maybe I can take up rowing, maybe I should sell my beloved bikes and never ride again..." Regardless, i'll give it a bit more time and ride occasionally to experience the after effects and my fate.

I hesitate writing these thoughts, I guess if the the only people who read this blog are close friends, then maybe they'll learn why they don't see me out on my bike anymore.

Tour de Safford is over for me, funny thing is, out of excitement, I was probably the first person to sign-up, and now I can't even do the 33 miler, let alone the 102. Same disappointment not being able to do the 234 Cochise, new course and bike, good fitness, just the little problem of my neck not being able to tolerate riding it.

I know life isn't automatic, you just don't expect to possibly lose one of the most passionate parts of your life due to a negligent driver who was probably texting.

I think Carla was trying to console me by telling me: "Cycling isn't who you are, it's just something you do. It doesn't define you" or something to that effect. At first I agreed, it made sense but a few days later I didn't feel that way at all. Cycling does define me, it has taught me and has changed me into the man I am today. I was undefined before I took up the sport 20 years ago. I didn't know who I was. I never thought I could ride 8 miles back then but when I did, I realized it was within me to be able to ride that far. And so that's how i've progessed and allowed cycling to define me. At one time I didn't think I could ride 100 miles, but did it. 252? impossible but did it practically solo. 520 miler? yes, I discovered that it's within me. I have been tempered and refined, so yes, I can do it, it's who I am and what i'm known for. I have the ability to suffer, and I learned alot about suffering from cycling. So no Carla, I respectfully disagree, cycling is not just something I do, it IS who I am.

Whatever, i'm whining too much...

Burnin' Love

2010-07-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Nice ride yesterday, started out fine then ended in a bit of misery. Wanted to ride solo as usual so I timed my departure to start after the group ride start. I should have known someone in the group would've had a flat. I rode by and heard muffled jeering from some of my friends, nevertheless I was able to ride another 15 miles before they would catch me. I decided to ride along with the group but as we arrived at Rio Verde the group slowed and I took off. I didn't know I had a follower until I turned left to climb 9-mile hill, he was a new Brumby rider and told me he was from Oklahoma. I suspected he was a new AZ transplant when he thought we were heading south as we climbed up the 9. I had a specific pace I wanted to do so after talking awhile I suggested he jump on a small pack that was overtaking us, he did and I watched them pull away. Another small group went by towards the top of the climb. I noticed Julie Huish and Nicole Susco in that group and I thought about how much they've improved their cycling fitness, very impressive (very nice people as well).

When I got to the top we fed and watered and chatted. I was then persuaded by David Hatfield to keep riding on to Seven Springs. I hesitated as did Grant Taylor because it was already heating up and the small amount of cloud cover was becoming ever-thinner. But, we caved and off we went. After about 10 miles Grant and I decided to turn around and scurry home while we we were still able. We went home the Pima road way, it was flatter and we thought maybe faster but the constant waiting at traffic lights made it worse in terms of speed and heat discomfort. Grant and I stopped one last time at the Shell station on Pima then pushed the final 10 or so miles for home.

I've ridden in a lot of hot weather and I'm no stranger to discomfort but that final push was VERY warm, especially with the high humidity. Desperation is the one word that comes to mind those last few miles. I know Grant would agree, we were spent and done with the heat.

I spoke with David that night and he told me he, Wayne Smith and Mike Skousen decided to get picked up in Fountain Hills by Mike's wife, same problem, the heat that day was just overwhelming and for sure dangerous.

We all lived to tell the tale but if i'm riding a century in the Arizona, in July, i'm heading out at 2 0r 3 a.m. I knew better, I'm usually riding that early but needed to sleep in that morning.

In summary, I believe 115 degrees is great if...I can read about it from Alaska.

One is the loneliest number

2010-06-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Been riding alot on my own lately. I just enjoy my own pace and not the ebb and flo's of the pack. Plus, I've had this odd feeling that one of these packs are due for a crash. I don't hope for this of course, but when I assume my spot in the rear of the packs I see inexperience and carelessness, it's just a matter of time.

Some of my fast friends don't understand my solo riding, they tell me I'm "not very social". Here are a few reasons for my loner behavior.

-As mentioned earlier, I like pushing the speed I want, for as long as I want.

-Self-preservation (also mentioned above).

-I LOVE MUSIC. (hard to carry a conversation when I'm trying to groove)

-Music also drowns-out the crunchy sound of Crepitus in my right knee. Am I kidding? Ask me to demonstate sometime.

-I'm slower. Yes, it's true, my blinding speed has diminished with age.

So there's my reasons, or excuses for this behavior and i'm okay with all of them...

Good morning...

2010-05-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Had a good morning, couldn't go on the 100 miler with the LOTOJA guys because I had a scheduled ultrasound at 0730. Rode to work then headed out on the bike.

Nice pace, great weather, flowing along. Rode past a young inexperienced rider heading the other way. I felt uneasy because he looked like he was struggling so I turned around to check on him. He had no water so I asked him if he wanted some, he said "I'll take all I can get". I had been out quite a while so I didn't have much but I gave him most of what I did. After a quick chat on preparedness I rode on.

I've lost a little weight and I've been feeling better on the bike. Also, I've been eating Chia seeds, they are a great little supplement but I'll have to post on them later, turns out I lost 6.5 pounds on my ride and need to rehydrate stat.

So, good deed, good ride and hopefully a productive day ahead.

Quick update

2010-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Funny, but it's been awhile since i've been on and I had to struggle to remember my password.

All is well I guess. Currently working on "leaning-up" and getting base miles in on the bike. Thinking about applying for Cardiac U/S school so that will slow me up for 9 months but it wouldn't start till October so my Lotoja race is safe.

Alright, enough written, gotta take baby steps back to bloghood...

I need a vacation...

2010-03-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

Been awhile, I know. My heart just isn't in it lately, and i'm not quite sure why. I'm shutting down a bit and want to focus on other things in my life. I guess they call it "prioritizing"

Too many feelings and too many wonderings to make public. I'll be back someday after I get some kind of grasp on things.

Wish I could take my struggle to another locale but here is where my responsibilities are.

Bye for now...

Good words

2009-12-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

I probably should read more (a rare event for me), i've come across a quote and a poem that I really enjoy.

The quote is from a speech by my favorite president Teddy Roosevelt. A portion is as follows...It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

The poem is titled: "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Christmas babbling

2009-12-24T21:21:00.000-08:00

Lonely tonight in my apathy towards Christmas. Do I recognize the value in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ? Of course I do, I could just do without the materialism. I'm just not into the stress of gift hunting. I consider myself a respectable giver by nature and I try to do so throughout the year, spontaneously though.

Not sure where this attitude comes from, upbringing maybe? Maybe learned through observation? I don't know. It feels like my birthday...just another day and I can't help it.

Can't write tonight, and i've been in a writing slump lately. I have hope in the future of a well-adjusted Jim though, a well-balanced Jim of old, full of motivation and self-discipline.

That's is my quest, my journey, my resolve. So, Merry Christmas, may we all find peace in our hearts and bliss in our lives is my yearning.

Just a good ride

2009-12-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

No self-glorification here, I just wanted to share.

I went out for a very brief road bike ride yesterday and I think I learned something about karma, along with an affirmation about the joys of service. As I was heading out I found myself "minding somebody else's business". I saw a car with it's flashers on, sitting on the opposite side of the road just past Higley. I couldn't help it, even though I was making all the lights, pushing it like Cancellara, and in a flow, I felt I should try and assist.

As I rolled up to the car, the window was opening and an elderly woman greets me. She tells me "bless you, i've been here half an hour and you're the only person who's stopped and tried to help me". I was a bit stunned but not surprised, busy people, busy lives. "Me" attitudes seem to be everywhere.

Anyways, she said she had help coming and sent me away with a "thank you for being so kind". After the crappy day i'd had, I felt really, really good about my decision to pull over.

Lesson learned; when fighting the blues, counting blessings is nice but a random act of kindness is HUGE.

Also, later down the road I hit a rock that according to my vast cycling experience should have sliced my tire... it didn't. I don't know much about karma, but that incident seemed like the "good" kind.

A good ride...

2009-11-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

There's something about a bike ride, the effort, the overcoming. I tell my friends occasionally "I've never regretted a single bike ride I've ever done" and I mean that. Even when I've crashed, or bonked or had multiple flats, I've gained something of value in that ride. It may be pushing my physical limits, embracing life a little bit more because I've come close to losing it, commiserating or having heart to heart chats with friends, it's all good.

This morning was no different, a little slower to nurse my knees, a little more stressful from being on-call, but still fulfilling. I was able to reflect on life and find a bit of clarity.

The brilliant rainbow I saw spanning the western sky this morning seemed nothing less than an affirmation of the beauty of this particularly humble ride.

Roadblocks, stumbling blocks, lemons, etc...

2009-11-01T19:02:00.000-08:00

At what point can I consider myself washed-up? Alright, maybe that's a little harsh, but I am definitely in a slump. Haven't ridden or worked out in 2 weeks. And, along with one ailment after another, the feeding frenzies, and no motivation to alter that, i'd say i'm officially lost.

Okay, situation defined, now what? The downward spiral into old age and diapers? Or, learn from this experience, regroup, and get back on the horse.

Or maybe, just maybe, I can gather myself, dig deep and find that fire that dwindles more every year and begin again. Maybe, I can learn from this slump, that it's a place I never want to visit again and fight for my sense of well-being. (can you tell from my ranting that i'm in a struggle?)

RESOLVE, that is my new mantra. Resolve to begin anew. Resolve to stick with whatever paths I choose to live a better and more blissful life.

I like it... More later...

LOTOJA 2009

2009-09-16T01:26:00.000-07:00

Here's my LOTOJA 2009 race perspective...

LOTOJA 2009

I had resigned myself to staying home the weekend of Sept. 12th. A group of good friends and co-riders had crashed on a high-speed descent three weeks previous on the Alpine Loop in the 1000 Warrior race, and I just lost my drive to get after it. I compensated my sadness by eating vast amounts of food that was entirely conducive to adding poundage. That, and a total lack of motivation to ride, had put me in a real nice position to talk myself out of going up to Logan this year.

As I struggled with my predicament, the thought came to me that what I was feeling was a grieving process. Dave, Steve, Mike, Wayne and Grant were injured, and I was able to continue to go out and enjoy what they now couldn't (at least temporarily). It didn't seem right to go, and I thought I would go ahead with the grieving thing and back out. Retreat would be justifiable, that was a bad scene at the crash site, and I don't blame some who went ahead and dealt with the situation that way and stayed home.

Along with the grieving thought came the thought that I would go ahead and do the race to somehow honor the fallen, especially Dave. This seemed right and when Wayne Smith called to ask if I was in, we both committed. Rick Frost is always in, though we didn't know each other the first two years, we always knew each other would be there the next year. Rick, his wife Jill and his family have saved me on some of my unsupported years and they've become my good friends.

Logistics associated with this race can be a bear. Driving 750 miles just to get to the start is one thing, going 200 additional miles to the finish is another. Lodging will be scarce in Logan and Jackson so if you don't reserve early, you're staying in another town. If your support crew falls through, expect to rely on others. The last two years the Frost's have saved me, including this year when Jill sagged for me and even allowed my son Taylor to ride along with them. Their daughters and a cousin were there so I don't think he minded too much...

Matt and Natalie Robbins welcomed Wayne, Taylor and I into their beautiful Smithfield home on Friday night. They are Wayne's good friends, we were glad to meet them and grateful for their kindness. We all did our pre-race preparations-trying to figure out our nutritional needs, going over the bike etc.

Wayne, Matt and a small group of friends started their day early, before the licensed racers took off. Matt was frustrated with four flats before he even got to Preston. Wayne got a little crazy and got ahead of his Natalie piloted sag vehicle so he missed some handouts. I believe he ended up finishing at a highly respectable 10:20 though, and that's pretty good for a first timer, not knowing the course and all.

I'm not sure how I felt on the drive over to the start. I had thought of doing some kind of suffer-fest in the name of Dave. You know, the old "don't take a draft the entire race" routine, but because I was reliant on Jill for support and Wayne for transportation and lodging that night, I felt I better try and stay with Rick. That would also take a lot pressure off Jill having to worry about two separate riders.

The weather was perfect, around 45 at the start and gradually warmed-up nicely to around 85. The next day it was cold and rainy so we really lucked out. I lost track of time and got out of the "catbox" just in time to shuffle into the start area and hear the word "GO". We were off, and other than a single rider hitting gravel and crashing out around a corner, and quite a few punctures (as Phil Liggitt would say) I saw no other incidents.

The first portion of the race is a mainly flat 30 miles to Preston Idaho (Napoleon Dynamite's hometown). Groups leave at 3 minute intervals and inevitably packs converge on each other, so the goal here is to not flat, avoid crashes, and get to the front for an easier handoff amongst the feed-zone chaos in Preston. We were able do all that and got out of town with a pretty large group. On the way to the Strawberry Pass climb I thought it was interesting how the UCSF officials on motorcycles tried to keep the groups separated. I was riding in the Masters 35+ category instead of the 45's because of the big Brumby group of riders that had planned on being there and riding in the 35 group. Anyway...we were watched like a hawk and when a few riders from one group got a little ahead of the other, the official would separate us and allow the entire other group to move up.

The race director drove by us on the Strawberry climb and by megaphone threatened to stop the race if anyone went over the yellow line again. I mean this guy was angry. I didn't see what he was crazy about but he was red-faced and scolded us hard.

I fell off the back about 2/3's of the way up the climb and was happy to see Rick near the summit at the neutral aid station. Rick admittedly was having an off day and decided to ride with me and my slowness. That's cool, I think we had a good time even though he may have gotten frustrated with my aid station delays. (more on my nutrition later, but I was just having an awful time trying to find food that I could eat and feel better with) On the way down Strawberry Pass and on the way to Montpelier, I decided to jump on a mixed tandem and draft for awhile. Rick was there, but fell off and caught on with another pack (it's a descent thing). I rode behind the tandem for most of the way to Montpelier. I tried to pull once but after a few minutes I looked back and was surprised to see them about 50 yards back. In talking to the woman on the back, I find out that they would be disqualified if they were found drafting. I'm so used to a PBAA event where it's a free-for-all, that I never even considered this aspect of a UCSF sanctioned race. I didn't care, I was pack-fill in this race and I knew it.

My aggressive riding style and "reckless abandon" attitude on the downhill put me into Montpelier a whopping 2 minutes ahead of Rick, it was HUGE. But alas, the big time gap I worked so hard for evaporated when I couldn't decide whether to have Vanilla GU or the Chocolate Outrage with caffeine at the feed zone neutral-goody table, and Rick was able to overtake me. Really though, we were just hanging out and trying to get to the finish.

Wyoming has a law pertaining to cyclists that requires riding in a single-file formation when on their roads. This was strictly enforced as I noticed quite a few lawmen eyeing us at quite a few locations along the race route. Just after entering that state, we found ourselves in quite a big group that now had to ride this way, and it was not fun. If riding anywhere in the last half of this long pace line, you were subjected to an interval-like experience. We would ride hard, well above AT for 30 seconds to stay on, and then slow down and so-on and so-on, and so-on. After about 30 minutes, we were done with it, Rick was smart and bailed early, me? not so smart and went about another 3 miles. I now was for sure in "survival mode" after that joyride. I rode solo into a headwind for about 4 miles to the next neutral aid station, by "neutral" meaning no support crews were allowed to stop there. Those stations were great and carried things like: oranges, bananas, GU's, granola type bars, water and Gatorade. Oh, and port-a-potties were there. I thought i'd be a funny cyclist and make a wisecrack...so after coming out of a john I made the statement to those waiting in line that "I really wasn't "going" in there, I just wanted to sit down and rest for awhile", not one person laughed.

Maybe they were a tough-crowd, or maybe it was the climbing that started right around the corner, I don't know, but I wasn't looking forward to it either. Rick and I both were riding to just finish and it showed in our climbing. He was climbing slow but I was slower and he had to wait a couple of minutes for me to summit. From there we worked real well together all the way to Afton. It was WAY more comfortable riding smooth and steady without the goofy accelerations some inexperienced riders can cause in a paceline. We had a good flow going with well-timed rotations, probably my favorite portion of the race. Jill and Taylor were there at the next feed zone in Afton, we fed, filled bottles and were off for more. It was here I may have made a crucial eating error, I downed most of a sandwich bag full of mashed potatoes. It was great while the feeding lasted, and I got satiated fast but I felt sick soon thereafter. My nutritional choices are all over the place. I really need to find a proper nutritional plan that works for me while on the bike, it really is the worst aspect of cycling to me.

On leaving Afton we found ourselves with two other riders and proceeded with the pace line and rotations, only now, (as much as I didn't want to accept it) I felt like my entire GI tract was full of mashed potatoes. Sorry Natalie, they tasted great, but they either went bad or I ate too much, probably the latter. Anyway, I took a pull, went to the back, and then proceeded to drift off the back. Rick, I know, I should've said something but I didn't want to delay you any further. Rick was about 2 miles up the road when he discovered my absence, I think he continued on but soon ran into some trouble.

I soloed along for about 30 minutes when I came around a corner and found Rick standing on the side of the road, bike in one hand and rear wheel in the other. I thought it was odd that he wasn't working to change what appeared to be a flat tire. When I rolled up to him he told me his rear wheel suddenly went goofy and was wobbling. I thought it might be a broken spoke but it turned out to be a cracked rear drop-out. Funny thing is that Jill saw it first, regardless and sure enough, Rick's day was over. He was pretty upset about it, not tantrum-mad but disbelief-mad. He was 140 miles in and wouldn't be finishing. He told me he would look to maybe find a relay team's bike to borrow, but that never worked out so he went into support mode and I think he enjoyed that for a change.

I don't know how much time I spent there with him trying to figure out what to do but with no solution I had to move on. Not as much fun without Rick for sure, but in my fragile (mashed potato filled) state, It was still a sobering realization that I had 70 miles yet to go while feeling this way.

