tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52294412348911884432024-02-06T18:30:25.726-09:00P Nome's AK MisadventuresPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-54366370003415899552018-02-18T15:59:00.001-09:002018-02-18T15:59:27.320-09:004 mph<br><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/256267613?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_7267_18d5_b3ec_653" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><br></div><div>That’s basically the speed I have been training at all winter. Constant storms and heavy winds, it is getting old. My strava account even thinks I am running bc my speed is so slow. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_eec_ab3a_772a_ca29" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO5KcAANr2WHP6Wg2hPMLrgm1ulWhyphenhyphenoazolcnSs4Rk0ssvncl96ffhJF4gzFIMD7xNpKEttYHQh_VKZN6dQKZTRrgxhZnjdzhelzLOha6cq7CoHO874DesTVGeaHKvarY8S6A1rvqNiS5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-46387638442401810392018-02-11T19:59:00.001-09:002018-02-11T19:59:22.959-09:00And then there was none ....In typical Nome fashion the good trails came to an end. The past few days unloaded a couple of storms and piles of snow. A rather terrible riding block made even worse to be on bad roads with freezing rain instead of good trails with cold temps. <img id="id_3a20_a905_b156_9324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyf4DA7uXpcUyut_eyyz5EjTqV2yYP4pYb0aCGNoRoN6KwOI7SIAudsk7neOCdxOX1O9jaTT1bPsvrey_fbSyERj2GXDVagmoNzjNQ01DhjEBLCnNRxmN2Rh9627Zf6wvqj3AUZAnfelx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9a44_d64a_5c88_6e33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ebLEkC9Oeq5NsOt9sApRkI1Lx_21PcXwJUjfNPn3KJvqY4KvuT6sY95wCvmli8lGL9QYFzOCdUCQV6_ZeXXe-kJ_ohdmJC_7F62fgq70bMnRK5wWRkTSgGCfU49aG1o678AxMVy0LGKp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-52104353901426314092018-02-04T20:04:00.001-09:002018-02-05T22:43:46.304-09:00Good RidingThe string of clear and cold weather and minimal wind set up the trails enough to get a weekend of riding. <br />
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Not pushing. <br />
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Not grinding. <br />
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Actual riding and enough saddle time to even get into a groove or two. <br />
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These are musher trails that Nils and Diana put in and I am always so grateful, it was nice to run into them today.<br />
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<img alt="" height="480" id="id_3b9e_f117_4f47_36aa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xK7BOjvf8WFKzfqRvAXsD-B3UQaadh_GmAM_QM9n-w_kmF1zEhuRWByeABZL5TgWpJe8yGxnc_LDt627cnbIOR_W-efQ4JP1m8MqKJOGCRf3V2Ca8crO3nKHBFnFePFwuGvIWA8E-7F1/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr_JD0hcf51kz7O9vQCeXB6TCm3xXI73d7Uap-kge4GsjN2nNK0LIHJD34mad5rcvB5Oi1zpwwD8pzhRz9dUS8kh0C5zXbwF9M9EoxN49NKhwuHIiCGtk5eRdFxWf0ZH6xgJUXeVY9j2P/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="id_be72_74e7_3f32_5f22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr_JD0hcf51kz7O9vQCeXB6TCm3xXI73d7Uap-kge4GsjN2nNK0LIHJD34mad5rcvB5Oi1zpwwD8pzhRz9dUS8kh0C5zXbwF9M9EoxN49NKhwuHIiCGtk5eRdFxWf0ZH6xgJUXeVY9j2P/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjULynleNolcfQt7A6DC7wg8NuV4wOz40NReGl0Wa-ZB6CkbJk3Q0rt5qVK1YXPHwRUAfa6TWgbVxKaICdPGaKJuL0NBSyFFSu1N5KZL1ekXpGySXxPavuus2bhw7sFJgD8RRKqQN22yDA/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="id_d7d_f78e_8cba_a95f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjULynleNolcfQt7A6DC7wg8NuV4wOz40NReGl0Wa-ZB6CkbJk3Q0rt5qVK1YXPHwRUAfa6TWgbVxKaICdPGaKJuL0NBSyFFSu1N5KZL1ekXpGySXxPavuus2bhw7sFJgD8RRKqQN22yDA/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /></a><br />
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<img alt="" id="id_b49e_8d95_e345_d58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH2bqu1-owH2C1vKdkh4qm8ACK632BqjiNjQa0yvUaUhEdRHDRf6XuwfSe56d-ePDHJPjIkXR9z_rnk86i_uVxlBisPnPHkWC8WQ5iV-4Dsj4wYW_H1_qP846uIpN2c1kxcwDA6eNvBoL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6VXa2QXGd6ppp83yfhmBm7w5U2GjQOZ_OWLDnwSpAPF75TVKGP9F4eXD3ZUi_TwcJOUBcHCg4O48aRdcQ4OE79D2taoATiLyYPexBHrVSzQ6bqgM93HE_ObswV81DjbFt8kEyVHh9xpU/s1600/fm8gjtcEK2yPy9iHtA5Lt9aU5ozDeG4pBXIviNOd054-1536x2048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6VXa2QXGd6ppp83yfhmBm7w5U2GjQOZ_OWLDnwSpAPF75TVKGP9F4eXD3ZUi_TwcJOUBcHCg4O48aRdcQ4OE79D2taoATiLyYPexBHrVSzQ6bqgM93HE_ObswV81DjbFt8kEyVHh9xpU/s640/fm8gjtcEK2yPy9iHtA5Lt9aU5ozDeG4pBXIviNOd054-1536x2048.