tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36265885865944531252024-03-13T06:59:12.193-07:00cycleskiemetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-25909655379373628992021-09-19T16:56:00.003-07:002021-09-19T16:59:21.442-07:00LOTOJA 2021 - 4th place M65<p>Since 2003, I've blocked out the first Saturday after Labor Day for LoToJa, a 200+ mile bike race from Logan To Jackson. This year I completed my 15th edition of the race. Over the span of 19 races, I've missed two with injuries (2012 and 2020) and a couple more where I've abandoned mid race due to snow/rain (2005) and lack of training (we built a new house in 2017). LoToMo (Logan To Montpelier should be more of a thing. A nice 80 mile ride with friends, then a burger and Raspberry shake in Bear Lake).</p><p><br /></p><p>Quick Summary: I finished the race in 10 hours 30 minutes and fourth in my group - which for Lotoja gets one onto the podium which was my primary goal for the day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday I lined up with my new start group, Men's Open 65+ Race. At this age, the size of the group starts to dwindle. Only about 20 registered to race and only 10 finished. The forecast of rain for the early part of the race may have scared a few sensible men away. The best part of the race is being with so many of my cycling friends from near and far. My longtime friends from SoCal continue to participate in the race with a larger number each year. TBD Racing had more than 30 racers lining up in at least five different race groups. Our Orange jerseys with Duck Camo bibs were everywhere. So many positive comments on both on the look of the kit but also the quality and skill of the riders. During the day, I passed a handful of the TBD Racing crew and when possible, I gave each one a slap or a pinch on their left butt cheek. The reactions were quite memorable.</p><p><br /></p><p>The first group of boys (they are all young enough to be my sons, in fact, one of them is) were off at 5:58. The 400 group of M35 racers included my son, John, Nate Lines, Perry Dickson, Mark Blain, Johnny Williams - all from Heber City, and Brad Perry from Ladera Ranch, CA. This was going to be a first for Mark, Johnny and almost first for Nate, who crashed early on last year and had to abandon with a broken clavicle. Last year Nate took over my spot in the race because I had to a broken clavicle and a cast on my broken hand. </p><p><br /></p><p>Nate suffered through the race with hip issues. Johnny fell off the pace and was one of the recipients of my left butt cheek greeting when I passed him early on the Salt River Climb about 100 miles into the race. Perry and John kept Mark in tow for most of the race and brought him home with a very respectable 10 hour 9 minute finish.</p><p><br /></p><p>The second wave (500 group) of M35 racers included my long time Lotoja buddy, Corte Haggard, who could have started with the M60 group (part of my start group) but he prefers the earlier start time of an M35 group. Corte paces himself and always finishes. I caught him near the top of the Strawberry climb about mile 60, but it was on the downhill section of the saddle before the summit so I wasn't able to slap his butt but I did yell some encouragement as I went by. Ric Pinarija from Irvine and McRay Murdock, Jim Taylor and Nick Pulman from San Diego county were also in this group. McRay, who I first met when he lived in Highland would go on to finish 2nd on the day, just a fraction of a second from the top of the podium.</p><p><br /></p><p>McRay, who is a super strong cyclist, has a history of 'riding' Lotoja rather than 'racing' - meaning he would rather hang out with his slightly slower friends than worry about hanging with the leaders and challenging for a podium spot. Saturday started out no different. As McRay passed John on Strawberry (John's group started 8 minutes ahead of McRay), McRay said to John, "Tell Nick and Jim I will wait for them at the top" to which according to both McRay and John, John replied, "No, Don't wait for them! You've got this!" to which McRay reports, "That did it. That's when I decided to race."</p><p> </p><p>The 600 group of M35 TBDers, all from SoCal, included Shayne Kennedy, winner of his group in 2019 and Nate Cazier, the lead out and fellow podium winner in 2019 plus other previous podium appearances, Tait Eyre, who would complete is 14th Lotoja, Shayne’s brother, Eric, Tyson Manning, Doug Moon, Danny Gibson, Ray Montague and Corte Haggard. Master strategist Nate and his partner in crime, Shayne, hatched a plan to take a year off from racing and focus their efforts on helping those of the team who are chasing a goal of a sub 10 hour finish. In the past, I’ve been with Tait when we’ve missed the goal buy a handful of minutes. This year, if all things worked out, Tait, Eric, Tyson, Doug, Danny and Ray would have a great shot at sub10 hour finish because Shayne and Nate, both of whom have flirted with sub9 races planned to be out in the wind all day working as domestiques. At the end of the day, the rain, wind and road conditions being less than optimal worked against the group and they fell a few minutes short of the goal, but the chatter today is they are already planning another attempt next year.</p><p> </p><p>The 600 group had a 24 minute head start on my 900 group. I caught Tyson on the Salt River climb about 105 miles into the race. I can confirm he has a tight butt and was not expecting me to grab a handful of it as I passed by doing more than 4mph. I caught Eric on the run into the feed zone in Thayne, WY. He was easy to spot up the road, in his Duck Hunter kit, struggling with his pedal. When I pulled up next to him he explained that his entire pedal body had broken off leaving only a spindle for him to try and push – an impossible task. Too. Many. Watts. He had dug deep and tried to ride for about 50 miles, which is an incredible accomplishment. Sadly his race would end in Thayne. I passed Ray at the ‘Back One Hill’ neutral feed zone which is on the last little climb into Jackson. Note: my son Brian, dubbed it “Back One Hill” several year back. Back One, being cycling lingo to tell the person in front to slow it down one notch. Ray would soon pass me back and I was so cooked I couldn’t hold his group’s wheel for the last 5 miles.</p><p> </p><p>Now, back to Logan and the 900 group start at 6:38AM. Included in the 900 group were 4 tandem racers. One was my former neighbor and friend, Michael Coombs, a very powerful rider. His plan was to race with his 17 year old son Brock who is super fit, super light and super strong. Sadly for Brock he was nursing an IT band injury and a 200 mile bike race could potential ruin his cross country season so in stepped his back up, 14 year old sister, Genevieve, who had only 3 weeks to train. These two super humans pulled it off. Huge congrats to them. As we were heading back to Jackson after the race, we spotted them, cruising along with only 3 miles left to go.</p><p> </p><p>I knew a few of the guys in our group. Heber local, Bob Sheidler, aka ‘Ponytail Bob’ was here for his second Lotoja. Bob and I ride together often. He’s a couple of years older than me, stronger than me, better looking than me and has better hair than me. Great guy all around. Bob didn’t get the finish time he was hoping for but he finished strong. I also said hello to Mark Christopherson, from Ladera Ranch, who would go on to podium in the 60+ group and Tod Turley, Eric’s neighbor in Augora Hills, who would just miss out on the podium. The two guys in my group I needed to keep an eye on were former winners Larry Peterson and Ravell Call.</p><p> </p><p>Morning temp in Logan was unseasonably warm at about 58 degrees, with rain just up the road. My brother, Bill, told me he would be in front of Lee’s in Smithfield if I wanted to drop a vest or a jacket, but with the warmer temps I elected to leave vest and jacket in my truck. I second thought that decision more than a few times, but it all worked out. I had easy access to food and water in my jersey pockets and when the rain mostly ended near Mink Creek, I didn’t have a wet vest or jacket worry about sticking in a pocket. The rain started falling as we left Smithfield and continued to rain pretty hard until we made it to Mink Creek and the start of the Strawberry climb.</p><p> </p><p>Our pace out of Logan to Smithfield was crazy fast. We had two tandems splitting time on the front and crushing it (Mike and Genevieve slid to the back of the group near Hyde Park). We caught our 8 minute group of 800s in Franklin and the 700 group near the turn toward Mink Creek near Riverdale. I stayed near the front and tried to keep an eye on anyone with a race number of 940-960, which was my group of 65+. As the grade went up I watched the eventual top three of Ravell Call, Jeff Bryson and Larry Peterson ride on at a pace I couldn’t sustain. There were a couple more of my group nearby, but by the time I went over the summit, I couldn’t see anyone in my group. Near the summit, I spotted my first TBD orange jersey up the road. Corte and I spend less than one second catching up.</p><p> </p><p>On the descent into Ovid, I caught one of the Pro Women who had passed me right before the summit. She had been dropped by the two leaders. Their marshal was keeping a close eye on her so she couldn’t sit on my wheel and her marshal didn’t want me sitting on her wheel. Eventually other riders came by that I was absorbed by and I rolled into Montpelier on the familiar wheel of Arjen Koens, The Dutch National Champ (of Heber Valley), one of my frequent cycling mates. Arjen was riding the first 80 miles of a two person relay with Hannah Schindler, another super strong cycling partner.</p><p> </p><p>I said goodbye to Arjen as he rolled into the neutral non-race feedzone. Kristin and granddaughter, Lily, were waiting and ready. Kristin cleaned my glasses while Lily loaded fresh water into my cages and refilled my jersey pockets with gu and chews. I grabbed a Gatorade to drink on my way out of town. Hannah quickly caught me with some other fast riders but I could only hang on for a while and ended up climbing Geneva on my own. Near the top, I passed Heber local, Jared Jensen. He was off to the side fixing the first of two flats he would have on the day. Jared has really enjoyed his last two Lotojas because he’s figured out starting in Montpelier and making it a MoToJa makes for a much more enjoyable day. On the Geneva descent I hooked up with Trizon friend and frequent Ironcowboy Conquer 100 rider, Hoz Toro, and another 900 guy, Jim Hutton from Mi Doule, who was completing his 20th Lotoja. We had a couple of other guys jump in and do a little work on the run toward Wyoming and the final climb – Salt River. By the time I got going on the climb, Jim and Hoz were off the back and I was on my own. On lower part of the climb I could see two orange jersey’s up ahead. The first I recognized as Johnny Williams because of his blue helmet. After I gave him my familiar greeting, I asked who was up ahead. From a distance I could tell it must be either Tait or Tyson. Johnny said it was Tyson. I finally reeled in Tyson and of all those I greeted, he jumped the most.</p><p> </p><p>I grabbed some water and a Hammer nutrition bar from the handups at the top of Salt River and started the lonely descent into Star Valley. No one in sight behind me, no one ahead. A lonely 1100 kid finally caught me and I followed him to Afton. From Afton to Thayne there were a few more riders on the road. I had been looking over my shoulder expecting the Cat 4 TBD Super group of Steve Low, Jim Yokoi, Jordan Turner, Chris Johnston, Will Bollard Alden Murray and Patrick Coffey. Steve finally appeared with two others in his group (and two more in the Cat5 part of his start group). I was a little disappointed the entire super group wasn’t together. I didn’t get to chat with Steve and his marshal was the south end of a north bound horse. He did not want the hodgepodge collection of us sitting on the leaders wheels and even went so far as to force his motorbike between us and then hit his brake forcing us to hit our brakes. It was a super dangerous stunt that luckily didn’t cause anyone to crash.</p><p> </p><p>As I pulled off the main road into Thayne to go to the feed zone, I caught Eric and got a 15 second download on his bad luck. In Thayne, Annie, Beth, Jack, Isabel, Emmy, Timmy and Evelyn pumped me up with encouragement, fresh water and gu, snapped a group photo and sent me on my way.</p><p> </p><p>Mostly alone in the wind and with bad roads including gravel sections from Etna into Alpine, I found myself cooked. Almost bonked, but still enough in the tank to continue to one last stop for fuel at Alpine. Kristin and Lily were waiting. After grabbing my food and water, I jumped into a porta potty for only my second potty break of the day. Probably a bad sign that I wasn’t forcing enough fluids. Jordan and Chris passed me during my nature break. They would go on to take 4th and 5th in their group. Steve Low would end up taking second after getting pipped at the line in a sprint finish.</p><p> </p><p>Early in Snake River canyon, Arjen caught me. Hannah had passed me on the way into town, passed the baton to Arjen and now he was with me. On a normal day with only a few miles under my belt, I can hold Arjen’s wheel on a 1-3% grade with a tail wind. But that day wasn’t Lotoja. His youth, good looks and fresh legs were more than I could handle and he was soon out of sight.</p><p> </p><p>Still mostly on my own, I didn’t see any other 900 racers so I thought, much like Jim Carey, “so there’s a chance”. I thought best case I was number 4 on the road. Worst case number 6. The outside chance of a podium spurred me on. I was disappointed there was not water at the old neutral feed before Hoback. I was out of water and over drinking my Carborocket lemonade energy drink. The reroute and gravel mess out of Hoback didn’t kill me, but it was very annoying. I followed two relay riders from Logan down the steep gravel descent onto the wooden bridge and the girl in front of me struggled to stay upright. We made it across the bridge and over the 15% grade cattle guard and I could finally see the neutral feed zone at Back One Hill. Ray was off his bike and shouted something that I couldn’t hear and I was off with fresh water.</p><p> </p><p>I was passed by a few groups on the bike path that bypasses Jackson on the westside. I couldn’t stay with any of them, including Ray who passed me with a couple of 900 racers, but not 940 or 950 numbers so my position on the road still looked good. The rest of the Cat4 guys, including Jim, Will, Alden and Patrick also passed me just before the finish. Patrick said, “it took us over 200 miles, but we finally caught you”. I watched them cross the line from about 2k out.</p><p> </p><p>Crossing the line, I heard my name announced and I also heard 4th place. I wasn’t sure at the time if the two announcements were connected, but as it turns out they were. Not bad. The best possible outcome since the three leaders rolled away from me 160 miles back came to fruition. Found some friends to congratulate and received a few congrats myself. Snapped a photo with Tait. No tears this time. Mark Christopherson was limping around the finish line and snapped a family photo for us. We hustled over to the Teton Village base and the awards ceremony. It turns out they handed me the 5th place finisher swag bag. They wanted to move the awards ceremonies along so we did our presentation while the eventual 5th place finisher, Kerry Robbins, was still on the road. I hope that they eventually got him my 4th place finisher swag bag. The one I received included Ibis gourmet coffee, lotoja socks, multi tool, Kodiak Cake pancake mix, coffee mug and a plaque. Before the race I joking told my favorite mechanic in the entire world, Kenneth Acklin, at Slim and Knobby’s in Heber, that I would split my earnings with him. Today I presented him with the bag of coffee. I think he will enjoy it. I also brought him my brother-in-law, Rod Smith’s, 1970 Peugeot road bike, all original components. Kenneth is going to clean it up and find a spot for it in the S&K bike history display in the shop.</p><p> </p><p>This was among the 2 or 3 hardest days on the bike ever. I was alone much of the day and uncommonly unable to hold the wheel of faster riders. Riding bikes with friends is fun. Riding bike by yourself is less fun. The amount of power I am able to generate seems to decrease each year, even as I train and ride more. Last year before my crash in July, I was lazy and careless with my eating habits and never dropped below 170. In years past, I would usually peak just above 170 mid-winter then get to the low 160s by Lotoja time. Last year I stayed well above 170, broke my clavicle and hand and then proceeded to gorge my way to 186 pounds by the holidays. Pathetic. In March of this year I started to wake up and slowly brought my weight down to 164 by July. I wanted to get to 159, but lacked the will power and discipline. Check back to this site next year to see if I find the will power and discipline I need in order to compete at a higher level.</p><p> </p><p>Last. I started out mountain biking seriously in the early 1980s. I only got on my Schwinn Tempo road bike to keep in shape for mountain biking. In the 90s we did regular fall trips to Moab which I will always treasure. It wasn’t until 1997 when I blew my ACL and messed up my knee playing basketball that I got serious about road biking. By 2003, Allen Barbieri and I, on a whim, signed up late for Lotoja and went on to complete it. That was a life changing decision. Much less time on the MTB since then. I love the comradery and team component of road cycling. I get teary eyed thinking of the times my son, John, sacrificed his own glory to make sure I had a shot at my glory. He led me to my first sub10 finish in 2014 and in doing so helped teach others that there is rich reward in working toward a common goal or perhaps someone else’s personal goal. I see it every year with this crew I am lucky enough to associate with. One doesn’t win a Lotoja sprint without someone leading them out. No one breaks the 10 hour time barrier without someone else spending hours out in the wind making another’s day just a little more tolerable. I know my association with these good people has helped me focus less on me and more on others and I see the same traits in them. Riding bikes with friends is good.</p><p> </p><p>The list of our crew who have said, “never again” at the end of the race to “see you next year” by breakfast the following day continues to grow. </p><p> </p><p>Thanks Annie and Kristin for 19 years of helping me (and John starting in 2004) chase this time consuming craziness. I know I’ve benefited from increased fitness and I love looking forward to this family weekend. It was just as rewarding supporting John last year with my hand in a cast and arm in a sling as it was this year stopping midrace for a quick photo with grandkids. See you next year for the 20th annual Emmett family bike ride with friends.</p>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-14201627748407763172016-09-20T17:26:00.000-07:002016-09-20T17:26:04.115-07:00Lotoja 2016 Race Report<div class="MsoNormal">
Some Background: My 2013 Lotoja training was disrupted by a car
hitting me just over three weeks before the race. The resulting clavicle fracture was not
displaced and I was able to race, but the three week layoff coming into the race
and the bruising associated with the accident left me lacking, yet John pushed
and pulled me to a 10:11 finish. Not quite the sub 10 I was hoping for before
the accident.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2014 I was a man on a mission. We came back
and John once again dedicated his day to helping me and we finished at 9:48. Finally, a sub 10. Bonus: I walked away from the awards ceremony as the winner of a Madsen bucket bike!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the crowd yelling, "ride it, ride it" I did a few laps around the gym with John documenting with video</td></tr>
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Memorial Day 2015 didn’t go well for me. I was hit by a car
descending Mt Nebo in the rain and to add insult to my injuries (couple of
broken ribs and a few other colorful contusions), the kid that hit me ran over
my new Specialized S-Works Tarmac bicycle. </div>
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In July 2015, my chronic left Achilles
tendonitis flared up after a week with the family at the beach. When we got
home, I had the misfortune of walking down the stairs behind the stage at the
church, in the dark, (and carrying a vacuum) and thought I had one more step to
go. That awkward step sent a painful shot up my Achilles. The MRI showed a
mid-grade 60-70% tear. A month later, with an orthopedic boot on my left foot,
I strained my right Achilles pushing on a shovel and then a couple of days
later, I banged my right heel on our stairs at home and rolled down the stairs
in pain. This time it was a high-grade, 80-90% Achilles tear. My right Achilles
was hanging by just a few threads. Now I had boots on both feet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent Lotoja 2015 wearing my boots, in the car, helping Kristin support John and Michael. Turns out it was a good year to miss. Hot and
Windy. Second only to 2005 in the number of DNFs. I spent fall and winter doing
light rehab on my trainer, some PT and skiing a couple of hours a day two or
three days a week (Doc said, ski boot or Ortho boot would both keep my Achilles
in place). I limped around all winter and finally in May I could walk without a
limp.</div>
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In June of this year I was cleared to stand up and pedal and
I slowly ramped up my training over the next three months. I seldom went hard on
training rides, but as Lotoja approached, I could tell I was finally coming
into a little bit of form.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John bringing Michael to the finish after Michael started to fade in the heat and wind. Lotoja 2015</td></tr>
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John and I both decided that we were going to work for Tait Eyre
this year. You will want to read <a href="http://bit.ly/2d0Nwnq">Tait's report</a>. A few months ago, Tait had neck
surgery to fuse C5/C6 and had a blood clot complication that required an
emergency tracheotomy. The limited training, the scar tissue from the Trach,
and some weight gain, left his Lotoja in doubt and altered his goal of a sub 10
to just finish. John is the ultimate Lotoja domestique. Beside his dad, he has shepherded
Mark Facer, Michael, Chris Parkin (an Adobe Exec) and others to Lotoja finishes
in recent years.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical of John, peaking over his shoulder to make sure I'm still there (2014).</td></tr>
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Our Lotoja Start group was the Master 35+B first flight at
6:39. The SoCal boys showed up in strength, Along with Tait there was Nate
Cazier, Shayne Kennedy, Tyson Manning, Jordan Turner, Corte Haggard, James Paul
and new comers, Stan Mortensen and Mike Cunningham. Wade Paulsen and his
friends Nick Raichart and Mike Speer (from Oregon). Also in the group, my friend and
neighbor, Tyler Smith and his riding buddies, Bob Ure and Wayne Hartzell. In
addition, I knew a number of the Zone 5 guys from our Tibble Fork Tuesday ride (read Nate’s report or watch his
<a href="http://bit.ly/2cLrYdI">videos</a> – He finished 5<sup>th</sup> and landed on the podium along with three of the Zone 5 guys). Also
in the group were three ssRcc guys – Greg Low, Steve Thurgood and Garland
Brinkerhoff. I feel a connection to these guys because Greg worked with Dave
Lange, the godfather of ssRcc, after Dave moved from SoCal to Springville. Dave
passed away a few years ago from Testicular cancer. He was one of the best men
I’ve ever known. I have been a recipient of Dave’s hand on the small of my back
pushing me up a climbs from Malibu to La Jolla.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Chad Turner, Dave Garner and Patrick Coffey, part of the Ridebiker Irvine crew, were 24 minutes ahead of us on the road in the Cat 4 group. Chad had an epic day, crashing after a touch of wheels and breaking his collar bone just before the start of the Salt River climb and then
getting back on his bike and finishing the race. A week after the race I talked with my new neighbor, William Keil, from Kentucky. William was part of a relay team with his kids and was right behind Chad when Chad touched wheels with the guy in front of him and ended up going over a 10-20' embankment and breaking his clavicle. William stopped and hiked down to see if Chad was OK. Typical cyclist, Chad seemed more concerned about his bike and if it was OK to continue to ride, more so than he was about his broken collar bone.</div>
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From 2003 to 2014, we always stayed at Twin Pine Ranch, our family name for my parents’ home in Logan. We sold the home last year and stayed at Annie’s sister Pam’s home in Hyrum, 20 minutes away. Pam and Gary are back from serving a mission in Philadelphia the last three years and John and I were lucky enough to have Gary drive us to the start line at 0600.</div>
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(Note: Annie says it's OK to skip the nutrition paragraph) I always worry what to eat the day of the race. This year worked well. I started a daily Optygen HP series a month before the race and then added Hammer Race Day caps in the week leading up to the race. On race day I was up at 4:45. I started with the Optygen and Race Day caps along with some Endurolites (that I would continue to take throughout the race in hopes of avoiding cramping). For breakfast I started with a ProBar Meal Superfood Slam (350 calories) and an AMP Energy Zero, Blueberry White Grape w/ 10 calories and 157 MG of caffeine. An hour later just before the start I ate a second ProBar Meal (Peanut Butter Chocolate) and downed a Mtn Dew KickStart Pineapple Orange Mango w/ 60 calories and another 92 MG of caffeine. About 770 well caffeinated calories. For the race, I relied on CarboRocket and water to drink, Gu, energy chews and one ProBar Fuel at each stop. Protip: the new ProBar Fuel is much preferred to Clifbars, Powerbars or any other bar.</div>
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Kristin was once again in command of support. There is no way I could do this race without her support. John and I make sure we have a musette prepared for each stop with our food and drink. We have our energy drink powder already in each bottle so all Kristin has to do is wait until the last minute to add ice and water. An icy cold energy drink is way better than a warm one. This year, my brother Tom offered to do support in Montpelier, which would save Kristin and Nick a couple of hours and ton of driving, but Kristin waved off the offer, preferring to keep busy all day racing to the three feed zones. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYhBNaknCzk/V-Gm_WoQdkI/AAAAAAAAFas/bAx-JB8l-WoIZQmpfkBF0ZtGcyqeOlj2ACLcB/s1600/Sept%2B2011%2B010A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYhBNaknCzk/V-Gm_WoQdkI/AAAAAAAAFas/bAx-JB8l-WoIZQmpfkBF0ZtGcyqeOlj2ACLcB/s400/Sept%2B2011%2B010A.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flashback: Lotoja 2011. John's third podium, 3rd place CAT 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Race: With start temps in the high 30s, I wore a vest
and knee warmers for the first time in a few years. Our 600 group lollygagged
our way out of town with the Bicycle Attorneys from AZ at the front. About 20
miles in, the 700 group passed us. Shortly after that as we approached Franklin, Greg Low and the ssRcc
guys went to the front and whipped up the pace. I had already worked my way to
the front so that I wouldn’t be subject to the yo-yoing that goes on at the
back when the pace picks up. I stayed with the front of the group until the
short climb out of Preston. </div>
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John and Tait later told me that when the pace ramped up
going into Franklin, Tait had eased up, smartly not wanting to go to his limit
so early in the day. John noticed him fall off the back so John sat up and
stayed with him. His day at Tait’s domestique had begun.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRaPyp0GKGo/V-Fqi6RAXzI/AAAAAAAAFac/Z4OeE7J3r6Edz97H9HdzNWnVONj0k1hNgCLcB/s1600/A-1166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRaPyp0GKGo/V-Fqi6RAXzI/AAAAAAAAFac/Z4OeE7J3r6Edz97H9HdzNWnVONj0k1hNgCLcB/s400/A-1166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Tait descending Strawberry</td></tr>
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At the Riverdale turn-off I hooked up with Wade and Nick and
followed them into Mink Creek where we caught the 500 group of Master 60+, the
guys I would be racing with if I signed up for my age group. As we passed the
Diamond R in Mink Creek, I yelled “Garland” as we passed. Our Irvine friend,
Robin Rasmussen Fife, grew up in Mink Creek. Her father is Garland Rasmussen.
As I looked over it appeared to be Grandma Dixie Rasmussen waving back from her chair on the front porch.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade and Nick rode ahead and I sat in with the 500s and my
Highland, UT, Rusty Crank riding buddy, Bill Biggerstaff. They had a solid group of about 15 and a somewhat ornery moto marshal. The leaders were still in
sight as we approached the false summit, and I still had them in my sight as I
reached the Neutral feed zone near the summit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the feed zone, I stopped for a nature break and to wait
for John and Tait. It was 9:45. At 10:05 I started to get nervous that I’d
missed them go by, and finally at 10:15, I decided I better run into
Montpelier. I hooked on behind the leaders of the Cat5 1200s, the group Michael
should have been racing in. I looked for Danny Van Wagoneer, one of the mechanics at my local bike shop, Bike Peddler in American Fork. Danny was racing for Team Mission Belt and I thought he had a real shot at the podium. I didn't see Danny with the leaders and I suspect that it may be because of the two flat tires he referenced in his Strava report. I didn’t have to do any work on the run into Montpelier. I sat right behind
the leaders and talked with their moto marshal. We chatted about what he eats
on the bike (pbj) and about some of the clueless racers that latched on and
thought they could mix in and work with the 1200 leaders (they can’t). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6Knc6MMsTA/V92o0bJiZ8I/AAAAAAAAFYo/w-mlLmsUkuQb40diFaUbkOEEZ6e_9cG8QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6Knc6MMsTA/V92o0bJiZ8I/AAAAAAAAFYo/w-mlLmsUkuQb40diFaUbkOEEZ6e_9cG8QCLcB/s400/IMG_9537.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for John and Tait in Montpelier with Jack, Lily and Isabel </td></tr>
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I breathed a sigh of relief that John and Tait were still
behind me when I arrived in Montpelier. I chatted with my fantastic support
team of Kristin, Nick and John’s three oldest, Jack, Lily and Isabel. Angela, Cheri
and Anjanette were also there waiting on Tait, Corte and James. I also talked with Rick Findlayson (also from Highland) who was supporting his wife, Alicia.