I didn't think i'd die from eating wrong, so I moved on and eventually rolled into Alpine Junction where the Frost's and Taylor once again provided food and drink. I never really recovered from some of my mistakes earlier in the race, and I expected the annoying back, neck and shoulder aches but I didn't expect my traitor of a knee to give me so much trouble. Spinning was no problem but I couldn't stand on it. I had stood to stretch around mile 60 and it just gave out. Enough with the complaints, I just kept going and finally as we entered Jackson, a 4 man group picked us up and pulled for the rest of the race, probably 10 miles. I made multiple offers to pull but they refused so I just sat in and was delivered to the finish. Out of respect, I kept my place and finished behind the blue team.

We had dinner at a BBQ place that night and of course we stuffed ourselves. Waynes friend got us a room at The Best Western Lodge in Jackson that night, and later, after falling asleep, we were awakened by a fire alarm. We were rousted outside and had to wait there for the fire department to clear the building. In all, I think we were outside for about 90 minutes. Turns out someone had started a fire-log in a gas fireplace-- nice. Next day, off to the awards ceremony. The 1000 Mile awards were handed out first so Rick and I were happy about getting ours and moving on with our lives.

Matt, Natalie, and Wayne had some brunch in downtown Jackson while Taylor and I went around the food vendors there and sampled the fancy restaurant food offered and listened to some live country music. It was cold and rainy that Sunday and again, I felt fortunate we had such good weather the day before. We eventually got into Logan and back to the rental car around 4 pm and headed for home.

It took a solid effort for me to drive straight home from Logan. As you can imagine driving 14 hours, a day after a double century, can get kinda uncomfortable. And with the fatigue, was probably not safe. But, home we went and we finally got into Mesa at 0630. Slept for an hour, then went off to work.

Remembering back to the finish on Saturday night I think about how I really enjoyed the leg soak in the cold creek water near the finish. I had sat there reflecting on many things for about 45 minutes and it was sooo nice. It was here that I was able to gather my thoughts. I thought this might be my last LOTOJA, and I told my wife Meri as such, but I can't get over it, I've got some kind of sick Bret Favre syndrome and I know I'll be back next year, crazy, stressful logistics and all. I thought about my body slowly breaking down with age and knowing I need to relax more in events like these, and i'm alright with that. I thought about Steve Beck and worried that he might want to give all this up over an unfortunate accident and how that would be tragic. Mainly I thought of Dave Collins and his place in all of this and the miracle that was. And how could I not think of him when no less than 30 people, seeing me in a Mesa Brumby jersey pulled alongside of me to offer their condolences, trying to find out from me how he's doing, and wanting me to remind Dave of their prayers for him through it all? It really was impressive the amount of people who had an interest in Dave.

Life gets confusing to me sometimes, why one friend dies and another lives, and because of the circumstances, the opposite outcome should have happened to each. Alright, that's enough, my brain hurts again.

I just had a good, though difficult time this year and i'll give it another go next year. Maybe start working on that 2000 mile award...

The Crash

2009-09-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, gotta get something going in here. I guess the biggest event in my life lately was the crash at the Tour of Utah road bike race. About six Brumby riders from Mesa went down after crashing into the back of an SUV coming down off the Alpine Loop. I had been riding with Lorie Tucker, Rob and Bridget Verhaaren, and Sterling Baer and when we came upon the crash and I think we all were a bit traumatized.
I don't want to get into specifics, that's been done, and the few who might read this are already aware. I just wanted to mention about the effects of something like that. I have seen plenty of blood and trauma from working in a hospital setting for the last twenty years so I'm used to it. What i'm not used to is seeing my good friend Dave Collins backboarded, bloodied and near death at the crash site. We didn't finish the race after that, how could we? We just showered up at Carla's mother's house in SLC then headed over to U of U hospital.
I was sick about Dave all the way over to the hospital, not knowing if he was paralyzed or even alive. He had lost five pints of blood and I thought he may have some brain damage. We were relieved to find out his condition was stable and the doctors were optimistic about a full recovery after a few more extensive surgeries. There was alot of concern prior to hearing this news. Lots of tears and hugs and prayers in the waiting area that afternoon.
Meri and I went to see Steve Beck in another hospital and he fared alot better than Dave. Steve had a partially collapsed lung but didn't need a chest tube and was out in a few days. It was good to see Steve doing okay, he was in shock at the crash site and I just hope he can get over all this and enjoy cycling again.
Anyways, I went into what I can only assume is a grieving process the week or two following the crash. I ate WAY more than usual and had alot of trouble getting motivated to ride. The few times I was able to go on a bike ride were half-hearted attempts. I think I just felt that Dave was hurt and I felt guilty for being able to ride when he couldn't.
At some point I had the feeling that this guilt trip would probably upset Dave. I know if I were in his position, I would want everyone to embrace cycling a little more, and to continue to train for their respective events. So, this is what I've tried to do. I've never been one to train for an event, I just try to get out, work every now and then, and try to have fun so thats what i'm focusing on.
LOTOJA is coming up next week and at one point I had actually considered not doing it. Now though, I feel it would be the best way to honor Dave, to get out, have fun, and embrace a life that Dave almost lost to the sport.
Get well Dave...

Hot Saturday ride

2009-07-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Good ride yesterday. Rode with the group out to Dynamite road in Scottsdale. Rob Verhaaren flatted immediately but it held thereafter. Rob's wife Bridget was the only female in the group and rode very well.

After snaking our way through Scottsdale and riding down 9-mile to Rio Verde we made our way to Beeline and the market for refills. I took off from the store prior to the others because I was going to ride UP the Beeline to the Saguaro lake turnoff and expected to be the only idiot to do so. I was surprised to find out later that most of the group did the same. It was getting really hot and most people don't tolerate it very well. We all met up at the turn-off and chatted for a while.

I saw one cyclist go over the cattle guard, hit a gap in the grate and flat. I stopped to help and it wasn't pretty. He was riding tubulars on carbon-fiber wheels..nice wheels, the rear of which was now cracked because of the impact. He had no spare and was done way out there. The sad thing was he said he had already sold this bike and the new owner was to pick it up that afternoon. We flagged a pickup to take him to the lake and hopefully he found a ride home. I'd say that was about a $600 mishap.

Later, Kevin Kellis pulled over at the Salt river bridge to get in and cool off. I was surprised by this, most cyclists are good people but most get into a "pack mentality" and don't usually think "outside the box" like that. It was refreshing to see. I do this stuff like that frequently but most people don't see it because I usually ride alone. So I joined Kevin for a dip and we rode back together. It felt great!

So there's my Saturday ride in a nutshell, may you find peace in your heart.

A BIKE RIDE AND LESSONS LEARNED

2009-06-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

A very good day. It began the night before with a migraine, oh...about midnight. Then the decision; do I go to Mt Graham for some road biking? Or, stay local? (headache management is much easier near home)

I decided that I should "man-up" and give Mt Graham a try, but I couldn't get over the uneasy, dread I was feeling about it, so I showed up on a local corner instead for a respectable group ride out to Canyon Lake. I felt uneasy about that as well, so I was about to head out to Usery for some hill repeats when the Tuckers and Thomas's rolled up on their bikes. We turned around and soon ran into Kent Hatfield, Kyle Jorgensen, John Paul Jones, Tom Kokalaires, and Clay Allen (don't know why I wrote their full names out but there you go). Good, good friends and fun riding.

We all headed out to the 4-way and the pace was nice and easy. Clay fell off, (as was to be expected due to his return to cycling after a long layoff) so I stayed with him. We talked and rode and eventually all met back up at the 4-way. The Thomas's and Tucker's went straight and off to the Beeline Highway while the all-man group turned right for a backside Usery climb. I just sat there for about 4 minutes, torn.

Do I go with the group I started with, or turn to go the safer way? Great friends all, but as my day went, I was staying with the promptings. So... I took off after the fellas and we had a great time. We stopped at QT for drinks and it was decided that we would do a frontside loop for more miles. Hey, it's all good, so off we went.

The reason I ended up writing this post is because of what happened about 15 minutes later. We had just gotten down from the steeper part of the descent and had begun slowing down, when I had a blowout, not just a puncture, this was a one-inch tear through the rubber. What was strange was how much I had to fight to keep control of the bike, any faster and I know couldn't have held it, I would've lost it. I think I was real fortunate to keep from going down even at that speed ( about 15 mph).

No problem, a tire patch and a dollar bill for insurance to cover the hole, and we were off again. No good, another blow-out about 100 yards later so I made the dreaded phone call and Meri was on her way. The boys took off, it was getting hotter and there was no need for us all to fry.

As I waited by the side of the road, I thought i'd try a little experiment. I made myself visible, and in obvious breakdown mode I waited for reactions, vehicle or bike, no matter. Of the 25 or so cars or trucks, no interest. I guess I could see that, cyclists are usually not well-loved by vehicles but what I couldn't believe was the reaction from cyclists. My brothers and sisters of the skinny tire had shunned me repeatedly, not a word from 12 cyclists. Over the years, i've been snubbed by women, and maybe model-scouts before, but never would I have expected this.

Was it too hot? Did they assume that with my new confident-bearded look I could never be in trouble? Or, did they just not give a gosh-darn?

As a cyclist, I believe you should never, never, never "mind your own business" when you see a rider off the bike, or even a struggling cyclist ON the bike, you ought to ask "are you okay?" do you need anything?" It only takes 2 seconds and probably less than a calorie. You can't help someone if you don't ask.

Lastly, I forgot to mention, as I waited out there, it dawned on me that my flat was not a puncture, it was a blow-out and I started asking myself some "why" questions. Why did it happen then, and not when I was doing 40 mph about two minutes earlier? Why did I bag the Canyon Lake ride at the last minute when I had no reason not to, and by so doing, forgo the 54 mph downhill when coming back from EOP? Or better yet, shouldn't I have been on Mt Graham? The Mt Graham with lots of downhill, corners and cliffs with no side rails? I recall 40 to 50 mph descents on that monster, why not there? And why a migraine last night to start it all off?

I don't know, but as I get older I take the feelings I get, or a better term might be "a still small voice" a lot more seriously and it's served me well many times.

So there it is, my odd morning. I guess my lessons reaffirmed are... never expect help, but ALWAYS offer it, and always listen hard to that "inner voice", the life you save may be your own.

Random acts of kindness...

2009-05-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

I usually don't consider the personal effects of service to others , I just look for opportunities to try and help make other peoples lives easier. That's all, tiny acts of service with no strings attached. I feel like a better person. I like to think that random acts of kindness have a ripple effect in society. That helping others will somehow make the world kinder and more tolerant.

Doesn't always work out that way. Good intentioned deed attempt shot down at Home Depot last week. I offered to help a man load some drywall into his truck, I could see he was struggling and might want some help. I asked "can I help you load those?" His response, "I got it". "You sure? I don't mind?" I said. I could see he was getting bothered, so I started to leave when I heard him call me a name under his breath. No big thing, I just figured he was maybe having a grumpy day and left. I didn't tell my sons who were watching because I wanted to keep it positive. Maybe that was a mistake, they need to realize not every attempt will be accepted.

That particular opportunity for service may not have worked out the way I had planned. I had envisioned me helping him load the drywall, we high five, he jumps and clicks his heels as he gets in his truck, he goes home and hugs his family a little tighter that night assured that there is goodness in the world, then for the rest of his life he looks for opportunities to serve his fellow man.

Meri's Grandmother Eloise once said "we help other people, they won't always appreciate it and we don't always see the blessings but we keep helping people anyways".

Good lesson to live by...

Quick note: It's Saturday morning and I just went for a ride at 0700. At about 0930 I was going down Usery (a 3.5 mile climb) when I see this female rider weaving about and she did not look good. I kept riding but felt I should turn around and see if she needed anything, a lot of people underestimate their water needs. Sure enough, when I got to her she was walking and had zero water and this was only half way up the hill and in 100 degrees. I gave her my remaining bottle there were "thank yous" and she assured me she would now be fine so I headed down for one last climb.

I only mention this experience as an example of little things we can do that might make a big difference in someone's life. Maybe without the water she would have made it home okay anyways, or...maybe she might've pulled off the road to find shade and never recovered. Who but God knows?

BREATHLESS AGONY and REDROCK 200 reports

2009-05-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Finally got these written up. I hope the RedRock 200 report isn't too boastful sounding, there wasn't a lot of people racing so less stories came out of it.

Had a great time in each. Enjoy hopefully. Jim

Breathless Agony May 2nd 2009

Good race, good times, with good friends. I wish more friends could've been there this year but for various reasons many people had to bail.

Curtis Clifford, Craig Clifford, Barry Thomas, and myself were the final four out of about 9 people I know who had signed up for this thing to actually start. That's okay though, I love this race and would go alone.

Once again Curtis was nice enough to drive and we got into Redlands in the early evening. We checked into the Good Nite Inn and headed over to what is turning out to be a traditional pre-race meal venue; The Macaroni Grill. Craig showed up finally (he lives over there) and we had a great meal and good conversation.

I gotta say Barry is funny. This guy lays down on his bed, folds his arms, crosses his legs and is out, I mean out in a dead sleep. I was envious, I couldn't sleep till about midnight but felt okay the next morning.

Next morning we loaded up and drove to the start which was about 3-4 miles away. We checked in got our race glasses (a drinking glass), put them away and took off.

Pretty typical start, you just roll up, give your name and you're off, fast or slow, doesn't matter. I think we set a pretty moderate pace and eventually made it over the first two climbs and into the first aid station at a nice clip. We tried to stay together but as we left the feed zone Barry started getting sick and/or weak. He was just having one of those days so we worked together and got over the next climb to the forest station break area.

The food at this race is nearly unmatched in it's quantity and quality so we gorged happily when we had the opportunity. Because Barry had slowed, he decided take off ahead of us. Curtis, Craig and I took off later and began riding up what is called "Damnation Alley", a ten mile stretch of not so pretty scenery that slowly climbs up to the last steep climb of the day; the backside of Big Bear.

Funny thing; I was talking to Curtis about skinny-dipping on some of my bike trips when I was overheard by a nice looking woman who was curious about what we were talking about. I am not ashamed of my free-spirit so we talked to this woman about that, among other things. Turns out she had immigrated from Poland and gave me pretty much her life story. We slowly pulled away from her and eventually came upon Barry. At this point Curtis and Craig rode on ahead and I stayed with Barry again.

Since we had slowed a bit the Polish woman came up on us, pulled between us and says to Barry "even though I like skinny-dipping and nudity, I'm pretty much conservative" (or something close to that). Barry was going "what?!" I was laughing hard because she had never spoken to Barry, I think because we all had on Brumby jerseys she thought he was me, and I was Curtis or something. Anyways, it was funny and I had to tell Barry why she had said that. He seemed a little deflated, we don't get come-ons that often.

After that we started the last climb to Onyx Summit. It's a lot of up and surprisingly, a few decent descents. Barry and I rolled into Angelus Oaks, (the last aid station before the top and the turn around) and saw Curtis and Craig there. We all left together but Barry was still suffering so I Barry and I rode together while the Clifford brothers took off up the road. And that's okay, even though Breathless is considered a race, I just have a great time riding it, doesn't matter to me about my time.

Barry is NOT a quitter and we just kept plugging along till we made it to the top. That's a great feeling, but there's still 40 miles to go to get back to the park so we fueled up, took off, and all stayed together to the end.

It was nice to have a female tandem come along at the start of a windy Damnation Alley to pull us nearly the entire way back to the start. I think I thanked them about five times, it was really fun.

So nothing earth-shattering, just a nice get-away with the fellas. I know I will do this race every year because it's so friendly and easy going, I really enjoy it.

Jim Auwen

Red Rock 200--May 16th 2009

I like the 200 mile distance; more challenging than the 100 of course, but not as uncomfortable as a 500 miler.

When I heard about a new double century out of St George, I was hooked. I love southern Utah and this was an inaugural race which is cool. So I signed up and waited for the "see the roster" link to see how many I would be riding with...months later the link on their website never comes. I end up writing the organizers and they tell me I'm the only one so far, yikes, I figure it's gonna be a lonely race. But slowly others entered and with Wayne Smith, Rob Verhaaren and Candon Sevey the list grew to 17. Dave Collins had entered but stayed in Mesa to watch his son compete in the AZ State High School Track Championships and that's too bad, I think Dave would've liked this race.

I was fortunate enough to be able to bring my sons along. Jared 17, and Taylor 15, were kind enough to come along and keep me company. I was worried about them when I'd be racing but they have a lot of common sense and ended up having a nice time while I was riding. They were able to eat out a few times and go see Star Trek at a nearby movie theater. They were there waiting for me at the finish and helped me in my weakened state. I love those guys.

We began lining up in front of the Best Western Abbey Inn at around 0530. The race was to begin at 0600 and there was to be a brief pre-race meeting. Not a lot of hoopla, we just all rolled out at 6 and headed through town towards Gunlock.

I'll try to remember times and distances so excuse me if I'm off a bit, my chemistry is still wacky and I'm having trouble focusing.

Anyways, I do remember a lot of climbing during the first part of the race. By about 10 miles in the front pack consisted of us four from Mesa and the eventual "winner" Mark Larson. We got to the top of the longest climb of the day and turned around for some fun and windy downhill. We put some good distance on the second group compliments of Candon who made the most of his aerobars on the descent. The wind was pretty vicious that morning and I believe we rode into it all the way to Cedar City (about 113 miles in).

I'm not sure what Rob and Wayne decided on for nutrition but it seemed to work for them, they rode strong all day. Candon I hear was without a doubt the strongest rider out there but it didn't show up in the results. I don't want to get into right and wrong thing here, but from what I hear race etiquette was not on everyone's mind. That being said, those guys were amazingly strong. Candon is young and fast, Rob is fast and tough (as per the show he put on at LOTOJA last year), and Wayne has improved more than anyone I know to become a very good and strong rider.

On this day, I on the other hand did all I could just to finish. I first felt sick near the top of that first climb and I never got over it for the rest of the day. I just thought i'd give Perpetuem one more shot, but it just doesn't work with me. A lot of people like it, but it makes me feel hollow and nauseous. Ironically, only Hammer products were the fuel of the day at all the aid stations. I was frustrated to have to keep forcing myself to drink it.