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KDt9fSB1Ch9vnIalmdY87XH9D7YLoZpgKlue6GUVxf-bn53KRe81sIsH32KULVl5Q8OanChx0XQL8deel6vVC3xKAI6mQPTQ2sVVl2ZyX5HXZY3MlMo6sw4kd3rX1lZVlUuqW3LZDBhl/s1600/mushing+flambeaux.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KDt9fSB1Ch9vnIalmdY87XH9D7YLoZpgKlue6GUVxf-bn53KRe81sIsH32KULVl5Q8OanChx0XQL8deel6vVC3xKAI6mQPTQ2sVVl2ZyX5HXZY3MlMo6sw4kd3rX1lZVlUuqW3LZDBhl/s640/mushing+flambeaux.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken by Nils Hahn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hqKgVthjZSMckdsSm3QRbXfIj5w2l2qv-BQg4ullUYVnBnGhAuDdEUdmvGx_PEuSXlQFkhBtD3uqDx9uDOCTcZvVZnXBglYZSbDmiC6kuzl8xOevNwFKzVU4Z-iBmZsWCWAd0T6ZirwB/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hqKgVthjZSMckdsSm3QRbXfIj5w2l2qv-BQg4ullUYVnBnGhAuDdEUdmvGx_PEuSXlQFkhBtD3uqDx9uDOCTcZvVZnXBglYZSbDmiC6kuzl8xOevNwFKzVU4Z-iBmZsWCWAd0T6ZirwB/s640/untitled.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken by Nils Hahn</td></tr>
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-25981203927284468782018-01-28T19:04:00.001-09:002018-01-28T19:04:40.111-09:00FinallyCold, clear and calm...<div><br></div><div><img id="id_df29_25d4_48d3_4cdc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rSoGxdPhyphenhyphenG_v5hTwVHMVfhyYiZrbItj6FR6n_k7luZYQvamu3p_FX4f7ko1ySb4vesmULDSw_x3vCVzKy603PHirAMFC0OkGbSw8POwZ4avcOB1tJNNCdKd07yb1XZSl8pbhw51HgQEG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e2fe_a228_9953_6d00" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrY49IeAnrlForG0aQfKSzhC64E_FE06NQ_iKrF6kwgC5RwbBA3NsVREs7rbPC3D2z4MnPQGnYoFJMBXXNKsrvfIf-oxzgANAiU-nQgEY3sSqnSPU7j3Bq1ErZba18TkfDrLI688DyMR8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_60d8_cef8_6dd1_42a7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LOj3ij278NMBHpxsHT_1lUf-0G3mTqG7zmEzjxKYypAF2zAlerxc8bvoFD9wmO_QQhT7UWbr1JMXoLAV49LfxGAI4Zv40AcpIDPGSO1sLqL0WKgqvR-1ThYDGihhbdKhJjZ3wi6IJHa1/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6571_dead_436c_861a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi130lLAzTA_qABIGJdPEU1VmnCMDQDpdSJ2tii8H1T6zFtMDi_1sxLdpo2SDUzDzWvCwM9M10uxLVd2Qu402oYkI4vOyOeq8Xgy_qd2orMD50pyfgTHBzBv9WMG-FpLruIfzQoLLox9xI9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3344_5848_3fdc_21ad" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaFHEcNzLtoU8LHJIbxr8OpUOIxR-9laaUKA5GMK0pbrgOKexeMU06HMmxA46Rq9OcbayQHo70tKbX9MsZtxT8_XoEEPWma6C2OMbgRsT19OY0C8j23df3LCtVisqDlmN6ZsUmCkIC-3U/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-45073453131521769762018-01-14T17:36:00.001-09:002018-01-14T17:47:57.983-09:00Never ending <br />
The only two photos of my ride today. Even for Nome the frequency and amount of snow we have received is impressive this winter. All the rides so far have either been pre-trail set-up or the conditions are high wind, whiteout and horrible ground storms. Normally, I enjoy these types of days but it's getting a little old. 24 miles in 6 hrs, geez. I just want to get into a cadence and zone out for some hours in the saddle instead of on/off the bike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DwI6J8Zf1qiggBOVXnFilegyhBuoXgUF3ZwK-QEerDBAQlYsJhSfOFEv2mjT4ccUKp7GjTIMUZ-lik3dZXMqGHOXneuCLDqWOrY-l85CYz6RihYtt3cXhbw4aK-mFn_GQHHDA44kyLM3/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DwI6J8Zf1qiggBOVXnFilegyhBuoXgUF3ZwK-QEerDBAQlYsJhSfOFEv2mjT4ccUKp7GjTIMUZ-lik3dZXMqGHOXneuCLDqWOrY-l85CYz6RihYtt3cXhbw4aK-mFn_GQHHDA44kyLM3/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="id_3cb5_a1e6_f021_355d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DwI6J8Zf1qiggBOVXnFilegyhBuoXgUF3ZwK-QEerDBAQlYsJhSfOFEv2mjT4ccUKp7GjTIMUZ-lik3dZXMqGHOXneuCLDqWOrY-l85CYz6RihYtt3cXhbw4aK-mFn_GQHHDA44kyLM3/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DwI6J8Zf1qiggBOVXnFilegyhBuoXgUF3ZwK-QEerDBAQlYsJhSfOFEv2mjT4ccUKp7GjTIMUZ-lik3dZXMqGHOXneuCLDqWOrY-l85CYz6RihYtt3cXhbw4aK-mFn_GQHHDA44kyLM3/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DwI6J8Zf1qiggBOVXnFilegyhBuoXgUF3ZwK-QEerDBAQlYsJhSfOFEv2mjT4ccUKp7GjTIMUZ-lik3dZXMqGHOXneuCLDqWOrY-l85CYz6RihYtt3cXhbw4aK-mFn_GQHHDA44kyLM3/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<img alt="" id="id_c26d_deae_c6ef_eeba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX7IwMDWm9qGIcoHlUUwFCtkFA0BltaU0-0domr0ncmR_UwkoXZZt0YBrPuN-e0WY0VuMoFxt2NOPTRhLXTx50lOwatM9jmKxYJ8S-fSaqE8S4KAuSxZ46D2g53BjGXPwBlUX3wTRJGdP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-84208540648730133952017-12-21T00:28:00.001-09:002017-12-21T00:28:24.399-09:00Storms and friends<img