Alicia has been on a very regimented training program this year and I expected
her to crush it. Later I saw her in Rick’s truck at the top of Salt River. The next day I
heard from Katie Harward that Alicia was suffering from a severe migraine and
had to abandon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKjuvE_SHU0/V92pZFrzRfI/AAAAAAAAFYs/zZKi3zIODtUgk9f5xXx5MoGBeq-uSJeIQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKjuvE_SHU0/V92pZFrzRfI/AAAAAAAAFYs/zZKi3zIODtUgk9f5xXx5MoGBeq-uSJeIQCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tait and I rolling out of Montpelier</td></tr>
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Once Tait and John arrived. we were off. Corte and James were up ahead. The Geneva
climb was not Tait’s friend. As I rode alongside him, I tried to encourage him the best I could and also to
dial it back a notch on a couple of occasions since his breathing sounded like he was on the edge. I
believe we passed James on this climb. We also passed my friend, John Armstrong, who had a flat tire. We wouldn't see John again until Snake River Canyon. We made it over the top and had a nice descent. On the descent, we passed my gynecologist, Barry Noorda. He was riding with
a bunch of Logan Race club guys, at least half of whom were MDs, including a
couple who worked on my brother Tom after he went over the handle bars in 2014
breaking his neck and collar bone. Tom Higganbotham repaired the clavicle and
Eric Hooley fixed Tom’s neck. We hooked up with them for a few miles after the
descent, but their pace was just a little too much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Salt River is a longer, steeper, repeat of Geneva. I stayed by Tait's side all the way up the climb. Big sigh
of relief when we rolled into the neutral feed at the top. John had been just
ahead of us on the climb and had passed Corte near the summit but Corte had already left when Tait and I arrived.<o:p></o:p></div>
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John and I set the pace into Afton. It was a steady, but not
hard pace for us, but I’m afraid it was still a little too close to the limit
for Tait, but he hung on. Must have been the thought of the hotdog Ang had
waiting for him. John and I are usually less than a minute at feed zones, but
in Afton, Tait needed a couple of extra minutes to get fueled up (yes, I called
a hotdog fuel).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvoOcScHL4w/V92p-qb3kPI/AAAAAAAAFY0/CQ7SNd_Gbz03LatCmE9eHtiIjx2GyrqHgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvoOcScHL4w/V92p-qb3kPI/AAAAAAAAFY0/CQ7SNd_Gbz03LatCmE9eHtiIjx2GyrqHgCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John's family in Afton</td></tr>
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The ride to Alpine was not bad. The nasty headwind wasn’t
there and there are fewer rumble strips then there used to be. Somewhere
between Afton and Alpine, Annie and Beth pulled over and got the wundertwinds
out of the car to cheer us on. I could see them over on some grass as we rolled
by. Tait yelled to me to make sure I could see Timmy signing ‘grandpa’ as we
rolled by. It pretty much made my day to see Timmy signing and Emmy yelling
encouragement ("Hi. Grandpa"). About that time, we found Corte. And a short time later
we lost Corte. He was suffering with some knee pain and needed to slow down a
bit in hopes he could finish (he did).<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdjUqE3dJuU/V-FjHdd9H5I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/nmW3afYpNYQaY43JqRprw0ZG_uCksWQTwCLcB/s1600/Lotoja%2B2016%2BC-1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdjUqE3dJuU/V-FjHdd9H5I/AAAAAAAAFZ0/nmW3afYpNYQaY43JqRprw0ZG_uCksWQTwCLcB/s400/Lotoja%2B2016%2BC-1435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thayne, on the Road to Alpine</td></tr>
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Flashback: In 2014 John and I stopped for our first bio break at the
base of the Geneva climb. That year as I emerged from the porta potty I found
John in tears. When I asked if he was OK, he told me he was thinking about
Timmy (then 8 months old) and how he wouldn’t ever be able to ride this with
him (Timmy was born with Spina Bifida). We were both crying as we climbed back on our bikes. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xPwOn92Yfo/V-Flw3CB4RI/AAAAAAAAFaE/wmvZj7cltrMZIyZEXGQwbiR74946yRfeQCLcB/s1600/Wundertwinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xPwOn92Yfo/V-Flw3CB4RI/AAAAAAAAFaE/wmvZj7cltrMZIyZEXGQwbiR74946yRfeQCLcB/s400/Wundertwinds.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wundertwinds. Timothy and Emmaline</td></tr>
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Flash forward: Two years later. Timmy is waiting for us at
the Alpine feed zone. John tears up telling Timmy that someday they are going
to do this together. Beth sees the tears starting to form and tells John to
think about that later and just go….<o:p></o:p></div>
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We jumped on to a couple of small groups in Snake River
Canyon but we couldn’t stay with them. There is one little climb where I
pulled up alongside Tait and gave him a short push. Just ahead, John sat up and moved to the
left about halfway up and I shoved Tait up to John and he finished with a short
push. I’m pretty sure those few seconds saved were the difference between a
sub12 and a 12+ time. John Armstrong passed us while we cruised through Snake River Canyon and soon, Greg Robinson caught and passed us. John and Greg, both from Highland, have tried, with limited success to ride Lotoja together the past three years. The first couple of years, Greg suffered and couldn’t hang with John and this year John flatted early and then they finally got back together in Alpine and leap frogged each other and us through Snake River Canyon. We left them behind at Feedzone 7. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sX8h-HBQZyU/V-FjtwsYZBI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/pY7aih0G_KsV-OCv4EYmQ6GhmRTJZerawCLcB/s1600/Snake%2BRiver%2BD-828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sX8h-HBQZyU/V-FjtwsYZBI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/pY7aih0G_KsV-OCv4EYmQ6GhmRTJZerawCLcB/s400/Snake%2BRiver%2BD-828.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snake River Canyon</td></tr>
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The peaches at Feedzone 7 just before Hoback were tasty. Normally all I’m looking for at Feedzone 7 is a handup of one water bottle and I don’t stop, but this year we did and peaches were our reward. Our
pace into Jackson was steady, but our hopes of finishing sub12 were looking
less and less likely. As we approached the last little climb coming into Jackson, dubbed ‘Back One Hill" by Brian Emmett several years ago, I asked Tait if he wanted a little help on the
last little climb. He declined and gutted it out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgthne5Xblo/V-FpUSJ9u4I/AAAAAAAAFaU/sQ-DCZuL-LUqmx2bH8YyjZr1IejsV49pgCLcB/s1600/John%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bshould%2BLotoja%2BFinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgthne5Xblo/V-FpUSJ9u4I/AAAAAAAAFaU/sQ-DCZuL-LUqmx2bH8YyjZr1IejsV49pgCLcB/s400/John%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bshould%2BLotoja%2BFinish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John taking one last look over his should to check on Tait at the finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As we approached the finish, we could all see on our Garmins
that we were going to be right on 12 hours. At about 100M, I sprinted away with
John in hopes of locking in a sub12. Tait did not sprint. John and I finished
with about 15 seconds to spare and Tait finished with 7 seconds to spare. Sub12 in the
books is better than sub13. Small victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPTn1cuCzbA/V92yoxUe95I/AAAAAAAAFZE/-u_UVLxuFEstsfKC59lS7Ra_9M7g2DuOQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPTn1cuCzbA/V92yoxUe95I/AAAAAAAAFZE/-u_UVLxuFEstsfKC59lS7Ra_9M7g2DuOQCLcB/s400/FullSizeRender%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes a village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We took time at the finish for a hug. Tait and I wiped away
a few tears for a photo along with John. This race will go into the books as
Legendary. A phenomenal performance by Tait.<o:p></o:p></div>
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emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-1185256969060188312014-09-15T20:27:00.001-07:002014-09-16T09:36:42.624-07:00LOTOJA 2014. Number 10, Sub 10<b><u>Summary</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
For the 2<sup>nd</sup>
year in a row, my son John dedicated his race supporting me. Last year in his
role as guardian angel, he worked for me to insure I finished – 3.5
weeks after breaking my left collar bone. This year his goal was to
help me achieve my first sub 10. We accomplished the goal finishing in 9
hours 48 minutes. <br />
<br />
<b><u>The rest of the story ( 17 minutes > 17 seconds)</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
When
Allen Barbieri and I signed up at the last minute to ‘ride’ Lotoja in
2003, finishing time was not part of our discussion or planning. In
2004, Corte Haggard and my son, John, signed up for their first Lotoja
and the goal, once again, was to finish. In 2005, it rained and snowed
and I was over it by the time I got to Montpelier. A quick towel change
in the parking lot at the feed zone and my day was done. That was the
year Corte coined the term ‘LoToMo’, Logan to Montpelier. That year,
Steve Turner pushed on to Afton before giving in to the horrible
conditions. From Afton, John led Mark Facer the final 80 miles in a cold
steady rain to the finish. Mark got more than his money’s worth that
year. No talk of PRs that year. In 2006, Brian ‘raced’ for the first
time. John was on his way to his first podium that year and Brian and I
wasted an hour in Afton waiting on others and blew what would have been
a sure podium for him in the 18-25 category. That was the last year
of ‘waiting’. From 2007 on, Lotoja has been about doing your very best
that day. Sure it involves team work,but, working with others doesn’t
have to be the same friends you’ve been training with all year. This is
the one day each year where you don’t wait at the top of the climb and
regroup (OK, Some people, like John for instance, wait at the top, but that
because he's a highly compensated domestique and that's his job). This is a race.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EX5nyktkTQ/VBeqL_jhtpI/AAAAAAAAE3c/GJ1pR4wLbdE/s1600/John%2BBob%2BLotoja%2BStart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EX5nyktkTQ/VBeqL_jhtpI/AAAAAAAAE3c/GJ1pR4wLbdE/s1600/John%2BBob%2BLotoja%2BStart.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
John and I were back together
this year in the same start group, Masters 35+ B2 group (500s), joining
The SoCal Rokform boys - Tait Eyre,Shayne Kennedy, Tyson Manning and
Nate Cazier along with Chris Parkin from Adobe, who would end up staying
with John and me for most of the race. Chris and John met each other
for the first time the week of the race. This would be Chris' 4th Lotoja. His previous times had been 14, 12 and
10 hours. Since his first Lotoja he had put in significant miles and
dropped a lot of weight. He
saw John’s name and expected ride time of 9:30 on the Team Adobe
spreadsheet. He sought John out because John was in his start group and
had a similar goal. John explained that his lack of training time had
forced him to change his goal. No longer was 9:30 his goal, rather it
was to help his dad finish with his first sub 10. That matched up with
Chris’ goal so a plan to ride together was put in place.<br />
<br />
Last
year John and I started with the 35+ A group, 12 minutes ahead of the
boys from the OC. Even though I had broken my collar bone 3+ weeks
earlier, John and I held them off, finishing 11 minutes and 43 seconds
before Tait (yeah, yeah, yeah….. 17 seconds). This year we found our way
to start in the same group so we had the vision of all of us finishing
together in a sub 10. As with years before, things happen and the group
ends up finishing in a handful of smaller groups.<br />
<br />
Michael
was also racing his first Lotoja. He’s tried a couple of times before,
but a torn ACL kept him out one year and the UVU – USU soccer game
forced him to abandon in Montpelier two years ago so he could go back to
Logan for the game. Michael was on his own starting in the 1400s cat 5
group starting at 7:27, 42 minutes after our start time. As it turns
out, Michael’s amazing race would turn out to be the story of the day. I
felt a little guilty not being with Michael for his first full Lotoja
as I had been with John and Brian. Michael seemed fine with it. He had
only 600 year to date training miles, had never before ridden 100 miles
in one day and in fact, his longest ride ever was his 80 mile LoToMo
two years ago. The expectation for him to crush it was low, in fact the
expectation was it for him to get crushed trying to complete his first
century and first double century on the same day. As you will see, on
this day, Michael was the baseball bat, not the windshield.<br />
<br />
A
faster than normal start got the group into Preston about5 or 6 minutes
faster than previous years. I started to think sub 10 might be
possible. Thirty miles in and I had already picked up half of the 11
minutes based on last years’ time. We were in the back half of our 65
man group for the first 30 miles, but near the Idaho border, John and I
started to move up and the others followed. On the descent into
Riverdale, I was off the front of the group and was the first to make
the turn onto Highway 36 and begin the climb to Mink Creek and
Strawberry (aka Emigration Canyon). For the first time ever, I didn’t
need to stop for the first group bio-break and slow pedaled through Mink
Creek with others who didn’t stop. From there the group splintered. I
helped a second group chase back on to the leaders as we left Mink
Creek, but was soon spit out the back while John and Nate rode off with
the leaders. I rolled over the false summit with Jordan and soon had
Tyler Smith and the M45+ leaders setting the pace to the feed zone.
John had been dropped by the leaders and was waiting there for me. The
race for sub 10 was on. We had our second fastest descent into Ovid.
The group we hooked up with didn’t work together like I would have
liked, but we did reel in the M45 leaders group which included Chris and
some others from our group and made good time to Montpelier. Heading
into Montpelier we made all three lights and found my brother Tom and
his daughter Sam ready and waiting. I tossed my bottles and arm warmers
at Tom’s feet, grabbed some food, fresh bottles and we were off.
Leaving town I could see the boys in pink (Porcupine Racing) just up the
road. I’ve ridden with those guys over the past few years. They treat
Lotoja as a ride and unlike us, regroup at the top of the climbs. We
caught and passed them at the summit of Geneva. We found just the right
amount of guys to ride with up Salt River valley heading toward the last
of the major climbs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6eQhsobAxc/VBeq5uIXRcI/AAAAAAAAE3s/rt4Si31lv5E/s1600/JWE%2BSalt%2BRiver%2BDescent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6eQhsobAxc/VBeq5uIXRcI/AAAAAAAAE3s/rt4Si31lv5E/s1600/JWE%2BSalt%2BRiver%2BDescent.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John descending Salt River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the base of Salt River, I
finally gave in and stopped at the porta potty for my first pee break.
When I walked out of the porta potty, I could see tears in John’s eyes.
He was clearly emotional. I thought maybe he’d gone too hard and his
limited training was catching up with him, but no. He replied that he
was thinking about Timmy and that he would most likely never be able to
do this. Dang it, now I was crying. The story of John and Beth’s twins
born in January is a long one. The short story is that Timmy was born
with Spina Bifida and had a rough start, having his heart stop during
surgery less than 12 hours after he was born and twice again a few weeks
later as he battled a virus. He has since recovered and is a healthy
and happy boy. His future is still unknown, but it will be beyond
expectations if he is able to walk without some kind of assistance. His
little sister Emmaline is a healthy and super active little girl. Of all
the excuses we cyclists come up with as to why we haven’t trained,
newborn twins is the excuse that trumps almost all others.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93MuMLFeLCo/VBerJHDWuGI/AAAAAAAAE30/0ZSuXKRyLfM/s1600/Bob%2BSalt%2BRiver%2BDescent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93MuMLFeLCo/VBerJHDWuGI/AAAAAAAAE30/0ZSuXKRyLfM/s1600/Bob%2BSalt%2BRiver%2BDescent.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob descending Salt River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With
tears in our eyes, we set off to climb Salt River. Last year, John rode
alongside me and pushed me up much of Salt River. I’m pretty sure I
had tears in my eyes then.This year, I was able to keep him nearby.
Along the way we spotted a number of thumb tacks that some brainless
idiot had thrown on the road. Some People. We grabbed a couple of water
bottles at the top and raced down the other side. We were soon caught by
the five leaders of the M55 group. These guys were on a mission to stay
away from another group of five they had dropped on the climb. They put
the hammer down and we hung on as those five did all the work up
front. I’m sure we averaged over 30mph on the run into Afton with long
stretches of 35+ mph. For these five leaders though, their effort was in
vain as the other five from their group caught them as we pulled into
Afton.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLH2PqOZ-to/VBerYv_gpnI/AAAAAAAAE38/js02akizBlQ/s1600/MRE%2BSalt%2BRiver%2Bdescent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLH2PqOZ-to/VBerYv_gpnI/AAAAAAAAE38/js02akizBlQ/s1600/MRE%2BSalt%2BRiver%2Bdescent.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael on Salt River descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Kristin and Annie were waiting for us in
Afton. Having Tom and Sam cover Montpelier was a life saver. After we
grabbed our stuff, Kristin and John’s three older kids headed to Alpine
for the last feed zone while Annie stayed behind to wait for Michael. I
can’t overstate how important good support is for this race. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faV89hHkfxA/VBerpplWO4I/AAAAAAAAE4E/YnyN8Ul6oc8/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2Btucked%2Bin%2Bbehind%2Bthe%2BM55%2Bleaders%2Bcoming%2Binto%2BAlpine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faV89hHkfxA/VBerpplWO4I/AAAAAAAAE4E/YnyN8Ul6oc8/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2Btucked%2Bin%2Bbehind%2Bthe%2BM55%2Bleaders%2Bcoming%2Binto%2BAlpine.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Bob and Chris tucked in behind the M55 leaders rolling into Alpine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We
continued to ride with these guys to Alpine. Now that they were
together, the urgency was off and the pace was a little easier for me. I
could see that we were on pace to break the 10 hour barrier so all was
good.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4QZwLf7iHU/VBeqgStUCHI/AAAAAAAAE3k/hCDRFw5Lgnk/s1600/MRE%2BStrawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4QZwLf7iHU/VBeqgStUCHI/AAAAAAAAE3k/hCDRFw5Lgnk/s1600/MRE%2BStrawberry.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael standing on the Strawberry climb because his saddle was loose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile, back behind us, Michael was having a
memorable ride. His group left Logan and set a very fast pace to Preston
with a number in the group complaining about how hard they were going.
Just after Preston, Michael’s saddle started to rock forward and back. I
had adjusted the angle of his saddle earlier that week and must not
have tightened it properly. He did his best to stay with the leaders
even though he was standing a lot and constantly trying to adjust his
saddle angle while sitting down. On the Strawberry climb he caught Paul
and Bryan Badger. Bryan thought he had a multi-tool and could fix
Michael’s saddle so Michael let the leaders go and pulled over to have
Bryan help with this saddle. It didn’t work out, Bryan didn’t have his
multi-tool and Michael had just let the leaders go. He took off and
continued to pass dozens and dozens of riders.<br />
<br />
Uncle
Tom to the rescue. In Montpelier, Tom chased down the right Allen wrench
and fixed the saddle. Michael suffered up Geneva and the run from
Idaho to Wyoming through Salt River valley. At the start of the Salt
River climb, he was ready to give up. Completely bonked and depressed
that he was on his own. He has the ability to eat more than John or me
on the bike and had run out of food. The people he had passed on the
previous climbs were now passing him. At the top he took a break and
ate four bananas and drank some extra water. FOUR bananas!! By the
time he rolled into Afton he was feeling great.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MIma1ITSGs/VBer9OkkVrI/AAAAAAAAE4M/2JE9CUXfgpQ/s1600/MRE%2Bcoming%2Binto%2BAlpine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MIma1ITSGs/VBer9OkkVrI/AAAAAAAAE4M/2JE9CUXfgpQ/s1600/MRE%2Bcoming%2Binto%2BAlpine.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael getting some much needed help coming into Alpine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael
worked with three guys, including one unknown to me A Bloc guy, into
Alpine. Leaving Alpine he had an “old guy” drag him through the first
half of the canyon and then jumped on a small group that caught them.
Michael felt a little bad that the old guy who had done most of the work
couldn’t get on with the new group.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPy5HMchaCE/VBespVVL41I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/4JLOVhl3pkY/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2BSnake%2BRiver%2BCanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPy5HMchaCE/VBespVVL41I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/4JLOVhl3pkY/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2BSnake%2BRiver%2BCanyon.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Story of my day. Sitting on John's wheel in Snake River Canyon while Johns peeks over his shoulder to make sure I'm still there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As John, Chris and
I left Alpine all I could think of was the horrible head wind we had,
but then after less than a mile it was gone and we were back to the
normal Snake River Canyon tailwind. We continued to work with handful
of other guys. Halfway through the canyon, we had a relay guy catch us
and sit on the group. When he pulled through, he upped the pace and
rode away from us only to be reeled in a minute or two later.
Repeat. Coming into the bridge at Hoback our relay buddy did it again
and tried to ride away from us after sitting on for a few miles. When I
caught him just past the Hoback roundabout, I told him not to even
think about getting on the back if he wasn’t going to work with us. He
didn’t get on. In a rare Lotoja for me, this was the only guy I bossed
around all day. <br />
<br />
As we came into Jackson, I got
popped by our group of six at ‘Back One Hill’ (I don’t think Brian
Emmett has trademarked that name yet). John, Chris and I regrouped
after the left hand turn off the highway. In this section we had our
second relay guy sit on, then try to ride away from us a couple of
times. This time we just sat on his wheel. John was right behind him
and at the bridge just before the right hand turn toward Teton Village
he tried to get John to pull through but John refused – not saying a
word in the process. Finally he slowed enough to force John to pull
through. John pulled through and made the turn. The Tetons were in
full view and you can smell the finish line. The hammer was down and
our relay buddy could not get back on. Thanks for the help buddy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8--1o9PduRw/VBetDUNodjI/AAAAAAAAE4g/wytfM-rfUw8/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2BFinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8--1o9PduRw/VBetDUNodjI/AAAAAAAAE4g/wytfM-rfUw8/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2BFinish.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish Line. Getting pipped by a relay rider while John rolls in behind me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We
caught another relay guy in the final 10K and he was happy to work with
us. At the 200M sign, John was confused about which side of the cones
he should go so I got the jump on him and took off for the finish
line. My relay friend jumped onto my wheel and came around to pip me at
the line. He tried to apologize as we turned in our timing chips but I
complemented him on his finish and told him that I love giving the
finish line fans a full gas sprint at the end. John and I finished 15<sup>th</sup>and 16<sup>th</sup> in our group. Pretty respectable for an old man and someone who had only a few hundred training miles this year.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak7Hy5-rlvE/VBetWa7qrnI/AAAAAAAAE4o/wB_WMzYGj-g/s1600/MRE%2Bfinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak7Hy5-rlvE/VBetWa7qrnI/AAAAAAAAE4o/wB_WMzYGj-g/s1600/MRE%2Bfinish.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael's strong finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now
the wait was on for the OC boys and Michael. 17 minutes later Tait and
Jordan followed Shayne across the finish line, all three setting PRs
but just missing their goal of sub 10. Tyson did not have his best day
and finished about an hour later. John and I found time to soak our legs
in the creek while we waited for Michael to finish. That kid crushed
it. 10:18 ride time and a 10:31 finish. I suspect his actual ride time
was closer to 10:05 because I doubt his Garmin actually paused while he
and Tom walked his bike around the Montpelier feed zone trying to fix
his saddle. It also is unlikely it paused while he walked his bike
around the Salt River feed zone while he ate his FOUR bananas. FOUR
bananas! He cannot wait for next year. I can’t either. I’m going to go
to Vegas and bet the farm that Michael is on the Cat 5 podium,
especially if he decides to do a couple of 100+ mile training rides and
does 1500+ training miles. I’m not sure what John and I will do. I’d
like to race as a Cat 5 and help Michael, but I know I won’t be able to
help him because I will not be able to get over the climbs with him.