I was able to keep up with the front group until about mile 25 when a short steep climb put me over the edge and they slowly pulled away. I was really okay with that, I hadn't trained for this thing and I was sick so I quickly accepted my fate and didn't want to hold anybody up. I plodded along solo at a decent pace for another ten miles and eventually the second pack of four caught me on a long climb. I jumped on and we rotated well for about ten more miles. I still hadn't eaten anything solid and I felt my heart rate was too high, so at a rest stop I informed them that I would go it alone and try and stay ahead of them. This group had their own sag vehicle and they finally convinced me to eat a little something. So, I choked down a couple of small cookies and went on alone ahead of them.

The group would leap-frog me over and over for the next 160 miles but I couldn't stay on their erratic rotating pace, I was more comfortable riding smooth and steady and suffering alone. There was wind-o-plenty all the way to the turn around and the heat reminded me of home so some negative voices popped into my head and kept trying to talk me into finding a ride back to St George from Cedar City. After a five minute argument the "good fighter Jim" convinced the 'natural man Jim" quitting wasn't an option so I pressed on.

At 112 miles I pulled into Cedar City (turn around) and saw a lone rider (the eventual winner) riding back alone and thought it was strange. Did the Mesa boys cave or did this guy not stop? I later found out he had slipped away while the others were breaking and Rob was even in the catbox. Lame maybe, but whatever.

When I got to the park I once again saw my group, they were laying on the grass and relaxing so I dumped all the Perpetuem, filled my bottles with only water and kept on riding. Problem was, all the nutrition they had to offer was Hammer stuff. So on the way out of town I stopped into Subway for some solid food. There happened to be a bike mechanic out of St George in line so thankfully he let me in line ahead of him. Ate a couple of bites of my sub, pocketed the rest, slammed down a soda, and I was out the door in about 15 minutes. I thought for sure the group had passed me but they were behind me and caught me about ten miles out of town. I was starting to be able to hold them off for longer periods of time because of a strong near tailwind and because I was feeling just a bit stronger from the food. When the group passed me this time they had a female rider in tow who had caught them while they were lounging in Cedar. She was lean and looked like a climber.

When I caught back up to them at the next stop, the race sag had some Clif bars and Hammer Gel, so I grabbed some of those and I was gone fast. This stop was just prior to the last long climb and even though I left ahead of the group, I was told the female rider had left about five minutes before all of us. I doubted I could catch her and I was right, she was a great climber.

I had about a bottle and a half of water left when I came up on the group again that had just passed me, but I decided to roll right by and keep pushing on. I was still weak, but not as sick, and I thought maybe I could hold them off for the last 15 miles.

I was doing just that, I could never see them when I looked back and was getting excited thinking I could finish 5th overall, but then a major set back, whenever I would stop pedaling my rear hub (freewheel) would squeal like pig being skinned alive. My fear was that seven miles from the finish it would seize completely and i'd be walking to the finish. All I could do at this point was to slow down and keep pedaling. If I got going too fast, or stopped pedaling, the hub would squeal regardless of how fast I pedaled.

Frustrations galore! The group passed me in the Snow Canyon downhill and all I could do was brake, keep pedaling, and watch them leave me. I thought I handled it well though, I slowed and just tried to find satisfaction in my effort regardless of my finish time or place.

My goal was to finish before 12 hours. So while riding an estimated 160 miles solo I had fought sickness, wind, heat, a 15 minute Subway visit, and a lame wheel to finish in 12:14, I would've patted myself on the back, but I'm not very limber. This second group of riders were aware of my predicament and were supporting me all day by offers of sag help and encouragement and were nice enough to applaud me when I came into the finish. They ended up catching the climber girl and they all finished together in 12:06.

The race organizer told us because the wind was so strong that day, they had lowered the cut off time for a jersey to 14 hours, pretty cool of them, we all get race jerseys.

Overall I liked this race, good roads, great open scenery and pleasant, easy-going race organizers. I can see it becoming popular in the future and look forward to doing it next year.

Jim Auwen

Working on race reports (if anyone cares)

2009-05-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Just back from the RedRock 200 in St George, full report coming soon. Also, a report on the Breathless Agony race from a few weeks ago. Life is good...

Stuff

2009-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Off cycling for a change. Life is going pretty well. I guess the important thing around here is that my parents went through the temple for the first time last week. It took a while but I guess in the scheme of things it was a blink of an eye.

All that matters is that it was an important and sacred step and now we can be sealed as a family. The sealing will be May 6th in the Arizona Temple and should be very nice as you could imagine.

Started paving the backyard and it's coming along, Jason has been helping me. Migraine today but no barfing this time so not too bad. What sucked was the timing, it started while I was scanning patient. Luckily I was nearly finished.

Kinda tired tonight, gotta get up to lift at 4:30 so gotta go.......

Tour de Phoenix day

2009-04-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Didn't do the Tour de Phoenix yesterday and have mixed emotions about it. As i've told others "I just don't feel compelled to do it". That, and the feeling of dread I've had for months about it. I guess i'd call it a prompting, don't know why, but I just had to go with it. To those who don't know, my friend, and Lorie and Dave's father Herman Funk died last year after riding in this race and that experience may have something to do with my feelings, I don't know.

A few days ago I tried to dupe the prompting and planned to do the race on Kip Sharpe's tandem with Lorie Tucker. I think we could've done a pretty good job, I just couldn't get over the dread. Turns out Lorie had similar feelings and we decided to just ride out and watch. Funny thing is I just couldn't accept the fact I wouldn't be racing so I stopped by the Tri-stake center where the sign-ups were and walked around thinking I might change my mind. No good, it just wasn't going to happen this year. Anyways, thanks Kip for the offer and thanks to Lorie for the consideration, we would've had a blast.

Lorie and I did ride out to Usery yesterday and to the top to wait for the leaders. We had good conversation and shared a few Herman memories. At the top Carla and her daughters had pulled over to watch Kyle and Kip come over so we chatted to them for a while until the riders came along.

The weather yesterday was absolutely perfect, the company ideal, and it was just a nice relaxing day. Kyle and Kip fought hard and won the male tandem division. It was great that Fred Nelson got platinum. And Barry and Kim were amazing to get platinum, MALE platinum. I loved it that Bridget Verhaaren got platinum as well, she was awesome and deserved it. Everyone at the finish seemed happy.

As I was saying, I'm happy just to help people. I enjoy my good friends and hanging out with Lorie was just a relaxing time. I don't care about placing 210th or 1st, wait, 1st is nice but I would trade that easily for a fun day on the bike with people I care about.

I guess my values have changed and as I sit here the thought hit me that if I keep this up, I may, if i'm lucky, become just like Herman.

Adjusting

2009-04-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm adjusting to life with acceptance that my running days are over. I've been walking on the treadmill at Mountainside. I elevate the incline and still get a good workout but it doesn't feel as fun.

I noticed that the Showlow Tri will have an Aquabike division (swim and bike only) this year. I may try that type of competition sometime but I was shocked at the cost of this one, $150! I'll have to shop around for other events with an Aquabike division.

Odd ride this morning, the group got puposely buzzed by a pickup after Higley. I was a little bothered so went after him in hot pursuit hoping a light would catch him. The joker pulled into QT for probably a Twinkie and coffee. As I waited for him to leave is truck Wayne Smith pulls up and confronts him. It got a little heated and when we realized it was going nowhere we left. The guy was not sorry and probably will pull that again, I just hope he doesn't kill anybody.

Thoughts on the upcoming Tour de Phoenix tomorrow. Too tired now, got called into the hospital at 0245 this morning. Later...

We all have trials, this is one of mine...

2009-03-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

How do I say "I'm done?" How do I let go? How do I cope? Really, it's not that bad, I can still ride my bikes at least, well, if I don't stand and crank down hard. Sadly though, my running days are over.

I've spent the last four months on the treadmill at the fitness center trying to build up for a double ironman, there, I said it, a double, and yes, I know I could do it. In the last four months of slowly building my base I was feeling like a youngster again, like i'd been given a second chance to do what I love. Would it last? I was forced to do a slow jog in the Arizona Ironman and the California Half Ironman, but could I actually make this work for a 52 mile run? I kept running gingerly and I became cautiously optimistic that it was going to work. All I had to do was slowly build up time and my knee would adapt I thought.

My right knee was first injured in the early 90's playing in the Mesa city basketball league and I played my last basketball game on the night of the championship game (I haven't played in an organized game since). Kent and Dave Hatfield were there, Steve Conolly and Dave Collins as well. It wasn't a ligament (I wish it was) it was meniscal and it's been meniscal ever since. I used to do ALOT of 10K runs when I was younger, and was passionate about trail runs before they were popular, but I was told it was the basketball that did me in. The grinding of the joint when you plant and twist it when going up for a layup was the culprit. I did this nearly daily for 20 years and it left my knee in shambles. I loved playing and wouldn't change my past, but it does suck to be in my present state.

The initial scope of the three, was done by a doctor who said I'd be back to normal in a week, 3 weeks later and I was still hobbling. On the return appointment he told me he had to "really crank that knee around to get the instruments in there", thus the additional trauma. My knee joint had already been narrowed by wear and I didn't realize it. Steve Hatfield did the other two and it was more of the same, clean it up and get back to abusing it. The pain is basically on the lateral or outside edge of the jointspace and the menicus is basically gone. "Chondromalacia" he tells me, "grade 4, the most severe". Throw in some Osteoarthritis and it makes for a wonderful running experience.

I got excited a few years ago when I had read about a meniscal transplant procedure that was allowing people to run again. When I asked Steve about it, I was shot down when he said I wasn't even a candidate, "you have no lining on the ends of your bones" . WTH? I'm done? My next surgery would be a knee replacement I was told.

So, that's how it's played out, and that's why after 4 months of running, I'm done. I've been able to work up to runs of 90 minutes and then I start to lose feeling in the lower leg. No matter how slow, or what mechanics I use the pain is there.

The fun doesn't stop there, I love the way it aches most of the time, kinda like a toothache. And, the crepitus (loud creaking) freaks people out.

I've been researching the possibility of getting a Partial Knee Replacement, it's way less invasive (being on one side only) and usually lasts longer. Once again Steve shot that option down by telling my that a partial lasts about 6 years and that a "Jim replacement" would last about 2 years. Whether it's a partial or full replacement, I need to hold out as long as I can because they don't last very long and I've got a lot more cycling to do.

So there's my sad story. Cry if you must, but know that i'm really happy and grateful about being able to ride my bike.

Sleepless in Mesa

2009-03-08T03:27:00.001-07:00

Can't sleep as usual. Wondering about things, people in my life, etc. Too much to elaborate fully.

I will keep it on a positive note though and say how much I love my place in this world. How blessed I am words cannot express. How much love I feel for my family and friends and how much love I feel in return can't be described.

I feel as many probably, that there's so much I want to accomplish and that there's so much I want to see. I'm getting pretty successful at focusing on what I have, and not on what I may never have, and finding satisfaction in that.

I've always felt regardless of physical limitations, I could conjure up the courage, stubborn perserverance, and the ability to endure suffering to make it through any race or event and do reasonably well. I now find myself at the mercy of a failing knee joint. I find myself telling my family "boy, if my right knee was as good as my left one I could... blah, blah, blah..." I'm done with that. I've found a pretty constant perspective of being grateful I HAVE two legs. I'm grateful for the many years of service my knee has given me, and the ultimate sacrifice it may have to go through in being replaced.

I was telling Lorie Tucker the other night that I may have to cancel my plans to do a certain event this fall and she seemed in disbelief that I could think that way. What she doesn't know about is the secret love-hate relationship I have with my knee. I've struggled with this rascal and it's three scopings for the last fifteen years and think it's time for a visit to a doctor. I will keep you posted...

Had a pretty good ride today, Kyle and I went out for 17 grueling miles. It's just as well, I couldn't get my heart rate over 165 and felt fatigued, so I backed off and we had good conversation.

I do gotta ramp up the mileage, not sure if I'm doing TDP but I've got Breathless Agony in Redlands on May 2nd and the Red Rock 200 in St. George on May 16th. BA is a great "guy trip" and I really have a great time there with the fellas. Red Rock is in it's first year but it's put on by the same organizers as the HooDoo 500 and they were great and really well-organized. Plus, I love Southern Utah and I love the 200 mile distance (self-reminder to stock up on the Butt'r). Don't know of anyone else going to ride Utah but that's okay, my beautiful wife Meri is coming along so I'm covered.

Alright, the blogging has worked and I hear my bed calling so goodnight. And please, see how blessed you really are, embrace what you have , let go of what you don't, and let's all hug more!

2009-02-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, I had to delete that last post, it was starting to freak me out. Heading to the Tour of California in the morning, barring any unforeseen complications. I will report later...

Photos...

2009-01-26T21:17:00.001-08:00

Okay, top picture taken in Douglas Arizona at the Cochise Classic. Lt to Rt: me, Randy Nunley, Gary Burk and Kyle Jorgensen. I don't recall the distances we were doing, or if this was the trip one of us was sick all night and was forced to abandon 10 miles into the race the next morning. Okay, it was Randy. Lesson learned; never, i repeat NEVER, eat at a small Mexican food restaurant the night before a race. I work around a lot of sick people and was Randy's roommate that night and he sounded like he had gallstones AND kidney stones at the same time. I was shocked to find out he even tried to race the next morning. Now I remember...Kyle , Gary and I were doing the 252 miler and Randy was doing the 92 because hadn't trained enough. I'll have to try and find that story or write one up from memory. I lost quite a few stories because of a lousy computer shop that "fixed" my computer.

Bottom photo taken at the Tour de Tucson (2002?) Lt to Rt: Steve Hatfield, Kent Hatfield, me and David Hatfield (basically four of the Hatfield brothers) Again, I can't remember the year or outcome of this one.

Photos...

2009-01-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

A few more old photos of the fellas...

Top: Lt to Rt Mike Norberg, Dan McGeehee, David Hatfield, myself and Rick Green at the Tour de Tucson (2002?) I think Dave, Mike and Dan finished in the lead pack.

Bottom: Lt to Rt David Hatfield, Jim Wilson, Kent Hatfield, Eric MacDonald, Steve Hatfield and Myself at Telluride and Duraaango Colorado (2003?) That was a great mountain bike trip. Hermosa Creek north of Duraaaango and the "up and down trails" of Telluride.

2009-01-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

One month since my last entry? That's pathetic. I really just wanted to get on here tonight and say hello.

The Aussie exchange students that stayed with us for a week left this morning and there is a huge void in this home. We had a great time with them, they are good kids and we got to do a lot with them. We will miss Lukas and Karla just as we miss Shaun and Gabby from last year.

Speaking of voids, not mountain bike racing this year is a big one for me. I hurt my left knee and back on a training ride last Friday and was physically unable to go out the next morning for the first race of the series and mix it up with the fellas. I got off-balance and went over my bars and down into some decent sized granite rocks and a desert tree. Kyle Jorgensen and Jim Wilson were there to heckle me of course (just like my other spills). Jim was right on my tail and when I went down he couldn't quite stop and crashed as well. Though I think he stayed on the trail and landed on my bike so he was injured less. Kyle was strategically going slow and came up on the tangled wreckage.

I was looking forward to doing the series, riding for Adventure Bicycle and was excited about racing the Pilot 429 (29'r) Bill had let me demo. I love this bike, it's solid and stable. Best full-suspension I've ever ridden. Ask me about it...

More later...

Merry Christmas Family and Friends! See ya 2008

2008-12-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a family photo we took for our Christmas cards. Trouble is, we got them back and they were all blurry. Good shot though (i think).

I won't bore you with the details of our family life this year. What's important is that were all healthy and happy. We're looking at an even better 2009. With Amanda graduating, it's getting roomier in the nest and we do NOT like it. But, life moves along and we will make the most of the times we can be together.

Personally for 2009, I am looking forward to a race later in the year that will I'm sure will "bend me, shape me" and refine me. I'm studying endurance techniques and learning about nutrition so I can lean-up, shape-up, and psyche-up to beat this thing and define myself a little more.
Yikes, how dramatic!

Really though, it's just another race...

Brief soapbox rant

2008-12-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!!!!!

that's all.....

Tour de Tucson 2008

2008-11-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

Gotta post my report from our day at the Tour de Tucson last weekend, here ya go...

Tour de Tucson Saturday 11-22-2008

Another tour has come and gone. Pretty typical outcome for me, miss a few breaks and finish in the second or third pack.

Went down with my wife Meri, daughter and son-in-law Aubry and Justin, friend Jason Destories, and my 15 year old son Taylor. Jason and I did the 109, Taylor and Justin ended up doing the 67 miler. Justin because he never could find the time to train in his newlywed life and Taylor because he couldn't find time to train in his junior high life (along with his broken arm).

We made it down through the (decade-long) Tucson freeway construction to our lodgings at the 5 star Super 8 motel (never again!). Headed over to the check-in to get our stuff and peruse the vendor booths. Drove east to what seemed nearly New Mexico and finally ate at El Paso restaurant (Olive Garden had a 90 minute wait). Afterwards, we went back over to the convention center to pick up our Platinum passes for the race. Taylor got excited because he spotted Bob Stapleton (a good friend of Barry Thomas's btw), he's the owner of Team Columbia cycling team (formally High Road and T-Mobile). Taylor waited for an opportunity and got a picture with him. He also told Bob we'd be over to the Tour of California and that we'd see him over there. Bob was very cool in chatting with us and told Taylor he would get to meet the riders while we are over there. Taylor was beaming, he such a big fan of the team. We can't wait to get over to Solvang for the time trial in March.

I sadly missed Greg Lemond again, Dan McGeehee told me he was around but I could never find him. I a BIG fan of Mr. Lemond and one day will succeed in having him sign my INTENSITY poster of him at the finish of the 1989 World Pro Road Race Championship, his face in the poster tells the whole story.