id="id_71bd_8afa_e399_ba4e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISkcGhhjhyphenhyphenVhegQ6QZmZWrmwASnads0JdOcDmFLEB9ZRf0MXZMbtMJeSq7ni9i8ULjx1asb8mSNzvRw8tI8BEDyd5GwW9E4IUb5h69UjpafYgixM_kOhd1tcvDHmMoeg9XJm5kCOsqKXC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5389_abf6_3633_5bb7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPaO5ke1Nmjsc3091YNmRejbgRph6T8efnY_cdEJEidQ6pQIfqezcC5LxeXmM4cb-LRB0a6vNS3_Lg7uWz-RYxZfp_m7p0G0CN4uYnrLJIX61sGtyWRNzQHJQjlII_c3pcSk_rEhYurMm/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br>The past 2 months have seen multiple storms, high temps and lots and lots of snow. Last weekend was a great gathering during a lull in the storms. We had a great time with neighbors and did a little Christmas caroling. It’s things like that which make Nome great. If you notice the fire pit that is a Solo stove I bought. It’s absolutely awesome, it reheats smoke and make a practically smokeless fire in your backyard! <br><img id="id_ff2b_480_92fd_88ea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzHSrtA0LaQXxdL4H8PDinf9wfp-6CNBk5cpv5xcp6nLeBHCBtXGbjAqum8TJ7NuD4RXGB2QUz8-r2bjQRZ4Mxs85yCK4UguUDOXDCc3Tf_XGpwTCpJLwnKOT-Y2tbchWG0GGRVo5BbK0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-27178248752661999222017-12-03T23:53:00.001-09:002017-12-03T23:53:03.360-09:00Reflections and past images <br />
It's amazing when I logged back on to this blog how long it lay dormant. I guess in some ways it has been good since it just means I have been insanely busy. Life, work, family, adventure, repeat. Usually in any order. Blogs seem obsolete or outdated but I actually like it as a public journal. My older 'agedness' certainly forgets things and reading older posts are radically fun. I simply cannot believe I didn't write about the ITI's best parts.... in 2014 of getting lost and losing my vision across Norton sound from Shaktoolik to Koyuk-- or insane cold, brutal winter storm and epic edema in 2015 or where I thought I was going to get eaten by a dog on the Yukon that followed me from Koyuku to Nulato.... or in 2016 ITI's cursing the broken chain, broken crank and having alternative lapses in reality .... or this past year 2017's ITI where I developed a bleeding ulcer and stopped in McGrath... (although I didn't know I had a bleeding ulcer at the time and thought I was having a heart attack between Nikolai and McGrath)... yeah that kind of scared the crap out of me. The list goes on and on like my run on sentences. As usual I want to write it up and, some day I will, but for now enjoy a few pictures of the summer of 2016... a super cool trip into the Seward peninsula preserve, my latest 5 year summer addiction. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGG4ukQ8XrOI3E0tQRJXzlcKgLe1z9o_0vwcq3uvJKzBqH2KbjgG8PoJ76ku2ifytmjY_wxc6wQJxvHsd5XPVXi8Aa0ydAR177QtJ7rWUT08HQsMLxVq9zHTK-pfqEkQ6KFp49dzRYfX/s1600/IMG_0015.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGG4ukQ8XrOI3E0tQRJXzlcKgLe1z9o_0vwcq3uvJKzBqH2KbjgG8PoJ76ku2ifytmjY_wxc6wQJxvHsd5XPVXi8Aa0ydAR177QtJ7rWUT08HQsMLxVq9zHTK-pfqEkQ6KFp49dzRYfX/s320/IMG_0015.MOV" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying in style</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great scenery of the hike out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuzitrin Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating in nasty bugs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group right before Jeff and I hiked to Council while they pack rafted</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weird tundra ice things</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot buggy and tired of tussock hiking</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1369028192"></span><span id="goog_1369028193"></span><br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-69634939496942086342017-12-03T22:58:00.002-09:002017-12-03T23:01:01.876-09:00Anchorage while Nome StormsIt's been a busy few weeks with a series of nice storms that hit Nome. Lots of snow and lots of wind. The latest occurred while I was in Anchorage for a few days. While the trails keep changing or getting blown over in Nome I did manage to ride in Anchorage on a borrowed Trek fat bike. It's been a long time since I rode the trails in Anchorage and I forgot how good they are to ride. Nothing like Nome-- where it's usually a grind or a push or a white out.... I really enjoyed the ride with a fellow Nomeite who was also in town. <br />
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A little fun in the snow upon my return to Nome with the family. <br />