John may be over it. I don’t think it’s going to be any easier to train
next year. Maybe I start with the M60+ guys 30-40 minutes ahead of
Michael, hold on until I get dropped and then wait for Michael and help
him in the second half of the race. Or, if Kristin is racing, I’ll
happily be doing support. We have a few months to decide….<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URWU2Hpe5XI/VBetn4_PICI/AAAAAAAAE4w/FVggybsQy5k/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2Bcool%2Bdown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URWU2Hpe5XI/VBetn4_PICI/AAAAAAAAE4w/FVggybsQy5k/s1600/JWE%2BBob%2Bcool%2Bdown.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Down while we wait for Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This
year the Lotoja adventure spilled over to the Awards Ceremony the next
day. I showed up to support Nate who finished fifth in our group and
was on the podium and also to get my 2000 mile award. After the podium
awards, the ceremony moved onto the raffle of several bikes all to the
benefit of Huntsman Cancer Institute. You had to be there to win so it
took pulling several names out of the hat to find winners for the first
two bikes. For the first drawing, grandson Jack was selected to hold
the hat with the names. His prize was to get to keep the hat, which has
been on his head every day since. We were 5, 6, or more names into the
drawing for the Madsen Cargo bike when the named pulled from the hat was
‘Robert Emmett’. Winner! I had no idea that I’d purchased the $10
raffle ticket for the Madsen when I signed up for Lotoja. I ran down to
the floor to claim my prize while Tait, Angela, Nate and Brooke got the
entire Jackson Hole gym crowd chanting “ride it, ride it, ride it”, so I
obliged and took a couple of spins around the gym. Fellow A Bloc
rider,Jeremy Ward, offered to transport the bike to Highland in the back
of his brothers Sprinter Van.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJt_j3xKqbs/VBet2lVeXOI/AAAAAAAAE44/OyGXXKa2VA8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJt_j3xKqbs/VBet2lVeXOI/AAAAAAAAE44/OyGXXKa2VA8/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack, Lily and Isabel helping break in the Madsen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The grand-kids have
really enjoyed the Madsen. Beth has taken a ride with Emmy and Annie
took Timmy out for his maiden voyage. I’ve decided to name the bike
‘Evelyn’ after Annie’s mom. I won it on what would have been her 84th
birthday. I’m thinking she may have had a hand in pulling my name out
of the hat.<br />
<br />
Final times for our group:<br />
Bob Emmett
(9:48 PR), John Emmett (9:48), Michael Emmett (10:31 PR), Shayne
Kennedy (10:06 PR), Tait Eyre (10:06 PR), Tyson Manning (11:08), Nate
Cazier (9:05PR and podium), Jordan Turner (10:06 PR).emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-27087737671200967892013-10-01T15:48:00.001-07:002013-10-08T08:31:42.642-07:00LOTOJA 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">September 7, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who would
have thought that I would get hit by a car and break my left clavicle (same one
I broke in 2003) on August 14 and still be able to line up for Lotoja 24 days
later and not only complete the race, but set a PR of 10:11 in the
process?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This Lotoja
was a long time coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2011, I was
at my lowest weight in years – 158 pounds compared to 168 pounds this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled that day with a number
of issues, the biggest one being the position of my cleats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still I finished in 10:38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided then to go after a sub 10 in
2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing I did was get a
professional fit on my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
great decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since that fitting I’ve
felt much better on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
November of 2011, I was in the garage and sprayed lubricant on my garage door
springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I stepped off the ladder I
stepped on the overspray on the painted garage floor, slipped and tore my
hamstring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took months for that to heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In December I had a double hernia fixed –
also an injury from my fall in the garage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In May of
2012, I tried to wheel a garbage can full of construction cement debris down
the ramp of my trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stepped on
to the ramp, I tore my other hamstring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That injury kept me off the bike for the month of June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lotoja 2012 was not looking good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnsxA-K5_qU/Uks_-5MylYI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/k58wfLxLjWY/s1600/iPhone+1489A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnsxA-K5_qU/Uks_-5MylYI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/k58wfLxLjWY/s640/iPhone+1489A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Broken right clavicle, July 2012</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When I
finally got back on the bike in July it was only a few weeks before I found
myself flying over the handlebars at 30+ mph and breaking my right clavicle and
beating up the rest of my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lotoja
2012 was not going to happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RfdlIPBXNQ/UktJwylZBoI/AAAAAAAAEqI/DmKe5ftmwmw/s1600/melenoma+scar+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RfdlIPBXNQ/UktJwylZBoI/AAAAAAAAEqI/DmKe5ftmwmw/s400/melenoma+scar+2013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Before I was able to start my 2013 training, I had a melanoma scare and had a stage 1A mole removed from my shoulder in February. It kept me off the slopes for a week and out of the pool for the rest of the winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oWRKds6e80/UktKBEH-LII/AAAAAAAAEqY/shtWfT4sh10/s1600/broken+thumb+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oWRKds6e80/UktKBEH-LII/AAAAAAAAEqY/shtWfT4sh10/s640/broken+thumb+2013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My 2013
training got off to a slow start when I broke my thumb and tore the ligament on
the last day of the ski season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
get the cast off my thumb until the end of May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That gave me 90 days of training for Lotoja.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started riding with the ‘Rusty Cranks’, the
local 55+ guys plus others in the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They do a ride to Tibble Fork every Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first few rides in June I was dropped
within the first mile of AF Canyon guard shack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In July I started to hold my own, but still had 2 or 3 of them ride away
from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By August I was able to hang
with the fast guys and was starting to get some of my old form back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on August 14, a FedEx guy on his way to
work didn’t see me until my head was banging off his passenger door
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I lay on the asphalt, I
thought maybe my shoulder is just separated and I’ll be OK, but after a trip to
InstaCare I was told the bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
family doc covering instacare that day told me my break was a bad one and would
require surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out he couldn’t
read an X-Ray and was looking at the break from 2003.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new break was not displaced (the break was
about a 2mm gap) and was out near the end of the bone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complete opposite end of the spectrum from
my break last year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDAlZeCuU9w/UktHxj6_VQI/AAAAAAAAEp8/C6XTgE7_O6o/s1600/Broken+Clavicle+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDAlZeCuU9w/UktHxj6_VQI/AAAAAAAAEp8/C6XTgE7_O6o/s640/Broken+Clavicle+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Broken left clavicle 2013 (big lump close to ribs is the 2003 break. The 2013 break is near the end of the clavicle almost under the L/JH tab).</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hql-nOGZLKI/UkxUHrQy13I/AAAAAAAAEq4/oGhPdHqssSQ/s1600/Left+clavicle+2OCT13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hql-nOGZLKI/UkxUHrQy13I/AAAAAAAAEq4/oGhPdHqssSQ/s640/Left+clavicle+2OCT13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Another view of the left clavicle. X-Ray taken 10/2/13. Still not healed. The break in this view is near the center of the photo. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After about
10 days the bruising on my hip had healed enough that I decided to climb on the
trainer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That week I caught up on about 4 episodes of
‘Breaking Bad’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next step was to
climb back on the bike and see how I felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not good, but not bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30 miles
didn’t really bother the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a couple of training rides, I decided to give Lotoja a go. Worst case I could quit in Preston or Montpelier. I already have a LoToMo on my </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span class="Latn headword" style="font-family: sans-serif;">palmarès</span> <span class="gender"><abbr title="masculine gender"></abbr></span>. Best case I would finish. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The day of
reckoning arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lotoja has a new
start schedule this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Licensed Race
groups started every 6 minutes and would travel a new route for the first 30
miles to Preston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The non-licensed
racers (‘Ride group’) went off between the other groups and traveled the old
route through the west side of Cache Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a big improvement having the groups 6 minutes apart on the road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This year
John turns 35 so he was able to sign up in the Masters 35+ group (200 group).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have raced with the Master 55+ groups the
last few years but this year I signed up in the M35 group to race with
John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up in the 35A group with
the fast guys including John’s Adobe teammates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friends Tait Eyre, Shayne Kennedy, Jim Lundberg, Paul Badger and Tyson
Manning were in the 35B group starting 12 minutes behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Corte Haggard was in a 45+ group another 12
minutes back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This was
perfect for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could ride the first
35-40 miles with John and then when I got dropped on the first climb, I could
take it easy and wait for the 35B guys to catch me. In previous years when I
started with the M55 group, I would chase them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In past years
</span>I’ve caught Tait somewhere between mile 40 and 100 and then we’ve
finished together. Today the tables were turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I expected to get caught at some point,
I had every intention of playing to role of the rabbit and staying off the
front as long as I could and make Tait catch me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan A would
be not to get caught. Plan B would be to hold on when I got caught and the
worst case Plan C was that if I couldn’t hang with my friends I’d find a way to
finish.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">John left
Twin Pine at about 5:45 to go down to the start line early for a ‘Team Adobe’
photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed about 15 minutes later
and arrived in plenty of time for our 6:15 start time. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gGFpmMHFIo/UktAJz5BTQI/AAAAAAAAEnc/94absCgXJQg/s1600/Lotoja+13+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gGFpmMHFIo/UktAJz5BTQI/AAAAAAAAEnc/94absCgXJQg/s640/Lotoja+13+start.jpg" width="601" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> 0615 Start - My future's so bright I have to wear shades</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On our way to
Preston, I chatted briefly with Kent Carlsen, who would eventually finish 2<sup>nd</sup>
in our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a Logan Race Club
guy and was wearing ‘Norda’s’ socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
told him I liked his socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John and I
stayed near the front, but never actually got to the front of our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t in a big hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the 35B group was a minute faster on
the first section than we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big
surprise was that we caught the Cat 1’s (100 group) on the turn at Riverdale.
John observed, “Cat 1’s are notoriously lazy racers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marshal waived us through making the M35
group the first group on the road with the exception of the Tandem group. It was a new experience not having the road littered with individuals and small groups of racers and fun group riders.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I had
been popped on the short climb out of Preston and had just barely chased back
on and had the Cat 1’s tell me that my group was up ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked through the Cat 1s and got back with the M35s near the Mink Creek
sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John was in good shape but my time
with these guys was about to end on the uphill rollers through Mink Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I popped off the back and watched John and the
rest of the boys ride off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the Cat
1’s caught me I quietly slid back through the group and was about to come of
the back when their marshal pointed at a couple of us and told us to let a gap
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want us using the 100s
to chase back on to the 200s.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiDZYEpo3Iw/UktAU3trpkI/AAAAAAAAEnw/yxLNyOAvU5I/s1600/Lotoja+13+Mink+Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiDZYEpo3Iw/UktAU3trpkI/AAAAAAAAEnw/yxLNyOAvU5I/s640/Lotoja+13+Mink+Creek.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On my own at the start of the Strawberry climb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Yes, I was
kicked out of the Cat 1 Group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVOE3rWHE6w/UktAU-SQeMI/AAAAAAAAEn4/jeWBRRH7924/s1600/Lotoja+13+Right+Leg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVOE3rWHE6w/UktAU-SQeMI/AAAAAAAAEn4/jeWBRRH7924/s640/Lotoja+13+Right+Leg.jpg" width="587" /></a></div>
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My good leg </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now I was on
my own. John was up the road with the leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the steepest part of Strawberry, the leaders of the 300’s a Cat 3
group and 400’s, the other M35 group went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No sign of my friends in that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I chased on to the splintered groups of 300/400 riders at the false
summit and followed them to the neutral feed zone about ¼ mile from the
summit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a couple of bottles of
water and felt a hand on my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been dropped by the leaders
and had some knee pain so he had decided to wait for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the scenario I had dreamed
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan A was back on the table.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sicsg01VY/UktA7Y_gu4I/AAAAAAAAEo0/vMfvcspuPBo/s1600/Lotoja+13+John+descending+Strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sicsg01VY/UktA7Y_gu4I/AAAAAAAAEo0/vMfvcspuPBo/s640/Lotoja+13+John+descending+Strawberry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">John crushing it on the Strawberry Descent</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I didn’t have
enough in the tank to catch back onto the large group of 300/400 chasers before
the summit, but by the time John and I finished our descent, we had about 5
other guys who worked with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
time we got to Montpelier, we had reeled in the larger group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I did more work in this section than any other. </span>My first panic of the day was the over pass
going into Montpelier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t hold
on to the small group so I was chasing down Main Street praying I wouldn’t hit
a red light - there are only two lights in Montpelier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luck was on my side and I made both lights
and caught John at the first feed zone. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ce98r4a8Dds/UktA7Qn9NuI/AAAAAAAAEow/C0fw1xKE0wg/s1600/Lotoja+13+Kristin+feeding+me+a+snickers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ce98r4a8Dds/UktA7Qn9NuI/AAAAAAAAEow/C0fw1xKE0wg/s640/Lotoja+13+Kristin+feeding+me+a+snickers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Kristin hooking me up with a bite size Snickers</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eCBxoXPLQY/UktBcd45zZI/AAAAAAAAEpg/Nod4WtHvmSk/s1600/Lotoja+13+high+five+from+Lily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eCBxoXPLQY/UktBcd45zZI/AAAAAAAAEpg/Nod4WtHvmSk/s640/Lotoja+13+high+five+from+Lily.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> High Five from Lily</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kristin,
Annie, Jack and Lily were waiting at the feed zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cold drink – one Perpetuem and one
Carbo-Rocket Raspberry Lemonade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
way to Geneva, John and I split a banana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up4a1K_e_cU/UktA9p6P2sI/AAAAAAAAEpY/R3nM9oNsvOY/s1600/Lotoja+13+three+amigos+Bob+Nate+John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up4a1K_e_cU/UktA9p6P2sI/AAAAAAAAEpY/R3nM9oNsvOY/s640/Lotoja+13+three+amigos+Bob+Nate+John.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Three Amigos: Bob, Nate and John</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As we started the 2<sup>nd</sup> of the 3 major climbs, John told me
that he needed a nature break and would wait on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up riding alongside a guy by the name
of Nate Carter from Lehi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nate is younger
and stronger than me, but he is also bigger than me so we <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were both climbing at about the same
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about a few of the local
Dialogue, Trek and other cyclist that we knew in North Utah County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on Nate and John figured out that they had worked at Novell at the same time and had a number of common friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the descent into Salt River Valley we
worked a little, but mostly sat on for the 10 miles leading to Salt River
climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just sitting on with fast groups
of 300/400 riders was tough for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
ever got to the front, I was off in a flash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After we crossed the KOM start line, I popped of the back and was on my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John sat up and waited for me and
helped pace me on the lower portion of the climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we approached less than a mile to the
summit, the road turns up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John pulled
along my left side and quietly put his right hand on the small of my back and
pushed me along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure I
teared up more than once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
impossible to express what it is like to have your son not only sacrificing all
of his personal goals, but sacrificing his legs and lungs to help me get over
the top. At about 600M from the summit, we passed by Robb Lifferth, a friend
from work who was parked on the side of the road waiting to cheer on family
members doing the relay race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With John’s
help, we went over the top ahead of Nate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We descended into Star Valley and found ourselves alone. We looked up
the road to see if there was a group we should chase but couldn’t see anyone,
We looked behind and could see only one rider – Nate.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxLJkrWh47s/UktDsdgR2zI/AAAAAAAAEpo/OljBgfyILMg/s1600/Lotoja+Support+team+in+Armada.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxLJkrWh47s/UktDsdgR2zI/AAAAAAAAEpo/OljBgfyILMg/s640/Lotoja+Support+team+in+Armada.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ivy, Annie, Jack, Lily and Kristin. Best Support Team Ever. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We sat up and
slow pedaled and waited for Nate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
glad we waited and we were glad to have him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A win/win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the 12 miles into
Afton, John and Nate would do long pulls of a minute or two and I would do less
than 10 seconds on the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These guys
were way more powerful than me and it was all I could do to hold on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a quick stop in Afton and were on our
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nate didn’t want to lose us so he
made an even quicker stop and was waiting for us just past the Taco Time on the
main highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the next 33 miles into
Alpine we kept the same rotation going. John would pull for 90 seconds, then
Nate for 90 seconds then me for 9 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Somewhere
between Thayne and Etna we picked up a relay racer who jumped on the back of
our small train as we went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
came to the front, he accelerated with his fresh legs and the three of us in
unison yelled “whoa”. It was obvious he didn’t have any real experience riding
in a pace line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a good pull and
then managed to hold on and work his way back to the front again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second time he came to the front he rode
away off the front and John just let him go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John slowly pulled him back without changing our pace and then that was it for
the guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t catch back on when
we went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had no idea who he was
until we saw him at the finish line with his wife – Brooke Clayton Boyer from
Irvine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Nate Boyers first time
riding Lotoja and he really enjoyed his experience doing the relay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKvWD3C0eO0/UktA8_2bDfI/AAAAAAAAEpU/RzZ05AKewlk/s1600/Lotoja+13+support+team+in+Alpine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKvWD3C0eO0/UktA8_2bDfI/AAAAAAAAEpU/RzZ05AKewlk/s640/Lotoja+13+support+team+in+Alpine.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kristin, Annie, Jack and Lily at the Alpine feed zone </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When we
pulled into the third and final feed zone in Alpine, I knew we had a good time
and a shot at breaking 10 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
cramping had been minimal and my food and hydration seemed to be about
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem I had was weak
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The late start to season, the 3.5
weeks off the bike with the broken clavicle and the weak legs did not bode well
for a sub 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John and I left Nate
behind in Alpine because he needed a nature break, but so did I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at a pull out at the mouth of
Snake River Canyon and Nate caught us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the first time since the road between Geneva and Salt River, we latched
on to some good guys to ride with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were flying up the canyon and I was on the rivet just holding on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never before have I ridden so many miles at
my limit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not close to my limit, but AT
my limit. It was a blessing in disguise that I had forgot my heart rate monitor
strap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have to look at me red
lining all day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We were
sitting near the back of a train of about 12 guys when we came around a bend
and I could see the most difficult climb of the canyon just ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I looked at John and said simply, "crap". </span>I worked my way to the front of the group as
we rolled into the base of the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John was right behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
started to fall back and the group passed on my left, John did his best to push
me along in the hope that we could hang on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alas, I was cooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We crested
the small climb and John led me as we chased back on but as soon as the road turned up again I
popped of the back and had no chance of chasing back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nate was smart enough to stay with these guys
while John was compassionate enough to stay back with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Getting dropped
in Snake River was the end of my sub 10 hopes, but I still had a PR in
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We grabbed some water at Hoback
and were surprised (not) that construction on the new bridge across the river
appears to have made no progress since 2010. We made it through the new
roundabout and across the bridge where Rob Verhaaren tragically lost his life
last year. It was sad to see the flowers on the bridge and river bank as we
pedaled by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We lost some time here as we were on our own and John was doing ALL the work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We hooked up with a group just before
the turn off of 89 onto Southpark Loop road. Just before the turn off is a short climb Brian tagged as “Back
One”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strava calls it U.S 89 climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you call it, it’s a short .4 mile
climb that is guaranteed to get me spit out the back of any group I’m trying to
hold on to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John once again tried to
help me stay in contact with some riders, but it was in vain.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Once we
turned on to Southpark Loop, we found ourselves mixed in with a bunch of 700 (45+)
and 800s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 800s were the leaders of
the 55+ group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 800s went to the
front followed by the 700s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fell in
behind the 700 group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After we came
out of the tunnel of the bike path onto route 22, the 700s moved to the front
and the 800s let them open a gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
asked me if I wanted to chase on to the 700s or just sit behind the 800s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I elected to stay behind the 800s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I had another short chase left
in me plus I didn’t want to get caught up in the middle of two groups still
racing for top 10 (700s) and the top of the podium (800s).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had we chased on to the 700s we would have
knocked about a minute off our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had
I known then what I know now, I would have said lets go get on with the 700s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With 10 miles
to the finish, John and I had a front row seat sitting behind 5 guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew the rules of the race and stayed out
of the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All five had a podium spot
secured, but no doubt, each wanted the top spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two Bountiful Mazda guys, one
Logan Race Club guy, previous winner Elton Reid of FFKR Architects and another
guy from GAS/Intrinsik out of Boseman MT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the end, no one was able to make a move to drop the others and the
Bountiful Mazda guys ended up leading out the guy from Bozeman who won with
Elton taking 4<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkJ56bGlcPk/UktAvCmS5_I/AAAAAAAAEoU/EWpiGbSPyhU/s1600/Lotoja+13+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkJ56bGlcPk/UktAvCmS5_I/AAAAAAAAEoU/EWpiGbSPyhU/s640/Lotoja+13+finish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> 10 hours and 11 minutes later. The guy in black is a stud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I stopped my
Garmin at 10:04:21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lotoja clock had
me at 10:11:00.731.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just 11 minutes and less
than one second from my goal of sub 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
6.5 minutes off the bike is pretty good, but I will have to knock a minute or
two off that in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was an
emotional day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is impossible
to describe how awesome it was to race with John <s>by my side</s> in front of
me. I teared up a couple of times during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final run in to the finish line was the
most emotional. While following John into the finish I thought about being a father, a son and my dad, who passed away almost 3 years earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad always said, “families that ski together,
stay together”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the same can be
said of cycling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMTAmSxKGmI/UktE2gBVe-I/AAAAAAAAEpw/NIgYDCeR7Y0/s1600/Lotoja+13+John+cooling+down+in+creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMTAmSxKGmI/UktE2gBVe-I/AAAAAAAAEpw/NIgYDCeR7Y0/s640/Lotoja+13+John+cooling+down+in+creek.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> John cooling down in the creek while John and Lily watch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I love the
time at the finish where you get to see your awesome support crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One constant is that Kristin is always
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John and I really count on her and she always
delivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year she had her friend
Ivy along to help and Annie was there to keep an eye on John’s kids, Jack and
Lily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unlike
previous years when we’ve had to wait for a long time for all our friends to
arrive, this year the wait was short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About 11-12 minutes after I finished Tait rolled across the finish
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it 11 or 12?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he beat me by a minute or did we have the
same time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would have to wait over
night to see the official results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns
out Tait got me by 17 seconds with a final time of 10:10.44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s promised me a t-shirt with 17 seconds on
it to remind me that for the next year he is the king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I can say is “Well Done”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We didn’t
have to wait long for Corte Haggard and Shayne Kennedy as both set PR’s of less
than 11 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Lundburg, and Tyson
Manning were another hour behind and Paul Badger missed breaking the 12 hour
mark by 3 minutes while setting a PR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Jim is my brother-in-law and was complaining the weeks ahead of the race that I'd talked him into doing something stupid (that part was true), but his performance was awesome. He had a ton of natural talent and I'm sure he'll be back again. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fomlkswvdAw/UktA7C9jBmI/AAAAAAAAEoo/8G84mKC6U7Y/s1600/Lotoja+13+John+Kristin+2000+mile+award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fomlkswvdAw/UktA7C9jBmI/AAAAAAAAEoo/8G84mKC6U7Y/s640/Lotoja+13+John+Kristin+2000+mile+award.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">John and Kristin with John's 2000 mile award. Kristin was there for every mile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’m already
planning to be 10 pounds lighter next year and to get 5000 training miles in
vs. 1800 this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to find
a way to stay out of the hospital, ER, and Physical Therapy </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn6xt2fg12k/UktMtU8YUfI/AAAAAAAAEqk/9Gzyvzp7ewE/s1600/Strava+Lotoja+2013.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn6xt2fg12k/UktMtU8YUfI/AAAAAAAAEqk/9Gzyvzp7ewE/s640/Strava+Lotoja+2013.PNG" width="425" /></a></div>
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mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
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<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Bob
EMMETT <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013 LoToJa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7Sept 2013</b></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Racer
Number: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
221</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gender: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
M</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Age: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
58</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Representing:
</div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
TEAM
DIALOGUE-PORCUPINE</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chip Time
Information</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Actual
Start Time: </div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
06:15:00.530</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stop Time:
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
16:26:01.261</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chip Time:
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
10:11:00.731</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="0">
<td style="border: none;" width="142"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="2"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="178"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="3"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gun Time
Information</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Assigned
Start Time: </div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
06:15:00.530</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stop Time:
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
16:26:01.261</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gun Time: </div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
10:11:00.731</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Final
Time: 10:11:00.731</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Race
Distance: Race</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Overall
Placing</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Place: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
329</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Time Back:
</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:13:46.590</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gender
Placing</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Place: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
319</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Time Back:
</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:13:46.590</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="0">
<td style="border: none;" width="98"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="2"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="77"><br /></td>
<td style="border: none;" width="41"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="4" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Division Placing</div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td colspan="4" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
200s Men
Masters 35+ A Place: </div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
48</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td colspan="4" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Time Back:
</div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:13:46.590</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>No</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Name</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Interval
Time</b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Total