Restless night at the "Bates Motel" but Jason and I got out to the start line around 5:40, platinum was filing fast so we were lucky to get in near the middle. Riders trying to crowd up to the front like they're more important than everyone else, THAT really bugs me. I can see one rider trying to get up to their team but not the other way around.

Weather was perfect, not too cold at the start and not too warm during the race. In fact, I just had my arm-coolers on at the start, Sterling took my jacket, arm-warmers and blankie.

Typical fast start, riders moving up for a run at the first river crossing. Barry and Kim Thomas were there on their tandem, saw Chris Zaharis and I think Rick Green as well but I never saw the Thomas's again and found Rick a little later in the race. I was positioned pretty well and rode all the way through. Coming out is always a struggle, riders spread out and trying to form packs. I pulled a couple of times to try and get up to Jason's ( lead?) pack but we were too disorganized. I took a pull and closed a bit, and was thinking we were gonna reel them in but when I got off the front, the pack slowed. Not bragging, just saying no one wanted to fight to close and I was pooped. I just happened to find myself in a slower pack, with nothing I could do about it.

There was one more split to this pack a little later up the road. We were in a pretty good head wind and were echeloned back as far as we could. I looked ahead after a few minutes and got frustrated to see a thirty yard gap had opened up. I'm mad at the rider who screwed us by not waving us around and I'm mad at myself for not paying closer attention. About five of us took off to try and bridge up into the wind. We worked well but couldn't pull in the larger pack. About five miles up the road we were done and were eventually overtaken by a now even larger pack. I stayed with most of this pack for the remainder of the race. I know my fellow 5th decade Brumbys Kevin Kellis, Rick Green, and Wade Felkins were in there, Chris too, but don't recall seeing any other Brumbii.

Uneventful riding leading up to the second river crossing, just staying out of trouble and chatting occasionally. Pulled a nice one by going to the front before the river crossing, I thought Chris was with me but it turned out he got held up by slower riders and had to do some walking. I was able to ride all the way to the aid station in the sandy river crossing simply because I had put myself in a nice position ahead of all but one rider in my pack (ok, maybe there were some mountain bike skills involved as well). I was able to refill a water bottle and grab a little food and make it up to the parking lot for a little cleat-banging ceremony in pretty good time. Chris never caught back on, he told me later he could see me up ahead but could never get closer (you're pretty much at the mercy of your current pack). He ended up finishing in Platinum time though, not far behind us, nice work Chris.

That's the nature of this race... miscues. One missed break here, one hesitant gap bridging there, or any other number of things can have huge consequences later on. For example, had I noticed the gap after the first river crossing and closed it, I would have finished at least 10-15 minutes sooner, I just wasn't paying attention at that moment. Also, (and Rick Green (if I recall correctly) can vouch as I believe he was right next to me at the time) I narrowly avoided disaster while flying downhill on Freeman Road when someone up front dropped their full water bottle and I missed it my an inch. I have no doubt I would have gone down at 35 mph had I hit that thing. Didn't lose any time out of it but it could've been ugly.

Again, I just stayed out of trouble and before I knew it we were near the top of Rancho Vistoso. It was here I came upon Rick Frost and he did not look good. So much so that he told me he was thinking of abandoning. This was unfamiliar to me as Rick is always a strong rider. He told me "I didn't respect the race". He explained to me that he had gone out too hard with the lead pack and was now paying for it. He also told me he had also mixed his Cytomax too strong and was out of water. I offered him my unused water bottle and I think he had half of it gone in one drink. He asked me if I needed some back and thinking he would now be ok and hang with my pack, I said no, I told him I would get some from him later if I needed it. About 5 minutes later I looked back and he was way off the back, essentially done as far as riding with my pack went. My heart sank as I only had a third of a bottle of water left and one of Rick's concentrated Cytomax bottles he had exchanged for my water. I had some worries with about 30 miles to go and thought "I aint too proud to beg" if it came to it.

At this time I was in serious debate with myself as to whether or not to drop back and help Rick finish, or go on without him. It's not my nature to leave someone, especially someone who's as good a friend as Rick. This was intense for me but I came to the conclusion that Rick would want me to go on and try to do well. I reasoned that I would want the same for him if the tables were turned. I also reasoned that he could always hook onto another pack after he had recovered or even call his wife Jill as he talked about. Turns out he got a ride back to the finish from Rick Green's wife. Here again, little miscues, an extra scoop or two of Cytomax and too much effort too soon got the best of Rick.

Boy, pretty uneventful to nearly the finish, just chatting with the legend Rick Green, the ageless Kevin Kellis and Wade Felkins occasionally. We were all there until about a mile from the finish when Rick pulled up lame with a debilitating cramp. That's some tough luck, he's fought cramping ever since i've known him. Oh well, one less sprinting specialist to contend with. Rick can really turn on the afterburners when he needs to.

I wasn't fond of the trip down Congress, too many cones and twitchy riders. I had a Robbie McEwen-like moment when a rider tried to squeeze in between a line of cones and me. We were shoulder to shoulder trying to stay upright at 30 mph. He did apologize during the incident which you don't always get from an offender, so I didn't have to put my frame pump in his spokes.

We stayed alive through the last corner onto Granada and went hard to the finish. I finished with a time of 4:49 which is about where I thought I'd be given my spotty training for this thing. On a side note, it was great to see a couple of my old friends in Bruce Stauffer (who lives in Tucson and proclaimed to be very happy about it), and Jared Dayton from Mesa (I didn't even know my mountain biking friend had a road bike).

Jason did well finishing in 76th at 4:32, really incredible for the little training he had. For the 67 mile guys, my son Taylor finished 147th out of 1200 with a time of 3:46, very good for zero training and a broken arm. My son-in-law Justin was awesome at 46th out of 1200 with a time of 3:27, he did very well as well for so little training and this being his first race. We all had a great time and a great racing experience.

So goes another Tour, the joy, the agony, and the unbelievable luck of not crashing.

Jim

Ode to Lorie

2008-11-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

My good friend Lorie Tucker nailed another Ironman last weekend at the Arizona Ironman right here in our backyard of Tempe. She was a bit disappointed with her time but I say just to finish is a triumph. It was a fun day as Aubry, Justin and I hung out at Tempe Town Lake for most of the day and watched competitors of all shapes, sizes, and abilities, give their all just to hear themselves called an Ironman at the finish.

I could dive into words about Lorie, nice descriptive words about her character and capacity to achieve but I could never do her justice. I'll just keep that to myself and say "i'm proud of her".

I made an observation, and I told Lorie this, about how amazing the scene was as she made her way out of the chute to her family and friends. I had a glimpse of what it must be like in the afterlife. After all our effort here on earth, to finally be free from pain and then surrounded by those we love, it must be awesome. She was literally enveloped by people who care about her, everyone was happy and the love flowed.

I know... but that's what I saw and felt.

Just another day

2008-11-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Good Thanksgiving out my parent's house in north Scottsdale. Lot's of good food and visiting. I don't get to be with my parents as much as I want with work and all. So it's always good to see them.

Went on a Black Friday bike ride today. Didn't feel quite right in the morning and went to the hospital to work in the early afternoon so I didn't get out until 3. It was nice to go out alone with my tunes and just do a moderate spin. Burned off a thousand cal's so that was good.

It's funny, I got this weird desire to ride the TRW mountain bike trail on my road bike. I know every inch of it and was thinking I'd do a little cross stuff. I was gonna ride from Power over to the park on Recker. Anyways, I had turned around to go back to the trail and was just about to hit the dirt when I got a call from the hospital telling me to come into the ER to do a scan. Was I just spared? Divine intervention to preserve me? I don't know, it just seemed so weird because I was so intent on riding that thing. Or maybe just coincidence...

Overall finishers Sport 50+ Arizona State Mtb Series 2008

2008-11-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry, after that last entry I just had to throw this shot in. Fond memories of struggle and achievement. With a side of multiple physical injuries thrown in just for fun. Not sure about when i'll get back to mountain biking, I guess I just needed some time away from it.

BACK IN THE DAY WHEN BIKES AND MEN WERE BOTH MADE OF STEEL!!

2008-11-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

I used to be embarrassed by this picture but now I embrace it as my humble beginnings

Lt to Rt: unknown, Brandon Connolly, Steve Connolly, Jim Wilson, unknown, Kent Hatfield, Curtis Clifford, Curtis's brother, Todd Connolly, and the slowest/goofiest member of the trip: Jim Auwen.

Moab-circa late 1980's?? Not sure about the year but it was a while ago. Guy trip to Moab. We did the Slickrock and Porcupine trails that week-end. Jim Wilson and Curtis Clifford were probably the best and most experienced riders.

I recall being the last rider to every stop. It was frustrating because I would struggle just to get to where the group had stopped and just when I would get there they would take off. I don't blame them, they had already been waiting for me but it seemed that I could never recover. I fell sooo often that I had to wear full elbow and knee pads. I didn't own a jersey and went with a comfort shirt displaying the Suns. I had never worn biking shorts and was a little shy back then, so I wore baggies over them so as not to reveal the outline of my "special parts".

I remember having a great time, this was a new sport to me and it showed. But just like anything else in life there are peaks and valleys and cycling is no different. Regardless of all that, I will always have a deep love of the lifestyle.

I feel the effects of age on my body and performance but in cycling that's okay, they just move you up an age division so it's all good. I also have softened a bit, I no longer destroy myself in competition and group rides. And i'm more inclined to help others enjoy their experience.

Anyways, I didn't want to get into a self-glamorization thing, I just wanted to give it up for humble beginnings. Later...

Added some old pictures

2008-10-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Haven't been on for awhile and thought I'd throw a few pictures on here.

I guess the theme of these three shots would be "friends". Words can't describe the worth of these people in my life so I'll leave it at that.

Just a few other bike stories

2008-09-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Tour de Tucson 2006-- Taylor and I on a Tandem

I'm glad we happened to get into the platinum area before 6 am, it was packed later. The platinum area was way too small as usual and later arrivals had to really pack it in (I felt like Nemo at the bottom of the fishing net). Alot of riders had left their bikes lying on the ground so we picked them up and moved them over to the fence. I noticed at least 5 of those riders who came in for those bikes at about 6:45 were Bicycle Ranch clowns. Good start, no crashes that I saw, and everyone seemed polite. First river crossing, yikes, deep fine sand, now I know what a cow feels like in a cattle drive. I'm still coughing up dust particles. After the river crossing, what I believe to be the second group came together with us in it. There was a pretty good head wind going east and sadly, we fell off. Rode w/ a small group for a while until a group caught us that contained the Raymonds and Hummers, both on tandems. I think we fell off that pack just before Freeman. It may have had someting to do with climbing, for some reason, whenever we did that, we went slower.
Going down Freeman was fun, Taylor and I cruised along and picked up quite a few riders. It was along here that I began this little thing called "cramping", some of you may have heard of it. I hadn't experienced that in a few years and didn't appreciate my body putting me through it again. So, we fell off again and I began forcing the water and salt pills.
Dan McGehee came upon us before the second river crossing and offered to bridge us up to the next pack. Much appreciated, but we couldn't hold on for very long, I kept cramping. I asked him why he was so far back and he just pointed to his rear wheel, I never found out how it happened, but it was warped. I guess maybe to avoid a potential catastophic failure and keep from hurting anyone, he chose to be more isolated. Awfully nice of him to make offer to pull us along though.
We were caught here by quite a large pack and we made sure we worked hard to stay in front of them right into the second river crossing. We actually rode quite a ways in but the sand there was deeper this year and alot of walking riders forced us to do the same. Grabbed a banana for the cramps and we made it through to the parking lot for some cleat banging action. About 2 hours later we were able to click in and we were off. I know the Snyder climb is steep, but it was fun having all those people there to encourage us and joke with. Uneventful riding up to the top of Rancho Vistoso and was surprised when the group that caught us there contained the Raymonds and Hummers again. I guess the Raymonds had a flat coming out of the second river crossing and along with the Hummers had led a chase to that point. I can verify that because I noticed it was usually one of those two tandems who pulled for most of the remaining race. I felt like a frightened little mouse near the back of the pack for most of this time because I was on the verge muscle seizure. Going down Tangerine on a tandem is a nice little pleasure, but that is soon replaced with a sobering headwind as you turn southward along the freeway. The Hummers had been pulling as we crossed the freeway and made a wrong turn up the on ramp. Chad thought of maybe taking the freeway back but realized it was illegal so they quickly turned around and the packed slowed until they caught back on. This pack stayed together for nearly all the rest of the way.
I love it when you're riding along, not paying attention to the pack ahead of the rider in front of you and when you do look up there's a gap of about 20 yards. The guy couldn't wave us around? Needless to say, we were too pooped to bridge and a small group that included the Raymonds and two other tandems were getting further and further away. I kept thinking there goes any hope for a platinum time but our little group hung in there somehow and as we turned East our despiration turned to anticipation of actually making it. Got a little choked up making that last right turn, I felt like we had done all we could and had left it all out there on the course.
It was interesting to see that I had only drank 3 bottles of water, 4 GU's, and half a banana for the race. I know, not enough, I guess if you store enough body fat anything's possible.
I can't say enough about how proud I was of my little stoker, I tell you he never, ever, complained about anything, not a word. He had to visit the bushes a couple of times but only informed me of the need to do so. He was openly vocal to other riders during those last 5 miles about how we could make platinum, kept telling his old man over and over to "push-it, we can do it!". I don't know if they'll give him platinum status or not, and maybe he might not be able to make the time on his own, but I swear he has the heart of a platinum rider.
So, all in all a good time. Tough race, but we told ourselves we would try and have fun which I believe we accomplished.

Jim Auwen

Tour de Tucson 2007 report from my good friend Barry Thomas. I didn't even write up a story about the race that year because Barry did such a good and descriptive job at it.

First thing I remember thinking as I woke up at 3:55  a.m. on Saturday was, "we really got lucky with the  weather". Forecast called for about 50 degrees at  race time and about 75 degrees and moderate winds by  the finish. Kimberly and I dressed and pulled out  of the hotel (Super Ocho) at 4:35 a.m. and rode to  the start line. Of course the race begins at 7:00  a.m., however if you don't arrive early you will be  stuck starting behind four or five thousand riders -  many of whom are just looking to finish - not race.   When we arrived at the start line at about 4:45 a.m.  we were behind about 100 people in the gold line.   By the time the race started we would be behind  about 500 or 600 people total between the platinum  and gold. This is much better than in prior years  when we arrived at 5:30 or 5:45a and we were behind  two thousand riders. 

Fortunately we remembered to bring warm clothes to  wear while waiting in line. This helped a bunch  because being cold drains energy. We also brought a  blanket to sit on while we waited. We met up with  our friends Lorie Tucker, Jim Auwen, Sterling Baer, and Jim Sullivan. Our intention was that we would  try to ride together the entire way with a goal of  five and one half hours. It was really encouraging  to have Jim Auwen riding with us as he is such a  strong rider. With his pacing and experience, I  figured we had a good chance of achieving our goal.  

The last 40 minutes before the start we all were  getting anxious. We needed to take our last minute  potty breaks, stripped off our warm clothes, and  slathered on the sun lotion for the long ride. When  gun went off I was excited to see that it only took  93 seconds for us to cross the start line instead of about seven minutes when we started in Silver in  previous year. There were approx. 5,000 riders  behind us and two riders right next to me who collided and went down just as we reached the start  line.    

Jim A. lead our group out and we were up to about 26  mph within one minute. The whole idea in the first  two miles is to be extra safe and to stay away from  erratic riders. Turning south on the I-10 frontage  road there were lots of water bottles strewn as the  riding surface was quite rough. This added to the  confusion.  

When we reached southbound Mission road we were  riding strong and fast. Jim continued to set the  pace and did a great job of keeping us out of  trouble. After 7.5 miles we reached the first (dry)  river crossing. We dismounted and carried our bikes  down into the Santa Cruz river bed. It was quite dusty - and I imagine quite a sight as thousands of  riders trekked about 300 yards. When we reached the  other side we stomped out our cleats and got back on  our bikes. Quickly we were back up to speed - however when we turned south onto the Nogales  highway we saw one of our fellow Brumby riders  crashed and on the side of the road. It is always  sobering to see a bike crash.  

Heading East in El Tour is never my favorite. It  seems that whenever we ride East that the road is  both uphill slightly and into a steady breeze. This  year was no exception. We took protection from the  wind by riding with a larger group - and also  sending our workhorse Jim out to the front on  Hughes, Alvernon, and Los Reales. I remember  thinking that we were making good time and I also > noticed at that point that Kimberly seemed  noticeably stronger than in prior years.  

When we hit the I-10 frontage road however, a report  came up to the front that Lorie had fallen off the back and was gapped. Just two week prior, she had  completed a full Ironman and was still recovering.   I worried that she may not be able to recover and  join the group. In talking with Jim, he said he  would fall back and see if he could help her.  Kimberly, Jim S. and I moved forward and I took over  the duties of setting the pace.  

Heading north on Kolb is good fun. There is one  climb and there is a good amount of road slightly  down hill. It is also wind quartering from the rear  which is a nice relief. I felt strong and Kimberly  was riding comfortably and confidently at a high  speed. We were over 30 MPH for long stretches. I  noticed that at this point our average overall speed  for the race was 21.2 - pretty good. I knew there  was some tough times ahead, but if we could bank  some time now it would help us later.  

East on Irving is not one of my favorites. Really  rough road and uphill, and it seems this is where  many people seem to lose their early momentum and  faster groups passing them can create tense moments.  Our little band of three was able to fall in behind not one - but two tandems. It was almost like  cheating! This gave us a great pace for about three  miles, however when the road tipped upward more  steeply, I was once again in front setting the pace  with Kimberly and Jim S. close behind. Over the  course of the ride we had picked up several other  riders who liked our pace and it seemed like we were  with them all day.  

At about the 40 mile marker we headed North on  Houghton. This is one of my two favorite parts of  the race. Up and down - but mostly down. We joined  with a larger group - maybe 35 or 40 - and rode the next seven miles at breakneck speeds, finally  reaching the second river crossing at Sabino Creek.   We dismounted out bikes and started the nearly 1/3  mile trek. Kimberly stopped to use the porta-pottie  and I used a tree. She was still paying the price  for some spicy food the night prior at Café Poca  Cosa. We quickly refilled our bottles and Kimberly  mixed in some Perpeteum that she had used to good  result throughout the race. Again we had to stomp  out our cleats, then wind our way up and finally  over Snyder - which is a nasty little climb.  