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-1921754873412818902017-11-26T19:19:00.001-09:002017-11-27T19:49:29.246-09:00Another windy weekend Not much to say about riding other than a typical windy weekend. A post for imagery, rock climbing and beach riding. Beach riding is great right now frozen with just a little snow and ice. <div><img id="id_7f03_b053_9ac4_3c16" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKkbH-ySsuP6wRFjamk9N7fGfPSTDZBXW2n3oK-04YFERJkfKnjKKWOAbI0-HnlnacIT6p-PcW2a5Ka3GvPFaqqXbvVDv_8sG5Yilw7CS1VUMNVb19GKLbh9c31AvmBqa_jnci1YURXrD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_c9a2_ea25_9e7c_ef6d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nxKoftbATrUb0lZ_ZkDi07teEN1TiAKyrcLK8Reo0_gWgV9LHVD2rkq4P_u2l14qqfr9jf92oVZW7TSN8K1N7gfYNRArOvl49CzZ6BP4hbFCR746lMNZK8qY8y4crAAmg96zQv6Tk7Nc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_118e_1355_7a19_8554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC-qdXcsquLEYTR3xVqDjYoXVTRg8J7GV1OKLUfFwoCkLPBY73rpMUQF8NWWFxm8mQK7GrEVdjLkYb1eDzhdcjlA0It3Zw7TxkIFfUAujXXysDK3dzn2gufhN5fG0HqgsJhEHAufuXsYC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5ddd_7237_eef8_4624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcLmQKCZWO5PxQU4RmwzdM3G-gT2PuDBLa0Y5AOQBVh0_cdUHiRvfCYl8S2KhTHUu8fFnHhbrhyphenhyphenTJPK8LAP8JJi7YJNgw9DEoHY_9keZPlB8HeS08mjagWXgG2PVGmmU1MVQ7R7Q5IhdS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5c6_9f6f_22f4_5183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFxMXCXvtF9qqcbLUMkEruN6NP-mz-dWsfpmsI8eVebJn4RqsJrwhO7ZUC2L5hHgkeOTnwbHgIG5iU2ki5GUaJ03wF4WhFewHif-KX6_-RSOzB9RvnwTxxkSd3pRbwmKAy21KgJgZG_za/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-74257857578341910302017-11-25T21:48:00.000-09:002017-11-25T21:48:05.373-09:00Restart!Winter and wind are here and another year of training begins.... a few unedited videos of the beginning of a wind storm. You can’t really have a Nome ride without wind. I sure wish I had the video later where my bike was horizontal while I walked 4 miles back towards town. The best shots are always when you can’t or won’t bring out a camera...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP71ZWYgOFt69I3-xqOFUAnzjditZHpa0CwAzlzaiTTy5C0DbEuGhIM4nyfLenOS_qjLWQkGP6iDSrrrAWW7U-6Bj9wsVEilokcD5PXSCIp7SX86IPpB2liDKXvug-rKL0aFoxGSf4xkpP/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP71ZWYgOFt69I3-xqOFUAnzjditZHpa0CwAzlzaiTTy5C0DbEuGhIM4nyfLenOS_qjLWQkGP6iDSrrrAWW7U-6Bj9wsVEilokcD5PXSCIp7SX86IPpB2liDKXvug-rKL0aFoxGSf4xkpP/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="id_337d_87a7_f8cc_6a79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP71ZWYgOFt69I3-xqOFUAnzjditZHpa0CwAzlzaiTTy5C0DbEuGhIM4nyfLenOS_qjLWQkGP6iDSrrrAWW7U-6Bj9wsVEilokcD5PXSCIp7SX86IPpB2liDKXvug-rKL0aFoxGSf4xkpP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></a><br />
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-29993319597218459482015-08-15T22:27:00.000-08:002016-08-28T14:17:07.161-08:00ITI 2015 Rubish<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is busy and I can't believe I let another great race hanging. It's taken me a while to post thoughts about this year's ITI. I worry I will forget funny and important elements so here is another excerpt.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McGrath - Galena </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In McGrath I immediately began getting ready for the run to
Ruby by drying out gear, prepping food and chipping ice off my
bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the temps were so warm that
the ice buildup from Nikolai was impressive and…. odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I chipped off pounds of ice from my
rims, drive train and under my OMM rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have never seen ice buildup that prevented me from clipping in to my pedals. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside I ate generously and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard JP already moved on to Takotna, an excellent strategy for the Nome race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s impressive
to get in and out of McGrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My drop had arrived, thank goodness, as opposed to last year; however,
Jeff’s didn’t and he had to scrounge up a drop- like I did last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also found out that, because of weather, the Wolf Kill drop was not in yet. Flying apparently was less than favorable…. I thought, "this will be
interesting." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I slept till about 4 or 5 am followed by another eating binge before departing to Nome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> At the breakfast table w</span>e were chatting with Jay C who