Time</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Pace</b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Overall
Place</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Overall
Back</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Gender
Place</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Gender
Back</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Divsion
Place</b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Division
Back</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Preston</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:22:44.290</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:22:44.290</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
21.8</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
497</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+15:56.840</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
497</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+15:56.840</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
34</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+15:56.840</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Montpelier</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
02:26:24.696</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
03:49:08.986</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
9.4</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
424</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+19:12.352</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
400</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+19:12.352</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
50</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+19:15.170</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
KOM Start</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
01:34:09.288</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
05:23:18.274</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
15.9</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
347</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+9:52.229</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
329</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+9:52.229</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
38</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+9:50.013</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
KOM Finish</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
00:23:02.621</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
05:46:20.895</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
13.0</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
427</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+5:42.569</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
392</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+5:42.569</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
46</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+7:47.722</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
6</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wilson</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
04:09:33.782</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
09:55:54.677</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
10.1</div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
264</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+35:43.818</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
259</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+35:43.818</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
41</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
+35:43.818</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
7</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finish</div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
00:15:06.054</div>
</td>
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10:11:00.731</div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
19.9</div>
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343</div>
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+1:44.219</div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
337</div>
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+1:44.219</div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
51</div>
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+1:44.219</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-75924804191019766852012-03-03T14:02:00.000-08:002012-03-03T20:09:39.828-08:00Winter Finally Arrives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBNLvleVhd8/T1LX9iTWubI/AAAAAAAAD1U/4FDErkP0Ivw/s1600/2928B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBNLvleVhd8/T1LX9iTWubI/AAAAAAAAD1U/4FDErkP0Ivw/s640/2928B.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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John dropping in on Violator Bowl, near the base of Gad II. Looks just like the original JWE - "only different"</div>
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Thanksgiving 1978 or 79, I ducked under the ropes and was right about
here when I caught some air, landed on a rock and blew out 3 of 4 edges
right under the boot on my Rossi ST650s </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRR89AeK59w/T1LX_5B6B3I/AAAAAAAAD1k/c-LJr4NMf-Y/s1600/2948B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRR89AeK59w/T1LX_5B6B3I/AAAAAAAAD1k/c-LJr4NMf-Y/s640/2948B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While John hugged the rope line, I dropped in between the rocks. There
is nothing more satisfying than a day filled with face shots!</div>
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Who gets credit for this smile? A. John's dentist and orthodontist? B. Storm total of 30+" with 13" new overnight? C. Good genes? If you guessed B, you win.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEDzoYixpBU/T1LYCvWMnjI/AAAAAAAAD2E/jdE_KWisK9I/s1600/6909B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEDzoYixpBU/T1LYCvWMnjI/AAAAAAAAD2E/jdE_KWisK9I/s640/6909B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bananas Bowl - right side drop off Gadzooks back toward GAD II lift</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHW-QnDCYTU/T1LYDCg2VUI/AAAAAAAAD2M/Ou4xozlXZtM/s1600/6911B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHW-QnDCYTU/T1LYDCg2VUI/AAAAAAAAD2M/Ou4xozlXZtM/s640/6911B.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
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Perfect day to test out my new White coat. There are not a lot of
coats that work with my volcano pants. I predict my fashion conscious
bros and wife will approve of this color combo over a few others I've
tried...</div>
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Someone has to make first tracks. Might as well be me.</div>
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This. </div>
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</div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-27050563426559447122011-11-13T07:58:00.001-08:002011-11-13T19:14:25.941-08:00Hanging out in the Garage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjl-10kcv_A/Tr_pK4SLsgI/AAAAAAAADvw/2xVGaisrHsU/s1600/AeJDjAHCIAAru91.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjl-10kcv_A/Tr_pK4SLsgI/AAAAAAAADvw/2xVGaisrHsU/s640/AeJDjAHCIAAru91.jpg+large.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I spent a stormy Saturday hanging out in the garage. It took all day
but I 'successfully' installed a 4'x16' storage rack over my garage
door. For now it is the final resting place for some classic race skis
before they are sacrificed into Adirondack chairs or coat racks. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1YnTE_FtYQ/Tr_sCV5VoPI/AAAAAAAADv4/qJRwdk_wJAE/s1600/photo-ski+chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1YnTE_FtYQ/Tr_sCV5VoPI/AAAAAAAADv4/qJRwdk_wJAE/s640/photo-ski+chair.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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Chair on the left has some of my own personal race skis. The green Olin Mark VI were my first post mission skis and first sub 200cm ski since 7th grade. It would be another 20 years before I ventured back to a sub-200cm ski. I found the Rossi ST 650's at the Logan City Dump while unloading a truck load of drywall trash. Their life as my rock skis was short-lived as I blew out 3 of the 4 edges landing on a rock at Snowbird. The Pink Volkl P9's were purchased from Tom at the Sportsman before he opened Norda's - which brought me back to Dynastars including the black Tommy Moe CMG's</div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-10416393733431534462011-09-18T17:40:00.000-07:002011-09-21T09:09:41.764-07:00LOTOJA 2011<div class="MsoNormal">
LOTOJA 2011 Race Report</div>
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Executive Summary: High Hopes, Mediocre Performance. Race time: 10:39, 14<sup>th</sup> place in Masters 55+. One minute slower than last year.</div>
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This was my 9<sup>th</sup> consecutive year lining up for LOTOJA. Every year is a unique experience with highs and lows and lessons learned. </div>
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Last year my expectations were quite low; I was pretty sick in the week leading up to LOTOJA and Dad was into his final few weeks of his earthly existence so I found myself spending a lot of time in Logan to be with him and mom and let my LOTOJA training slide to the minimum required. I was happy with my decision and grateful that I had the time to be by his side many days during the summer. I would never trade of minute of watching dad work so hard exercising with his walker, helping him get in and out of his chair, bed and the bathroom, helping him eat a bowl of peaches or giving him his last haircut. The summer of 2010 was a special time for me and LOTOJA was a very small part of it rather than the primary focus it has been in the past and was again this summer.</div>
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This year I was much more dedicated to early morning rides up American Fork canyon and long Saturday rides. For the first time in two years, I felt my training was adequate. I have several 100+ mile training rides in my legs including 170+ miles at the Tour of Park City. I was focused on my weight more than ever before – committed to getting my winter weight of 175 down to sub 160. My final weigh in before LOTOJA showed a new low of 158.2. I started to think that being 5-10 pounds lighter than previous LOTOJA’s might be the difference in me being able to stay with the leaders over the first climb which I believe is the most important thing I can do in my eternal quest for a top 10 finish and a sub 10 time.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AjHGHd9c9U/TnaAVmjmsGI/AAAAAAAADrw/HWKIj_Eyz5Y/s1600/186.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AjHGHd9c9U/TnaAVmjmsGI/AAAAAAAADrw/HWKIj_Eyz5Y/s320/186.2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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The weekend got off to a good start gathering with Tait & Angela Eyre, Paul & Kim Badger and James & Anjanette Paul, Scott Belnap and Casey for an Italian Place sandwich prior to check in on Friday afternoon. Following check in I went out for a short spin with Paul Badger, Nate Cazier and Nate’s dad. This innocent afternoon spin tuned out to be a dark cloud of warning. My Look cleats had worn out so I replaced them three days before LOTOJA and was never able to get the positioning right, especially on my left shoe. I left the training ride early and spent the next hour trying to find the right positioning. I estimate that between Thursday night in Highland and Friday afternoon in Logan I tweaked my cleat positioning 25-30 times. Even though I had carefully traced the position of my old cleats prior to installing the new cleats, it never felt right.</div>
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Friday night the gang gathered for dinner at Calloways in Smithfield. This has been our secret spot for the past few years, but the secret is out and the place was packed. We took a large table in the back. Up front were about 12-15 Fusion-io compatriots and their support teams along with my neighbor, workmate and friend, Tyler Smith, and his friends and family. I would be seeing more of Tyler the next day.</div>
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After dinner the gang gathered back at mom’s for some traditional peach ice cream with raspberry ice cream on the side. Musette bags were prepped and it was time for bed. Kristin wasn’t going to arrive until after midnight, but with 8 years’ experience, John and I were confident that she would have everything under control and we were right. This was going to Michael’s first LOTOJA. He got in last year but a blown ACL kept him out. This year he got in, but had only been on a few training rides and had reluctantly decided that it might be best for him to ride the first 80 miles to Montpelier and then head back to Logan for the USU – UVU soccer game. It was UVU’s season opener and Michael plays center-mid so it was the right call.</div>
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ice cream social on Lotoja eve</div>
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Lack of training was only part of my worries about Michael. He hasn’t had the experience nor has he taken the time to get confidence that he can change a flat – especially using a CO2 cartridge. The night before the race he said he was glad John was in his group just in case he got a flat. I had to break it to him that this is the one day of the year where John will not be helping him – in fact, no one will be helping him. LOTOJA is a race and John can’t get on the podium if he stops to help his little brother with a flat. I had set up Michael’s bike with brand new Continental tires so with any luck, he would not hit something and flat.</div>
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After a restless night’s sleep I was up at 4:30 for breakfast. A couple of waffles, energy drink, banana and Diet Coke had me ready to go. John and Michael were up before 6 which gave us a chance for a self-portrait in the kitchen.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prLXZ3o0f_U/TnaOuwozByI/AAAAAAAADsw/SfLg8d6B7Uw/s1600/Paul+and+Kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prLXZ3o0f_U/TnaOuwozByI/AAAAAAAADsw/SfLg8d6B7Uw/s640/Paul+and+Kim.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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Paul and Kim getting Paul ready for his 5:45 start. Good to see Paul still sporting the Norda's team kit. A true classic.<br />
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Pops and his boys - John and Michael</div>
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It was the warmest Lotoja morning I can remember. Mid-50’s is much better than low 40’s or even 30’s of previous years. Arm warmers were my only cold weather gear. I was starting 9 minutes ahead of John and Michael so I rolled out of moms at 6:30 for my 6:40 start time. It was just enough time for a quick porta potty stop and then into the corral for the start. This was the first time ever that I started the race without any friends or teammates. I was a little nervous about that. Along the way I chatted with Patrick English who would go on to win the 60+ category and Kevin Keenan who would go on to win the 55+ category. This was Kevin’s first LOTOJA. He’d flown in from San Francisco the night before and had a lot of questions about the course. </div>
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Just like last year, our group lollygagged our way to Preston. This year I planned to take a more aggressive strategy to stay with the Cat 4’s when they caught us. Sure enough the Cat 4’s caught us at about mile 18 and I worked my way to the front to keep our group with them. It was not to be. The peloton boss, I believe it was Elton Reid of FFKR/Sports Base On-Line, demanded that we let them go and not work with them. Dang it. So much for my plan. We let them go, stopped for a pee-break and just like last year gave up about 7-8 minutes to most of the other groups in the first 30 miles. Elton would go on to finish 2<sup>nd</sup> on the day and I suspect he was the one who protested Kevin’s win on the results sheet posted at the awards ceremony. I don’t have any details on the protest. I doubt the protest is that Kevin was too fast.</div>
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For the first time ever, I told Bill that he didn’t need to stick around in Preston and wait for us (he was there early to support Tom and Shelly). I had a 3<sup>rd</sup> bottle in my back pocket and rolled right through the feed zone with the leaders. Soon we were through Mink Creek and there I was still with the leaders. The group was down to about 14-15 guys when we passed the winter gate and the road turned up. I popped, but felt good that I’d held on for almost 50 miles. Moments later John and Tyler Smith cruised by with their Cat 5 Group. No sign of Michael. I guess his bladder got the best of him and he stopped for a break near Riverdale. </div>
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I was suffering on the climb but got a second wind just below the false summit when a couple of Cat 4 Ozone guys, Matt and Rob, went by. I jumped on with them and rolled over the summit with Rob, leaving Matt behind at the feed zone. A good group formed going into Montpelier and it was there that I caught Tyler. Rob stayed behind; I believe to wait for Matt. Tyler and I took off. Since Tyler had been dropped by the leaders he was content to roll along with me. We were only 4 minutes outside a 10 hour pace. My hopes picked up. Maybe Tyler could lead me to my first sub-10 time on this course. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5GcnJsg98/TnaBu36HFjI/AAAAAAAADr8/a3BV1uGtGx0/s1600/00467-04-1459A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5GcnJsg98/TnaBu36HFjI/AAAAAAAADr8/a3BV1uGtGx0/s400/00467-04-1459A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John flying down Strawberry into Bear Lake Valley</td></tr>
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Michael is all smiles</div>
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Bob</div>
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My pedal problems were starting to show and I experienced a variety of cramps on the Geneva climb. Dang, this was going to turn out to be a long day. On the descent of Geneva, I spotted a Sho-Air kit up the road. Soon I could see it was Shayne. That was not good. Shayne had a 9 minute head start on me and I didn’t expect to see him at all, let alone this early. I tapped him on the back and said “Let’s go buddy”. He just shook his head in disgust. Later that night I found out that he was suffering with an acute case of EIA - 'Exercise Induced Asthma' - and would be forced to abandon after taking an hour off his bike to try to recover. Two bad years in a row for Shayne.</div>
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I stayed close with or close to Tyler on most of Salt River. I saw him go by Tait about 200 meters from the summit. I yelled at Tait and challenged him to a race to the top. He wasn’t amused. I rolled by Tait looking for a porta potty. I could see Tyler roll over the top just ahead. I was a minute behind and in need of a break. I decided to let Tyler go, take a pee break and head to Afton with Tait. I was now 18 minutes off a 10 hour pace and the only way to hit that time would be to have a strong group and a tail wind. Neither materialized. At Afton, Kristin had everything I needed, the most important being a bottle of cold water that I downed on the spot. I was catching up on my liquids, but failed with my food. I couldn’t eat the dry waffle stingers that I had used in training – the weather was too hot and windy. I failed to make up the difference with gu or honey stinger chews.</div>
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Tyler and I are all smiles rolling at the start of the Salt River Climb</div>
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I was not happy to see that as we entered Star Valley, the normal head wind was waiting. The forecast was for a Southeast wind. Unfortunately, that wind didn’t arrive until Sunday. Tait survived a bee or wasp sting along the way and at the feed zone we caught Scott and Nate. The four of us hooked up with a potpourri of relay, women and other riders. It was not a well-oiled pace-line. We got stuck behind a relay girl who was holding us back and not coming off the front. Tait rode up to Nate who was sitting second wheel and told him to go around. Nate obeyed. Everyone obeys Tait. We soon found ourselves again suffering behind the same girl relay rider (see last year’s report for my true feelings on relay riders messing up the pace-line), I rallied the troops and we went by on the outside and upped the pace considerably, maybe too much.<br />
Even though I was eating Hammer Endurolytes like candy, I was still battling cramps in both hamstrings, quads and calves as we rolled into Alpine. Tait, Nate and I left Scott behind in Alpine to suffer on his own and started up Snake River Canyon. We had some help arrive but both Tait and I had gotten behind on our food and water and were in for a tough finish. Tait popped first and then Nate dropped me. I was hanging on for dear life with some guys when an Adobe/Omniture guy on the side of the road held up his hand and wheel begging for someone to stop. I yelled, “What do you need”? He yelled back, “60mm tube.” What the heck, I was cooked, he was desperate, so I stopped and threw him a tube and a canister, leaving me with nothing. Probably a stupid move, but I was thinking about what might have happened to Michael if he flatted and hopped that someone might stop to help him if necessary.</div>
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While I was stopped, Tait and a group rolled by so I chased on with them. At we approached the neutral feed at Hoback, I told Tait I needed to pee. He needed water. When I saw they were handing up water, I decided to pass on the pee break, grab some water and go. My trick (Tait has bought in that it was miscommunication so don’t tell him it was a trick) worked and Tait stood around and drank 3 bottles of water while he waited for me to come out of a porta potty. Since I was up the road, I never emerged. I rolled into Jackson and on to the bike path with very little help. Soon after getting off the bike path Tait and a large group rolled by. Tait had new life after the 3 bottles of water and was up near the front hammering for the last 10 miles. I managed to hang on, never having to go to the front and finished in the same group as Tait. Completely spent.<br />
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Done </div>
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10:39 is a respectable time, one minute slower than last year, but not what I had planned on. Last year was a breeze compared to this year even though my weight was down and my conditioning way up. It just goes to show how important a strong teammate is. Last year John stayed with me for the last 150 miles AND we had a tailwind in Star Valley. Too bad I didn’t have those two key elements to help me this year.</div>
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Lessons for next year are to get my shoes and saddle dialed in well before the race. I narrowly escaped saddle tragedy this year. After the Tour of Park City it was apparent that my old Fizik Arione was not going to be acceptable for LOTOJA. I spend a few hundred miles trying to get used to a Specialized Romin, but by mile 80, that saddle was not comfortable. The week before Lotoja I purchase a new Fizik Arione with a center cut out. It immediately felt right. I lucked out. </div>
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At the finish it was great to see Kristin, John, Jack and Lily waiting. I can’t tell you how important Kristin is. I couldn’t do this without her. She arrived in Alpine just as John’s group rolled into town. She was running full speed trying to hold her pants up to get John his mussete. She made it. Money.</div>
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John, Nate, Tait & Bob<br />
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Cold water soak </div>
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John’s report was especially exciting. 3<sup>rd</sup> Place!! I listened as John told me about his day. After making it over Strawberry with a fairly large group, fellow Ozone rider and eventual winner, Adam Krommenhoek, told John the group was too large and he planned to thin it down on Geneva. John was willing to help and go with him, but didn’t have the legs. John was sitting second wheel when Adam took off the front. He looked and acted the part of the loyal teammate who wouldn’t chase down his own team. Only one other rider went with Adam. On Salt River John left the rest of the group behind and was on his own for most of the rest of the race as 3<sup>rd</sup> place on the road. The 4<sup>th</sup> place finisher caught John in Snake River canyon but John quickly dropped him on the steepest second of that canyon. Well Done.<br />
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John's 3rd LOTOJA podium. </div>
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I’m going to open a job requisition for a domestique next year. You need to be a stronger rider than me (that’s a long list), 55+ is a bonus (shorter list) and be willing to ride in the wind for about 180 miles (I’ll take the other 26). Could mean free hotels and entry fee to the right applicant. Dave Preszler? Mark Facer?</div>
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Training for next year starts now.</div>
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Bob<br />
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I have no idea who this is but he's sporting the classic Quiksilver/Norda's jersey I designed in 2005. Love it!<br />
Last seen here: <a href="http://cycleski.blogspot.com/2008/12/lotoja-2006-johns-on-podium_06.html">http://cycleski.blogspot.com/2008/12/lotoja-2006-johns-on-podium_06.html</a></div>
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<u>Masters 55+:</u><br />
Bob Emmett: 14th<br />
610 <a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806517874">Bob EMMETT</a> OZONE SBR RACING 10:39:32</div>
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<u>Cat 5 5100's</u> (50 total)<br />
Adam Krommenhoek: 1st<br />
John Emmett: 3rd<br />
5116 <a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806518030">John EMMETT</a> OZONE/SBR RACING 9:49:50</div>
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9<sup>th</sup> 5149<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806518063">Tyler SMITH</a> OZONE/SBR RACING0 10:22:08</div>
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Michael Emmett: DNF<br />
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Team OZONE/SBR final standings:<br />
Cat 3/4 (38 total):<br />
Ryan LeMone: 2nd<br />
Nolan Finlayson: 6th<br />
Javier Vargas: 24th<br />
Mike Oblad: 27th<br />
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Masters 55+:<br />
Robert Emmett: 14th<br />
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Cat 4, 700's(41 total)<br />
Steve Wilson: 1st<br />
Colter Hammer: 6th<br />
Val Gibson: 9th<br />
Adam Jones: 13th<br />
Darin Toone: 23rd<br />
Hondo Vargas: 24th<br />
Steve Newton: 30th<br />
Dennis McIntyre: 35th<br />
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Cat 4, 800's (44 total)<br />
Chad Curtis: 5th<br />
Rob Jones: 19th<br />
Matt Robbins: 22nd<br />
Jeff Austin: 31st<br />
Dave Ramsey: 32nd<br />
Ryan Finlayson: 33rd<br />
Heath Birchall: 34th<br />
Rick Finlayson: 35th<br />
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Cat 5 5100's (50 total)<br />
Adam Krommenhoek: 1st<br />
John Emmett: 3rd<br />
Tyler Smith: 9th<br />
Shane Evans: 14th<br />
Charles Butler: 39th<br />
Michael Emmett: DNF<br />
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Women Cat 4 (23 total)<br />
Alicia Finlayson: 16th<br />
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Cit Men 35+ (42 total)<br />
Doug Ybarra: 8th<br />
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Cit Men Open (40 total)<br />
Wayne Hartzell: 6th</div>
emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-14844970698022135442011-04-09T15:26:00.000-07:002011-04-09T19:45:11.008-07:00Mid-winter Powder day in April at Snowbasin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GUjU5M3XXw/TaDZrxZ-FbI/AAAAAAAADms/VXzAuEMjtW4/s1600/April+2011+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GUjU5M3XXw/TaDZrxZ-FbI/AAAAAAAADms/VXzAuEMjtW4/s640/April+2011+025.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">April 9, 2011. Mid-Winter conditions at Snowbasin. Storm total was about 16 inches plus a few bonus inches because it continued to snow. Above John follows Tom and Bill on the hike to No Name. On the way to No Name, I found the only exposed rock near the summit of Allen Peak (Top of the Olympic Tram). Left a little P-Tex with the rock and took my best tumble of the year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZdeAkZX5eE/TaDY26hFzrI/AAAAAAAADmE/wM-p4RAAk7A/s1600/April+2011+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZdeAkZX5eE/TaDY26hFzrI/AAAAAAAADmE/wM-p4RAAk7A/s640/April+2011+027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bill, Tom and John</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhdno_3G1sc/TaDY3kN0J_I/AAAAAAAADmI/xgIA3O9Ya8w/s1600/April+2011+032A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhdno_3G1sc/TaDY3kN0J_I/AAAAAAAADmI/xgIA3O9Ya8w/s640/April+2011+032A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We continue to work with Bill, but he just can't get the hang of how to ski powder. Maybe by his 60th birthday next year he'll start to figure it out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPiB39tKjsA/TaDY5U_pzNI/AAAAAAAADmM/piwmUHy7xXU/s1600/April+2011+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPiB39tKjsA/TaDY5U_pzNI/AAAAAAAADmM/piwmUHy7xXU/s640/April+2011+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neyMTOBcgZg/TaDY57bISJI/AAAAAAAADmQ/Qtl6i2mO6VU/s1600/April+2011+036A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-neyMTOBcgZg/TaDY57bISJI/AAAAAAAADmQ/Qtl6i2mO6VU/s640/April+2011+036A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> John had planned to go watch the BYU spring football game. He changed his mind. Good call.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5z_6RVn-jc/TaEZHxhE6nI/AAAAAAAADmw/KW3Lbj-Zyqg/s1600/April+2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5z_6RVn-jc/TaEZHxhE6nI/AAAAAAAADmw/KW3Lbj-Zyqg/s640/April+2011+037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4bJipMOhEo/TaDY6W3I-kI/AAAAAAAADmU/-vlsXq7DLoE/s1600/April+2011+044A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4bJipMOhEo/TaDY6W3I-kI/AAAAAAAADmU/-vlsXq7DLoE/s640/April+2011+044A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tom. Money.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwSURHKKFTY/TaDY7HRsHRI/AAAAAAAADmY/qg4FcKX-oYA/s1600/April+2011+051A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwSURHKKFTY/TaDY7HRsHRI/AAAAAAAADmY/qg4FcKX-oYA/s640/April+2011+051A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> JWE II taking a few turns in honor of JWE I </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pv74z_-Hs4/TaDY742q4AI/AAAAAAAADmc/Z4qHKQ9AZLo/s1600/April+2011+056A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pv74z_-Hs4/TaDY742q4AI/AAAAAAAADmc/Z4qHKQ9AZLo/s640/April+2011+056A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tom grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots of me. Note the original blue Marmot coat, circa 1979. It was good to see it back in action!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3vZFppHCV0/TaDY-HG66LI/AAAAAAAADmg/pU3fDO97i2I/s1600/April+2011+058A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3vZFppHCV0/TaDY-HG66LI/AAAAAAAADmg/pU3fDO97i2I/s640/April+2011+058A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a988tcp8O2w/TaDZAs2BjUI/AAAAAAAADmk/mM5wkupPqIY/s1600/April+2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a988tcp8O2w/TaDZAs2BjUI/AAAAAAAADmk/mM5wkupPqIY/s640/April+2011+060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7MuOnayYJA/TaDZBC0iwRI/AAAAAAAADmo/nBelYG8pkV0/s1600/April+2011+061A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7MuOnayYJA/TaDZBC0iwRI/AAAAAAAADmo/nBelYG8pkV0/s640/April+2011+061A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-53602586688995333652011-03-06T19:45:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:06:32.897-08:00Group Ride with the Boys in the OC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7N2rwiD6hOI/TXRNZoAWalI/AAAAAAAADkI/Oekre-YTupY/s1600/507-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7N2rwiD6hOI/TXRNZoAWalI/AAAAAAAADkI/Oekre-YTupY/s640/507-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys rolling out at 0700 from Tait's home in Oak Creek. We did a fun run through Santiago Canyon. After reloading our water bottles Tait, Nate, James, Corte and I did a Laguna Canyon loop. 70 miles was a long day in the saddle for me. The sky was blue, the temp was 50 at the start and mid-70's by the time we finished at 11:30. Most of the guys had knee/arm warmers, but I was happy to have my arms and legs warmed by the sun, even with the cool temps at the start.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmjEAcbBIak/TXRNbA3iXeI/AAAAAAAADkM/ANWUlD7PySo/s1600/509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmjEAcbBIak/TXRNbA3iXeI/AAAAAAAADkM/ANWUlD7PySo/s640/509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shayne, James and Matt. Shayne is working with Skull Candy on their IPO and was sporting their new company kit for 2011. Looks like they moved away from their old Liquigas green kits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AdVw3EK1UaY/TXRNdIrqAfI/AAAAAAAADkQ/tjheA_cSVCU/s1600/510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AdVw3EK1UaY/TXRNdIrqAfI/AAAAAAAADkQ/tjheA_cSVCU/s640/510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The All-Blacks from New Zealand? Nope, just Scott and Corte sporting their 2010 Sho-Air kits</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6B8gWq8UA8M/TXRNfPwZQTI/AAAAAAAADkU/aNgQDnOYqyc/s1600/511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6B8gWq8UA8M/TXRNfPwZQTI/AAAAAAAADkU/aNgQDnOYqyc/s640/511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tait and Tyson. First ride with them since LOTOJA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DWlKOnowoaw/TXRNgLEJHUI/AAAAAAAADkY/RW4hIF0xjXQ/s1600/512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DWlKOnowoaw/TXRNgLEJHUI/AAAAAAAADkY/RW4hIF0xjXQ/s640/512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UW1Y-4IXJ0c/TXRNhiGtofI/AAAAAAAADkc/DfqD-OTWvCk/s1600/513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UW1Y-4IXJ0c/TXRNhiGtofI/AAAAAAAADkc/DfqD-OTWvCk/s640/513.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9nO4HHTJqro/TXRNj6z99RI/AAAAAAAADkg/DC6UIJ64vdY/s1600/514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9nO4HHTJqro/TXRNj6z99RI/AAAAAAAADkg/DC6UIJ64vdY/s640/514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QpvDYKSNvG0/TXRNlV7jfXI/AAAAAAAADkk/bRzUlRJ6D5k/s1600/515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QpvDYKSNvG0/TXRNlV7jfXI/AAAAAAAADkk/bRzUlRJ6D5k/s640/515.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kRxkXzfkW3c/TXRNm8PpcgI/AAAAAAAADko/mUr9HHHbcsE/s1600/517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kRxkXzfkW3c/TXRNm8PpcgI/AAAAAAAADko/mUr9HHHbcsE/s640/517.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nate and Corte. It looks like Corte may be checking out Nate's technique for pushing me up hills. Corte perfected this years ago pushing me up Torrey Pines Hill after I bonked on a 100 mile ride to San Diego that included a 20 mile team time trial through Camp Pendleton - from which I never recovered. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J-8OIe5Qa9Y/TXRNoUEeimI/AAAAAAAADks/2wmPDlS_anw/s1600/519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J-8OIe5Qa9Y/TXRNoUEeimI/AAAAAAAADks/2wmPDlS_anw/s640/519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt of the earth. Both are LDS Bishops, surfers, skiers, cyclists and ATTORNEYS. What would we do without them? Steve in Gen 2 ssRcc/quiksilver/Norda's jersey. Mark in the gen 3 Norda's jersey. True to their roots. </div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-84707018006376688962011-03-06T19:03:00.005-08:002011-03-06T19:03:47.572-08:00Morning Session at the 'bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbsaUKadKS4/TVhOsf0WeAI/AAAAAAAADhs/_qoNURtbDAk/s1600/S_JD_100_28_1974A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbsaUKadKS4/TVhOsf0WeAI/AAAAAAAADhs/_qoNURtbDAk/s640/S_JD_100_28_1974A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzvSUikdOns/TVhOwfcX6WI/AAAAAAAADhw/8AGXyveAqPU/s1600/S_JD_100_28_1975%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzvSUikdOns/TVhOwfcX6WI/AAAAAAAADhw/8AGXyveAqPU/s640/S_JD_100_28_1975%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68uOUhxSRFc/TVhOxYwjfAI/AAAAAAAADh0/noMP1wUkNRo/s1600/S_JD_100_28_2132A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68uOUhxSRFc/TVhOxYwjfAI/AAAAAAAADh0/noMP1wUkNRo/s640/S_JD_100_28_2132A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A quick solo trip to Snowbird on Saturday. When I dropped into Mineral Basin on Lone Star the Powder Shots guy was camped out and snapped a dozen photos of me. It was about 9:30 so there were not many takers because it is pretty steep and the snow was still pretty hard. I found my legs are only good for 3 hours when there is a high speed quad providing the transportation. I skied close to 15 runs in 3 hours and went home to recover on a 3 hour bike ride. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.</div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-74748938920423707722011-03-06T19:02:00.001-08:002011-03-06T19:02:50.946-08:00Presidents Day at the Beav<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_08EoNtfgOg/TWM4N-4nxTI/AAAAAAAADi0/aZIs7dPlINA/s1600/Feb+2011+052A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_08EoNtfgOg/TWM4N-4nxTI/AAAAAAAADi0/aZIs7dPlINA/s640/Feb+2011+052A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Father and Son Face Shots on the Backside with Tom and Alex</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4y2HbbRR_R8/TWM4jZg9sHI/AAAAAAAADi4/ryxAGuQ65Xw/s1600/Feb+2011+053A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4y2HbbRR_R8/TWM4jZg9sHI/AAAAAAAADi4/ryxAGuQ65Xw/s640/Feb+2011+053A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Alex showing Pops how it is done</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3hYtOxFAfM/TWM4lFMNUfI/AAAAAAAADi8/7i7fxY9elQA/s1600/Feb+2011+054A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3hYtOxFAfM/TWM4lFMNUfI/AAAAAAAADi8/7i7fxY9elQA/s640/Feb+2011+054A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jv9uuC0hDjY/TWM4scAq2lI/AAAAAAAADjA/J3TaMgfjYyY/s1600/Feb+2011+057A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jv9uuC0hDjY/TWM4scAq2lI/AAAAAAAADjA/J3TaMgfjYyY/s640/Feb+2011+057A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tom getting Air on the backside. We've seen this before. Many times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wctLdODrYIw/TWM4tP2W64I/AAAAAAAADjE/HBqS02g9WFY/s1600/Feb+2011+058A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wctLdODrYIw/TWM4tP2W64I/AAAAAAAADjE/HBqS02g9WFY/s640/Feb+2011+058A.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Roh Oh. I don't remember seeing this before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0Ryx0K2MKY/TWM4uF36NGI/AAAAAAAADjI/lHsJ6EDcjiE/s1600/Feb+2011+059A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0Ryx0K2MKY/TWM4uF36NGI/AAAAAAAADjI/lHsJ6EDcjiE/s640/Feb+2011+059A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hmmm, moments ago I had two skis. Now I only see one.<br />