Soon we were heading West/Northwest on Sunrise and  Skyline. Whereas I had been feeling really great  prior to the river crossing, I now was feeling  sluggish and not as strong. Surprisingly we found  that Lorie and Jim A. had passed us while we were on  our extended restroom break and were now ahead of  us. We finally came up on them and soon Jim S. I  was really impressed how Lorie had rallied. I had  all but given her up for dead 25 miles back. Jim S.  seemed to be laboring and seemed to be sweating  quite a bit, but gamely continued on as we all fell  in behind Jim Auwen's elevated pace.

At mile 68 we turned north on Oracle. This  traditionally is where I have struggled as it  gradually heads upward for eight miles. What is  worse is that it tips up more steeply at the end.   Kimberly however seemed to be in more of a rhythm  and looked quite strong. I remember she had some  frustration with some of the riders who had  collected behind us. Some were riding erratically so she speed up and pulled in right behind Jim A.   About this time Lorie seemed to fade a bit. As word  reached the front that she was gapped, Jim A. said  he was going back for her again and that Kimberly  and I should head off the front on our own. I felt  uncomfortable with this but knew that Jim would  watch out for her.  

Heading West into Rancho Vistoso I was feeling  gassed to the point that I needed to back off for  two or three minutes. It is quite a climb and I  worried that if I pushed it to much that I would  blow up. Kimberly and Jim S. Were good with that  strategy so we lowered our speed about 25% for  several minutes. One big group of maybe 30 riders  blew by. I did not think this was going to be a  problem because with 10,000 riders in the race,  there is always another group of riders coming.   Except this time. We rode alone for the next 12  miles. Fortunately Kimberly and Jim S. shared the  pace setting duties and this gave me some respite.   Still, I was shocked that there were not other  groups coming along and I started to get discouraged  - I mean, 12 miles?!. Finally, as we started the  long seven mile downhill on Tangerine we were swept  up in a huge group of maybe 100 riders. We just  camped in the middle of that group all the way down and hardly had to pedal at all - literally. It was  good rest and really lifted our spirits as we were  over 30 mph the entire way.  

Making the southern turn underneath the I-10 we  found ourselves in the back third of the pack. The  front 2/3 surged and we were gapped. I tried to bridge our back third to into contact but could not  make it work. We then worked with about 20 or so  riders for the next four or five miles. I was able  to sit in behind two or three of them and really did  no time at the front. As we reached the last  mountain pass, I continued to talk to Kimberly and  was truly impressed with her strength and her high spirits. This is where she really started to  struggle in '06. She and I climbed together and  came over the top along with Jim S. ahead of the  pack. At the end of the mile and 1/2 down hill, we  turned East on Silverbell. This is always my LEAST  favorite part of the ride. 13 miles slightly  uphill, always into the wind, with REALLY rough  roads. Over the next two miles we were able to form  up with a group of about 12 beleaguered souls. I  knew we were going to be really close to our target  time of 5 hours 30 minutes and that we had to push  hard the last miles. The problem was that we were  moving faster than most of the other groups so they  were no help to us and most of the others in our  group were not cooperating. It fell to me,  Kimberly, Jim S., and another lady rider (in a  Verizon Wireless jersey) to trade off pulling the  group. With about five miles to go on Silverbell I noticed that Jim S. was laboring heavily. I was  glad that he was able to hang on - he had made a  huge effort on the day - but looked to be in the mid  stages of de-hydration. Even though my tail end was  beginning to really smart, I felt a serge of energy  and was able to take long rotations in the front  (two and three minutes) - even to the point that the  group asked that I slow down as I would create a gap  on a couple of occasions. Again I was impressed as  Kimberly continued to share the pulling duties and  the pace did not suffer at all when she was in front.  

Finally we were able to see the Hospital at the end  of Silverbell. That is a welcome sight as it means  there are only about 2.5 miles left - it also means  the road gets smoother! At 1.2 miles to go we  turned left onto Congress. There dead ahead were  the high-rises of Tucson - a full one mile of dead  straight road. I remember commenting to someone  that it was like Emerald City rising at the end of  the yellow brick road. We all picked up the pace as  it was going to be within a minute or two of making  our time goal. I looked about every quarter mile at  my bike computer watching the minutes tick away.   With a hard left on Granada and a sprint to the  finish, Kimberly led me across the line - both of us  timed in 5 hours 28 minutes and 50 seconds for the > 109 miles. Whew! That was close.  

Kimberly was ecstatic with our time. She had  knocked 24 minutes off her '06 time and achieved  Platinum status for the second year running. I will  have to check but I am quite sure she finished in  the top 10% of all lady riders. I was so pleased  that she was so happy. I was really satisfied with > our ride. It was hard AND fun.  

Jim S. came across the line about a minute following  us. I think he felt great about his result and he  should - he was really digging deep and found  something that kept him going. Jim A. led Lorie to  the finish, yet let her come across the line in  front of him - about six minutes following us.   Really an impressive effort for Lorie -- again, she  had just completed an Ironman two weeks prior. She  really has an ability to rally and suffer on. Jim  A. - what a gentleman - what a horse! He has the  personal ability to finish as much a 60 minutes  ahead of us if he were riding for himself. However,  on this day (and on many days) he was all about  everyone else.  

We gathered with many other Brumbys at the finish.   It was great to see so many of our friends fare so  well. Truly, we have some of the best riders in the  state in our little club. Sadly we saw at least  five or six crashes and we stopped counting  ambulances. We were blessed with safety and for  that I am most grateful.  

I can't believe how strong Kimberly has become.   There were times I had a hard time staying with her.  I think her training intensity has increased this  past six months and was especially evident on Oracle  and Silverbell. Further, she has become more  skilled on her bike and this has given her more  confidence to take calculated risks. Finally, she  has come to understand her on board fueling. She  was disciplined in her hydration and her eating.   Again, she had good success with Perpetuem in her  bottles and also Bloks (and Advil) in her bento box.  She and I both benefited from the E-caps  (sodium/electrolytes) to stave off cramping. Of  course, our strategy to arrive early to the start  was key. This allowed us to save about five minutes  at the start line and allowed us to ride longer with  faster/more skilled riders. 

Three years of El Tour for Kimberly - six years for  me. It is amazing how working toward this effort, and then riding the race together seems to bind us  together - I cannot ever imagine riding El Tour  without Kimberly. It is so great to have something  recreational like this that we are both passionate  about. It seems to be good for us mentally,  physically, and emotionally.

Barry Thomas

Rob Verhaaren's LOTOJA 2008 report

2008-09-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

LOTOJA 2008
Rob Verhaaren
Masters 35+, No. 352

Lotoja 2008 was the culmination of my “rookie” year of road biking. I
bought a 2008 Trek Madone 5.2 for my 38th birthday on September 13, 2007. Lotoja
was on September 6, 2008. Lotoja is a 206 mile one-day bike race from Logan, UT
to Jackson Hole, WY encompassing 9,000 vertical feet of climbing over three
mountain passes and some spectacular mountain scenery.
Going into the race, I had ridden 7,500 miles during the year, including 3,900
in the four and one-half months leading up to the race. My training partners were
Dave Collins, a dedicated workhorse, friend and reliable riding partner, and Mike
Norberg, a very experienced and successful rider with an endlessly positive attitude,
who naturally took on the role of team mentor and coach. We also rode the race
with two others from Mesa, Arizona: Rick Frost, a veteran of the race who had won
his Cat 5 group in 2007, and Jim Auwen, an extreme endurance rider known for
rides that seem crazy to mere mortals.
The week of the race, I had my bike checked by my usual mechanic and
specifically asked that the spokes be checked. The bike seemed to be in good riding
condition, shifting smoothly and responsively in the weeks leading up the Lotoja.
[Within the three weeks before the race, I had ridden the Tour of Utah 300 Warriors
event (98 miles and 14,500 vertical feet of climbing from Park City, UT to Snowbird
ski resort) and the Desperado Dual (200 miles and 8,000 vertical feet around the area
of Bryce Canyon/Panguitch, UT ) – without mechanical issues and with the bike
feeling dialed-in.] Nevertheless, I had a sense that my bike was strained. I just
hoped I could get another 206 miles out of it without incident.
The mechanical problems started the night before the race. After taking my
bike off the travel rack, I did a typical pre-race once-over and discovered that my rear
derailleur was not pulling the chain up to the easiest gear in the back. I hustled to the
bike shop for what appeared to be a quick fix. Now I was apprehensive but hopeful I
would get 206 miles out of it. After all, it had been riding well the last few weeks.
Rob, Dave, Mike and Jim at the Start
Our Masters 35+ group was the third group off line at 6:31 am Saturday
morning. The weather looked like it would be perfect.
I was just settling in at mile 30 when a spoke in my back wheel suddenly
broke. I was dismayed that after four months of training my target time was out the
window and I would be riding without my riding partners. It looked like it would be
a long day. Fortunately, I was able to borrow another rider’s cell phone, call ahead
to our support crew at the first Feed Zone and ask that they have a new back wheel
ready for me. To my good fortune, my back wheel held together until I reached the
Feed Zone. I quickly switched the wheel, grabbed my provisions and was back on
the road without losing any time. Wow! Crisis averted! Awesome!
New Wheel
At mile 40, I was still feeling lucky about the wheel when my luck ran out.
As we were starting the first long climb up to Strawberry summit, I heard something
snap, and I suddenly could not shift my back gears. The cable to the back derailleur
had broken, and, without the cable to hold it in place, gravity pulled my rear
derailleur down to the hardest gear.
At first I was not sure what exactly had happened and thought I might be
forced out of the race. For a while I kept up with my group by standing on the
pedals for long periods of time. As the climb got steeper, I was quickly running out
of energy. I realized I was not going to be able to hold my group for the remaining
10 miles of the climb. I told Mike, Dave, Rick and Jim I would see them in Jackson
and dropped off the back.
A guy riding with us, Eric Martin from Draper, UT, asked if I wanted to try
to fix it. We stopped, he tried, but he quickly realized it was not fixable. I was
astounded that Eric would sacrifice his race to stop and help me, a total stranger.
Eric rode away, and I plodded along the best I could.
As I labored up what was supposed to be the easiest climb of the race and
with 160 miles to go, I briefly, but not seriously, thought about abandoning the race.
I started thinking about the next two more difficult climbs and wondered if I would
even be able to turn the crank. But I thought, “Hey, this is just a different adventure.
It will be a story to tell. I won’t get my target time, but I will still enjoy a memorable
experience and feel great at the finish.”
Approaching the top of the climb, I caught Jim. Generously, he offered to
switch bikes with me. I had to chuckle; Jim was something else; he was actually
serious about giving me his bike. At the top of the summit, there was a mechanic. I
stopped, he looked at it, but he could not help me. I kept riding.
On the decent from Strawberry Summit, I tried my front derailleur and shifted
to my large front ring. “Good, at least my front derailleur works. I can ride the
descents and flats on my big front ring and climb with the small front ring. No way
to get out of the hardest ring in the back. OK.” At the bottom of the descent, I was
riding alone in a head wind. I slowed until two guys caught me, a Cat 4 and a Cat 5.
I jumped on. “I can’t believe a Cat 5 has already caught me.” They were strong.
Spent from the climb, I just drafted behind them while they took turns pulling. Soon
a larger group caught us, and there was Jim. I rode in that group with Jim until the
Feed Zone 3 where Bridget was waiting for me. She had learned of my troubles
when my riding partners had gone through, and she felt bad for me. I felt bad she
would spend the day alone since the rest of our support group had gone ahead to stay
with the Mike, Dave, and Rick. I told her everything was good and that I would see
her at the next support stop, Feed Zone 5.
I was in good spirits as we approached the second climb, Geneva Summit.
Jim fell back. I stood on the pedals as long as I could, then kept plodding in the
saddle to the top. Over Geneva. “Hey, I did it.” One more climb to go.
I was nervous approaching the climb to Salt River Summit, the toughest of
the climbs. I kept a positive attitude by telling myself that it was steep but that it
would not take long to get to the top. As the climb started, I alternated standing on
the pedals and sitting in the saddle. I was barely able to turn the crank even while
standing, and I was being passed by lots of riders. A few more Cat 5’s were passing
now. “Crap.” One asked, “Why are you in that gear?” I responded, “It is the only
one I have. My derailleur is broken.” – This was a conversation I would have with
numerous riders along the way. People said they could not believe what I was
doing.
To keep my mind occupied up the climb, I was counting how many pedal
strokes I was taking. At the sign marking 1 Km to the summit, I started counting
strokes – 650 to the Summit. Lots of people cheering at the top. I looked around for
anyone from our support group. No one there. Then someone said, “Hey, Rob.” It
was Eric, the guy who stopped to help me back on Strawberry. It was good to have a
friendly, familiar person with me.
We started picking up speed on the decent. I felt ecstatic to be over the climbs
and still in the race. I was taking turns pulling. Our group kept getting bigger as
strong riders came from behind and as we caught and swept up groups in front of us.
The pace was fast, faster than I wanted. My legs were spent from the climbs. If I
rode in the small front ring, I spun too fast and could not keep up. If I rode in the big
front ring, I was pushing too big a gear and draining my energy. I felt weary and
started stuffing my face with the food I had with me. I started to feel better. I was
running low on fluid and fuel as we approached Feed Zone 5. I was looking forward
to seeing Bridget and getting the menu of food and fluid items I had planned for that
stop.
Feed Zone 5 was the usual chaos with riders searching for their support
crews and support crews running out in the road to get to their riders. I did not see
Bridget and stopped and called out her name a few times. My fast riders were
leaving. No refuel. Bridget would worry about me. [I learned later that she had
gone to ask the Ham Radio Operators to locate me.] If I waited for her, how long
would I wait? I chased after my fast riders. “No fuel. I still have a little left. Only
30ish miles to the next Feed Zone. I can ration and make it. I can get neutral
support at Feed Zone 6. An adventure. I am going to enjoy it.” The group
continued at a solid pace as I nursed my remaining provisions.
On the way to Feed Zone 6, a suburban came by with a woman sticking her
head out the window. She was yelling my name. It was Ruth Collins, Dave’s wife.
I waved. “I’ve been found! I am sure they will call Bridget and tell her where I am.
I hope they will wait for me at the Feed Zone. I am sure they will.” My spirits were
lifted, and I continued on. Then I saw a group of riders stopped on the side of the
road ahead. “What is that about.” I spotted an Arizona Brumby jersey. “It’s Rick!
Hey, there is Dave! And Mike, taking a pee.” I could not believe I caught them. I
felt a huge sense of relief and exhilaration. I yelled at them as I went by. They yelled
back and cheered.
I reached the Feed Zone just before Mike, Dave, and Rick. Someone from
the crowd called my name. It was Ruth and the rest of the crew. I start whooping it
up, yelling “Yeaaaah. WhoooHooo.” I am usually not that animated. I wondered
what they and the rest of the crowd were thinking. They stuffed my pockets with
food and water. Bridget was not there yet but on her way. Dave arrived as I took
off. I pedaled slowly while my riding partners got through the Feed Zone.
After watching my group ride away 110 miles ago, I am now back with my
group for last 45 miles to the finish. “This is amazing.” Then I shift from my big
front ring to the small and throw the chain – “This is unreal!” I hop off the bike and
put the chain back on just as Dave, Mike and Rick catch me. They are calling me an
“Animal” and congratulating me on my perseverance. I am overjoyed but too tired
to know how to respond.
Head winds up the Snake River valley!!? According to the race organizers,
we are supposed to have 20 mph tailwinds! We are losing time. I am getting tired
as we do short rotations at the front. There are a few guys sucking our wheel. I tell
Mike and Dave we should make these guys do some work, and I drop back to make
the other guys take a turn at the front in the wind. I realize we are not going to make
it to the finish in 10 hours at the current pace. I hear Dave asking Mike about the 10
hour mark. I do not hear Mike’s response. Mike is in his usual positive mood,
chatting with everyone in the group and pointing out the scenery. Mike is calling
different guys by the nicknames he has given them, “Mangy Matt”, “Wheel Suck” .
. . “Hey, there is Eric.” He jumps on and rides with us.
Within 5 Km to go, Mike starts congratulating everyone on the ride. I am
thinking, “Please, no more mechanical issues.”
Now, I see the finish line. I hear Dave say he is going to let me go across
first. I wave Mike and Dave up along side me, and we call Rick up. Our support
group is there and cheering us by name. The four of us cross together at 10’08”.
I feel great. We talk and laugh in the beautiful afternoon sun with the snow
capped Grande Teton standing next to us. It is a beautiful moment.

If you'd like the article with Rob's photos, let me know.

LOTOJA 2008

2008-09-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

LOTOJA 2008--206 miles--3 states--1 day
(Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
by Jim Auwen

Alright, where to start my 2008 LOTOJA experience? The flight over? Thursday spent looking for my Dutch ancestors at the Geneological Library in SLC? I think I'll begin with my Thursday night spent in Logan.

The Frost family had arrived on Thursday and checked into the Crystal Inn. I had found a room at Best Western and headed over to Pier 49 Pizza for food and a chat with Rick Frost who met me there. Rick and I had each done the previous four Lotoja's and spent the evening chatting about the race and life. Got a good night's sleep that night which I feel is more important than getting a good night's sleep on the night before the race, so that was good for me.

Friday morning was spent riding with my tour guide Rick, around the beautiful town of Logan (Rick and Jill had gone to college there) . We finished a 15 miler and headed over to the race check-in . Long lines this year, and we were there right at the start of check-in. There may have been a lack of volunteers, I don't know, but they reduced the check-in to one line instead of two like last year. Lunch at the Sizzler with Rick and his family, wife Jill, daughters Syndey and Cassidy aka: Casper. I was invited to a pasta place for a dinner get together that night with everyone, but wound up preparing for the race and eating some stew from a can alone in my room.