came in recently. He was celebrating a finish with an impressive coffee mug full of whiskey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C</span>elebrations for those at their race end certainly makes it more difficult to depart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was anxious to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JP had a significant lead on us already. Jeff and I left McGrath and for the first time in four races to Nome I left McGrath feeling….
well, decent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No saddle soreness.
Rested. I had food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I mention, no saddle sores?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We plugged along and as Jeff had adjusted his bike I led on
and was kind of zoning when I dropped down on the Takotna river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fast and I was cruising but also was
not paying attention and took a wrong turn and went up the river instead of going straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized my mistake
after a good mile and turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, I caught back up to Jeff where we had a good laugh about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Takotna came and went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Takotna we began to see JP’s tracks and guessed, using rain/snow
as a guide, how much of a lead he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trail was soft in spots- some pushing, some grinding, some falling- but overall not a bad run. The ghost town of Ophir, also, came and went. This was the first time I passed through Ophir in the day light and fascinating how different it appears. The first Innoko River crossing was half overflow. Every river and creek crossing had some deep water that while ok to ride was unnerving. The warm weather was disconcerting. The next 20 miles of trail deteriorated dramatically and the little base there was melted rapidly into slush and bare tundra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Carlson crossing cabin at mile 27 'post Ophir' was a quick stop to
melt snow and make food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dark by then and
the following miles were mind-numbing with falling snow and bare tundra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff zoned out to tunes and I just zoned
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was technical, challenging. Riding with falling snow made it hard to focus. </span>The snow kept coming down harder and filled the ground quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we
made our way closer to the second Innoko cabin we almost passed the
drop… it was in the wrong place and the snow had a covered it up pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should have been at Wolf Kill Slough about 10
miles after the 2<sup>nd</sup> cabin but we guessed the weather had forced the plane to land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> While it was too soon for a resupply w</span>e counted our blessings the drop was there. The snow coverage and location made the drop hard to see and we found existing reflective lathe to mark it so other racers would be able to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rode on and bivied directly on the trail, a
decent haul from McGrath despite conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The warm weather made things messy and wet but we were confident the snow would let up. Neither of us were aware of the weather forecast. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUchFHYryKx0IiWnM2K5P_FMkowxliUgxN0PJVJakXo0hyphenhyphenIicEIqDCk_QDP_NhzZinETC96WDTTa-VWci9cMJNa70QgcLLvAP_YGOmWAQp8Qt2QSoJ7XBLD2pq_Q3txXDPcFZchVaScXo/s1600/ophir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUchFHYryKx0IiWnM2K5P_FMkowxliUgxN0PJVJakXo0hyphenhyphenIicEIqDCk_QDP_NhzZinETC96WDTTa-VWci9cMJNa70QgcLLvAP_YGOmWAQp8Qt2QSoJ7XBLD2pq_Q3txXDPcFZchVaScXo/s640/ophir.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving Ophir heading into the Innoko</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rest of the night snow kept coming down and there
was a fair amount on our sleeping bags in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plowed ahead. Signs of JP disappeared
under the snowfall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the second cabin
we melted snow then something happened to my stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure what. The fuel just stopped flowing. Luckily, it
was enough to fill my water and get a couple of good meals in…. I didn’t consider my stove acting up a dilemma worthy of tending to and we moved on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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The trail was
