The van has become my comfortable kennel this summer. It has everything I need to race enduro, train for self-supported bikepacking adventures and to travel near and far.
Its no secret that I'm moving to the Inland Northwest, AKA Spokane, Washington. I may or may not be ready to leave Colorado (depending on what kind of a day you catch me on). Either way, I've loved living here for the past (almost) decade. Its been real. And before I go, I wanted a last hurrah. So I have committed myself to the CTR (Colorado Trail Race), 539 miles and 70K feet of pushing/pedaling myself across the state as fast as I can.
Read more about why I'm doing this and about the fundraising I'm doing here and give a donation to The Check-In Foundation if you're so inspired.
The race starts in 5 days. Lot's of friends have been asking me if I feel ready. Here's a version of my standard answer: I feel like I was born to compete in the CTR, and I also feel like this is the sort of thing that no one is ever really ready for.
This is an update on training, which has very much been a mental as well as a physical endeavor.
If you wish to follow my (slow and steady) progress starting next Sunday, July 29th at 6am, you can follow my dot on this website.
Read more about why I'm doing this and about the fundraising I'm doing here and give a donation to The Check-In Foundation if you're so inspired.
The race starts in 5 days. Lot's of friends have been asking me if I feel ready. Here's a version of my standard answer: I feel like I was born to compete in the CTR, and I also feel like this is the sort of thing that no one is ever really ready for.
This is an update on training, which has very much been a mental as well as a physical endeavor.
If you wish to follow my (slow and steady) progress starting next Sunday, July 29th at 6am, you can follow my dot on this website.
Setting off from Loma, feeling strong at the start of the Kokopelli trail My first overnight bikepacking trip was somewhat rushed between selling our house in Frisco and moving our last van load to Spokane and racing my first Scott enduro cup of the season. And it resulted in a brief disaster. I attempted to do the Kokopelli trail from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah by myself just before the Moab Scott Enduro Cup. I got off to a great start, but I forgot to pack a few little things (like fuel for my stove). I had heard from a friend that the usual water refill spot at Westwater had been capped, so I would need to stash water along the route. Due to a lot of driving to deposit some water jugs, I got a late start (like 2pm). I still managed to knock out 40 miles in some pretty high temperatures before nightfall. I have never done well in the heat, and by early evening, I was battling a migraine. I collapsed at my water cache in Westwater around 9:20pm and promptly emptied my stomach of everything I had eaten over the previous 7 hours (which wasn't much). I spent the night shivering in my bivy, and woke up feeling hung-over. As soon as my eyes glimpsed the sun on the horizon, I knew I had to call it. Thus began my foray into the world of bikepacking.
I tried to see this as a success as it was a learning experience and my first overnight. But I honestly felt like a failure and I decided to lower my expectations and to have a successful next mission.
I tried to see this as a success as it was a learning experience and my first overnight. But I honestly felt like a failure and I decided to lower my expectations and to have a successful next mission.
Aftermath of first overnight. *Warning: Actual emesis may be visible in this photo.
Training montage / photo epic
After I had recovered from my attempt at Koko on a lighter rig to knock out 50 miles in the heat near Fruita. Felt a lot better and was happy that I was making some sort of progress.
My first "bikepacking" ride on the CT. I did the first two segments of the trail, which starts just outside of Denver- about 40 miles, with enough gear to spend the night on the trail.
An overnight in the high desert outside of Buena Vista, Colorado in between enduro races. It was quite pleasant and I loved the new ultralight tarp set up on a dry night with no chance of rain.
In between learning about bikepacking, racing enduro and occasional skills coaching I have made it home to Spokane a few times. Matt has built us a lovely home gym and I look forward to using it more in the future.
This is 40 miles in on a hard 50 mile day. The CTR is a "self-supported" race, but racers are allowed to resupply at gas stations and grocery stores along the route. I figured I might as well get used to eating what would be available to me.
I took this selfie about 15 minutes before a very hard downpour soaked the earth all around my shelter. The rivulets that were running off the tarp started to enter my tiny dry space and I had to act fast to create a rock and earth dam to keep the water out. It worked, but I slept somewhat nervously.
I have not ridden a segment yet that didn't give me breathtaking views to take my mind off all that pedaling.
There are numerous sections of the trail that are not rideable. I'm getting well acquainted with pushing my bike.
I had just crossed over the saddle in the background about 30 minutes before I took this picture. For the next 4-5 hours, there was thunder and lightning overhead and I had to get creative to find a safe route back to the van. During the race, lightning is likely to be a frequent adversary.
I have a water filter and I'll also be carrying tablets to purify water. But when I'm above about 12,000 feet, I am pretty close to the source and I will occasionally forgo any attempts to make the water cleaner than it already is.
I hope to be back in this spot very soon. The high point of the CTR is not too far from Durango and the finish of the race. This will be a very welcome sight, come go time.
Honestly, my summer got off to a rather rough start. I was riding an emotional roller coaster and I struggled with moments of self doubt and then great joy while out doing what I love. Add to that intermittent loneliness and a sense of bitter sweet belonging as I gradually say good bye to Colorado and the amazing community that lives here. As the summer has gone on and my training has progressed I feel like my mental game has become much stronger and I hope I am ready to do this thing. My main goal is to finish in Durango in one piece. Wish me luck.