Race morning arrived sooner and than I wanted, but as I got outside, I felt it was warmer than in other years. Jill agreed to take my cold weather gear in Preston so I was able to wear a vest and arm-warmers and not worry about hauling them around the whole day. Once again I was without a sag this year, this meant no hand-offs, and that I would be stopping at all the aid stations for refills and whatever fuel I might find there. This method works okay for me, you lose time to be sure, but I just take the situation I'm given and try to adapt and enjoy. Ruth Collins and son Jake sagged for Dave, Bridget Verhaaren took care of Rob, Jill and daughters supported Rick, and Darcy Norberg with sister Emily her husband Tyler sagged for Mike.

Rick Frost, Dave Collins, Rob Verhaaren and Mike Norberg were all entered in the same division; Master's 35+. My division (Masters 45+) started six minutes back of theirs. I just figured after the start, I wouldn't see them again, they were all pretty strong riders and though I had put a lot of miles in prior to Lotoja, they weren't training specific miles, I knew I would finish, but a sub-10 hour ride wasn't going happen for me this year.

The Masters 45+ pack as a whole, is typically a fast group of riders and we had caught the Masters 35+ guys before Preston, it was fun to see my good friends again when I hadn't expected it. Got into Preston (the Idaho town made famous by the Napoleon Dynamite movie a few years ago) and then lost contact with the others. I guess I got off faster and pushed on to catch another group. Later on, I would stop to visit the "cat-box" and afterwards found myself back with my friends again. We rode along for awhile before the the steeper climb up Strawberry got to me. I immediately fell back due to the extreme gravitational pull on me in particular. I accept this, I don't ride to train, and I eat with gusto whenever I can. Although Ruth Collins thought I ate like a bird, I really just didn't want the "baggage" on race day.

About a third of the way up the day's first big climb I see Rob and another rider working on Rob's rear derailleur. I stopped to see if I could help but when Rob told me his cable had broke I had given him up for done. I thought he might be able to gut out a 12-13 hour day and that's IF he had the moxie to continue. Boy was I wrong.

Rick, Dave, and Mike rode well and from what I hear had a great time together. I think Dave was happy to finish with a good time in his first Lotoja, Rick didn't feel well at mile 160 but was able to gut it out and finish respectably, and Mike surprisingly met many new and interesting people and was able to practice some social skills he's picked up (I swear Mike's the energizer bunny). Rob though, won the lottery of cycling adversity.

What to do when adversity smacks you on the face? You smack it right back. Rob's situation would have sent 95 percent of those riding, waving for their sag vehicles to pick them up. I loved hearing him say "oh well, this will make for a good story" as he left me. I did read his story (great story and well-written by the way), and I did offer my bike to him, but he had different pedals so that wouldn't work. I just thought I had done this race 4 times already and wanted him to have a chance at a good experience, but then I also thought this guy is already on his way to an epic ride, and wants the challenge, who am I to try and deny him of that?, I appropriately said nothing more.
Rob said it would be nice if I could work with him at the summit because he would probably be exhausted, but he ended up beating me up there! My group caught his before Montpelier and we rode in together. As we left Montpelier, he repeated that it would be nice to ride together after the next two brutal climbs up ahead, but I knew that wouldn't happen. I was slow, and Rob was not only fast, but also desperate to get over those climbs. I wouldn't see Rob again until dinner that night. I was told later, and to my disbelief, that Rob had fought back up to the Brumby group, amazing.

As I rolled into Afton, I thought Rob might be nearby, his good wife Bridget was there and said she hadn't seen him. Did I pass him? Should I wait and try to help? I was kind of in limbo but figured he'd be okay.

While going through the feed zone in Afton, Bridget kindly asked me if I needed anything, I said "no, but I'm dying for a cheeseburger". She said "there's a Burger King just up the street". Let's see, is 10 minutes going to matter to me at the finish? Nope, didn't care, I just wanted a cheeseburger. So I pulled in, went inside, and to the surprise of the people in line (most of whom were affiliated with the race) waited to give my order. People kept coming up to me and asking "aren't you in the race, what are you doing in here"? I said "I wanted a cheeseburger". A few let me in front of them in line and I finally got my two greasy Whoppers with cheese. I sat and ate the first one then stuffed the other in my jersey pocket for later. I ended up losing 23 minutes, but felt like a new man.

As I got back into the race I hooked up with a girl from Jackson Hole and I pulled her for what seemed like 10 miles, she told me she just didn't have much left. I couldn't bring myself to leave her until we came up on a pack of riders she could hang onto. I missed the opportunity during that time with her to jump on some speedy packs that went by, but where's the good in that? I never saw her again.

I think a nice change this year was the detour west before Jackson, we avoided a lot of traffic and the scenery was better. The only other incident that comes to mind was the pothole just before the finish that took out one rider and the cones that another rider knocked over and about took me out. I felt fortunate to finish accident and flat tire free for the entire course.

I finished not knowing how I was going to get back to my rental car in Logan with all my belongings. The thought crossed my mind to ride back somehow but it was getting dark and colder. "Maybe I could find a church to sleep in" I thought, but I wouldn't be able to ride back in time for my flight. I went to a convenience store with the purpose of eating something and then getting a piece of paper to write "Need a ride to Logan" on. I was then going to stand out on the finish exit hold up the sign, and hope for the best. As I made the attempt, I got a text from Jill Frost asking me if I needed a ride. Rick had told me earlier during the ride that "we would figure something out at the finish" and he was good to his word.

Once again as last year, the Frost's saved me. I told them I felt like Bob Wiley in the "What about Bob" movie. They picked me up, took me to their little cabin in Jackson, had me shower (I was able to do that on my own), and wear a full set of Rick's clothes (even his garments). I had to use a bungy cord for a belt (which the Collin's and airport security in SLC thought was pretty funny) to keep my shorts up, but most everything else fit. Jill bought me a tooth brush and I was set. They even had me sleep on their pull-out sofa bed, in the same room. I wanted to sleep in their truck that night to give us both some privacy but Jill wouldn't even hear of it.

We ate dinner with the whole group at the Mangy Moose there at Teton Village that evening. The service was slow but that's was to be expected with the huge Lotoja crowd in there. Good food and conversation with great people. BTW, Dave, you're awesome!

Restless night, got up at 6am to the sound of the Frost's dog wanting out of the bathroom. Rick and I went to hunt up some breakfast. Ate later in the cabin with the family, met with the others to load up the bikes, hit the awards (Jill's sister took 2nd in her group), then headed back to Logan with the Frost's.

So, for me, the story of this years' Lotoja boiled down to the following two experiences. Rob's epic struggle to overcome adversity but also his achievement to not only finish, but to fight back up to his group was huge. And secondly, the kindness and concern for me shown by the Frost family was about as Christ-like as you can get, I thank them yet again.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the time Bridget was carrying a bunch of luggage in through the side door of the hotel and the door slipped and whacked her on the head...she didn't like that.

Life is good

300 Warriors 2008--Park City, Utah

2008-09-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

2008--300 Warriors charity ride account.

My approach and viewpoint of the 300 Warrior's charity ride was I'm sure different to most other riders, I actually ended up riding for fun.

It didn't begin that way, I was pushing it up the hills towards Kamas and past Francis along with all the other Brumbii but just before the descent towards Midway I noticed something, I wasn't having much fun and I was missing the scenery. I distinctly remember looking over and seeing a beautiful home next to a river and trees and thinking "I'm done with the grind" I couldn't remember any of the scenery we had passed and I just wanted to enjoy it more than I was. I went through the same thing at LOTOJA two years ago and I loved relaxing then as well. So, off the back, and over to the side of the road I went to change out of some clothes.

After changing, I started off and along comes Bryce Cook, Todd Taylor, and Todd's friend/neighbor. It seems they had taken a wrong turn and were delayed 10 to 15 minutes or so. Bryce looked awful, kinda like the guy in "Escape from Alcatraz" who waited too long to commit to go and couldn't get up through the vent hole in the ceiling by himself to escape.

I jumped into their effort to get back in it and did what I could to help. I think we worked pretty well down past the 40 and through Midway to the reservoir. I like to think we prevented any loss of ground to the leaders. Bryce told me he caught Joe Susco and Travis Walden (among others) at around mile 75-80, that must've been a HUGE effort. Doesn't matter how he finished, that run-down was a testament to Bryce's biking strength and gritty determination.

Didn't really know who Todd Taylor was, still don't know him well, but we rode along for much of the Alpine Loop and down to the base of Suncrest (that's funny, "the base" like it's in Nepal). I can't even recall too much about Todd, but I remember I liked riding with him and that he seemed like decent fellow, I was glad to meet him. They pulled off at the start of Suncrest and then passed me later further up never to be seen by me again. It was here that Lori Tucker and Dave Funk's sister Julie (and kids) pulled over and thoughtfully gave me a Gatorade from her VW Thing.

Alright, back to me. After Todd pulled off I just rode alone, not getting much out of the experience. I thought I'd rather be riding with friends and maybe I could help someone along. I remembered that I had passed the Thomas's going down American Canyon and thought it would nice to ride with my good friends again. So, I waited a while higher up on Suncrest for them and jumped in with them after a tearful reunion. We ended up staying together to the finish.

I enjoyed going down the backside of Suncrest, I love big gravity-assisted speed. Got down to the bottom and waited again for the Thomas's. Kim is, how shall I put this?--a cautious rider when descending. She does well though on a descent like Suncrest that has less curves, so I didn't have to wait too long.

We continued to work together, and I believe we were having a great time until we hit the climb up to Snowbird. From what I hear, most riders had some type of difficulty with this last climb and we were no different. Barry started dealing with some cramping issues, and Kim was having to dig way down deep to her core. We worked well together and through all the adversity came through to the finish amid the cheers of strangers and friends. No need for specifics here, It was just great to see Kim finish after all I saw her go through, her effort that day was no less impressive than Bryce's.

A little snack at the finish, watched the Pro's finish their stage, and back to Park City we went. Kyle and I missed the Brumby dinner that night, but absolutely stuffed ourselves at Bajio's.

I debated whether or not to fly home, or drive home with the Thomas's, Bub Matthews, and Dave Funk. I chose the latter and was glad I did, not only did I save $200, but I got to travel with some good friends and great conversation.

Jim Auwen

Solo Ride to Utah

2008-08-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

Been a while, thought I'd post a story of a recent bike trip up to Utah. The trip was just over 650 miles and took 5 days.

Bike Trip to Utah-- August 2008

I don't know what led me to decide to ride to Utah prior to riding in the 300 Warriors charity ride, I only know it was impulsive and certain. A personal challenge to be sure, but I felt it was within me and that I could complete the ride to Utah with a little left over to give to the 300 Warrior's Charity ride prior to the 4th Stage of the Tour of Utah.

My thought was to ride up to American Fork, Utah, to my old friend Gary Parke's house. I would carry all essentials and buy food and water along the way to replace an average daily consumption of what turned out to be 7000-8000 calories. Kyle Jorgensen would then pick me up from there and take us to Park City for the ride.

I had trouble in my bike set-up and thought I was good to go. I had attached a seat post mounted rack that my panniers could attach to. That was not so good as I would discover the morning I left. As I mounted the bike and began pedaling to leave, the bike just wobbled through the frame. Too much weight and placed too high on the bike I surmised. There went two days of planning and preparation. I quickly (with Meri's help) removed the pannier set-up and placed everything into the largest Camelbak I've ever seen, the H.O.S.S. I had to leave a few things, including the bladder, but got most of what I thought I'd need into it.

It's strange taking off alone, I thought I would need to rely on my ipod but I never used it that first day, I guess I had a lot to think about. So I rode and rode, and it got hotter and windier. In fact it was pretty warm from the time I left. I didn't get off until 7:30ish due to the luggage exchange situation. Even my prayer wasn't until about an hour into the ride. It's kinda fun to pray out loud by yourself, if someone does see you, they just think you're singing, or crazy.

I was hungry by Cordes Junction and stopped into Subway. I was sitting there eating and being entertained by overhearing three men talk about how they were going to convert the world to Christ. I admired their enthusiasm, but they were so serious, almost fanatical in their comments. It got uncomfortable when they realized they were being overheard so I moved on, secure in my religion.

Pulled into Sonic after Camp Verde, and just got fluid and a candy bar. Ahh... eating whatever I want, whenever I want, and it was all so legal.

Continuing on, I found a wallet with $50, Mexican national cards, and credit cards in it, off the side of the road. I immediately felt bad for the person who lost it. When I got to Jeff's in Flagstaff that night, we tracked down the employer of the person and agreed to mail him the wallet which Jeff kindly did the following morning. Good Deeds "done dirt cheap" I thought, "I will look to do a good deed everyday I'm out here" I told myself.

It stayed hot and windy until I crested onto the rim. The thought "the higher in elevation I get, the cooler it will be", didn't turn out to be true. At that point, the heavens opened up and decided to drench me, it rained for the next 20 miles. I was able to dry by the time I reached north Flagstaff and ate once more at Subway before pulling into Meri's brother's place for the night. His name is Jeff Martin and he is the LDS institute director at NAU. Had good conversation with him and his good wife Pam before heading off to sleep.

The next day's plans had changed a bit because Jeff had put me in contact with the LDS seminary teacher in Page and he enthusiastically agreed to take me in that night. I had planned on going through the Lee's Ferry/Jacob Lake way and camping off the side of the road, but sleeping in a bed in Page didn't seem so bad. I was even promised a nice dinner. I was a little nervous, I had never met Danny and Angela Ricks and I didn't know what to expect, but from the moment I met these two, I was glad I did.

The day to Page was just as I had expected, hot and windy. The wind wasn't a direct headwind, but just about. I believe the temp was over 100, at least it felt as much. But, I plod along stopping at The Gap and Cameron for replenishment along the way. LAter that day, I see a native on the reservation who was stumbling along. He looked to be drunk from his gait and my first impulse was to ride around him and not look back, probably a common reaction from most people, but I was in search of a worthy good deed victim and there didn't seem to be many possibilities out there. So, I pulled up next to him and asked him if he was okay and if he needed anything. He looked at me with desperate eyes and said "I'm dying of thirst, please help me". I hurriedly gave him a water bottle. He politely took off the top so as not to contaminate the spout, took a drink, and handed it back to me, not wanting to take too much. I was touched that he was so considerate in his state. I insisted he have more and he drank until he was full. I was worried about making it to the next stop on so little water myself but I felt I would be okay. He thanked me for saving him over and over, and I had to ride on before I was thanked to death. I felt really good about that experience.

By the time I got to the "Cut-out" as the locals call it, or as I call it "the climb up to Page" I was over-heated. I can tolerate a lot of heat abuse but I had been milking the little water I had left after the good deed episode and was now choking on my tongue. I made it up to the overlook where jewelry is sold and was looking for shade and possibly a water handout. While standing in the little shade I could find of an RV, the owner came out and handed me not one, but two ice-cold sodas, Root Beer and a Diet 7-Up. I thanked him profusely and down one in about 5 seconds. My plan was to then find a shade tree about another mile up the road and milk the other one while relaxing. Mission accomplished, found a little tree to sit under, just me, the ants and a Diet 7-up. Just 25 miles of downhill left until Page and the unknown sleepover.

Idaho hospitality awaited me at the Rick's home. Just a solid couple who opened their home to a stranger, a strange stranger no less. They made a barbecue chicken dinner and we had a great time. I was really glad to get to know them, very kind and happy people.

3 a.m. the next morning and I'm back on the road. With my light attached I headed towards Kanab and ultimately Panguitch. I left early so as to beat some of the heat and wind that had pestered me the day before. The bonus in that decision was the stars. I know I've been urbanized, but wow the stars were blazing that night, even though I felt rushed to make some distance, I had to stop for awhile to take it all in. I felt overwhelmed at my place in it all. Alone, in the middle of nowhere, standing there with my arms outstretched and feeling alive, that was one of my reasons to do this trip. I could've headed home right then and felt complete, but I do like to cycle ; )

Not much more to report on the road to Kanab, I opened the door for an older woman at the Subway so if nothing better came along that day, that would have to do for my good deed. Downed a Turkey breast and Ham foot long at you guessed it; Subway, filled the bottles, and took off for Panguitch.

You've heard the opening line for stories that go, "I was just riding along and" well this is one of those, only true. I was just riding along enjoying the scenery and doing my thing when a box blows right in front of my bike. This was no puny box as some have made the comment that i've embellished it's size increasingly since the accident, no, this was a large box, one that might've held a small water heater. The gusting winds i'd been lovingly dealing with literally picked it up and set it right in front of my wheel. I braced and hoped for the best. Turns out the killer box didn't fold or move as I plowed into it, it just took me down.

I remember the impact on my head and then nothing until I woke up and saw about ten people standing around me who had enjoyed the show from the comfort of their leather seats, and were now gawking at the aftermath (sorry, that's kinda harsh, I'm sure there was concern for my well-being). I sat up as an EMT was opening his fishing box for ice packs. The people were all talking and I must've been quite a show. I heard one woman tell another that my impact was "vicious" I don't know, I can't remember. The EMT ask me if I wanted an ambulance, I told him "no, let me check myself out first". On self-evaluation I was happy to be able to stand and not notice any fractures. I did have abrasions, swollen knees, right elbow and jaw. But after more checking, no fractures, I was good to go. Until...well, during the one mile drive with the EMT into Hatch, he started asking me some tough questions that I couldn't answer. Such as; "where did you come from" and "where are you going"? It was like waking up from surgery and having to describe it to someone, I had nothing. He wouldn't let me leave until I was able to recall some details so I called Meri and she filled me in on the trip. She also talked to the EMT and had him call my friends in Panguitch to come and pick me up.