slow going and quite the grind. Poorman passed in the dark. We made the
beginning of the Sulatna Crossing. I kept thinking the trail would get better
but the snow just kept coming down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
pace was steady and we pushed to make ground on JP. The trail was what I call, 'the law of common endurance'. This is where the conditions force racing together only because conditions can't dictate a break away. This year, different than the last-- well every year is different- but it was slower due to weather and trail. Later in the race Jeff's break away attempts, in my opinion, were legendary. If I dare speak for him he got completely hammered by inhuman conditions... but I am foreshadowing. </span><br />
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The beginning of the
“road” to Ruby has some nice pine trees that make a good bivy spot. It was 2 or 3 am but, overall, we
were still banking good sleep—running about 17 hrs a day with 4-5 hrs
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temps continued to be warm and the
snow would not let up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a nice nest of pine boughs (see below) and was looking forward to a meal of Mountain House stroganoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-ZF39GJZYSww6n1_g0mr_kg6wCrvgxMgYlNAnSP786fRl2aLCJzu8IeYAkdjHpl0Q8FnLO9x6tTNUTbVEMWirg4A2g1A8sr2XqAfdgk6sPGSnBBVn37Cg8f2S-xYjw0vHnLD3Ch9tlQv/s1600/bivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-ZF39GJZYSww6n1_g0mr_kg6wCrvgxMgYlNAnSP786fRl2aLCJzu8IeYAkdjHpl0Q8FnLO9x6tTNUTbVEMWirg4A2g1A8sr2XqAfdgk6sPGSnBBVn37Cg8f2S-xYjw0vHnLD3Ch9tlQv/s640/bivy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"My Nest" Photo taken by Pavel R</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Uh yeah, my stove wasn’t working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, I wasn’t too concerned. Jeff was nice enough to let me use hot water to trade out stove fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next morning we moved down the trail toward Ruby hoping to
reach the village that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was slow
going but we were able to ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this moment till
the end of the race the trail was persistently A GRIND.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those that don’t know what a grind is, the
snow is deep or without a base. It's barely enough to ride but the tires are basically aired
down as much as possible and every pedal stroke feels like a steep uphill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact downhills have to be pedaled- there
is no coasting, no “on-step”, nothing ridden over 5 mph and I sure would love
to have a power meter to measure watts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s probably through the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (In 2012 Pete Basinger and I pushed almost the whole way to McGrath together, I think of him often during difficult conditions because he amazes me how he could just grind through anything). </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiads5vY8_i2YwH2naiLy_H0uVqOIL5_KNdsvXkxECxrfWsTwhyilJey4hevVXKOzO66qVnjfqfn9z8NFRYWBrWJbJmUgZ5Exh2sZIRhM7TxKW8lPdJY3urO75-IcxXv2g4OMJ6m1sVxd-/s1600/snow+pavel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiads5vY8_i2YwH2naiLy_H0uVqOIL5_KNdsvXkxECxrfWsTwhyilJey4hevVXKOzO66qVnjfqfn9z8NFRYWBrWJbJmUgZ5Exh2sZIRhM7TxKW8lPdJY3urO75-IcxXv2g4OMJ6m1sVxd-/s640/snow+pavel.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Snowstorm -- this was taken by Pavel in the same storm. It's an excellent depiction. </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a 12 mile uphill leading over a windy pass. On the downhill side I couldn’t stop wiping out. The snow machine track buried
under the growing pile of snow would throw me into huge bottomless pits of powder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pushed it and the snow made the trail
deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised we were still
able to ride, though it was super taxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The effort level increased exponentially and the speed dropped to 3 mph.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was here (I think) I started to dig a nutrition
hole that almost did me in on the Yukon.</span><br />
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We were focused on making Ruby and the snow was coming down in buckets.