Notice his ski tip is clearly visible above on the far right, but it is still moving and eventually slides underneath the snow and out of sight. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLSAQFmVQNo/TWM4uxjD9AI/AAAAAAAADjM/IDYD_7DxaqI/s1600/Feb+2011+066A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLSAQFmVQNo/TWM4uxjD9AI/AAAAAAAADjM/IDYD_7DxaqI/s640/Feb+2011+066A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fortunately for Tom, his spotter, some kid named Alex, points out the missing ski (it's that dark speck 5 feet below Alex). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcZ-kq1VuuI/TWM4vUnG2gI/AAAAAAAADjQ/Aid8Ufocheg/s1600/Feb+2011+067A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcZ-kq1VuuI/TWM4vUnG2gI/AAAAAAAADjQ/Aid8Ufocheg/s640/Feb+2011+067A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Clark showing Sam the way.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg-TcltJ61w/TWM6KAILL5I/AAAAAAAADjw/xcw7w0pNcMg/s1600/Feb+2011+068A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg-TcltJ61w/TWM6KAILL5I/AAAAAAAADjw/xcw7w0pNcMg/s640/Feb+2011+068A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoOwWiw2VCc/TWPL1Qm84FI/AAAAAAAADj0/xsTB47b3uPU/s1600/Feb+2011+068B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoOwWiw2VCc/TWPL1Qm84FI/AAAAAAAADj0/xsTB47b3uPU/s640/Feb+2011+068B.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>Yup, Sam can do anything</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMwHKHonka4/TWM4w0GJq5I/AAAAAAAADjY/cMVygX7isU8/s1600/Feb+2011+070A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMwHKHonka4/TWM4w0GJq5I/AAAAAAAADjY/cMVygX7isU8/s640/Feb+2011+070A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Silk</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiQNUuFYLqs/TWM4xkuZLsI/AAAAAAAADjc/qTXSvOvS8KY/s1600/Feb+2011+071A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fiQNUuFYLqs/TWM4xkuZLsI/AAAAAAAADjc/qTXSvOvS8KY/s640/Feb+2011+071A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTfmeYOgGJ8/TWM4yCYIVHI/AAAAAAAADjg/WVWTtxjb2yg/s1600/Feb+2011+073A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTfmeYOgGJ8/TWM4yCYIVHI/AAAAAAAADjg/WVWTtxjb2yg/s640/Feb+2011+073A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shelly is in deep and looking great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOzCtdJD5Fo/TWM4y54q8DI/AAAAAAAADjk/HRVpCnsXuJw/s1600/Feb+2011+076A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOzCtdJD5Fo/TWM4y54q8DI/AAAAAAAADjk/HRVpCnsXuJw/s640/Feb+2011+076A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E_pyo_tBvg/TWM4zmyXkQI/AAAAAAAADjo/ncMefb2tp7Y/s1600/Feb+2011+079A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E_pyo_tBvg/TWM4zmyXkQI/AAAAAAAADjo/ncMefb2tp7Y/s640/Feb+2011+079A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Clark, this is how it's done"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wnS58T82A8/TWM40c6jbrI/AAAAAAAADjs/k8Z1YTXq9sQ/s1600/Feb+2011+081A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wnS58T82A8/TWM40c6jbrI/AAAAAAAADjs/k8Z1YTXq9sQ/s640/Feb+2011+081A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the Crew. Mike Nyman, Bill, Tom, Clark, Sam and Alex (L-R)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-64247624556477966992010-12-22T18:15:00.001-08:002010-12-22T18:15:59.841-08:00Early Start to the Ski Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuSeVECSI/AAAAAAAADfU/aLbbs92YKzA/s1600/DEC+2010+001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuSeVECSI/AAAAAAAADfU/aLbbs92YKzA/s640/DEC+2010+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Top of the Dream Lift Opening Day 12/10/10</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuVQzT-TI/AAAAAAAADfc/3Df_r1sTrME/s1600/DEC+2010+004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuVQzT-TI/AAAAAAAADfc/3Df_r1sTrME/s640/DEC+2010+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">John Dropping on on the backside </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuW9FUq7I/AAAAAAAADfg/orMN6OvqcOM/s1600/DEC+2010+005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuW9FUq7I/AAAAAAAADfg/orMN6OvqcOM/s640/DEC+2010+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Plenty of Coverage for December</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuYbFN9cI/AAAAAAAADfk/q03X1hH_ekQ/s1600/DEC+2010+006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuYbFN9cI/AAAAAAAADfk/q03X1hH_ekQ/s640/DEC+2010+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is the day after the storm on 12/20 AND after lunch. Still untracked</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuaL6IUQI/AAAAAAAADfo/-5BghHbEbzg/s1600/DEC+2010+007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuaL6IUQI/AAAAAAAADfo/-5BghHbEbzg/s640/DEC+2010+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> By the time Brian drops into the Secret Stash, he's has to contend with two set of tracks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKubdMzY1I/AAAAAAAADfs/Kl9BQL6sZng/s1600/DEC+2010+008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKubdMzY1I/AAAAAAAADfs/Kl9BQL6sZng/s640/DEC+2010+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Brian enjoyed his day in the powder skiing on Clark's old Armada's</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuc5QOLuI/AAAAAAAADfw/uv7MkS3-tDw/s1600/DEC+2010+009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TRKuc5QOLuI/AAAAAAAADfw/uv7MkS3-tDw/s640/DEC+2010+009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe next time I'll bring a real camera. The iPhone works OK in a pinch.</div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-90128782884731869302010-09-27T19:20:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:20:54.851-07:00End of Dad's Earthly JourneyToday marks the end of my dad's earthly journey. I can't even begin to express my love and admiration for him. He taught me how to ski and ride a bike, but more importantly he showed me how to be a better son, father and husband. After 3+ days of emotionless sleep with no food or water, he teared up at about 2:00 this afternoon, then opened his eyes for the first time in days as the tears continued to flow and then quietly took his last breath as mom and many of the family stood and knelt by his side. A very powerful and spiritual experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TKFQbI4uDFI/AAAAAAAADcw/Ir-fGB-GDE0/s1600/JWE%27s+obituary+photo+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TKFQbI4uDFI/AAAAAAAADcw/Ir-fGB-GDE0/s640/JWE%27s+obituary+photo+06.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br />
There will be a viewing at Nelson Mortuary in Logan this Thursday, September 30, from 6:00-8:00PM 164 East 400 North. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 1, at 11:00 AM with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM at the 10th Ward Chapel on 500 East and 800 North, Logan, UT.emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-2601630762024207782010-09-15T14:46:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:07:55.395-07:00LOTOJA 2010<div class="MsoNormal">11 Sept 2010 LOTOJA VIII<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As my son, John, has pointed out, LOTOJA isn’t fun, but talking about it afterward is. This was my 8<sup>th</sup> LOTOJA. Three weeks ago after completing the Ultimate Challenge – 100 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing, I was thinking my LOTOJA preparation was not too bad, certainly much better than last year when we were between homes and jobs and better than my first LOTOJA in 2003 when I broke my collar bone in April and didn’t get back on the bike until mid-June and didn’t decide to attempt LOTOJA until Allen Barbieri talked me into it in mid-July. Things change. Three weeks ago I came down with bronchitis and had a pretty nasty cold and sore throat. Finally last Sunday, 5 and a half days before LOTOJA, I went to the emergency room and got a prescription for some antibiotics in the hope that my health would turn the corner before Saturday. My health improved considerably and by Saturday most, but not all, of the junk in my sinuses and lungs was gone.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">About this same time, dad’s health started to fail at an accelerated pace. He’s been <a href="http://emmettville.blogspot.com/2007/11/recent-surgery.html">battling Melanoma for a few years</a> but in the last two weeks the tumors in his brain have sapped all his strength on his left side and he’s needed help getting in and out of bed, the bathroom, etc. Last week he just didn’t have the strength to use his walker, so he’s been wheelchair bound and in need of more help than mom can provide. He’s getting hospice care daily and one of my brothers or I stay the night and are there to help dad each morning, meal time and bedtime. Dad’s health, business travel and the bronchitis meant my taper started 3 weeks early – but at least I was fresh. My brother, <a href="http://runslowskifast.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/life/">Jake, posted an essay, ‘Life isn’t Fair’</a>, that sums up many of the feelings I’ve had for the past few weeks.<br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJEwTN1im5I/AAAAAAAADcE/L-r7D2z8hiY/s640/Lotoja+2010+064.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Blue ink for the Tattoo this year. </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most of the riding I did in the two week run up was to test out my new <a href="http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=53022&eid=4927&menuItemId=9309">Specialized Shoes</a>. My feet got so hot in my old Sidi’s at the <a href="http://www.tourofutah.com/index.php?p_resource=challenge_about">Ultimate Challenge</a>; I decided it was time to try something else. The new shoes are white so they meet the “<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2258201150">Official Rules of the European Cyclist</a>”, and they are cooler. The fit was good, but I had a little pressure on the top of my foot and a slight rub against my outside ankle, so I decided not to tempt fate and spend next season breaking them in and use the Sidi’s again this year.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Race day had perfect temps in the forecast – well maybe the first hour or two with temps in the 30’s and low 40’s was going to be chilly, but that’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make to have the afternoon in the low 60’s and upper 50’s. Even the wind forecast was positive. With a warming forecast, there was a chance for warmer southerly tail winds in Star Valley which has almost always greeted us with cross or headwinds. Such a forecast meant that <a href="http://news.hjnews.com/sports/article_d2b4c960-be22-11df-9068-001cc4c002e0.html">the course record set last year would likely be challenged – and indeed it was.</a><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We had almost 30 of us get together for the final pre-race carbo load at Callaway’s in Smithfield. It was much more relaxed going to Callaway’s again rather than enduring the ever increasing crowds at the Olive Garden like we have done for the past 3 years. After dinner, we gathered at mom and dad’s house for some homemade peach ice cream – just as tasty as ever. Mom and I made the ice cream the week before while dad sat in his chair and provided instruction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJEwKMYtEVI/AAAAAAAADb0/SG5a-qqIf0I/s640/Lotoja+2010+081.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the best support crews on the planet. Angela, Julia, Kristin, Kim, Corte's daughter, Sheri, Mindy and Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJEwKMYtEVI/AAAAAAAADb0/SG5a-qqIf0I/s1600/Lotoja+2010+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">After a restless night’s sleep, I was up at 4:45. At 5:00, Paul Badger was in the garage to do his final prep. Paul was going to start at 5:45 with the ‘Fun Ride’ – why it is called the 'Fun Ride' I’ll never know. Fun and LOTOJA don’t really go together. Paul had decided to ride with my brother, Tom, his wife, Shelly, her friend, Brandy, Tom’s Gynecologist, Dr. Barry Noorda, Tim Kofoed and the 14 year old son of a friend of Tom’s who was planning to ride before burning himself the week prior in an accident at Lake Powell. Paul and Tom were the strong ones of the group and Paul was planning to ride with them for as long as possible, but knew he may eventually need to ride on ahead if he didn’t want to spend 14 hours on the road.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The official race starts at 6:25 with the Pro/CAT 1, 2, & 3 riders going off followed by the tandems. Master’s 35+ was the third group at 6:31 and that included Tait Eyre, Shayne Kennedy, Corte Haggard, Peter Harker and Tyson Manning. I arrived at the start just as they departed. Next up was the Master’s 45’s followed by CAT 3 and 4 and then my pack, Masters 55+ at 6:40, 9 minutes behind. Riding with me were my two long time riding buddies, Mark Facer and Dave Lange. John was in the second Cat 5 group 12 minutes behind me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the boys in need of some peach ice cream - John, Paul, Tait, Corte, Bob and Tyson</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As with every LOTOJA, most of the day’s goals were individual. I’ve done it as a group ride a couple of times in years back, but that has lead to more frustration. In 2006 I waited with Brian in Afton for over and hour for some friends we had dropped on Geneva or Salt River. The wait was annoying enough, but when we looked at the times later we could see that the wait cost Brian a podium spot. Last year my prep was at an all-time low so a personal best time was not possible so I was happy to wait on top of Salt River for Corte. Turns out we were so busy eating cold grapes that we didn’t see Corte ride by. For me, waiting is an exception to the rule. I’m glad that’s not the rule for everyone.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">GOALS: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/notes/tait-eyre/lotoja-2010/151087084921575">Tait’s goal</a> for this year was to get over the climbs and finish sub 10:30. Peter’s goal was to help Tait achieve his goal – a pretty noble goal if you ask me. I don’t think Tyson had a goal other than to hang on and do better than last year. Shayne’s goal was to hang with Peter, Tait, Tyson and Corte and finish. Corte’s wanted to hang with the group over the climbs – something that he has struggled with in previous LOTOJA’s . My big goal is Sub 10 hour, but I knew my fitness wasn’t as good as 2008 when Peter and I gave it a good run finishing 8<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> in our Cat 5 group at 10:18. So my new goal was to catch the boys from the OC before the top of Salt River so that we could work together the last half of the race. John was a little unsure of his goal. <a href="http://emmettdoggies.blogspot.com/2008/09/lotoja-2008.html">He’s been on the podium twice </a>, (in 2008 and <a href="http://cycleski.blogspot.com/2008/12/lotoja-2006-johns-on-podium_06.html">2006</a>) and if he was having a good day and stayed with the leaders over the first climb, he might just keep hammering. Yet, he is training for Ironman AZ in November and he was more than willing to treat this as a training ride and help his dad and the boys from the OC get a good time. Mark’s goal was to stay with his best friend Dave. This was Mark’s 3<sup>rd</sup> LOTOJA and Dave’s first. Dave had big plans to lose some weight and get in shape, but life got in the way and by race day, he really wasn’t ready for the climbing. Mark’s adjusted goal was to get Dave to Montpellier and then call it a day. The night before Dave was a little more optimistic that he could do better than that. No matter what, Mark was going to stay with Dave. My little brother Tom, who’s riding much stronger than me this year, was planning to do the fun ride with his wife, Shelly. His only goal was to help Shelly achieve her goal to finish her first attempt at the full LOTOJA – she’s participated in the relay a few times before.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s how it unfolded. At 5:45, Tom, Shelly, Paul and the gang rolled off in the cold darkness with the first group of the fun ride. I watched the M35’s ride away at 6:31, made my 8<sup>th</sup> or 9<sup>th</sup> potty stop of the morning and then rolled up to the start line at 6:40 with the rest of the 600’s. The temp was about 38 at the start – the chilliest LOTOJA ever for me. I had on my old Sidi’s with toe warmers, knee warmers, undershirt, mismatched white and black <a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/">Fat Cyclist</a> arm warmers with a second thin Under Armour black arm warmers over the top, white Sho-Air vest and a beanie pulled over my ears and heavy winter gloves. No full booties, no full leg warmers, no jacket. In my back pocket I carried my light weight and well worn Pearl Izumi full fingered gloves and a light weight skull cap. I planned to pull off my beanie, gloves and extra arm warmers in Preston and toss them to my brother Bill as I rolled through the feed zone.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was still dark and cold when we rolled out. Mark, Dave and I stayed near the front, but didn’t get out in the wind in the first few miles. Early on the way to Preston, the first group of CAT 4’s (700’s) caught us. The guys at the front seemed content to continue our slow pace and let them ride away so I ended up going to the front and pulled us up to the tail end of the 4’s. Soon thereafter the second group of CAT 4’s (800’s) caught us and continued on past the first group of CAT 4’s. Now we had 3 groups together. I recognized a few of the local Porcs (<a href="http://www.porcupinecycling.com/">Porcupine Racing</a>) sitting near the back of the 700’s. Brother’s Rick and Ryan Finlayson and Matt Robbins and a couple of others who I’d joined on a group ride a couple of months ago. The temperature might have even dropped closer to freezing as we cruised through the west side of Cache Valley. I was really happy with my clothing. With warm fingers and warm ears, my cold toes would survive. The easy pace continued as we followed the mass of CAT 4’s across the state line.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was not working out for my goal. I was 9 minutes behind the Sho-Air boys and was now probably 15-18 minutes behind them coming into Preston. No chance of catching them on Emigration (or Strawberry in LOTOJA speak) so the catch, if at all would be much later. Hopefully the catch would be before the top of Geneva - because I hate having to ride between Geneva and Salt River on my own. If not Geneva, then Salt River. I dropped my winter gloves and 2<sup>nd</sup> arm warmers at Bill’s feet in Preston and grabbed two fresh bottles of <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/perpetuem.pp.html?navcat=fuels-energy-drinks">Perpetuem</a>. Bill is amazing. He drives into Logan to watch Tom and Shelly depart at 5:45, stops by to pick up John and my musettes, then drives 30 miles to Preston to support all of us. He does this every year. This year he did all this, then turned around and headed back to mom and dad’s so that he could help dad get up and get his day started. Props to Big Bro. I’ll be back in Logan next week to watch him dominate his class in the Top of Utah marathon.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dave and Mark rolled through the feed zone. I missed Mark on the side of the road for a pee break at Riverton, but said hello and good-bye to Dave as the road turned slightly upward on the way to Mink Creek. I found myself riding along with fellow Porc, Shannon Storrud from Park City. This was my first time meeting Shannon but I recognized his name from the Race Team email. We would cross paths several times during the day. In Mink Creek I was caught by Rick, Ryan and Matt who must have taken and extra minute or two at the feed zone. Soon thereafter, John came by with the leaders of his CAT 5 group (5200’s) and the leaders of the 5100’s. Bummer I thought. If John’s with the leaders there is little chance he’ll sit up and help me and I was not having a good day so I could use the help. A wave and a smile and he was off. About this time I caught Tom and Shelly just as the climb starts to get difficult. Tom looked like a serious racer with his rearview mirror attached to his helmet. Normally my instinct is to steer clear of anyone with a rear view mirror, but Tom is an exception to that rule (and the mirror was for this day only as he has 3 women and one minor in his stead all day). He helped pace me up the toughest part of the climb and keep the Porcs in sight. Without John’s help, I really wanted to keep those guys in sight for help getting to Montpelier. As Tom and I rolled into the false summit, there was John on the side of the road waiting. Hallelujah! He made a quick decision that he didn’t want to do a 9.5 hour sufferfest and try to get on the podium so he went with Plan B – Help Dad. In 04 and 05 John was willing to stay with me since I paid his entry fee, but now that he pays his own way, he has no obligation to help me.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I pointed out the Porcs in their yellow kits up ahead and told John we should reel them in on the way across the saddle before the final part of the climb. In just a few seconds John had pulled us up to their wheel. I made a few introductions. John knew one of the guys riding with them who works at <a href="http://www.sbrutah.com/">SBR</a> in Orem and was in a UVU kit. I think his name was Joe. Along the way I saw my neighbor, Hondo, by the side of the road. I’ve ridden with Hondo once before and knew that he was super strong. He said he was cramping and looked to be trying to stretch it out. Cramping that early in the ride could lead to a long day. By the time we reached the summit, Matt was the only Porc with us and said he was going to wait for the rest of the guys. John and I saw Corte just starting the descent so we chased him down. We’d reeled in our first teammate from the M35’s (300’s). Corte hung on with us on the descent and as John and I powered toward Ovid, we picked up some pretty strong riders. We had a nice double pace line holding the pace at close to 30mph. We also picked up some riders, many were relay riders, who jumped on the train. This was frustrating because they had no idea how a double pace line works and they slowed us down. We just kept our head down and powered on and dropped a lot of these folks. Corte got caught up in the melee and was too far back when the group split. About that time I saw Paul in his familiar <a href="http://nordas.com/">Norda’s</a> kit (designed by me) up ahead and started yelling at him to ramp it up. Paul, ever obedient did and was able to jump on. He held on for a few miles into Ovid and part way to Montpelier before getting popped off the back. It was the fastest pace I can remember. I was really happy with the 7 or 8 guys that were with us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin - The best of the best! She's been watching over me for the past 8 LOTOJA's</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">About this time, Corte got caught back in the group and heard a few of them say that the pace was too fast for such a long race so they sat up and as a result Corte was popped of the back with them. It was a strong pace and Corte said there was no way he was going to be able to chase back on after the gap had opened so he decided to hang with that group.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> As we approached the big rumbles cut in the road going into Ovid, the pace line split with the left side going out into the middle of the road to the left of the rumble and the right side hugging the right side shoulder. It was nice to be riding with some guys who knew the road unlike some years where people just fly right into the rumble which is scary to watch. I felt like we must have made up 4 or 5 of the 15-18 minutes I was behind in Preston. Turns out we did better than that. In Montpelier, Kristin told us that Tait, Peter and Tyson were 7 minutes up the road. Liz Kennedy was very concerned. No sign of Shayne yet. I told her I had not seen him. John mentioned that Corte had asked John at the top of Strawberry if we’d seen Shayne (I hadn’t heard this). That was not good. This was Shayne’s first LOTOJA and I was hoping to have his power in the group to help me. I’m very selfish that way. I want to ride with guys that are going to help me. Now I don’t mind helping others, but LOTOJA day, I’m more interested in receiving help then I am in providing help. The night before Riz Espinili and I had bantered on Facebook about Shayne’s first LOTOJA. I joked with Riz that Shayne’s job was to either sit in the wind at the front of the group or spend time going back to the team car (wouldn’t that be nice?) and keeping me supplied with cold grapes and Dr. Pepper. Shayne joined the discussion and confirmed that he was the rookie - there only to serve me. More on Shayne later <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/shayne-kennedy/lotoja-this-is-a-lot-longer-than-a-note-/118028331583970">(read Shayne's report here).</a><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kristin and Michael took care of us in Montpelier then we were off. We stopped just a mile or two out of town for my first pee break of the day. A new record! Outside of town, another neighbor and friend from work, Tyler Smith rolled by. Tyler and I only got together for one ride this summer and it was all I could do to hang on up AF canyon to Tibble Fork Reservoir. His time last year was sub 9:30 as he finished with the leaders of his CAT 5 Group well in the top ten. I’m not sure he’s my friend any more. He was taking it easy this year riding with a friend and former neighbor, Shane Morris. Tyler finished at 9:59.36 – my dream time and didn’t even break a sweat. On the climb up Geneva John rode his pace and I rode mine. Once again he waited and the top and then we pushed the downhill. As we passed people near the bottom John would yell at them to get on. Two guys did. They sat on, worked through once and then were spit off the back. One was a teenager relay rider. John said he felt a little guilty about that one. Oh well, the kid got to see what it was like to sit on at 35MPH on a slight downhill, work to the front and then get dropped. Happens to all of us…. Unfortunately it still happens to me.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We found a few people to work with, but once again that section between Geneva and Salt River proved to be very unfun. We did get in a line with some Motor 6 guys as we approached the neutral feed zone. There was a random relay guy in the group sporting the plumber look with shorts that didn’t go high enough and a jersey dad didn’t go low enough. I have to give butt crack guy credit, he kept a good pace and he did it while riding in tennis shoes. We grabbed a fresh water bottle and took another pee break just before the start of the KOM of Salt River. John crossed over the timing strip for the start of the KOM and was off telling me he’d see me on top. Michael and Kristin drove by with some cheering to help break the misery. Even though I felt pretty lousy all day, this climb for me was better than usual. The wind was a little favorable and the temperature was cool. As I rolled over the KOM timing strip at the top, I could see the all black Sho-Air kits on the side of the road. Peter had waited for Tait who had waited for Tyson and then Julia (Tyson’s wife) told them that John and I were on the final section of the climb so they decided to keep waiting. John pulled in and then I did 4 minutes later. I think it was more than worth it in time gained by waiting for John because he proved to be the most valuable engine for the rest of the race. I only wish I could have provided more power to the train as thanks for their waiting for me. The only mishap of the day happened on top of Salt River. John crossed the KOM line next to butt crack guy who was on his left. Suddenly this guy’s wife and kids yell out to him and he turns right – into John and knocks him over. Low speed crash, no damage and the guy was very apologetic.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Traffic on the descent was a mess so for the first time I can remember, I had to touch my brakes often on the way down into Star Valley. Now, like the ride into Montpellier, we were the power train on the way into Afton. We picked up some good riders, held a good pace – often above a wind aided 30mph. And we negotiated the rumble strips without serious incident. Too bad you can’t run a proper double pace line where the rumble strips are. Instead you flick your elbow, pull off to the right and hope you can drift to the back without incident. When the groups grows to more than 10 or 12 this becomes very difficult.</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the feed zone in Afton, Tait found himself without support. Ang was with Liz and with Shayne’s delay getting into Montpelier they hadn’t been able to get to Afton in time. Normally Tait would pick up two extra large bottles with 4 scoops of Perpetum. I had a couple of two scoop bottles ready so I gave one of mine to Tait and grabbed an extra water that Kristin had (have I said she is AWESOME yet? – She is standing there with two extra water bottles – with ICE – just in case).<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the way out of Afton we picked up a couple of the same folks that had been on our train coming into town. I’m pretty sure they waited the extra 2-3 minutes we took while figuring out Tait’s support in hopes that they could hook up with us into Alpine. The group size continued to swell on the road out of Afton as we picked up stragglers. At one point one relay guy ended up in the middle of the line up and as people came off the front he would tell them to get in front of him, making the front half of the group do all the work and not letting those at the back do any work. After a doing this a few times, I put on my boss of the peloton hat and rode up alongside him and told him to either pull through or get to the back or get out of the group all together. He was a big guy, but he was obedient and pulled through. Next I had to deal with a couple of annoying relay guys that jumped in the group, worked their way to the front and then revved the pace up another 5 mph causing gaps to appear in the line. The second time the guy did it I was sitting 3<sup>rd</sup> wheel, when he came off I told him, “Just stay up there. If you’re going to ramp the pace up and start popping guys off the back, you don’t deserve to sit in the lineup and recover.” He sheepishly replied that he’d go to the back and then was either too tired to get on the back or he just didn’t want anything else to do with me. Good Riddance. I didn’t need any fresh leg relay guys sowing their oats at mile 150. I then noticed that Tyson had been popped off as a result of that guy’s boneheaded move so we decided to pull up and wait. While we waited for Tyson - Pee break #3, but not really needed. I’m either not hydrating enough, or I’ve got the amount to drink down to close to the right amount. Tyson on the other hand very much appreciated any pee break. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael showing the stress of the long day as Kristin's wing-man.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">In Alpine all was right in the world. Ang was there to support Tait and we received word that Shayne had suffered 4 flats but was now rolling. Four flats and I’m done for the day. Props to Shayne for continuing on. Tait started doing some hard math in his tiny little head and figured that if we could average 25mph the last 40 miles; he would finish at 10:30 and achieve his goal. I don’t support goal setting by people like Tait. Even with a little tail wind going through the canyon, 25MPH is not doable for us, but it didn’t stop us from trying. Just out of Alpine we passed Hondo – at least I thought it was Hondo. When he didn’t recognize me I figured out it was his twin brother Javier – or Javi. (Now I can tell them apart – as long as they are on their bikes. Javi rides a Time and Hondo rides a Pinarello Dogma). I introduced myself and told him to jump in with the group. He worked with us in a double pace line most of the way through the canyon and then fell off the pace somewhere before the neutral feed zone just before Hoback Junction.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The road construction coming into the Junction was a little tricky. John reported that Peter looked like he might go over on one of the rough patches, but he held on. We suffered through the painful miles into Jackson included the last little hill just before we turn of the main road. That stupid hill kills me every year. As we head up that little rise, John recalled all the riders over the years who have yelled, “back one” on that hill. This year it was Peter and I who were begging for mercy. After rolling through the neighborhood on the west side of Jackson we jumped on the bike path, through the tunnel under highway 22 and were finally on the home stretch. Only the right hand turn onto 390 remained. John thought that was 7 miles from the finish. Tait said 11 miles. We turned the corner and thankfully John’s memory is better than Tait’s. Tait and John provided the most power to the train for the next few miles. I tried to step up and do my share. A couple of miles from the finish Tait pulled in a couple of relay guys who were hammering. Tait told them he was too tired to pull through so they exchanged a couple of pulls then moved off to let us pull through. They didn’t seem happy with our pace so the stronger one moved back to the front and the smaller guy followed. Fine with me if they didn’t want us to work.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Side note: For the last 10 years we’ve had a lively sprint at the finish of our weekday morning ride through Irvine and Newport Beach. Some days I worked hard to get the sprint win and other days I was happy to rev up the pace at the front and let others fight it out behind me and come around for the win.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Side note 2: I decided last year that I would always try to sprint at the end of LOTOJA. Last year I rolled through at an easy pace only have a couple of goofy relay guys sprint by me. Two years ago Peter and I were finishing with our best time ever and were fighting about who should finish first. Peter had done most of the work during the day, but when he faded in Snake River I had done more of the work. I felt he should finish first and he was more than willing to allow me. Peter thought I was going to finish ahead of him but I touched my brakes and he nipped me at the line to finish 8<sup>th</sup> leaving me 9<sup>th</sup>. We had no idea at the time that we had a top 10 finish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home stretch in Snake River Canyon. Bob, Tait and John</td></tr>
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</div>Some where in Snake River Canyon I started wondering out loud what my sprint strategy would be. You know something to liven up the conversation. Now back to the race. When we got to about 250 meters to go the relay guys started to go – but they weren’t as powerful as they thought they were. I jumped past them on the right and John matched my move and moved around them on the left to get on my wheel. Tait tried to respond by didn’t quite get on. The relay guys were not happy as we blew by them with one of them yelling a sarcastic, “wow”. I didn’t really care. We hadn’t sat on them for very long and as you can tell by now, I was annoyed with the relay guys this year. I knew we had friends and family standing near the finish so we might as well give them a show. I was ‘shocked’ that John was able to come around me for the win. Tait rolled in 3<sup>rd</sup> followed by Tyson and Peter. Peter has never been one to engage in the sprints, unless they are up a hill like Live Oak Canyon and Tyson didn’t have the legs at mile 206. I recommend the sprint finish. It’s a better way to end the day than just rolling across the line in survival mode.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJFTpBfcc2I/AAAAAAAADck/_xIaFEwVO70/s640/Lotoja+2010+094_edited-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging my head in shame. I was shocked, yes SHOCKED! that John was able to come around my sprint to take the win.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJFTpBfcc2I/AAAAAAAADck/_xIaFEwVO70/s1600/Lotoja+2010+094_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