Lynn Armstrong was kind enough to come and retrieve me and my bike to Panguitch. I was fed and was able to doctor myself into pretty reasonable shape. The next morning my knee was able to bend enough to make cycling possible, so against Tracy and Lynn's wishes I was off to Manti. Got to Richfield and ate at Ideal Dairy, stuffed myself actually, and was back on the road. My handlebar had been broken during "the assassination attempt", and shifting was jumpy, so I finally had to stop and splint the bar with two sticks and some duct tape and fiddled with the shifting until i could use a few gears reliably. I felt like my bike, busted a little, but workable. I was starting to feel the injuries the most by Salina and thought of staying there, but it was still early and I felt I could bite off another 30 miles to make it to Manti.

Funny thing happened on the way to Manti. I was on one of the last climbs into town when a SUV pulled over in front of me. A woman gets out and approaches me, I just thought she might need some help. When she got to me she asked "are you okay"? I thought "boy, this is a bike-friendly town". She then asked "didn't you see that"? I said "no, I didn't see anything and I couldn't hear anything because I had my ipod going". She said "my Kayak broke off my roof rack and barely missed hitting you".

Okay, what are the odds of that? Plus, what are the odds a killer box gets blown up on the road in front of me at THAT exact moment? I don't know what to make of it, on the one hand I'm okay, on the other, I could've been seriously injured or killed. My brain hurts...

No harm, no foul, so in keeping with the spirit of good deeding, I helped her retrieve and load the Kayak inside her SUV. She thanked me, apologized, and invited me to the lake. Tempted, I declined graciously and went on to get a hotel room in Manti. It was awesome to finally have some privacy and rest. I showered gingerly and walked up the street to Fred's Hamburger place. The meal was good but I goofed up by drinking the two big Diet Cokes, that tactical error kept me wide-eyed and awake late into the night.

The next day, I was feeling better, scabbing -up, and happy about the thought of finishing. As I was approaching Mt Pleasant I saw a sign indicating that a Bike Race was taking place that day. I texted Barry Thomas and tried to find out if the Tour was in the area that day. He confirmed, and I kept an eye out for bogies. As I got into the town I saw a group of people gathered so I figured it involved the race. I wasn't looking for trouble, I was just talking to an older gentleman who was asking about my trip. When it was overheard that I was riding up to do the 300 Warrior's charity ride, a younger man with KJZZ on his shirt pointed his finger in my face and said "don't move, I'll be right back". He returned with a microphone and had his video guy film the interview. We talked for about five minutes, most of which consisted of me down-playing my effort to get up there, maybe that's why I don't believe it ever aired, not enough drama. It was cool to see Mesa local Marty Ryerson driving by in the Ride Clean team car after the Pro's went by. We gave each other a shout out in passing.

The Tour riders had gone on to Milburn and on the way back passed by me going the opposite way. It was fun to watch them go by and cheer them on. Not much else to report about the last day, I just pressed on in solitude. Got into Provo and had another Subway sandwich before the final stretch into American Fork.

Thanks to all who helped me along the way, especially my wife Meri who trusts me enough to allow me these experiences.

Also, If anybody out there ever wants to ride to Utah, let me know, I'm starting to get the hang of it...

Newport Beach

2008-08-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

We spent the week in Newport last week and absolutely loved it. We stayed at the Marriott Resort in Newport, a bit fancy for me, but I survived. Our days were spent at the beach, shopping, eating and just plain relaxing.

I enjoyed the cycling excursions with Kyle, Jim, and the Thomas's. We would work our way around to Laguna Canyon and head down to the PCH, then north back to the resort.

The weather was typically 75 to 80 near the beach. Our A/C went out on the way over and we planned to drive home at night to avoid the heat, that didn't work out because the average temp heading home was 105! No lie, a lot of the trip was at 108. We survived, but that trip home was awful.

The families that were there included: Hatfields, Jorgensens, Thomas's, Wilsons, Connollys, Burks, Matthews, and others not well-known to me.

Good stuff

ARTICLE ON DEATH

2008-07-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

My good friend Sterling Baer sent this to me and I thought it was a great insight about the subject of death by someone going through the process.

Friends and Family, it seems this note may be making the rounds amongst emailers recently, and I am glad that I received it because is worth reading, keeping and sharing it with others and that is why I am sending it to you. I checked it's validity out for myself, it is bonifide and was actually published in "Christianity Today" in July of 2007. It is an outstanding essay which was written by Tony Snow, the former Presidential Press Secretary who recently died. It was posted on their website on 7/20/07 with this preface. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.htmlCommentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23 Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced that the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen—leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30, but resigned August 31 (2007). Snow was asked "what spiritual lessons he had been learning through the ordeal and this was his uplifting and remarkable faith promoting reply. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

'Blessings arrive in unexpected packages -- in my case, cancer. Those of us with potentially fatal diseases -- and there are millions in America today -- find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence 'What It All Means,'Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations. The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the 'why' questions: Why me? Why must people suffer?Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is, a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths began to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect.Our bodies give out. But, despite this -- or because of it -- God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims. You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere. To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life - and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many non-believing hearts - an institution that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away. Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live fully, richly, exuberantly - no matter how their days may be numbered.Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease -- smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see -- but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension -- and yet don't. By His love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.'You Have Been Called'. Picture yourself in a hospital bed. The fog of anesthesia has begun to wear away. A doctor stands at your feet; a loved one holds your hand at the side. 'It's cancer,' the healer announces.The natural reaction is to turn to God and ask him to serve as a cosmic Santa. 'Dear God, make it all go away. Make everything simpler.' But another voice whispers: 'You have been called.' Your quandary has drawn you closer to God, closer to those you love, closer to the issues that matter -- and has dragged into insignificance the banal concerns that occupy our 'normal time.'There's another kind of response, although usually short-lived, an inexplicable shudder of excitement as if a clarifying moment of calamity has swept away everything trivial and tiny, and placed before us the challenge of important questions.The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change. You discover that Christianity is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft. Faith may be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution. The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks, reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies.Think of Paul, traipsing through the known world and contemplating trips to what must have seemed the antipodes (Spain), shaking the dust from his sandals, worrying not about the morrow, but only about the moment.There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue -- for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do.Finally, we can let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the Holy City.From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us, that we acquired purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others.Sickness gets us part way there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence.But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave afflictions often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the burden of two peoples' worries and fears.'Learning How to Live'. Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms, not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live.They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of live. I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer took him away.He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest.Here was an humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He restrained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment.'I'm going to try to beat [this cancer],' he told me several months before he died. 'But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side.'His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity -- filled with life and love we cannot comprehend -- and that one can, in the throes of sickness, point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?When our faith flags, He throws reminders in our way. Think of the prayer warriors in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been on the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it. It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of the Spirit. Somehow you just know: Others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up -- to speak of us!This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing.The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.What is man that Thou are mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us who believe each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place, in the hollow of God's hand.'Tony Snow

LOTOJA 2007 story

2008-07-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

While I'm here I thought I'd toss up my story about the 2007 LOTOJA race. LOTOJA is a 206 miler from Logan Utah to Jackson Hole Wyoming. I love LOTOJA and plan on doing it yearly "till death do us part". Rick Frost and I were the only ones I knew of from Arizona to do the race last year. I did the race solo(no sag) and if it weren't for Rick and his family, I wouldn't have been able to pull it off, they were awesome.

I wanted to go easier than I did that day because I had the HooDoo 500 the very next weekend but got caught up in the racing and didn't preserve myself until later in the race. I was able to finish HooDoo but I believe LOTOJA may have been detrimental to my health.

I can't stop thinking about doing HooDoo again this year but it's the same time line as last year with the races running back-to-back so we'll see. Anyways, here's the brief write-up, take care.

LOTOJA 2007:
Let me start by correcting my result, I finished in 10:57. Not a huge correction from your e-mail, but it's nice to tell people with tongue-in-cheek that Rick and I finished " around 10 hours".
I wasn't going to do this race, the logistics were too stressful with only Rick Frost and myself being entered, and me doing it solo (without a support vehicle). My main problem ( knowing I was going alone and without a sag) was how to get back from Jackson Hole after the finish. I had resigned myself to just finishing and looking for a ride at the finish, or even hitchhiking as Kyle did at Ragbrai this year. Rick came through huge though by asking Jill's father to drive up to Jackson in my car, and he was kind enough to do that for me. I gotta say here that the Frost's were absolutely incredible to help me race, they even drove my bike up and were pretty much my only cheering section.
Weather was perfect at the start, arm warmers maybe. Typical staggered start with the faster groups heading out first, 33 packs in all, around 50 in each pack. I started with the 7th pack and we were flying. We went by the group that started 2nd about 10 miles from Preston. Of course Preston is where it all gets scambled, and it's every rider for themselves. The first big climb at Strawberry Pass is where I started thinking about preserving myself for next week and let some groups go. Overall, I really just wanted to try out the Perpetuem (endurance drink with protein), and not get too pooped for my little race next week.
So, I went easy up the first climb, went down the other side very fast, then got stupid. I came upon three very fast riders, we worked well together and tore it up. We passed most the riders from my original group. We kept pushing until I came to my senses and realized I was just jeopardizing my event next week. At this point I was a bit fried and remorseful about it. One thing that slowed me down was not having a crew to give me stuff. I stopped at the three neutral feed zones to mix the Perpetuem, this took about 5 minutes and I got frustrated watching the sagged riders go by.
I was feeling sick at this point because I believe I had mixed the Perpetuem too thick, and for sure went too hard. I crawled up Snake River Pass ( the steepest part of the race) and rode by myself to Afton. A group caught me after Afton and I was feeling a little better. It was around this time fellow Brumbus Rick pulls up seeking shelter from the head wind. It did get pretty windy along Star Valley, and a paceline was the place to be. We were in the same disorganized pack for awhile but we were slowing him down. He pulled a small group away and off into the sunset. Rick just missed his goal of finishing under ten hours, I think he would have done it, but out of devotion, he waited for his group too much. I heard many a "thank you" after the race from riders in his group thanking him for his long pulls at the front. When I got to Alpine I was feeling sick again not wanting to eat, along with nausea. So, I slowed down to a snail's pace again until the last aid station where I met up with a group that I could stay with and cruised to the finish.

After the race I said my goodbyes to the Frosts and headed down to American Fork where I stayed the rest of the night at a friend's house. Yikes, that was painful in itself.

I'm glad I was able to go up this year and grateful for Rick's family making it possible. One of these years I'll put it together and do better. But, if that never happens, I'll still have fun and enjoy this beautiful race.
Must cry now, Jim

Saturday was good to me

2008-07-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Long time...Had a good ride Saturday. A group of us met at "the corner" at 0500. Let's see, I believe Dave Funk, Gary Raymond, Gary Prahl, Rick Green, Barry Weisman and a few other riders whom I'm embarrassed to say I didn't try to get to know. The unknowns fell off early so the opportunity to chat never presented itself later.

It's funny how I fought to get going that morning, I just didn't feel like getting out. Finally got the socks on, once I can get an article of clothing on i'm good to go. Pulled up half-heartedly with the intent of going a different direction, a shorter distance, and a shorter amount of time. I had my tunes and felt my body was telling me I needed to go easy, boy my body was deceptive that day.

We started riding and I made a quick and firm commitment to go around with the fellas. I would make the best of it, I hadn't been pack riding much lately, especially as fast as these guys go, but I would try and hang on.

We decided on a clockwise Beeline loop. Felt good until about half way up Beeline then Rick Green fell off. I stayed on for about another half mile then decided if I didn't want to blow up completely, I'd better back off and Rick was my excuse, I would just work with him. Barry was off not much longer after myself so the three of us rotated up to the turnoff. Rick and I took off a bit before the others and stayed ahead of the rest until just before the river. We all turned left up Usery. Gary Raymond was struggling a bit and was low on water ( he drank 4 bottles to my 2 by the time we got to the gas station) and needed to replenish. Rick, Barry and another rider went straight on McDowell, The two Garys, Dave and I turn right on Hawes and made our way back for water on Power and McDowel. Afterwards we took off for a front-side Usery loop. Dave and Gary Prahl were the horses this day and did the majority of the pulling.

What started as a weak attempt to ride turned into one of the best rides I had been on in quite a while. I got worked hard and felt good to be able to stay with the pack. It was the hottest day I've ridden in this year, and all of us were sweating profusely. I had a good time and I think we all got what we wanted that day so I was happy I overcame the natural man that morning.

I did see Todd and Amy Kerr while heading up to Usery, they had a flat and my instincts begged me to stop and help but Todd said they were fine so I stayed on the back on the train and continued to get pulled along.

So, good day with good people.

Jason's run and a warm weekend ride

2008-06-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

26.2 mile run for the fun of it? Jason Destories pulled that off last Thursday morning. He wanted to experience that distance as a prelude to an Ironman. Tough to do, especially with no support, so I rode out and left some bottled water in a few places and let him know where. He texted me later and said he made it, nice job Jason. Jason btw, is an 18 year old aspiring cyclist/triathlete with a promising future. He's got the body, heart and mentality to go far. My hope is that he finds a good coach who can help him be his best.

Today a few of us rode about half way to Payson. I didn't think I would be going because my lower back and right a/c joint were flaring up again yesterday, but things settled down during the 3 hours of sleep I had. Sterling had left a cooler with ice and water at the Saguaro Lake turnoff and Reggie Heywood's son was out there along the route with the same, very cool of those two to help out like that, they saved quite a few from dehydration. The temp had to be at least 105 by the time we got home 80 miles later.

John Paul Jones was out and made the distance. He's progressing well and wants to do Desperado Dual in August. He and Kyle were both a little short on food but I'm sure they learned. Kyle even bonked about 10 miles from home but got a little food and Gatorade in him to pull it off. Kim and Barry Thomas were out, Kim rode well and is very impressive to have bitten off and finished a ride strong like that, atta girl Kim.

Sterling struggled for most of the ride with lingering back pain issues. The back is huge in climbing and I don't know how he will be able to complete the 300 warriors ride. I guess he has a few months to work it out.

Reggie was about hit by a car when after losing a chain, decided to try and put it back on in the middle of Bush highway, in the low light of morning and with no tail light. I was waiting for him and saw it all. The car did see him I guess and drove around him. We laughed about it later but that could've been bad.

So, good to get some distance in and with the added bonus of the heat, made for a good day of cycling.

Why We Ride...

2008-06-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Where was I? Oh...coping with earthlife issues. I was off the bike for a while and have returned to my senses. One week off is no problem, a few cobwebs, but you're right back in the game. Two weeks off and the decay begins in earnest. I guess I've learned over the years to try and never go more than two weeks without riding, it's just too brutal to work back into it, especially as I ripen.

When I would find myself in that situation I would have to go through what I call a "purification ride" to get back into the fold. About twenty miles in on such a ride I would find myself in that world between the living and the dead. I would then have to make a decision whether to seek out the light of cycling bliss, or the alternative, doing anything other than cycling.

I guess I've always gone to the light. Even years ago when a large group of my friends defected, and began motocross riding, I stayed true. Yes, and even though a close personal friend recently revealed her disdain for my endurance cycling adventures and in a nutshell said that riding that long and far was "stupid and unhealthy", I choose cycling.

I don't take offense to such remarks, I know she just doesn't understand it all.

I found the following letter an unknown author posted somewhere years ago. I kept it and share it with you now. Take care

Why We Bicycle--

We are people in otherwise responsible positions with predictable lives in which we are used to
guiding events to our will, who now repeatedly subject ourselves to the elements, forces of nature
and hard realities of riding at the edge of the envelope of our abilities, physical powers and
endurance in a chaotic and not really predictable or controllable situation together. There is a
reason. We have found that reason.

We can talk about the activism of the cycling experience: our ancestors for thousands of years
derived their existence from "the hunt" in which they exposed themselves to the rigors and
dangers of the natural, unknown and unpredictable world.

We can talk about worship: the sheer beauty of the natural world in which God speaks to us in the
universal language of sun and day, wind and waterfall, and touches our soul.

We can talk about the physical challenges our bodies were made to meet and are missing in our
daily lives. The opportunity to push oneself beyond ones known powers and skills, and the cleansing
simplicity of maximum effort.

We can talk about energy expenditure: feeling the recoil of our hearts pounding at 180, pumping
20 quarts a minute through our dilated capillaries, our lungs taking in 20 gallons of frosty air and
expelling 20 gallons of vapor a minute, steam rising from our beaded sweaty naked legs into the
frosty air.

We can talk about the simplicity of a single task in our otherwise complicated lives.

We can talk about bonding: in this age, which abounds in lack of trust and honor, we rest
comfortable and sure in the knowledge that no matter what happens to any one person or piece of equipment, we will get through this together and come out together and share whatever
knowledge and skill and material we have to do it, and solve problems together, like a tire iron
and duct tape splint for a dislocated thumb.

We can talk about fear: and meeting it in a direct and simple fashion when the rest of our lives
have indirect and amorphous not really confrontable fears.

We can talk about focus: on the downhill. the absolute necessity to eliminate distractions, mental
diversions and lack of focus in which we normally live our daily lives and focus entirely on what
we are doing.

We can talk about spilling blood and it's cleaning effect of washing us free of the fear of our
mortality and of death that makes us hide from life.

We can talk about the transcendental experience: the inner calm that comes when we have our weight back and loose on the screaming downhill and the bike is everywhere in front of and below us,
our eyes and muscles communicating and adjusting faster than we can think, adapting to the
events that come faster than any conscious mind can respond, and yet we are floating loose and
still and free and calm in the midst of chaos- totally free as we cannot remember ever being free.

It is moments like these that make up the very substance of life itself. But when you talk about
this with your friends, they will look at you a little funny. They will not understand. They will try to
dismiss these experiences, which cannot be surrounded by words, which do not fit words, and
which cannot be understood through words. But nothing can compare to the doing of it, you
just have to do it.

Aubry and Justin torturing Jason during "Spoon Game"

2008-06-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Aubry and Justin talked Jason Destories into playing a Spoon Game, you can figure out the cruel injustice from watching the video. We laughed long and hard that night.

Saturday's group ride

2008-06-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't been to EOP in quite a while. It was the same beautiful scenery, (if you can appreciate the desert like we can) and the same climbing. The difference would have to be the hyperactive couple in the little white car near the start of the climbing. They were furious at the fact some of us cyclists were passing each other. I don't recall any of us actually riding side by side which was their beef, most of us were passing or being passed. Sterling was near the back coping with his spine and trying to calm the couple down but they wouldn't listen. I guess some people have nothing else in their lives but to look for ways to be irritating.