The closer to the Yukon we rode the greater the intensity of the storm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we hit the downhill the pavement felt freeing! By the time we reached the runway the snow was a total white-out and the deep drifts pulled my wheel for one more fantastic wipe out. I was glad to hit town
at an early still 8pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we made
good time considering the conditions and lengthy rests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to our contact in Ruby, Scotty. </span><br />
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We were ramped up to hit the Yukon right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We heard JP arrived just 2-3 hrs earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff’s drop was at Scotty’s but mine wasn’t….
uh-oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I say "uh-oh" now, but I
actually wasn’t worried during the race, it happens to me all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can make it to Galena and stock up at a
store or pick up my drop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scrounged some
left over drop from Jeff and felt fine with the amount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Retrospectively…. that hole just became
bigger. I was focused more on getting a jump on JP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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Jeff and I debated going on the river but the problem was there was a big storm. We would definitely be bivying on
the river in 3-4 hrs instead of making it in one shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking back on this part I wonder if we should have just
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C</span>ould we have edged ahead of the storm or would the bivy itself been more taxing (ie., time-suck) experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As it turned out w</span>e slept wonderfully till about 4am,
a little too long, and were out on the river by (a late) 5-ish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail was hard to find after the first
bend and we noticed a light behind us. JP was catching up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were out first! Yay. But the soft trail
and…well… no trail.... a wrong turn... and it wasn’t long before we were all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail was hard going for me and I believe
I was more focused on maintaining than eating.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Now, I am with two super fast racers and it's that much harder to keep up. I don't have the power these guys have and any inefficiency, stop, pee break, etc... becomes an exponential exertion to catch-up. </span>The snow was still coming down and the headwind was steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, 10 miles from Galena I got
a flat.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB1LEThIpMGryND9FXQ9RK_lNLJys3wjPusxsdllzix5DCRGO9FdxnGhmqfkq-FlV868T1q673bwsQ8BNx6CzE2DfFqw1sbEnZc8ZvAJqViWhTWVMt_hlhDaD7w6TxyDzk4xAYs6sFYqE/s1600/yukon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB1LEThIpMGryND9FXQ9RK_lNLJys3wjPusxsdllzix5DCRGO9FdxnGhmqfkq-FlV868T1q673bwsQ8BNx6CzE2DfFqw1sbEnZc8ZvAJqViWhTWVMt_hlhDaD7w6TxyDzk4xAYs6sFYqE/s1600/yukon.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me (fluorescent) and JP on the Yukon. Jeff's weaving tracks in foreground</span></td></tr>
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-3184526375105568282015-04-13T23:29:00.001-08:002016-08-27T13:01:22.459-08:00PT- ITI 2015<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">It’s been a month since this year’s grueling Iditarod trail invitational experience.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Processing, 'debriefing' on the phone or email with Jeff, night sweats, 15 lb weight loss, energy fluctuations, body temperature fluctuations and staring into space make it seem more like PTSD than a post race recovery.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Physical recovery this year was actually much better than last year but it’s been hard to merge back into ‘the real world’.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">I think I am finally ready to write about it and hopefully can do it in one sitting so I don’t abandon another write up. </span><br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Last Year</u><br />
It’s been a long time since I sat in front of my computer to
write on this site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hardly
believe that I left last year’s ITI race hanging as well as the ironman write
up and the Deering Trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
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While last years ITI, a virtual speedway ice course, was my
fastest time into Nome at 12 days and change I was plagued with physical
ailments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had granulating oozing
saddle sores that only let me ride standing up, my typical horrible edema, bad hand
numbness and yes, I got ‘lost’ for a wee bit during the ocean ice crossing
in a blizzard to Koyuk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
like to write that up in detail sometime because it was a good lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was complacent with the
familiarity of the coast, a dangerous place to be comlacent and the experience
humbled me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had retreated to the shelter
cabin by reindeer cove 14 miles outside of Shaktoolik shattered, vision failing (thought I frost bit my eyes) and assured I would have to lay in my sleeping bag