It was good to be done. This should have been my year for a personal best, but given my own 3 week bronchitis inflicted taper, I was pretty happy with the day. I killed myself on the flats between the bigs climbs because that’s what I do best. I climbed at a pace that works for me and I limited my time at the front through Star Valley so I still had just enough to finish strong. No cramping for the second year in a row helped make the day better. I was too cold at the finish to want to stand in the creek for an ice bath so I headed to the Hotel for a hot shower. The rest of the Sho-Air boys and their families hung out at the line to wait for Shayne.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJEyQxauHwI/AAAAAAAADcc/EMd00E4lS3U/s640/Lotoja+2010+137_edited-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Final Sho-Air Podium. Tait, Tyson, John, Peter and Bob</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/TJEyQxauHwI/AAAAAAAADcc/EMd00E4lS3U/s1600/Lotoja+2010+137_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">John, Kristin, Michael and I sat down for dinner at the Mangy Moose at 6:30. No line at that time. Michael recommends the prime rib. We had just finished when we saw Tait and Shayne shivering as they walked back to the hotel. Shayne gave a little bit of detail of his day as we walked along with them. It started early on the first climb. He had fallen a little off the back when he flatted near Mink Creek. Corte saw him flat but kept going because on a normal day Shayne could change a flat and easily chase down Corte. But today wasn’t a normal day. I’m still not sure why I didn’t see him when I passed him. Probably for the same reason I didn’t see Mark at the start of the climb, I was watching my front tire go round hoping it would go faster.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shayne eventually got going but not fast enough to chase down Corte and got to Montpelier only to flat again outside of Montpelier. This time he wasted a couple of tubes because the sidewall of his tire was blown out. He finally did a McGyver and used a Gu wrapper to plug the sidewall, a tube from a fellow racer and a floor pump from a support vehicle to pump it up. Later Liz stopped and hooked him up with a spare tire and extra tubes from the car. Now all he had to do was the final 100 miles on his own. No wonder his facebook update that night was, ‘Done with Lotoja… forever”. See you next year Shayne. And I’ll still expect you to keep me supplied with cold grapes and Dr. Pepper throughout the day.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m glad Michael was able to help Kristin with the support. It is much more fun to have someone with you on a long and hard day. Michael blew his ACL a few months ago playing soccer for UVU and has had successful surgery and is back on the bike training for next year.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh yeah, the course record. It fell again this year. Not to the Pro 1,2 but to a CAT 3 guy who was in the group 12 minutes behind the PRO/CAT 123’s. I am not at all surprised that Nate Pack was a major player in setting the new course record. John and I are big Nate Pack fans. John traded a few pulls with Nate in <a href="http://cycleski.blogspot.com/2008/12/lotoja-2006-johns-on-podium_06.html">2006</a> when they were in the same Citizen Cat 5 Group and Nate had the best overall time!. In fact the two of them were off the front together just outside of Riverdale when they passed me that year. John told how awesome this guy was after the race. The next year he was in the group behind John and had the best time of the day – while riding a 206 mile individual time trial from a Citizen group. A number of blog commenter’s and Licensed racers compared him to <a href="http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/rosie_ruiz_wins_the_boston_marathon/">Rosie Ruiz</a> – but John and I knew he was the real deal. In those days he was easily recognized in his short shorts powering up Emigration. This year he started in the CAT 3 group 3 minutes in front of me and ended up getting in a two man break and powering to what looked like would be the first sub 9 hour finish. Nate flatted at Hoback Junction and his partner for the day, <a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/final_list/division/117979">Al Thresher</a>, soloed the last 30 miles to set a new record of 9:01. Nate finished 4 minutes later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Pro/CAT 1 winner the last three years, <a href="http://winlotoja.blogspot.com/">Cameron Hoffman</a>, abandoned outside of Alpine. Not sure why, but my guess is that he was not going to be able to catch the seven men who were off the front. <a href="http://www.skibikejunkie.com/2010/09/lotoja-2010.html">SkiBikeJunkie</a> has all the details of that race.<br />
<br />
Till Next Year.<br />
<br />
<h3>All participants for MASTERS 55+ age division</h3><table class="raceDetail"><tbody>
<tr><th class="justCenter">Pl</th><th class="justCenter">Bib</th><th class="justCenter">Name</th> <th class="justCenter">Representing</th><th class="justCenter"><br />
</th><th class="justCenter">Final Time</th><th class="justCenter">Time Back</th><th class="justCenter"><br />
</th><th><br />
</th><th>Ovid</th><th>KOM/QOM Start</th><th>KOM/QOM Finish</th><th><br />
</th><th>Wilson</th><th>Finish</th></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">1</td><td class="justCenter">633</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119706">Elton REID</a></td><td class="justLeft">SLC BICYCLE CO.</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:40:55.962</td><td class="justCenter">00:00:00.000</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:39:21.043</td><td class="justCenter">01:40:30.989</td><td class="justCenter">00:17:38.178</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:51:42.760</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:42.992</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">2</td><td class="justCenter">642</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119722">Jim VERDONE</a></td><td class="justLeft">FITZGERALD CYCLES</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:40:56.245</td><td class="justCenter">00:00:00.283</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:39:24.755</td><td class="justCenter">01:40:27.304</td><td class="justCenter">00:17:33.898</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:51:46.623</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:43.665</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">3</td><td class="justCenter">646</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119731">Chris WELCH</a></td><td class="justLeft">INDIANA MASTERS RACING TEAM</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:41:00.992</td><td class="justCenter">00:00:05.030</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:39:25.070</td><td class="justCenter">01:40:27.693</td><td class="justCenter">00:17:38.654</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:51:41.383</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:48.192</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">4</td><td class="justCenter">641</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119720">Kolin VANCE</a></td><td class="justLeft">NEEDLES PEAK</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:46:14.909</td><td class="justCenter">00:05:18.947</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:43:27.898</td><td class="justCenter">01:42:09.181</td><td class="justCenter">00:18:55.464</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:50:27.505</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:14.861</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">5</td><td class="justCenter">602</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119644">Jerry BERGOSH</a></td><td class="justLeft">SLC BICYCLE CO.</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:46:15.240</td><td class="justCenter">00:05:19.278</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:43:27.392</td><td class="justCenter">01:39:18.374</td><td class="justCenter">00:18:12.937</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:53:59.522</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:17.015</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">6</td><td class="justCenter">626</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119692">Norman MECHAM</a></td><td class="justLeft">LOGAN RACE CLUB</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:53:19.016</td><td class="justCenter">00:12:23.054</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:41:35.814</td><td class="justCenter">01:44:33.910</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:49.359</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:54:55.269</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:24.664</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">7</td><td class="justCenter">639</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119715">Steven SIMMS</a></td><td class="justLeft">JOYRIDE</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">09:54:51.476</td><td class="justCenter">00:13:55.514</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:41:35.597</td><td class="justCenter">01:44:32.863</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:51.311</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:56:51.434</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:00.271</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">8</td><td class="justCenter">631</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119702">Stephen PUDLOCK</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOUNTIFUL MAZDA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:02:15.935</td><td class="justCenter">00:21:19.973</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:47:28.237</td><td class="justCenter">01:42:09.537</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:59.578</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:59:27.390</td><td class="justCenter">00:12:11.193</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">9</td><td class="justCenter">632</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119704">Anthony QUINN</a></td><td class="justLeft">MI DUOLE - BARBACOA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:04:41.296</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:45.334</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:48:12.565</td><td class="justCenter">01:46:25.996</td><td class="justCenter">00:19:43.220</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:59:08.575</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:10.940</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">10</td><td class="justCenter">627</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119694">Daniel MOSER</a></td><td class="justLeft">MI DUOLE - BARBACOA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:04:41.680</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:45.718</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:48:12.803</td><td class="justCenter">01:46:25.450</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:12.849</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:58:41.068</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:09.510</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">11</td><td class="justCenter">624</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119688">Michael MACDONALD</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOUNTIFUL MAZDA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:04:48.474</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:52.512</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:43:28.171</td><td class="justCenter">01:50:08.116</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:01.627</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:56:52.283</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:18.277</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">12</td><td class="justCenter">620</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119678">Tek KILGORE</a></td><td class="justLeft">MI DUOLE - BARBACOA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:04:50.097</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:54.135</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:48:13.025</td><td class="justCenter">01:46:20.329</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:19.945</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:58:37.295</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:19.503</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">13</td><td class="justCenter">612</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119660">Barry GAINES</a></td><td class="justLeft">GATEWAY CYCLING CLUB</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:18:37.141</td><td class="justCenter">00:37:41.179</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:50:41.387</td><td class="justCenter">01:49:06.258</td><td class="justCenter">00:21:26.125</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:04:51.354</td><td class="justCenter">00:12:32.017</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">14</td><td class="justCenter">616</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119669">John HERNANDEZ</a></td><td class="justLeft">LOGAN RACE CLUB</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:21:55.769</td><td class="justCenter">00:40:59.807</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:43:29.863</td><td class="justCenter">01:46:07.607</td><td class="justCenter">00:23:44.876</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:17:01.186</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:32.237</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">15</td><td class="justCenter">623</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119685">Val LUDLOW</a></td><td class="justLeft">OFRT</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:22:09.953</td><td class="justCenter">00:41:13.991</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:47:28.999</td><td class="justCenter">01:52:31.433</td><td class="justCenter">00:20:42.993</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:09:41.346</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:45.182</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter"><u><b>16</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>608</b></u></td><td class="justLeft"><u><b><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119652">Robert EMMETT</a></b></u></td><td class="justLeft"><u><b>PORCUPINE CYCLING</b></u></td><td class="justLeft"><u><b><br />
</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>10:36:29.784</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>00:55:33.822</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b><br />
</b></u></td><td><u><b><br />
</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>03:52:59.601</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>01:55:23.567</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>00:24:41.503</b></u></td><td><u><b><br />
</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>04:11:41.558</b></u></td><td class="justCenter"><u><b>00:11:43.555</b></u></td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">17</td><td class="justCenter">621</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119681">Byron KOSICK</a></td><td class="justLeft">CANYON BICYCLES</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:45:33.980</td><td class="justCenter">01:04:38.018</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:04:44.014</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">18</td><td class="justCenter">636</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119712">Daniel SELLERS</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOUNTIFUL MAZDA CYCLE CLUB</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:46:16.473</td><td class="justCenter">01:05:20.511</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:52:59.116</td><td class="justCenter">01:55:00.238</td><td class="justCenter">00:24:11.320</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:22:14.145</td><td class="justCenter">00:11:51.654</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">19</td><td class="justCenter">640</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119718">Shannon STORRUD</a></td><td class="justLeft">PORCUPINE CYCLING</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:47:06.944</td><td class="justCenter">01:06:10.982</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:51:24.883</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">02:21:33.456</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:21:32.620</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">20</td><td class="justCenter">647</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119732">Joe YONK</a></td><td class="justLeft">LOGAN RACE CLUB</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:47:57.571</td><td class="justCenter">01:07:01.609</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:01:31.139</td><td class="justCenter">02:00:58.941</td><td class="justCenter">00:24:51.018</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:58:15.450</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">21</td><td class="justCenter">609</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119655">David EVANS</a></td><td class="justLeft">LOGAN UT USA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">10:48:25.376</td><td class="justCenter">01:07:29.414</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">03:57:54.318</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">22</td><td class="justCenter">635</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119709">Howard ROOSE</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOC</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:04:03.022</td><td class="justCenter">01:23:07.060</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:05:38.736</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">23</td><td class="justCenter">618</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119673">James JOHNSTON</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOC</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:04:03.255</td><td class="justCenter">01:23:07.293</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:05:38.432</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">24</td><td class="justCenter">637</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119714">Michael SHAW</a></td><td class="justLeft">EAGLE ROCK CYCLING</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:06:49.884</td><td class="justCenter">01:25:53.922</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:00:05.699</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">25</td><td class="justCenter">607</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119649">Dennis CONROY</a></td><td class="justLeft">SALT LAKE CITY UT USA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:16:11.649</td><td class="justCenter">01:35:15.687</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:08:38.775</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">26</td><td class="justCenter">628</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119698">Alex NIEROTH</a></td><td class="justLeft">TEAM VELOCITY</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:36:27.471</td><td class="justCenter">01:55:31.509</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:22:01.366</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">27</td><td class="justCenter">619</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119675">Bruce JORGENSON</a></td><td class="justLeft">TEAM VELOCITY</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:36:27.744</td><td class="justCenter">01:55:31.782</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:15:41.071</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">28</td><td class="justCenter">643</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119725">David WARD</a></td><td class="justLeft">SPIN CYCLE</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:39:53.263</td><td class="justCenter">01:58:57.301</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:26:35.753</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">29</td><td class="justCenter">614</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119664">Scott GLASSCOCK</a></td><td class="justLeft">TEAM RIO GRANDE</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:40:29.303</td><td class="justCenter">01:59:33.341</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:06:48.139</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">30</td><td class="justCenter">601</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119642">Michael ANDERSON</a></td><td class="justLeft">CORAL DESERT ORTHOPEDICS</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:42:42.606</td><td class="justCenter">02:01:46.644</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:16:45.451</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">31</td><td class="justCenter">615</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119666">John HARRIS</a></td><td class="justLeft">EAGLE ROCK CYCLING</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:44:32.213</td><td class="justCenter">02:03:36.251</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:15:43.488</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">32</td><td class="justCenter">613</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119662">Jim GILLAND</a></td><td class="justLeft">PORCUPINE CYCLING</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:52:25.602</td><td class="justCenter">02:11:29.640</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:08:38.471</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">33</td><td class="justCenter">630</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119700">Jan OSTERSTOCK</a></td><td class="justLeft">SKULL CANDY/JSA ARCHITECTS</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">11:58:34.586</td><td class="justCenter">02:17:38.624</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">34</td><td class="justCenter">644</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119728">Jeffrey WARREN</a></td><td class="justLeft">BOUNTIFUL MAZDA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">12:20:43.536</td><td class="justCenter">02:39:47.574</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:28:28.646</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter">35</td><td class="justCenter">606</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119647">Peter CLEMENS</a></td><td class="justLeft">NORTH OGDEN UT USA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">12:24:26.385</td><td class="justCenter">02:43:30.423</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:16:45.033</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter">36</td><td class="justCenter">625</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119690">Paul MATTHEWS</a></td><td class="justLeft">SALT LAKE CITY UT USA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">12:56:26.443</td><td class="justCenter">03:15:30.481</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:44:20.819</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">603</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119646">Stephen BIALKOWSKI</a></td><td class="justLeft">JOYRIDE BIKES</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">DNF</td><td class="justCenter">0</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:22:02.869</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">610</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119657">James FACER</a></td><td class="justLeft">NONE</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">DNF</td><td class="justCenter">0</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">611</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119658">Mark FACER</a></td><td class="justLeft">NORDAS</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">DNF</td><td class="justCenter">0</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">04:28:29.387</td></tr>
<tr class="evenRow"><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">617</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119672">Donald JOHNSON</a></td><td class="justLeft">IDAHO FALLS ID USA</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">DNF</td><td class="justCenter">0</td><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddRow"><td class="justCenter"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">622</td><td class="justLeft"><a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/806119683">David LANGE</a></td><td class="justLeft">PORCUPINE CYCLING</td><td class="justLeft"><br />
</td><td class="justCenter">DNF</td><td class="justCenter">0</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-17544525609119105842010-08-28T20:55:00.000-07:002010-08-28T20:59:43.264-07:00Chalk Creek Road Race - Utah State ChampionshipJuly 24, 2009. This one hurt. Many of the top Masters 55+ showed up for this race because is also served as the State Championship race. Hey, who doesn't want to be a State Champ. I certainly did. <br />
<br />
Here's the course description: The 50 mile race starts at North Summit High School and heads East up Border Station Road until it connects to Chalk Creek Road with a right hand turn then continues East to the corner of Utah & Wyoming for the 50 mile groups. You will continue on back to the High School by way of Main Street before going up Chalk Creek Road by way of Border Station Road. The finish is up N. Industrial Park Road past the Cemetery.<br />
<br />
Dave Lange joined me for the race as part of his Lotoja Prep. About 25 of us lined up at the start. The first 6 miles out of town is up hill and includes several rollers. Soon the group was down to about 13, then there were 12- including me but on the last of the rollers, I couldn't hold on so the final selection of 11 rider were off on a 19 mile ride up the valley floor. Had I been able to hold on for only another 100K, I think I could have stayed with the group until the end.<br />
<br />
I suffered on my own out to the turn around at the Wyoming border and then hooked up with Matt, a Cat 4 from Porcupine who I'd ridden with a couple of times before and also a young kid named Brian from Canyon. Both had been popped off the Cat 4's. Matt because he couldn't hold on and Brian because he'd dropped his chain. Brian was super strong and did all the work. Matt finally cramped and popped off leaving me to hold on with Brian. I spent a lot of time telling him how powerful he was and as a result of my kissing up to him, he was alright with me sitting on. Finally about 3 miles from the finish, I spotted another rider from my group (he got popped before me, but latched on to the Cat 4's and passed me on the way to Wyoming) and as Brian hit the wall I shouted, "thanks for the pull", then I blew by my fellow M55+ and tried to out race him to the finish. At the right hand turn at the cemetery, the guy caught me and ended up winning a sprint for 12th and 13th.<br />
<br />
Oh, well, 13th place and a couple of good grand-kids waiting at the finish made for a perfect day!<br />
<br />
Dave Lange followed me in a few minutes later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/THnWtWDTD_I/AAAAAAAADaM/lVc-EUBqy4E/s1600/July+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/THnWtWDTD_I/AAAAAAAADaM/lVc-EUBqy4E/s640/July+2010+005.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jack and Lily showed up (along with their dad) to cheer me on at the finish. </div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-47758027282388732332009-09-26T22:29:00.000-07:002009-09-26T22:31:02.985-07:00Enjoyed the Spectacular fall colors on my Alpine Loop- Cascade Springs ride<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7okjerknI/AAAAAAAACH8/V-j8lJNetkM/s1600-h/Sept+2009+717A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7okjerknI/AAAAAAAACH8/V-j8lJNetkM/s400/Sept+2009+717A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385997919078552178" border="0" /></a>What a beautiful day for a ride. I still have a little fitness left over from my Lotoja training so I decided to get out and enjoy the SPECTACULAR fall colors with a 50 mile ride with 5800 feet of climbing. John and I met at the summit of Alpine Loop. He climbed from the Provo Canyon side and I climbed from the American Fork Canyon Side. We rode the 15 mile round trip out to Cascade Springs together.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7okAwbJ_I/AAAAAAAACH0/ZA05iXpCKns/s1600-h/Sept+2009+703.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7okAwbJ_I/AAAAAAAACH0/ZA05iXpCKns/s400/Sept+2009+703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385997909757732850" border="0" /></a>Looking back down American Fork Canyon<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7oj79dgZI/AAAAAAAACHs/jG40r0gFyuI/s1600-h/Sept+2009+712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7oj79dgZI/AAAAAAAACHs/jG40r0gFyuI/s400/Sept+2009+712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385997908470235538" border="0" /></a>View from the summit of the first of the quakies starting to turn at the base of Mt Timpanogos.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7ojKIzltI/AAAAAAAACHk/-1U13AQKJO8/s1600-h/Sept+2009+721A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7ojKIzltI/AAAAAAAACHk/-1U13AQKJO8/s400/Sept+2009+721A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385997895096047314" border="0" /></a>The red, pink and orange colors appear to be at their peak this weekend. Wow!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7oi3hA-0I/AAAAAAAACHc/F9UFnM_7Ohk/s1600-h/Sept+2009+727A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Sr7oi3hA-0I/AAAAAAAACHc/F9UFnM_7Ohk/s400/Sept+2009+727A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385997890097314626" border="0" /></a>Action photo using my iphone. Not that easy to do while riding. </div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-34374699126594511332009-09-14T23:16:00.001-07:002009-09-23T20:38:49.243-07:00LOTOJA 2009<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">12 September 2009<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p></u1:p><u style="font-weight: bold;">LOTOJA XXVII Report</u> (7<sup>th</sup> report in an ongoing series)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p></u1:p>I love this race. I admit, there are times every year when the wind is blowing in my face and my legs are contemplating cramping, that I wonder why I have paid money to suffer on the bike for 10+ hours, but by breakfast the following day, I’m already making plans to do it again.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This was a very unique training year. In years past, I’ve had a routine of training with the OC boys and getting in a series of spirited early AM rides during the week and a bunch of long rides on Saturdays during the summer. Since the move to <st1:state st="on"><st1:state st="on">Utah</st1:state></st1:state> in May, I’ve been left to train mostly on my own with an occasional ‘group’ ride on Saturday with my boys John and Brian and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Irvine</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city> transplant, Paul Badger. John and I did a couple of centuries, including 1000 Warriors, in August and Paul joined us for 80 miles on one of the rides (his longest training ride of the season). I really missed the hard pace with several intervals of the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Irvine</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city> morning ride. In place of that ride, I mostly did solo rides up <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">American</st1:placename></st1:place> <st1:placename st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Fork</st1:placename></st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:placetype></st1:placename></st1:place> – no sprints, no intervals – just </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">riding. I knew the lack of preparation was going to come back to haunt me……</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Srrj8N3nqhI/AAAAAAAACGk/Jk9BM4gWNlM/s1600-h/Lotoja+2009+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Srrj8N3nqhI/AAAAAAAACGk/Jk9BM4gWNlM/s400/Lotoja+2009+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384866928129452562" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="text-align: center;">Mark, Bob and Paul showing off our Lotoja Tattoos at registration. This was something new this year to help stop non-registered racers from taking the place of registered ones on race day.
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p></u1:p>On Friday, my facebook update was that I was going to think positive. No longer whining about not training, now I was focused on “fresh legs’. That line of thinking paid off. Friday night the Emmett clan, mom, dad, John, Beth, Jack, Lily, Kristin, </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Brian, Jackie, Annie and I enjoyed what has become a traditional pre-race meal at the Olive Garden. At other tables were Tyson and Julia Manning, Mark and Mindy Facer along with Corte and Cheri Haggard. At another table Paul and Kim Badger were having dinner with Paul’s cousin and at a 4<sup>th</sup> table was the Robles clan - Casey the racer and his support team of his dad, wife, sister and brother.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /></p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C03%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Peter and Janet Harker were at Peter’s brother enjoying dinner without the hassle of waiting in line for an hour.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Srro8uWDBvI/AAAAAAAACGs/m99SgAZTwKs/s1600-h/Lotoja+2009+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Srro8uWDBvI/AAAAAAAACGs/m99SgAZTwKs/s400/Lotoja+2009+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384872434405148402" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;">Post-peach ice cream photo op. Did I remember to thank my parents for opening up their house for the 7th year in a row?
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<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p></u1:p>After our ‘too late to do any good carbo loading’, it was back to Twin Pine Ranch for the ‘never too late to do any good homemade peach ice cream’ It’s a lot of work for mom and dad – especially mom, who in recent years has been required to do more and more of the ‘heavy lifting’ – to get the house ready, garage cleaned out and all of the peaches cut and pealed and the ice cream made. They keep offering up their house for the pre-race gathering and I know that all of us – both friend and family, really appreciate it. It is a busy night of arranging support, filling musette bags – mostly with food or gu that won’t be consumed, but also energy drink (Hammer Perpetuem for most) and an assortment of Hammer Endurolytes and Ibuprofen. . In recent years, John and I have zeroed in on turkey meat rolled up with a cheese and mustard for our any-thing but sweet snack. This year I was very happy to eat my treat in <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place> (mile 120). John was so excited that he made one for Afton and a second for Alpine – too bad he dropped the one in Afton and as has become an all too frequent a happening, John beat his support to Alpine and was left on his own like Bear Grylls to fend for himself the last 40 miles (thank goodness for the neutral support at the end of Snake River Canyon).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p></u1:p>My brother Tom was also riding this year. Two years ago in his first full Lotoja ride, he beat my time by a few minutes. This year he was even stronger. He planned to ride in the so-called ‘Fun Ride’ – a non-competitive class that leaves first at 5:45. As it turns out, being first on the road is not always a good thing. In his case it meant a long day in the saddle and most of the miles done solo. When riders finally started to catch him they were always the fastest riders of the fastest groups. He needed to be caught by guys like me, but alas, I started almost 50 minutes later and there was no way I would see Tom until I got to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXxzmbaCI/AAAAAAAACEE/piNR3TL9yn0/s1600-h/IMG_4120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXxzmbaCI/AAAAAAAACEE/piNR3TL9yn0/s400/IMG_4120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501711418910754" border="0" /></a>Tyson and Peter at the Start line
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C04%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C08%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">My start time with the Master’s 45+ was 6:34. Starting with me would be Peter, Paul and Mark. Corte opted to sign up with the Master’s 35+ group just so he could get a 3 minute head start with Tyson. This was not going to be pretty. Our group of 70 Masters was full of former CAT 1 racers who had thoughts of setting a new course record. Not my style of racing, but at least we had an early start time.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Just before our start, I stopped for a photo op with Trent Eyre – something I’m sure will be forwarded to his brother Tait who was not able to participate this year because of his new church calling as a counselor in the Irvine Stake Presidency (I’ve already apologized to Tait, but I’m not sure he bought off on the sincerity of the apology!).<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>Once I slipped onto the start line, I could see that I couldn’t get across to Peter, Paul and Mark, but I soon caught them as we literally raced out of town. No warm-up. We’re cruising down 2<sup>nd</sup> North at 25+mph and I looked over to Paul at about 3<sup>rd</sup> West, less than ½ mile into the ride, and said sarcastically, “how’s this pace?” His reply, “See you later.”</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>We weren’t even 1/3 of the way to <st1:place st="on"><st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place></st1:place> when we caught the 35’s. Corte and Tyson were near the front as we rolled by. After that our group became a little disorganized with the 35’s and 45’s mixed together. Eventually a big group of 35’s went by us and I followed – alone, which is a no-no. It took a couple of minutes to figure out the rest of my group was behind so I set up and waited. I apologized to the guys at the front of my group when then caught me and it was not big deal. I’m pretty sure they realized the old man wasn’t going to make a solo break away 15 miles into the race.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>We reached <st1:place st="on"><st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place></st1:place> en masse – both 35’s and 45’s mixed together. I tried to stay near the front – the race text message to Kristin said that I was in 3<sup>rd</sup> place at the first time check. Yup, I’m a powerful rider….. My brother Bill was once again at the control as support in <st1:place st="on"><st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place></st1:place>. He hooked me up with a musette bag with two fresh bottles of Perpetuem. Bill, aka, YPR, is AWESOME. He’s up at the crack of dawn, drives into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Logan</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city> to watch baby bro Tom start at 5:45 then stops by Twin Pine Ranch to pick up musettes for John, Tyson and me. His willingness to do this takes a ton of stress off others who are doing support for the rest of the race because they don’t have to race to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city>. Thanks Bro!
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXxgWynxI/AAAAAAAACD8/aPc5EN8B4xM/s1600-h/00233-25-0053A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 155px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXxgWynxI/AAAAAAAACD8/aPc5EN8B4xM/s400/00233-25-0053A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501706253049618" border="0" /></a>Snapshot of Tom's day. Many long lonely miles in the saddle.
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C05%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">I missed Brian in <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place>. He was waiting for the relay teams to arrive, but a rash of flat tires outside of <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> had the group delayed. Eventually they got the timing chips to Preston and he, along with his Aunt Shelly and her friend were off on their 50 mile ride to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city>. Shelly also rode the final 46 mile section to complete almost 100 miles on the bike for the day. Brian said his portion of the ride went well. That shows what over 500 miles of riding since Lotoja last year will do for you. After arriving in <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place>, Brian joined up with Kristin, Jackie and Beth in the support vehicles.