Prior to that the only observation I made was with a rider who was obviously out of place. We all have been there, riding with a group more experienced than ourselves. The problem this fellow had was his lack of knowledge and equipment. He was falling off anyway and I was riding bike patrol so I tried to help him along. He worked hard and seemed appreciative, but I just couldn't remain with him and not follow with the program that I had for myself that morning. Then he flatted. Like a parent I was torn between changing the flat myself or watching him struggle and hoping he would learn by doing. He struggled, didn't get it right, and wasted a CO2 cartridge. By then Bryce and two others came back to help, I took over and fixed it while showing him what he had done wrong. Bryce and the other two pulled us back to the pack but the young rider had fallen off again and we wouldn't see him again. I hope he got back okay and hopefully learned something.

I believe everyone should carry at least two tubes, 2-3 CO2 cartridges with a regulator (or a pump), a quick patch kit, a tire patch (for cuts in the tire), a five dollar bill, a tire bar and a cell phone when out on the bike. All but the cellphone should be in a seat bag and always on the bike. Each of these items have saved my booty many times.

Enough lecturing. The rest of the ride was fun. I gotta say Gary Prahl is riding very well. I'm told he lost 15 pounds and it shows, he's staying right with the better climbers.

On the way out out Sterling suffered and Gary stayed back with him. My nature was to go back as well but Sterling was in capable hands and I felt okay to go on with the group. We met up at the Dash-in with everyone and then headed home together. We took turns pulling and by the time we reached Crismon we had averaged 28 mph. Bryce, Gary Prahl and I believe Gary Raymond turned right to get in some extra miles. I alone followed but I stayed back and fell off not knowing what they were up to. I let them go and turned left on McDowell, and right on Hawes for a little extra mileage of my own. It was hot and I had half a bottle of water left but I decided to "train-the-brain" and turned right on Power for a back-side loop before going home.

I ended up with 92 miles and got in just after 11 a.m. It was good to get out and do some long climbing. I need to stay on it though and plan on doing some EOP repeats from the Elk's Lodge locally, and some Mt Graham climbs out of town.

DURANGO!! a few years ago

2008-05-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

Just browsing through old photos and found this one from a mountain bike "guy trip" we took around 2005? From left to right is: Jim Wilson, Jim Auwen, David Hatfield, Steve Hatfield, Eric MacDonald and Kent Hatfield.

Great trip. Don't remember a lot of detail but I do recall having fun with some of my favorite people. This photo was taken during a postride soak at a hot mineral spring outside of Durango. We had put in a long day on the Hermosa Creek trail, scraped together some available cash as we had just gotten off the trail, and thoroughly enjoyed the hot water. As I recall, David had just taken his arm off from around me then leaned to his left in an attempt to avoid revealing his feelings for me. Kidding, but that water was hot and love was in the air. Also, the bubbles seen around Jim W. and Eric i'm sure were from the circulating water, there's no other explanation.

The next day we went up to Telluride and spent a couple of days riding the trails up there. Beautiful country, great town, but most of the trails were either climbing or descending and not much in-between.

Just a nice getaway with great friends, to two of my favorite places, that I would do again in a heartbeat.

You never know...

2008-05-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

There are many uncertainties in life, how long it will be each for of us, who will stay our friends throughout, a solid concensus on where to eat out before going on a group date, etc. Another is how we will feel or, perform on a bike ride or race.

You could eat organic food for a week and in the proper quantities, get at least 9 hours of sleep nightly, and taper to perfection... it just doesn't seem to matter. One race you'll podium, the next, while doing the exact same preparation, you bomb.

I was talking to Barry Thomas about the topic this morning because although we were only on a group ride, he felt physically overwhelmed after hanging with the lead riders up Little Kong. I knew I would peel off early, that climb and I don't get along very well, and I had still been recovering from Monday so this was my expectation for myself. What I didn't expect was to find Barry so hammered. It could have been anyone of us though, not to pick on Barry but I know we can all relate.

Anyways, be it chemical, mental, biorhythms, whatever, I think we just have to go out and enjoy the moment. If were having fun, helping others, and enjoying our friendships nothing else matters.

Kong for breakfast...

2008-05-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Had a pretty good morning. Started off with the group ride then turned right at McDowell with Don Evans while the group went left to hit Gilbert. Don't know why, probably one of my little voices. I guess I just wanted to do my own thang. Don and I talked for a while, then we parted ways at Recker where he went straight.

Thought maybe I'd head out to Kong and do some repeats. Ya know how when you go to see a movie and eat popcorn continuously? You may be stuffed, your hand is cramped and your jaw is pooped but there you are still shoving corn in your face. That's the mentality I had this morning on Kong. "Just a few repeats" I said to myself. "Just a few more" I said after the 20th, "I can tie my personal record of 25". Anyways, I ended up doing 40 of those suckers. Didn't kill myself but worked on my mechanics with a fast spin, and strength with a slower more forceful spin on alternating laps. One down and up is 1.5 miles with the turnaround at the Granite Reef park exit. Exercise time was 6 hours and averaged just 13 mph for the day.

Saw a lot of riders out, pulled up to one fellow and we chatted. As we rode up, he told me "you're riding pretty strong", I just smiled and said "thanks, you too" (I was on #37 and never told him my dirty little secret).

Welcome my friends

2008-05-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Yikes, just went public. welcome if you received an email. To the 300 Warriors, Taylor and I be going over to Mount Graham (Safford) occasionally for some extended climbing If you have interest. Rick Frost, Eric Macdonald and I went there a few years ago and i'm sure they can testify of the benefit. Mount Graham is where the state road climbing championship is held. I believe it is something like 5800 ft. in 20 miles. Few cars and nice weather, just a lot of up. It's 150 miles east of Mesa, about a 2.5 hour drive. So, let me know...

Mountain Bike Race Series follow-up letter

2008-05-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a follow-up letter written by John Camoriano and forwarded by Sterling to all the Brumbys. John, along with the other competitors in the series this year were just good people. I felt like I was just getting to know them, and then it was all over. Robert Gooch was another nice guy I got to know, he's from Flagstaff and he and his family are just real friendly.

It's easy to say I had a good season with the outcome I had, but I really believe it was fun and succcessful regardless of where I finished. Thanks for the kind words John, we'll start it back up in 6 months or so.

Dear Sterling,

Here is my version. I have finally broken my silence as a "lurker" on the Brumby's web page. Jim Auwen not only is an awesome rider but he is not a half-bad writer so competition aside, let me see if my pen can match his. I have attached a podium photo of Jim and I shaking hands.

It does me good to know that I was in Jim's thoughts these last 5 months at least as often as he was in mine. Having a worthy opponent that keeps you on your toes is a great part of racing. If you ever have such luck as Jim and I did to go back and forth like we did then good for you... it spices things up.

The stats before our final Flagstaff race:
Race 1 Mcdowell: Jim 1st place John 3rd place
Race 2 White Tanks: John 1st place Jim: 2nd place
Race 3 Estrella: John 1st place John: 2nd place
Race 4 Sonoita: Jim 1st place John: Did NOT attend
Race 5 Nova Nat John 2nd place Jim: 3rd place (this race worth 1 and 1/2 times)
Race 6 Prescott Jim 1st place John; Mt biking in Argentina. Did not attend

So as we headed into our final race Jim had beaten me once and I had beaten him 3 times BUT he had shown up to more races than I had and won those handily. In my second place finish over Jim's 3rd place finish at NOVA we both got beat by an outsider who was visiting from California and I got an advantage of a boost of points over Jim because that race was worth 1.5 times the normal race points. In the MBAA they drop your worst 2 races so after that exercise we were very close. Bottom line: we were entering the final Flagstaff race with his 338 points to my 336 points; virtually a dead heat.

Then I got beat.

Jim and I sat chatting at the starting line like amicable non-competitors and as if nothing was going on between us and then we noticed a mass of humanity ahead of us starting. It was like cattle starting a rolling stampede. No one heard them even say "go".

The old farts like Jim and I (50+ category) are always stuck in the back cuz they figure we will not run over people back there cuz we are too old. Problem is that they do not know how fast old man jim is. His technique is to blast to the front and then pick off riders of younger vintage like a turkey hunter picking off birds from the flock. My technique is to follow Jim and lick up his scraps then pass him when he makes the slightest error.

I never saw Jim after the first 5 minutes.

I am still trying to analyze the entire loss. He and I had the same peculiar "false start" and the same mass of humanity on the most technical terrain that Mt Eldon has to offer. We both sucked the thin air of Flagstaff whilst local talent that lives there beat us both (A roadie named Koss came in 1st, Jim 2nd and Robert Gooch, a Flagstaff native came in 3rd right behind Jim). We had a lot of similarites to suffer through.

The differences. He has a 29 inch bike and I a 26 inch bike. I am still wondering if it is time to move up the the big wheels. He is at least 6 ft 2 and I am 5 ft 10. He has bigger legs but I am lighter. I have only been racing 2 years and last year I was a mere beginner with minimal racing experience whereas Jim is seasoned and clever like a ... well like a wild mustang, (a Brumby?). I learned on the final race for example that when you follow too close on a technical course that if the guys in front have to stop then you do too. If you stop too long then a train of people come riding past you like a Macy's parade because they did NOT follow too close and could ride by what you had to stop for. That cost me dearly in this race.

At least 20 minutes into the race my rear tire began to rub the frame and the big nobs on my Nevegal tire sounded like a chain saw. I was afraid I would be pulled over by a ranger for cutting wood. This needless to say was a drag and drain on my speed and I slipped from 3rd to 4th to my final spot as a podium prop at 5th place. I think it is a broken axle... still waiting for the post-mortem from the shop. Jim had similar bike problems on at least 2 of the races that I beat him at.

My cumulative points allowed me enough cushion to stay in second place for the point series but Jim got the well-deserved 1st place in the Sport Category for the 50+ guys.

Jim is right. To pursue a point series is a huge investment and sacrifice. It is hard to make all of the races first off. Fixing, improving and keeping your bike running after the beating that Arizona off road courses have is a drain on finances. My wife, Jennifer, who took 1st place in the Sport category for women 19 to 39 races with me each race and we have 7 kids between us and 2 full time jobs so we often fought over who got to work out each day. (Obviously she won most of those arguments)

But you know, at the end of the season, come win or come lose, if you can say that you raced with integrity, if you did your best and followed your bliss (your sport of choice) and if you have learned a thing or two and met new people in the process then you have become a better person. It was worth it. I was proud to share the podium with Jim and look forward to the next race we are in so we can finally have a tie-breaker.

Now that it is the off-season, if any of you Brumby's want to hook up for some off-road riding (including you Jim) then give us a call.

John Camoriano

Feeling better...

2008-05-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Another day off work and on the mend from the series. I did feel well enough to go on the group ride for a spin. Wore my new cycling gloves, padded ones. I've always gone unpadded, it just felt better. After the 500 last year the nerves in my hands are more sensitive. I had numb fingers for months and now they get that way quicker. I'm hoping the new gloves will remedy. I'll have to go on a century first before I know. Padded gloves, one more weapon in the fight against the adverse effects of endurance cycling.

Mountain Bike Racing 2008

2008-05-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Brief summary of this year's MTB racing experience...

2008 Mountain Bike Association of Arizona race series recap.

To commit or not to commit, that is the question I pose to myself every year. To do this series requir

es a great deal of commitment of time, money, and physical abuse. I love mountain bike racing, but I also love many other activities in my life as well so it's a tough decision.

Thought I'd go out to the first race in January at McDowell mountain park and see how I'd do with zero training. Somehow it all came together and I won that race. Kinda surprised me, I guess I just felt good that day. In my case, it was a rare thing to stand atop of the podium. I had placed top 5 many times in 10 years of racing the series, but I had only won 1 race and that was when the strongest rider in my class was probably having an off-day.

The next race was at Whitetanks in west Phoenix, a good course for me usually but I had been sick the entire previous week and only felt good enough to race the day before. I was frustrated by my lack of fight and a chain that wouldn't stay put, but luckily finished second at about 4 minutes back. Some of the problem that day was my choice of bike set-up. I had ridden my Niner with a rigid carbon fiber fork and done pretty well at McDowell, but Whitetanks is a bit rougher and I got jostled pretty good.

The Estrella course was by far the roughest, most technical course in the series. For me personally, it's just not fun, just a rocky beast that never lets you relax. I could get by on my rigid Niner but I would definitely be slow and slow is not good. So, Kent Hatfield lent me his Santa Cruz Blur full-suspension bike. I felt better physically than the previous race and the full suspension was huge. I led for a lot of the race but while trying to pass a slower rider, I went down hard. I was cut and bruised and mad, a rider had cut me off and hit my front wheel. I gathered myself, jumped back on and took off. Then as I heading down the next wash discovered that I had no rear brake. I tried to get my weight back and brake with the front but it was too late, I took flight. I tried to repair the thing but I was also losing time to the other riders so I kept going. By the time I got back to the start I was done, I'd gone down too many times. I'd never quit a race before but if I had to go around that Technical loop again without the rear brake I felt I would surely break a bone. I was letting the race people know I wouldn't be going back out when the REI mechanic came over and after a few minutes fixed the problem. By then I had resigned myself to being done so it was highly difficult to go back out and mix it up again. But, I took off, re-passed a few riders in my group and better yet, finished alive. I felt very fortunate to end up 3rd.

My main competitor through the series was John Camoriano, he lives in Lehi and I understand is on the Brumby list of riders. He was sick for the next race south of Tucson at Gardner Canyon and it was a bit of a let-down for me. I liked the course though, tall grass, some steep climbs and fast roads when the wind was at your back (going out we had a pace-line going because of the fierce head wind). I felt good that day and took a hollow 1st place.

It was just after Tucson that I went with Kyle Jorgensen and Jim Wilson to a McDowell training ride and experienced the low point of the season, a brutal crash that (without whining too much) left me banged-up pretty good with the next race right around the corner. In fact, I'm still having physical issues from that lovely experience as I write this.

Nova National at McDowell was like home court to me, I had won the first race here and I knew every inch of it from years of using it. It's a fast course and I like to think the roadie in me is a benefit there. Nova National is a national race with pro riders from all over the country coming to admire the cactus and good weather. I signed up for the Sport series which consisted of an off-road downhill time trial on Friday afternoon and the mountain bike race on Saturday morning. I won the time trial but it used me up somewhat and I felt like I might've ruined my chances for the next morning.

The next morning I was tired but still felt confident. John was there and I really wanted to do well, I had to do well, we were all fighting for points and it was close in the series. Had a good start, left most of the field early on and kept changing leads with a non-series racer. I felt I had it going well then disaster...flat tire, I was in denial but the reality was I had to get it changed fast. I had just got the valve out when John rolled by. I was drifting around in that area between desperation and surrender. I chose desperation, finished the repair and put the hammer down. No good, finished 3rd and was starting to despair about my chances for the overall but I was committed though my last hope to stay close was a good showing in Prescott. On a good note, I did take the overall for the Nova series for my group.

I didn't pre-ride this course, never could find the time. Thought I'd just go up with Meri and be together. Kind of a fun course, lots of ups and downs, no big climbs or long downhills, just dusty fun. Took a left instead of a right after the start and found myself alone off course. Back tracked about 100 yards and found the right trail. Not to panic, just be patient and reel 'em in I thought. That's just what happened, got a feel for the course after the first lap then pushed on the next two. I finished 1st again but John didn't show. He told me later he was down in Patagonia (South America) at the time.

The finals this year were in Flagstaff, I'd ridden some of the course but not the portion named "Rocky Ridge". Went up to pre-ride after work one day and learned why it's named as such; rocks-o-plenty, definitely not for the rigid bike, so I stepped up and put a Fox up front. I'm sure it helped but I wasn't used to it, and it seemed like it was bucking me quite a bit during the race. The final point totals going into the finals had me ahead by just 2 points. So, the rider who finished ahead of the other would win the series and that coveted jersey.

Weird start for the finals this year, they sent us off in big groups of approximately 60-70 riders. This was not something we expected or were used to and it reared it's ugly head when the road narrowed abruptly to single-track. I knew the consequences of not getting out front, found a nice opening, red-lined my heart rate, and passed quite a few riders before the narrowing, so I was able to ride nearly all of that first section. I was fried but found myself near the front. I heard many stories of those caught up in the back and having to march along for quite a ways. Much frustration.

By the time I hit Rocky Ridge I was gasping, the altitude was not friendly on my body and I was all over the place. I let one faster rider go by me, tried to get back on track, but couldn't unclick and fell down the slope off the trail, thought I broke my knee at first but it was just a rash. I never did recover from that and kept having handling issues until I got to some smoother trails. Felt good on the climb out and back down Dogfood andShultz Creek trails although I did go left about 50 yards on Pipeline road before I discovered another wrong turn mishap. That mishap gave me an adrenaline surge and I felt I climbed possessed up Mt Elden Lookout road to the final descent on Lower Oldham. Walked up the last technical uphill climb of about 30 yards, then with the help of a stiff tailwind flew across the line. Didn't know how I finished until later when results came up. I ended up 2nd (behind a non-series racer) for the race and subsequently 1st overall in the series as John finished around 6th. He told me at the awards that his tire had been rubbing the frame. That's what's good AND bad about a series like this, you never know what's going to happen from race to race.

Grant and Colton Taylor did awesome, they did all the races but one and each finished second overall in their respective groups. Husband and wife team Camoriano did well also with John taking second overall and Jennifer winning her classification. Lance Runyan, Kam Reedy, and Kyle Reedy tore up the Semi-pro class and finished in that order in the final point standings. Not sure how they finished overall but they must've been right there.

So that's about it, a roller coaster to be sure, but lots of fun. This year I learned to have more patience and got to meet some great people.

Jim Auwen May 18th 2008

Welcome to my little corner of earth life.

2008-05-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Hello,

First blog. A big welcome to myself if no one else should read this.

Jim