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<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>Just outside of <st1:place st="on"><st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place></st1:place>, about 20 of the 35’s an 45’s stopped for a nature break. Peter, Mark and I included. Tyson and Corte kept rolling. At the start of the Strawberry climb I was with Peter in a large group of mostly 35’s. I had talked to the race official on the motorbike going into town and he told me that he planned to separate the two groups after the feed zone and would hold the 35’s back. Peter didn’t know this was going to take place so he wasn’t aware that main group of 45’s were a couple hundred yards up the road and pulling away. I told him the situation and told him I’d help get him back up to our group so we rolled up to the front of the group only to have some guy at the front yell at us for racing. I told he we were 45’s and trying to chase back on so he lightened up. It took a few minutes but Peter and I worked together and caught back up. I knew I couldn’t handle that pace all day so I patted Peter on the back and told him to race hard and make us proud. I then sat up to wait for Mark, Corte and Tyson who were less than a minute behind.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>About half way up the climb, John came by with the leaders of his CAT 5 group that had started 20 minutes behind us. John looked strong. Later I learned that just after passing us, he lost the wheel of the 4 leaders. He blamed seeing us as the cause of a bell going off inside telling him that the pace of the leaders was too much. A couple of days after the race John amended his story as to why he let the leaders get away, he told me "Because they were freaking faster than me." That's an excuse I can relate to. Near the summit, Ben Kofoed said hello as the leaders of the CAT 4’s passed us. Ben’s won and been on the podium in past years as a CAT 5. This was not his year as he was forced to spend 30 minutes in a port-a-potty and gave up any chance of a podium finish.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjqOis_I/AAAAAAAACDs/nfEYqcCwYGY/s1600-h/00233-01-0570A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 196px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjqOis_I/AAAAAAAACDs/nfEYqcCwYGY/s400/00233-01-0570A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501468384637938" border="0" /></a>John racing down Strawberry. He looks like he's on his way to his fastest time ever. 9:41. Wow.
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjfzZD6I/AAAAAAAACDk/jWiCY4gQqhU/s1600-h/00233-01-0845A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjfzZD6I/AAAAAAAACDk/jWiCY4gQqhU/s400/00233-01-0845A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501465586405282" border="0" /></a>Mark leading a 'Red Burro' down Strawberry
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C06%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">At the false summit a strong group of CAT 5 riders caught us. I said to Corte, “Let’s try to hang with these guys over the summit” – easier said than done. I did my best to hang on, but after a few minutes I knew Corte was off the back and that Tyson and Mark would probably explode right along side me if we tried to hold on. The last mile of that climb is deceptive. Never has Corte been stronger so it was a no-brainer for Mark, Tyson and I to back it off at the summit and take a nature break while we waited for Corte. Just as he rolled up, Mark and I jumped on a small but strong group. We caught Tyson off the bike just over the summit and he never had a chance to jump on. Corte also missed this train. Mark and I stuck with these guys and worked a fast pace with them all the way to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city>. It was the hardest – outside of the climbs and the final 6 miles – all day. Mark and I were able to enjoy a leisurely 5 minute stop in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city> talking to the girls while we waited for Corte and Tyson to roll into town.<o:p></o:p></p> </div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjM1TClI/AAAAAAAACDc/9AdZMKKsJuU/s1600-h/00233-25-1655A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXjM1TClI/AAAAAAAACDc/9AdZMKKsJuU/s400/00233-25-1655A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501460494125650" border="0" /></a>Paul is my hero. Long Day. Big Smile.
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXivdjEHI/AAAAAAAACDU/pi_96ZA9Phc/s1600-h/00233-25-1957A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 285px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXivdjEHI/AAAAAAAACDU/pi_96ZA9Phc/s400/00233-25-1957A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501452609884274" border="0" /></a>Brian and Shelly
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXiT6doFI/AAAAAAAACDM/1smjz9Ug3E0/s1600-h/Sept+2009+363A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmXiT6doFI/AAAAAAAACDM/1smjz9Ug3E0/s400/Sept+2009+363A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384501445214969938" border="0" /></a>Kristin, Jackie and Beth are the BEST!
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW9rkbopI/AAAAAAAACDE/2EtkiC_PR8Q/s1600-h/IMG_4127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW9rkbopI/AAAAAAAACDE/2EtkiC_PR8Q/s400/IMG_4127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384500815909855890" border="0" /></a>Julia, Mindy, Cheri and Kim
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C07%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Julia later told Annie that Tyson was a little depressed and in pain with a sore back at the thought of having to ride the last 120 miles on his own and was very happy to see that Mark and I had waited.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>We all stuck together on the Geneva Climb. I was a little disappointed at how hard this supposedly easiest climb was. This year it really kicked my butt. We had a fast descent . Tyson noted that his top speed was almost 55 mph – the fastest he’s ever gone on a bike. That’s pretty good descending for the rookie.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>We had our only real tail wind of the day for the first few miles heading toward <st1:place st="on">Salt River</st1:place>. I grabbed a fresh water bottle at the neutral and the climb was on. This is the toughest climb of the day. Headwind, heat and steep. We each set our own pace. I was off the front but always in view of Tyson with Mark trailing him and Corte bringing up the rear. At the top, Tyson and I made a porta potty stop while Mark took a horizontal position on the asphalt of the view area parking lot just past the KOM timer. We ended up waiting at least 20 minutes for Corte. Had he flatted? Bonked? Mechanical? We chatted and consumed some of Mindy’s grapes then finally decided that Corte was a big boy and could make it on his own.
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<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Off we headed for <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place>. We jumped on a pretty good group that came by us and I don’t think any of us went to the front as we rolled into <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place>. It was Tyson’s first experience with ‘Rumble Strips’. I have more nightmares about rumble strips than I do about my first experience with wasabi and squid sushi in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region> 35 years ago.<o:p></o:p></p>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW9fq9mVI/AAAAAAAACC8/_nMVM9XZsRU/s1600-h/Sept+2009+372A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW9fq9mVI/AAAAAAAACC8/_nMVM9XZsRU/s400/Sept+2009+372A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384500812716022098" border="0" /></a>Did I say Tom spent a lot of time on his own?
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW87HNLcI/AAAAAAAACC0/5IlkIxDSkPs/s1600-h/IMG_4142A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW87HNLcI/AAAAAAAACC0/5IlkIxDSkPs/s400/IMG_4142A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384500802902371778" border="0" /></a>Tyson off the front on Salt River
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW8qH1JUI/AAAAAAAACCs/Mzb_ZgARMqk/s1600-h/uvs090920-017A.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW8qH1JUI/AAAAAAAACCs/Mzb_ZgARMqk/s400/uvs090920-017A.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384500798341588290" border="0" /></a>Last big climb of the day
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW8Q2kZLI/AAAAAAAACCk/BAqr4BSU0QE/s1600-h/IMG_4148.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmW8Q2kZLI/AAAAAAAACCk/BAqr4BSU0QE/s400/IMG_4148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384500791558300850" border="0" /></a>Mindy feeding grapes to Mark - How did we miss Corte rolling by?
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C09%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">In <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place> we asked Cheri about Corte. “Oh, he’s up ahead about 20 minutes”. Do’h, he must have rolled over the top while Mark was lying down and Tyson and I were either not paying attention or in the porta potty. Oh well, let’s go get him.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVwB6tkeI/AAAAAAAACCM/7r9erNoS6Wo/s1600-h/uvs090920-020.BMP"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVwB6tkeI/AAAAAAAACCM/7r9erNoS6Wo/s400/uvs090920-020.BMP" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384499481879089634" border="0" /></a>Thanks to his sneak attack on Salt River, Corte was off the front
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVvuZH9AI/AAAAAAAACCE/N4XPleVPnYs/s1600-h/00233-09-2630A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVvuZH9AI/AAAAAAAACCE/N4XPleVPnYs/s400/00233-09-2630A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384499476637938690" border="0" /></a>Sitting in behind the Cat 4 Women in Snake River Canyon
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVvY1QG-I/AAAAAAAACB8/rgwLbIx91gA/s1600-h/00233-03-1966A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmVvY1QG-I/AAAAAAAACB8/rgwLbIx91gA/s400/00233-03-1966A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384499470850333666" border="0" /></a>These girls stayed in the front allowing us old men to stay out of the wind
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C10%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Right outside of <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place> we hooked up with the four leaders of the Women’s Cat 4 group. They were racing for the podium and couldn’t risk working with us so we sat on and enjoyed not having to work. This year the wind was blowing as usual, but was mostly a head wind so you could hide unlike last year when the wind was coming it at 9 or 10 O’clock and there was no where to hide because the rumble strips prevent any kind of echelon riding.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>We found out in Alpine that Kristin had missed John at the feed zone. She had passed him on the road in with what she thought would be plenty of time, but parking and getting the iced bottles ready took more time than it took John to fly into town. John has a good attitude and knew that he could get some water at the neutral at the end of the canyon. Note: at the end of the race I witnessed what looked like a husband berating his wife for missing him in Alpine. She was crying as she said, “but I didn’t even have time to go to the bathroom!” It’s a ton of stress if you’re one person supporting a fast rider. I can’t say enough about Kristin. Her organizational skills really shine Lotoja day. She coaches Beth and Jackie along with newbies like Mindy, Cheri and Julia. She’s the BEST! Honestly, I couldn’t do this race without her.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>
<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Soon after we heading into the canyon, Mark, Tyson and I hooked up with two of the girls we had been following. The stronger rider, from Porcupine Racing was apparently off the front. They were setting a good pace and I was content to follow. I might have been tempted to follow a couple of other small groups that went by, but I knew my limit and while I felt like I had a little reserve in the tank, I was pretty sure Mark was closer to his limit because he’d been fighting off cramps since the first climb. I wasn’t sure about how much Tyson had left, but I knew he was content to sit in with Mark and me.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C11%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">About 2/3 of the way through the canyon I spotted Corte up ahead. As we went by I slapped him on the butt. He said he jumped on the back but couldn't hold on for long. By now the girls had picked up the strongest rider who had been off the front and we stayed with them into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city>. On the new section, I saw a group of about 15 come by us. I could see the barn door 10 miles up the road so I jumped on hoping Mark and Tyson would be able to go with me. They did – for a while…. Mark popped where the bike trail merged with the highway. Tyson stayed for a couple more miles as a random group of 7 worked a fast double pace line. Tyson finally popped and I stayed with these guys to the finish.<o:p></o:p></p> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU77MMYJI/AAAAAAAACB0/QIVBy_lEFus/s1600-h/00233-01-3154A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 185px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU77MMYJI/AAAAAAAACB0/QIVBy_lEFus/s400/00233-01-3154A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498586720166034" border="0" /></a>Finish
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C12%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Mark hooked up with a fast guy and came within about 10 yards of Tyson at the finish, and they both finished a minute behind me. It was over for us. Not my fastest time, but without a doubt the easiest race ever. I rarely was at my limit and for the first time ever, I didn’t even come close to cramping. Maybe the Optygen works!<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>Corte rolled through about 20 minutes later. All in all a good day with the four of us working together for almost the entire day. I have my work cut out for me convincing Mark to come back and ride Masters 55+ next year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU7d6aYlI/AAAAAAAACBs/-Nfi2yVPSY0/s1600-h/Sept+2009+425A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU7d6aYlI/AAAAAAAACBs/-Nfi2yVPSY0/s400/Sept+2009+425A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498578860958290" border="0" /></a>Great guys to ride with
<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU7GAbgsI/AAAAAAAACBk/SWHgQpIEips/s1600-h/Sept+2009+385A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU7GAbgsI/AAAAAAAACBk/SWHgQpIEips/s400/Sept+2009+385A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498572443747010" border="0" /></a>Shep and Tom. Early start, Fast Finish. Sub 10 hours for Jeff and a mostly solo sub 11 for Tom.
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU6p8aqjI/AAAAAAAACBc/V-wxTUZIFF0/s1600-h/IMG_4178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU6p8aqjI/AAAAAAAACBc/V-wxTUZIFF0/s400/IMG_4178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498564910721586" border="0" /></a>Hmmm, didn't we just see Mark on his back about 100 miles down the road?
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU6QE81gI/AAAAAAAACBU/MODaBZr-2jQ/s1600-h/IMG_4175.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmU6QE81gI/AAAAAAAACBU/MODaBZr-2jQ/s400/IMG_4175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384498557967193602" border="0" /></a>T Manning gave it his all..... and then some.
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C13%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Selected Results below. Check out how close Casey came to missing the sub 11 hour time:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>39 417<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738561">Bob EMMETT</a>NORDAS 10:49:34.875<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">40 419<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738563">Mark FACER</a>NORDAS 10:50:40.083<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">28 426<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738569">Peter HARKER</a>TEAM SHO-AIR 10:08:11.856<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">56 402<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738549">Paul BADGER</a>NORDAS 13:03:22.294<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">29 333<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738515">Tyson MANNING</a>NORDAS 10:53:39.126<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">35 322<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738506">David HAGGARD</a>NORDAS 11:15:44.033<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">9 5318<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738875">John EMMETT</a>NORDAS0 9:41:08.412<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">23 5337<a href="http://milliseconds.com/participants/detail/805738890">Casey ROBLES</a>NORDAS 10:59:58.447<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u1:p></u1:p>Source: <a href="http://milliseconds.com/races/detail/1230">http://milliseconds.com/races/detail/1230</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS3e7iU2I/AAAAAAAACBM/kjb_zXWq3Nk/s1600-h/Sept+2009+434A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS3e7iU2I/AAAAAAAACBM/kjb_zXWq3Nk/s400/Sept+2009+434A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384496311391376226" border="0" /></a>Starting the Recovery with cold water on sore legs.
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS3GYnE9I/AAAAAAAACBE/IuUIlAhvmRQ/s1600-h/creek+cool+down+Lotoja+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS3GYnE9I/AAAAAAAACBE/IuUIlAhvmRQ/s400/creek+cool+down+Lotoja+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384496304802436050" border="0" /></a>Tres Emmetts - Tom, Bob and John. An hour after the finish and the sun's still up!
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS2Zrk0VI/AAAAAAAACA8/7_63bcpx7Uc/s1600-h/Sept+2009+467A+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS2Zrk0VI/AAAAAAAACA8/7_63bcpx7Uc/s400/Sept+2009+467A+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384496292802384210" border="0" /></a>1000 miles!
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<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS11EOdMI/AAAAAAAACA0/h64plAKkRgE/s1600-h/Sept+2009+470.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS11EOdMI/AAAAAAAACA0/h64plAKkRgE/s400/Sept+2009+470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384496282973664450" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS1RhDyxI/AAAAAAAACAs/ZiqD2CTv7As/s1600-h/Sept+2009+472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SrmS1RhDyxI/AAAAAAAACAs/ZiqD2CTv7As/s400/Sept+2009+472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384496273430924050" border="0" /></a>John (six starts, six finishes, two podiums), Corte (six starts, five finishes), Bob (seven starts, six finishes)
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{page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]-->emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-23450570390228475012009-08-22T19:29:00.000-07:002009-08-23T17:13:58.406-07:00Tour of Utah's 1000 Warrior Ride96 miles and a purported 14,778 feet of climbing (plus a 3 mile ride to the start line and 6 miles back down the canyon to get a ride home). The results are in. Looks like I just barely made the time cut-off for recording times..... They planned to stop recording finishes at 2PM (our start time was 6:50AM). Bill Freedman (friend of Tait's) and I rolled through just before the cut-off. Tait finished a few minutes behind me and we saw Trent closing in on the finish line as John and I rode back down the canyon.<br /><br />I planned to take it easy on this ride because I was pretty sure I didn't have the training base to do any more than that. Tait, Trent, Brian and I got dropped on the first climb heading to Kamas. The major factor for me getting dropped was that I put my front wheel on backwards and decided to stop and flip it so my computer would work. Do'h. John, Peter and Adam made the selection of what became about 15 riders according to John. The brothers Eyre and I hooked up with the group leaders from the group behind and pulled into Midway together. Brian was a few minutes behind.<br /><br />In Midway, I stopped to help John who was stranded with a flat and a blown spare. He was riding with the leaders, flatted then blew up his spare (probably twisted the tube when he put it on). I hooked him up with one of my tubes and we chased in tandem through Heber Valley, finally picking up Brian on the south side of Deer Creek Reservoir. Once the Sundance/Alpine Loop climb started John was off the front and Brian was off the back. I went over the top of Alpine Loop with the brothers Eyre and we made it into Highland together.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-1r93UI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/rKRx3M4IxRw/s1600-h/1000+Warrior+crash+13734777.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-1r93UI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/rKRx3M4IxRw/s400/1000+Warrior+crash+13734777.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373173667016334658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-WIoVFI/AAAAAAAAB_I/gGUSuTLn3UQ/s1600-h/1000+Warrior+crash+13743220.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-WIoVFI/AAAAAAAAB_I/gGUSuTLn3UQ/s400/1000+Warrior+crash+13743220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373173658546623570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-EuZazI/AAAAAAAAB_A/bFw4V3P4Fak/s1600-h/1000+Warrior+Crash+13743242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SpFY-EuZazI/AAAAAAAAB_A/bFw4V3P4Fak/s400/1000+Warrior+Crash+13743242.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373173653873191730" border="0" /></a><br />In American Fork Canyon everyone came to a stop just before Timpanogos Cave parking lot. I found out later that 5 riders from the Brumby team (Mesa, AZ) crashed when a Ford Explorer stopped suddenly to avoid on-coming traffic. They were going about 40 mph down American Fork Canyon when two riders hit the Explorer, two more ran off the road to avoid it and the 5th went down trying to sliding along the road in the broken glass. The most seriously injured was Dave Collins, who went flying through the rear window braking his jaw and opening a cut from his ear to his sternum that also cut his jugular. According to a tweet and an email update from race Director, Rick Bennett, he would have most likely died had not two EMT's been riding in their pack. He lost 5 pints of blood but looks like he will make a full recovery.<br /><br />A crash like that is very sobering. While it's a bummer that we didn't get to enjoy the fun riding down lower American Fork Canyon because traffic was backed up several miles while the accident victim was life-flighted - at least those I was riding with all stayed upright on their bikes and avoided the traffic in the Canyon which was very nerve wracking. I think I lost at least 20 minutes by not being able to race lower American Fork Canyon. In Highland, I took the time to stop by the new house for a potty break and to get a cold bottle of water. I was so over trying to post a good time and much more focused on just finishing.<br /><br />John is a skilled and fast descender. He told me he passed close to 40 riders on the American Fork Canyon descent and caught the leaders of his group who were held up due to the accident. After leaving me at the base of the climb to Sundance, John extended his lead over me on the final 50+ miles and finished a solid hour ahead of me. Time enough to go sit down - two different times - in the cold river water at Snowbird. John said he never felt good all day and even as strong as he is, he was forced off his bike to rest or recover at least once on the climb to Snowbird.<br /><br />Trent and I left Tait to suffer on Suncrest - the climb over South Mountain from Utah County to Salt Lake County - and then I left Trent on Wasatch Blvd. The snowbird climb is horrific when you are fresh. When you're on the rivet AND the temp is close to 100 AND there is a head wind the climb is beyond horrific. I ended up stopping 3 times on the climb for a total I guess to be about 30 minutes because of cramping. At one point my right quad was cramped so hard I couldn't do anything except stand on the side of the road and wince in pain. Two different support vehicles offered me a ride to the top, but I figured I wouldn't be able to make fun of Brian for hitching a ride to the top on our training ride two weeks ago if I did the same, so I waited out the cramps and climbed back on the bike.<br /><br />My ride time was 6:14 compared to my clock time of 7:09. It was hard not to just pack it in and turn around. As I said earlier, I have never suffered this much on a bike. Never.<br /><br />Adam and Brian ended up not finishing. I understand Adam hit the wall and was sick at the base of Little Cottonwood and decided not to continue. For Brian, this was his 6th time on the bike all year (all in the past 3 weeks). He decided that there was no need to make the turn off of Wasatch Blvd on to Little Cottonwood so he waited for Kristin who was on her way to pick us up at the base of the canyon.<br /><br />Peter Harker gets the ride of the day award (5:49). He stayed with the leaders for most of the ride and then in the end paced himself and finished 7th! John said a couple of guys asked him where team Sho-Air was from. He told them SoCal and their reply was "you guys are fast". I feel I might not have represented as well as I should have.<br /><br />Fastest time of the day goes to Todd Brown. Looks like Todd finished 11th (5:45) in the Masters 45. Not bad when you consider all those training miles he sacrificed to teach early morning Seminary. Well Done.emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-67332996226467380622009-05-20T21:46:00.000-07:002009-05-21T18:08:52.670-07:00Bear Lake Road Race<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/ShTdqGoL_9I/AAAAAAAAB6g/HIwuByeNOoc/s1600-h/Bear+Lake+Road+Race+Tee.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 362px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/ShTdqGoL_9I/AAAAAAAAB6g/HIwuByeNOoc/s400/Bear+Lake+Road+Race+Tee.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338135173744295890" border="0" /></a>Photo of my nifty Bear Lake Classic Tee taken with my web cam.<br /><br /></div>So..... for my first road race - other than Lotoja - I picked the Bear Lake road race on May 16. 51 miles around Bear Lake in a clockwise direction starting at Blue Water on the south west end. I heard about it yesterday and decided to drive over early this morning to see if I could get in. I didn't know if I wanted to ride Cat 5 with Jeff Shepherd and Ben Kofoed or Masters 45+. Turns out the Cat 5 race was full so the decision was made to race Masters. OUCH. I guess I should have been training the past few weeks instead of packing up the house and looking for a job.<br /><br />I had heard from Tom and Jeff that most groups do a moderate to fast pace around the lake and then the last mile or so is a group sprint. Not so with Masters. I was in a group of about 25, dominated by 6-8 riders each from Bountiful Mazda, Canyon Cyclery (Draper based), Cole Sports and Ski Utah. I was flying the Sho-Air colors. The race started just like many of the pro races. At the gun 3 riders were off the front and for the next 20 miles I stayed near the front as we chased down at least a dozen break away attempts while letting several solo attempts go - but never more than 100 meters. At about mile 19, we turned along North Beach and I cramped just as another break attempt took off. I pulled up for a few seconds and let the last wheel get away. After a short chase, I sat up resigned to a 30 mile solo ride to the finish. I'm sure I'll see many of the same riders at Lotoja in 4 months. I'm not looking forward to that.<br /><br />The Masters 35's caught me (they started 3 minutes back) along the east side of the lake. I hung on at the back for a couple of miles, but finally let them go on a hill not much bigger than a freeway over crossing. Something I now have in common with Bob Roll.<br /><br />At the south end of the Lake the first group of Cat 5's caught and passed me and right behind them the Pro Women rolled by. I sat on the back of the Pro Women to the finish before sitting up to stay clear of their sprint.<br /><br />Just after I finished, in came the second Cat 5 group. Ben Kofoed lead the group on the left had turn with a straight 500M run to the finish. Jeff Shepherd said he was third wheel at the turn. After Ben pulled over, Jeff powered by the last rider and won with ease sitting up while the rest of the group battled for 2nd. Way to go Jeff!!<br /><br />I did get in a hard 50+ mile ride and a pastrami sandwich at LeBeau's so the day wasn't a total loss. Next year I'll be back and I'll be 55. Might be the only good thing about getting old is moving up to a new age division.<br /><br />One of my favorite former Laker's took first and the former lead singer for the Doobie Brothers came it 8th. At least I made the top 25!!<br /><br />Results below: <br /><br />Bear Lake Road Race<br />5/16/2009<br />Masters 45+<br />Place Points Athlete Team<br />1 02:03:01.67 35 Michael Cooper Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />2 02:03:02.54 30 John McKone Cole Sport Racing<br />3 02:03:02.63 26 Gary Swain Bountiful Mazda<br />4 02:03:03.57 23 Andrew Lock Canyon Bicycles of Salt Lake<br />5 02:03:03.76 20 Bob Walker Bountiful Mazda<br />6 02:03:04.39 18 John Lauck Bountiful Mazda<br />7 02:03:04.77 16 Jeff Clawson Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />8 02:03:04.83 15 Michael MacDonald Bountiful Mazda<br />9 02:03:04.83 13 Jeff Ure Bountiful Mazda<br />10 02:03:05.37 12 Michael Loveland Unattached<br />11 02:03:05.52 10 Ken Yonemura Ski Utah Cycling/Utah Premier<br />12 02:03:05.87 9 Lorin Ronnow<br />13 02:03:06.01 7 Criag SORENSEN Unattached<br />14 02:03:08.46 6 Steven Lewis Canyon Bicycles of Salt Lake<br />15 02:03:08.55 4 Jerald Hunsaker Bountiful Mazda<br />16 02:03:09.00 3 Dirk Cowley FFKR Architects/SportsBaseOnline.Com p/b Tour of Utah<br />17 02:03:09.18 1 Michael PROFSKY Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />18 * 0 Jamie Longe Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />19 * 0 Scott Bales Bountiful Mazda<br />20 02:03:12.02 0 Bruce Bilodeau Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />21 02:03:22.20 0 Peter Barquin X-Men/Team Northwave<br />22 02:03:39.19 0 Mark Chrysler Unattached<br />23 02:03:39.19 0 Louis Riel Canyon Bicycles Draper<br />24 02:10:21.00 0 David Saurman<br />25 02:12:22.00 0 Robert EMMETT Sho-Airemetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-9301797505419114072009-02-27T17:48:00.000-08:002009-02-27T18:21:00.859-08:00Looks like I missed an Epic Day at the Beav<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SaiaWgoIDQI/AAAAAAAAByo/JslBO1oH3Zo/s1600-h/whiteroom_feb18_09_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SaiaWgoIDQI/AAAAAAAAByo/JslBO1oH3Zo/s400/whiteroom_feb18_09_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307661872362163458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Saiah5ngfmI/AAAAAAAAByw/41BvTON8H7Q/s1600-h/whiteroom_feb18_09_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/Saiah5ngfmI/AAAAAAAAByw/41BvTON8H7Q/s400/whiteroom_feb18_09_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307662068049018466" border="0" /></a><br />I did win the final sprint on my morning ride on Feb 18th, but I think my brothers Bill and Tom had the <a href="http://nordas.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-ski-dreams-are-made-of.html">better day.</a><br /><br />Tom said the secret stash offered up "some of the best turns of my life." That's saying a lot!<br /><br />JohnEboy's comment: "Holy Cow."<br /><br />I concur.emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-22590015825156618932009-02-17T15:32:00.001-08:002009-02-17T17:32:54.956-08:00Domestiques - Why I love cyclingOne of the things that I love about cycling is the hard work of the teammates on behalf of their leader - whether a sprinter, climber or GC (General Classification) cyclist.<br /><br />Yesterday on Stage 2 Levi Leipheimer absolutely decimated the field on the final climb up Boony Doon Road. His team drove the front of the peloton all day in the rain and then delivered Levi to the base of the last climb. With Yaroslov Popovych his only remaining teammate, Levi asked him to "Light it Up". Popo stepped on the gas for about a kilometer and then Levi was off. No one could follow. Soon he caught and passed all 10 riders in the break and only Thomas Peterson was able to hold on to Levi's wheel as he powered into Santa Cruz. Very impressive!<br /><br />On the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California, Levi found himself 12 minutes behind Francisco Mancebo. Levi's team went to the front and while Levi sat in 3rd or 4th wheel the likes of Chris Horner, Chechu Ruberia and Lance Armstrong buried themselves to reel in Johnson and Kemp and then take back back 11 of the 12 minute advantage Mancebo had established. Had the race officials not decided to stop the clock before the 3 lap circuit of Santa Rosa, the Astana boys would have been able to bring back the entire advantage.<br /><br />The KOM results tell the story:<br /><pre><b>Howell Mt Rd</b><br /><br />1 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing 8 pts<br />2 Timothy Johnson (USA) OUCH Presented By Maxxis 7<br />3 David Kemp (Aus) Fly V Australia 6<br />4 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Christopher Horner</span> (USA) Astana 5<br />5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 3<br /><br /><b>Petrified Forest Rd</b><br /><br />1 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Rock Racing 4 pts<br />2 <span style="font-weight: bold;">José Luis Rubiera</span> (Spa) Astana 3<br />3 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lance Armstrong</span> (USA) Astana 2<br />4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 1</pre>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-22127071754004404722009-02-16T21:11:00.000-08:002009-02-16T21:24:02.716-08:00RNR Woodbury Ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SZpIiE4qf6I/AAAAAAAAByQ/gtBd9aMofh0/s1600-h/PIC_0026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SZpIiE4qf6I/AAAAAAAAByQ/gtBd9aMofh0/s400/PIC_0026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303631261446340514" border="0" /></a><br />Rock 'N Road has a great <a href="http://rocknroadcyclery.blogspot.com/2009/02/woodbury-ride.html">Saturday ride</a> that started up just before Christmas. The first half of the ride is a fast paced ride through Santiago Canyon followed by some food, drink and socializing at the Woodbury RNR shop before heading out on second 34 mile loop through Shady Canyon, over Newport Coast to PCH and back to Irvine via Laguna Canyon.<br /><br />This week they posted a reminder about the ride that included a photo of Patrick and me sitting outside the shop during the mid-ride break a couple of weeks ago. This is the photo that is going to get me back to the gym and into the pool in an attempt to loose a few of these off season pounds.<br /><br /><a href="http://rocknroadcyclery.blogspot.com/2009/02/woodbury-ride.html">http://rocknroadcyclery.blogspot.com/2009/02/woodbury-ride.html</a><br /><br />For those who enjoy listening to Jim Rome, Patrick has a fun story he related a few weeks ago about his experience with Rome early one morning in Shady Canyon. While on a ride before the sun came up, Patrick was cut off by an unknown driver who may have rolled through a stop sign. An obscene jester exchange might have been the end of the story, but later that day, Patrick was listening in to AM sports talk radio and Rome was ranting about how cyclist think they own the road and related the experience he had earlier that morning - which was all about Patrick. He tried in vain to call in and tell his side of the story. So the next time you hear Rome ranting about how much he hates cyclists, you can blame at least part of it on Patrick.emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-11544208971421752602009-01-26T17:11:00.000-08:002009-01-27T08:57:59.237-08:00So You Want To Be A Cyclist?<span style="font-size:100%;">I'm a huge fan of fatty. I check in on his blog often - especially since we're seriously considering a move to his stomping grounds in Utah. On many occasions, the fatcyclist, aka, Elden, has brought me to tears - both of laughter ('<a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/2005/09/26/how-not-to-get-invited-on-the-next-group-ride/">How Not to Get Invited on the Next Group Ride</a> and '<a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/2005/06/17/how-to-size-up-the-competition/">How to Size Up the Competition</a>' are two of my favorites) and sorrow (posts about the ups and downs of his wife, Susan's, battle with cancer). Today's post titled '<a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/2009/01/26/so-you-want-to-be-a-cyclist-part-i-choosing-your-equipment/">So You Want To Be A Cyclist Part I: Choosing Your Equipment</a>' is an instant classic. I was already laughing when I got to the part about the recumbent and unfortunately filled my nose with Diet Coke as I read it. Too Funny.<br /><br />Now, if only I could figure out how to fit a pillow and a Russian phrasebook into my mini-wedge....</span>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-88864824421089776962009-01-22T19:31:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:06:17.245-08:00LOTOJA 2008<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Could I just get one elbow flick?<span style=""> </span>That’s all I want is one – just one! <span style=""> </span>And while you’re at it, how about pointing out the big pothole?<span style=""> </span>Or, maybe if you’re not going to point, you could at least shout out a warning that you’re going to ride within inches of the right side of the series of giant and treacherous rumble strips in the middle of the road that warn of the stop sign coming into Ovid?<span style=""> </span>This was also the year of the long slow pulls.<span style=""> </span>Ugh.<span style=""> </span>If I hear the word “slowing” while riding on gentle rollers one more time, I’m going to scream.<span style=""> </span>To borrow a term used by Peter Harker, we were riding with a bunch of ‘gomers’ this year.<span style=""> </span>I haven’t been this frustrated with my assigned pack of riders since the days of “bow-legged half-wheeler guy” in 2004.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk90Z-O6XI/AAAAAAAABwI/US5LkbG_dfE/s1600-h/IMG_0464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk90Z-O6XI/AAAAAAAABwI/US5LkbG_dfE/s400/IMG_0464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330807485131122" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">If you want to eat at the Olive Garden on Friday evening, you better be prepared to eat early or wait a long time. Shown here, Bob, Corte, Kristin, Beth holding Lily, Annie, Jack and John
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">From the get go, I knew this was going to be a different ride from last year.<span style=""> </span>Our start group had only Peter Harker and Corte Haggard riding for team Norda’s.<span style=""> </span>Compared to last year where we had 8 Norda’s riders and similar number of ‘Bountiful Mazda’ riders and a handful of other experienced riders willing to work in our group of Open Cat 5 riders.<span style=""> </span>This year we were back to the old days of Packs defined by age.<span style=""> </span>In 2007 our pack of Norda/Mazda riders immediately went to the front and set a strong, not hard, but steady pace that caught the two groups in front of us – even with an earlier than usual group pee break about 20 miles into the race.<span style=""> </span>This year there was no one to control the pack.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk90Ed6dtI/AAAAAAAABwA/vcoewGF47UI/s1600-h/LOTOJA+prep+%232+9-5-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk90Ed6dtI/AAAAAAAABwA/vcoewGF47UI/s400/LOTOJA+prep+%232+9-5-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330801712428754" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bill helps John and I get our food and drinks organized early Saturday morning. Then Bill will make the 30 mile drive to Preston to hand out the musette bags.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Disclaimer: For those who haven’t been on a ride with me, let me say, I do have an opinion about how a group ride should go and I’ve been know to be ‘somewhat’ bossy when on a group training ride or in a race like LOTOJA.<span style=""> </span>Back to our story…..</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9z9VJ2cI/AAAAAAAABv4/IFDYyMedY04/s1600-h/Sept+2008+281A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9z9VJ2cI/AAAAAAAABv4/IFDYyMedY04/s400/Sept+2008+281A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330799796640194" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tait is ready to roll</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Peter, Corte and I stayed near the front, but had few opportunities to work at the front because guys like ‘fat guy in the green vest’ would go to the front and stay there pulling a weak 20mph.<span style=""> </span>Then, when the guy finally came off the front, he would drift back and then signal with his arm that he wanted to get back into the pace line about 10 positions back from the front.<span style=""> </span>This when I was about 12 positions back waiting to get to the front and try to rev the pace up a notch or two.<span style=""> </span>It was all I could do not to ride up to the guy in green and yell, “that pull was pathetic, too long and too slow.<span style=""> </span>NO PULL FOR YOU!<span style=""> </span>Back of the line!”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9ztHho0I/AAAAAAAABvw/P-MPrzu1Fhw/s1600-h/John+in+Montpelier+%232+9-6-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9ztHho0I/AAAAAAAABvw/P-MPrzu1Fhw/s400/John+in+Montpelier+%232+9-6-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330795444511554" border="0" /></a>John arrived in Montpelier near the lead and bloodied.
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<br /></span></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">At about state line Peter and I were sitting about 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> in the line up.<span style=""> </span>The guy in front of me goes directly over a big hole.<span style=""> </span>Bam.<span style=""> </span>I do the same then Peter follows.<span style=""> </span>I can’t believe one of us didn’t pinch flat right there.<span style=""> </span>The hard hit caused Peter’s plastic mount for his Power Tap Computer to break sending his computer flying.<span style=""> </span>It took a moment for Peter to figure out that it was his computer bouncing down the road.<span style=""> </span>He pulled up and u-turned to try to salvage it.<span style=""> </span>If this was 2007, I’m pretty sure the Mazda/Norda’s guys would have all sat up and waited for Peter to chase back on, but this was not 2007.<span style=""> </span>Most of these guys didn’t know how to work in a paceline, let alone any race etiquette -especially during the 30 mile warm up where there is never any attacking.<span style=""> </span>I sat up and slow pedaled hoping to be able to help Peter chase back on once he retrieved his computer.<span style=""> </span>Corte kept going.<span style=""> </span>He figured, correctly, that Peter and I together would have no trouble chasing back on to the group.<span style=""> </span>After a couple of minutes, Peter still was not coming.<span style=""> </span>I could see our group riding away in the distance and the group behind just coming into view about to pass Peter.<span style=""> </span>I figured he could use the next group to chase back so I took off on what was a tough 4 or 5 miles of riding at my limit to chase back on.<span style=""> </span>I was screaming in my microphone for Johan Bruyneel to tell Corte to sit up and help me chase, but alas, I didn’t have a radio or a microphone and Johan was tied up denying rumors that Lance is coming back.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>I finally chased back on about a mile outside of Preston and then went to the front as we rolled into Preston which was a good thing because there was a section of gravel road under repair and ‘team Gomer’ was struggling to ride across the gravel.<span style=""> </span>I was first into the feed zone.<span style=""> </span>I threw my vest and full fingered gloves at my brother Bill (aka YPR, super soigneur), grabbed two fresh bottles, told Janet that Peter had lost his computer and was a few minutes behind and then took off.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Corte carried his extra water so he rolled right through the feed zone.<span style=""> </span>I caught him out of town and we discussed where our first comfort stop should be since we missed our chance before <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Corte pulled off for a comfort stop on the climb out of <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> just as we were caught by the leaders of the two groups behind us, including my son John who started 6 minutes behind.<span style=""> </span>There was no way I was going to stop when there was a group this strong pulling me up the hill.<span style=""> </span>Like the movie ‘Groundhog Day’, that was the last I saw of Corte for the day.<span style=""> </span>I descended into Riverdale at the front of the group.<span style=""> </span>My extra girth combined with good wheels and a skier’s tuck helped me go by dozens of riders on the downhill, knowing full well most would come by me when the road turned up on the way to Mink Creek.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I hung with John as long as I could.<span style=""> </span>He told me Peter had rolled into <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> with his group so that was good news to hear.<span style=""> </span>He also said he left Casey behind at the feed zone.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lance Armstrong says you can really only go full out for about an hour in a long race.<span style=""> </span>I had spent way too much time and energy on the chase back into <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> and I was about to pay for it on the climb up Strawberry.<span style=""> </span>In 2007, stomach problems were my down fall and this year, the solo chase into Preston would be cause for concern. I would need to save a little on the Strawberry climb if I was going to survive the day.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Soon I was dropped by the leaders of the 1400, 1500 and 1600’s and even the sole leader of the 1700’s – Nate Pack, the overall winner two years ago and the single fastest rider in the race for the past three years.<span style=""> </span>He must not have an annual racing license because he rides in the Citizen Race category like we do.<span style=""> </span>Each year he does the 30 mile warm up ride into <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> then proceeds to do a 170 mile individual time trial that is amazing to see.<span style=""> </span>Two years ago when he won the overall title, he was in John’s group and the two of them left Preston as the two leaders until he blew John off his wheel after Mink Creek.<span style=""> </span>This year, no one was on his wheel.<span style=""> </span>Note:<span style=""> </span>turns out he finished 10<sup>th</sup> at 9:15, one minute behind the winning time of 9:14 by nine CAT 3 riders.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I rode by the Diamond R and saw Robin Fife’s mom out front washing windows.<span style=""> </span>I shouted, “Hello Rasmussens” and got a nice wave in return.<span style=""> </span>A ‘Fat Boy’ would have been good right about then.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I approached the false summit, first Peter, then Casey came by.<span style=""> </span>Peter had his computer taped to his handle bar.<span style=""> </span>I told Peter that I had waited for a couple of minutes after he lost his computer and he replied, “Yeah right”.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think he believed me……<span style=""> </span>Even though I wanted to sit on their wheels, my legs refused to ride at that pace.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">With the false summit in view, I caught Tait (and shortly there after, his brother Trent).<span style=""> </span>Tait started 6 minutes in front of me.<span style=""> </span>I rode along with him and then tried to pace him across the saddle and up the real summit.<span style=""> </span>He was having none of it (turns out his wheel was out of true and was causing his brake to rub – something he didn’t figure out and fix until over 100 miles into the race.<span style=""> </span>I’m sure Tait will send his detailed report on your request).<span style=""> </span>I even stopped for a pee break that I didn’t need and still pulled him back.<span style=""> </span>Even though we had discussed this exact scenario of me catching him on Strawberry and then rolling over the summit together, it wasn’t going to happen.<span style=""> </span>I rode away and left him to suffer.<span style=""> </span>(I’ll need help weaving this part of the story into a church talk).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OTHAtDI/AAAAAAAABvo/dfAciS0s-ak/s1600-h/Bob+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OTHAtDI/AAAAAAAABvo/dfAciS0s-ak/s400/Bob+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330152807871538" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OGI7h6I/AAAAAAAABvg/226LW-9C7Ho/s1600-h/Bob+leaving+Montpelier+9-6-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OGI7h6I/AAAAAAAABvg/226LW-9C7Ho/s400/Bob+leaving+Montpelier+9-6-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330149326260130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Grab and Go with Peter and Casey right behind me</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I missed hooking up with a fast group going into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city> and hooked up with some fairly fast girls and a few knuckleheads.<span style=""> </span>I barely survived the rumble strips in Ovid.<span style=""> </span>In <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city>, Peter and Casey were standing at the feed zone having a leisurely snack.<span style=""> </span>I grabbed my musette bag and kept on rolling with a “wait for me” and a “here I come” from Peter and Casey.<span style=""> </span>Peter pulled up and I badgered him a little about waiting for me and not trying to win the race.<span style=""> </span>He said his power meter computer was now officially dead and he wanted to ride with me so off we went.<span style=""> </span>They told me that John had crashed and was up the road.<span style=""> </span>I immediately thought he must have crashed in Ovid where I had a scare.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OFusWNI/AAAAAAAABvY/OCg-pB7bMoY/s1600-h/Brian+arriving+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9OFusWNI/AAAAAAAABvY/OCg-pB7bMoY/s400/Brian+arriving+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330149216213202" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What's for lunch?</span>
<br />
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9NszZJeI/AAAAAAAABvQ/S27V6Rv7chA/s1600-h/Brian+Jackie+NFE+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9NszZJeI/AAAAAAAABvQ/S27V6Rv7chA/s400/Brian+Jackie+NFE+in+Montpelier+9-6-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330142525040098" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jackie helps Brian with his musette bag while Super Soigneur, Grandma Norda, holds his bike
<br />
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9NpMq4hI/AAAAAAAABvI/eeXJZxQLt_g/s1600-h/Sept+2008+039A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk9NpMq4hI/AAAAAAAABvI/eeXJZxQLt_g/s400/Sept+2008+039A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294330141557318162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The stress of the support brought on a severe migraine for Jackie, but she was a trooper and carried on in pain. No stress for the veteran Kristin.</span>
<br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal">Later I found out that John and three other from his 1600 group were approaching the false summit and John and another guy got dropped.<span style=""> </span>They were chasing the leading two across the saddle with John sitting second wheel when they caught two other riders from another group.<span style=""> </span>John assumed that they would just roll past the two slower riders, but the other guy in his group decided to tuck in and draft.<span style=""> </span>John wasn’t expecting this and rode up on the guy and crashed.<span style=""> </span>His head bounced on the asphalt a couple of times, cracking his helmet and he left skin from both knees, his right hip and thigh.<span style=""> </span>He was able to climb back onto his bike and chase.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the day, he was coming into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city>, bloodied and in a battle for 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> place. The other rider in his group, Jess, was sitting on John’s wheel hoping to come by him in the sprint – which included a handful of riders from other groups.<span style=""> </span>When Jess tried to come around, John revved it up and came back around at the finish to win the sprint and take 3<sup>rd</sup> by a wheel length, much to the delight of the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> place riders in John’s group, one of whom yelled out, “that was @#*$ awesome!<span style=""> </span>John was very excited about the finish.<span style=""> </span>Congratulations to John for being the only Norda’s riders to make the podium.<span style=""> </span>Next year he’ll need to pack an extra vest to wear on the podium because, like me, he left his team vest behind with Bill in <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> during the race.<span style=""> </span>He still looked good in his older Quiksilver jacket.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peter’s pace up <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Geneva</st1:city></st1:place> was good for me, but too strong for Casey so we left him behind.<span style=""> </span>Casey is normally a much faster climber than me but was suffering just a little.<span style=""> </span>Peter’s new found descending skills were on display as we approached 50 mph on the descent.<span style=""> </span>We worked with a random group of riders in the headwind on the way to Salt Creek.<span style=""> </span>That is one steep climb.<span style=""> </span>This year, with Peter’s fine pacing, we averaged 10.2 mph on Salt Creek, which is much better than my normal 8 mph average.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7n_GzLdI/AAAAAAAABu4/WW4A2XZPKJ8/s1600-h/KOM20.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7n_GzLdI/AAAAAAAABu4/WW4A2XZPKJ8/s400/KOM20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294328395091619282" border="0" /></a></p>Peter setting the pace on the way to Salt River.
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CRobert%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--></div><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We grabbed our food in <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place> and kept right on chugging.<span style=""> </span>Outside of <st1:place st="on">Afton</st1:place> we caught the main group of Larry H. Miller Lexus riders who had started at 6AM, 1 hour and 16 minutes ahead of us.<span style=""> </span>At first I was excited to catch onto a big double pace line, especially because of the notorious <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Star</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> headwinds.<span style=""> </span>Soon I figured out that this was no blessing.<span style=""> </span>The pace was too slow – which is great for the Lexus riders that just wanted to finish – but was of no use to Peter and me if we wanted to crack the top 10 and set a personal best.<span style=""> </span>After several miles of sitting in and hearing the word, “slowing” way to many times, we pulled away from them when they decided to take a comfort break.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last feed zone in Alpine and we were off.<span style=""> </span>Here we hooked up with two pretty strong riders and found ourselves in our first powerful group of the day. One of the guys was a fresh relay rider and we benefited from his fresh legs.<span style=""> </span>For most of the race, I had kept to my strategy of staying out of the wind and taking short pulls when it was my turn up front.<span style=""> </span>Peter, on the other hand, is a hammer head.<span style=""> </span>He had taken dozens and dozens of long hard pulls since we left <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city> and was running on empty.<span style=""> </span>Once he was sitting third wheel with me behind him and our two friends started to open a gap so I gave him a shove to close it down, but on the next step section we had to let them go - but we were able to chase back on as soon as the incline leveled out a bit.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the time we rolled into <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Jackson</st1:city></st1:place>, Peter was feeling a little stronger. <span style=""> </span>At the new turn off for the new section, we both bridged up to a faster group and left our new found friends behind.<span style=""> </span>As we approached the finish line we were both saying, “you go ahead”, but I ‘out sprinted’ Peter by sitting up and tapping my brake so he crossed just in front of me for 8<sup>th</sup> place in our group at a time of 10:36.<span style=""> </span>We were both very pleased with our top 10 finishes which were 8 minutes out of 3<sup>rd</sup> place – which was within reach had we not hit the pothole early in the day.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7nYk51sI/AAAAAAAABuw/pvmwXw1d7ZQ/s1600-h/Sept+2008+209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7nYk51sI/AAAAAAAABuw/pvmwXw1d7ZQ/s400/Sept+2008+209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294328384748902082" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo Finish as Peter and I cross the finish line.
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<br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal">Peter is already plotting strategy for next year.<span style=""> </span>First off, he and I are going to buy an annual license and race Masters 45.<span style=""> </span>This will give us an earlier start time; put us in the company of skilled cyclists that will be both a safer and faster group to ride with.<span style=""> </span>You can’t break 10 hours riding at 20 mph on the flats with team Lexus.<span style=""> </span>This will take away any chance for me to podium since I will get dropped by the leaders somewhere on Strawberry – but there will be other faster and safer riders to hook up with after I get dropped so my chance of improving on my time and getting closer to the sub 10 hour goal increases.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peter’s also going to start weight training and is encouraging me to get a power meter so I can take my training to a new level.<span style=""> </span>I think Peter should just hire me to be his coach.<span style=""> </span>While I’m grateful that he took a ton of long, hard pulls for my benefit this year, my only advice for him next year is that when he gets to the front, go hard, get off and measure your time in the wind in seconds, not minutes.<span style=""> </span>He is such a strong rider, I think that by staying off the front and saving his legs, he should be able to hang with the Masters 45 leaders all the way to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> next year.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Note, along the lines of staying off the front: Brian occasionally listens to his dad and brother who told him at dinner the night before to stay out of the wind.<span style=""> </span>He told me that he was about 120 miles into the race this year before he took his first serious pull.<span style=""> </span>He eventually caught Corte after starting 21 minutes behind and they rode together most of the way with Brian finishing a respectable 11:37 after riding very little this year (three jobs, one marriage and two honeymoons got in the way of training). <span style=""> </span>Proof again, that Brian was only half joking last year when he said something like, “I don’t see what’s so hard about this race?”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, no power meter for me.<span style=""> </span>I don’t doubt that they are an effective training tool, I just prefer to do my training more socially with the morning and Saturday ride group where I can compare notes with Paul about who’s grandkids are cuter, learn about Steve’s trip to D.C., hear Mark’s stories about helicopter rescues on Mt Whitney and all the other good stuff we cover on the rides.<span style=""> </span>I’m staying true to the original club name, ssRcc – semi-serious Recreational cycling club.<span style=""> </span>I think if I ride more and lose a few pounds, I should be able to improve my time next year.<span style=""> </span>It’s worth a shot.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last.<span style=""> </span>I can’t thank enough those that provide support for this ride.<span style=""> </span>It is a long and very stressful day.<span style=""> </span>My daughter Kristin is the best!<span style=""> </span>My best investment each year is her plane ticket to SLC.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>This year she supported John and me.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>She mixes the energy drinks, and is always there ready to go with the musette.<span style=""> </span>This year, Jackie provided support to Brian and Mark Nebeker (that’s a story for another day) and found out first hand how quickly a migraine can set in when you’re not sure where to go, if you have time for a bathroom stop and all of the other unforeseen things that happen.<span style=""> </span>Having Bill in <st1:place st="on">Preston</st1:place> does so much to take the stress of those providing support for the other feed zones.<span style=""> </span>A big thanks to him also.<span style=""> </span>One of my favorite pictures from the race is of my mom, Norda herself, holding Brian’s bike while he grabs his food and sheds his toe warmers in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Montpelier</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Who else has their 81 year old grandma as a personal soigneur?</p><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7oHlsVzI/AAAAAAAABvA/43o6cOzPYUA/s1600-h/Kristin2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7oHlsVzI/AAAAAAAABvA/43o6cOzPYUA/s400/Kristin2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294328397368678194" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Beth and Kristin are all smiles - and who wouldn't be? They're hangin' with Lily
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<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7m8ZUa6I/AAAAAAAABuo/AGVsLJeixJM/s1600-h/Sept+2008+127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7m8ZUa6I/AAAAAAAABuo/AGVsLJeixJM/s400/Sept+2008+127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294328377184119714" border="0" /></a>Beth, Lily, Jack and John
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7mz6qveI/AAAAAAAABug/A7ZcgIU1h6M/s1600-h/Sept+2008+154A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk7mz6qveI/AAAAAAAABug/A7ZcgIU1h6M/s400/Sept+2008+154A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294328374908075490" border="0" /></a>Once again, John was back on the Podium with a 3rd place finish. Way to go John!
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<br />emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626588586594453125.post-65810638959477814252009-01-22T18:58:00.000-08:002009-01-22T19:24:21.166-08:00The Storm of Christmas 2007Some of my favorite photos of a the fine powder we found on the backside at the 'Beav on the day after Christmas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1i1ZhUlI/AAAAAAAABuA/XP_sXAjFh3E/s1600-h/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1i1ZhUlI/AAAAAAAABuA/XP_sXAjFh3E/s400/DSC_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294321709516673618" border="0" /></a>John<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1ifrbwwI/AAAAAAAABt4/p7AHMtt24yQ/s1600-h/DSC_0156A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1ifrbwwI/AAAAAAAABt4/p7AHMtt24yQ/s400/DSC_0156A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294321703686226690" border="0" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cx66zXI/AAAAAAAABtw/yzGF0HebQMs/s1600-h/DSC_0058A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cx66zXI/AAAAAAAABtw/yzGF0HebQMs/s400/DSC_0058A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294320505992170866" border="0" /></a>Brian<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cibgnFI/AAAAAAAABto/jcN_ZsFu31A/s1600-h/DSC_0060A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cibgnFI/AAAAAAAABto/jcN_ZsFu31A/s400/DSC_0060A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294320501833899090" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cQFdBYI/AAAAAAAABtg/p1trvyzz1PU/s1600-h/DSC_0062A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0cQFdBYI/AAAAAAAABtg/p1trvyzz1PU/s400/DSC_0062A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294320496909550978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1jayBZRI/AAAAAAAABuI/poTuu3mF23M/s1600-h/DSC_0181A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk1jayBZRI/AAAAAAAABuI/poTuu3mF23M/s400/DSC_0181A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294321719551550738" border="0" /></a>Jake<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0bkMnSII/AAAAAAAABtY/SqSd-WGf8TE/s1600-h/DSC_0067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk0bkMnSII/AAAAAAAABtY/SqSd-WGf8TE/s400/DSC_0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294320485128423554" border="0" /></a>Jake<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkz5PaDmdI/AAAAAAAABtQ/DYUwG9-VJSQ/s1600-h/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkz5PaDmdI/AAAAAAAABtQ/DYUwG9-VJSQ/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319895432108498" border="0" /></a>Kristin<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkz46uXV4I/AAAAAAAABtI/qnEqw5-CYHo/s1600-h/DSC_0146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkz46uXV4I/AAAAAAAABtI/qnEqw5-CYHo/s400/DSC_0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319889880143746" border="0" /></a>Bill<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzeWZoCWI/AAAAAAAABtA/oI7rRcbj6qs/s1600-h/DSC_0147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzeWZoCWI/AAAAAAAABtA/oI7rRcbj6qs/s400/DSC_0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319433452882274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzd36TctI/AAAAAAAABs4/MJbgz3EAjjc/s1600-h/DSC_0148A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzd36TctI/AAAAAAAABs4/MJbgz3EAjjc/s400/DSC_0148A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319425268445906" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzdNtMVCI/AAAAAAAABsw/OHNZ9EWiqpI/s1600-h/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzdNtMVCI/AAAAAAAABsw/OHNZ9EWiqpI/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319413939164194" border="0" /></a>Brian<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzc0H-aZI/AAAAAAAABso/wtWP3jjo7dg/s1600-h/DSC_0180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzc0H-aZI/AAAAAAAABso/wtWP3jjo7dg/s400/DSC_0180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319407072176530" border="0" /></a>Bill leading Jake<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzceXOj6I/AAAAAAAABsg/l8mgyucdmqE/s1600-h/DSC_0201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXkzceXOj6I/AAAAAAAABsg/l8mgyucdmqE/s400/DSC_0201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294319401230569378" border="0" /></a>John and Brian<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk3PGGdttI/AAAAAAAABuQ/PY_4VYtRW_Y/s1600-h/DSC_0287A.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk3PGGdttI/AAAAAAAABuQ/PY_4VYtRW_Y/s400/DSC_0287A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294323569426020050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk3Prn2obI/AAAAAAAABuY/V0mNOA2FqwQ/s1600-h/DSC_0290.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X6E_U2t2ex8/SXk3Prn2obI/AAAAAAAABuY/V0mNOA2FqwQ/s400/DSC_0290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294323579498176946" border="0" /></a>Even though Tom missed the day after Christmas, he was still able to find some room for fresh track on the 2nd day after the storm. p.s. No need to let others know about this little secret.<br /></div>emetskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747871005331076212noreply@blogger.com0