till someone found me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Certain</span> it was race-over. But I recovered and ended up in Koyuk- a 24+ hr ordeal that
almost initiated a search party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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That was last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<o:p><u>This Year</u></o:p></div>
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This year I wanted to recoup another trip to Nome. I wanted
to place better than 3<sup>rd</sup>. I wanted to try the southern route. And I
wanted to start in better physical shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I ended up with 2 of the 4. </span> </div>
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I was healthier this year, had longer rides and felt in
better shape, thanks to <a href="http://www.lwcoaching.com/" target="_blank">LW</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also managed to get a new bike—a last minute decision based on finances BUT Greg at
Speedway worked wonders and my new Corvus was ready to roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bike was insane and rode like a dream. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Huge Thanks to Greg! Although in typical 'me' fashion</span> I did not ride a mile on it
before the race…. You’d think I’d learn. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzjeXJpHsbFQvMQjkXTH7hDoZJ8X2uazp-k_FrkFPuqWoeiUsFEmnlm5wE0HadufwtvBDW7eTp9A47EX9oytl7hOuruaeHw8dVD0v_PxQunwdq54OCMvkfrAHKTxLJ1Ilv4tuRi-Zql2W/s640/blogger-image-1312330620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzjeXJpHsbFQvMQjkXTH7hDoZJ8X2uazp-k_FrkFPuqWoeiUsFEmnlm5wE0HadufwtvBDW7eTp9A47EX9oytl7hOuruaeHw8dVD0v_PxQunwdq54OCMvkfrAHKTxLJ1Ilv4tuRi-Zql2W/s400/blogger-image-1312330620.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eric the Great at Relevate Designs made me a frame bag
and saddle bags from ultralight cuben fiber. They were <u><i>unbelievable</i></u>. Light
and roomy. I was able to pack my bike to the point where I didn’t have to trim
because of room but had to trim because I HAD room and wanted to reduce weight!
AND I didn’t have one thing strapped to the handle bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thank you Eric!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiZb8gNkRx2VE59UY0k4khBaa4drzvwy0lQ8h9ryuZOUyzZ1UPikt6jfUCjGqBWkp1h902ThIMND-izKR9d33IggoXJA1f1bDsFWUUpe7brA7iGhJDgGhPMpYT_ll826v5gyGBa_Es_oE/s640/blogger-image-1916789743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiZb8gNkRx2VE59UY0k4khBaa4drzvwy0lQ8h9ryuZOUyzZ1UPikt6jfUCjGqBWkp1h902ThIMND-izKR9d33IggoXJA1f1bDsFWUUpe7brA7iGhJDgGhPMpYT_ll826v5gyGBa_Es_oE/s400/blogger-image-1916789743.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The saddle bags were a <i>dream</i> to put food and bulk in and out easily during the course of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
setup was so much better than last year, I was pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only decision I had to make was
which saddle to take. I previously used the Adamo saddle with cutout but all my
training rides were on a traditional road saddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never made the switch because oddly I found that the road saddle
caused no soreness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did
switch to my adamo it was uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I kept the road saddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best decision ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with Greg’s recommendation of bag-o-balm and the saddle I had NO problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
ride all day seated if I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
first.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Good Decisions:</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other good decisions: </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->two different bike shorts. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->a pair of light micro-puffy shorts made by
LaSportiva.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always find my light
bibs give me a cold butt but I don’t want to add a base layer. The shorts have
side zips too and between the bib zips and short zips I can ride in … lets say
40 degree heat of mid-winter (like outside of Rohn) down to -40 with only an
additional base layer and zipped up <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(like on the Yukon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I only had to pull my puffy pants for bivies.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I also padded the heck out of my handlebars with
pipe foam—5 layers instead of my usual 2 or 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BEST decision, no hand numbness at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEJh26QJIgFBwEaqBzlhMJyWXmJ9Dv4nB6CbdjnTiB8BkB0dVmzkSWEQlSlyiJqeEtAau260m2WdaMaZ2hMrM4VBaXs_TLkyVSXQDj59ful6trHeqUcJnFZTmH4QRkvzEjDrIycDgC6aC/s640/blogger-image--76293496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEJh26QJIgFBwEaqBzlhMJyWXmJ9Dv4nB6CbdjnTiB8BkB0dVmzkSWEQlSlyiJqeEtAau260m2WdaMaZ2hMrM4VBaXs_TLkyVSXQDj59ful6trHeqUcJnFZTmH4QRkvzEjDrIycDgC6aC/s400/blogger-image--76293496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Prologue</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This winter in Nome was the best riding season I have seen
because a couple of early storms in November dropped some snow
cover, followed with cold
snaps and then, basically, no snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trails were hard packed, fast and allowed good rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as good as Fairbanks riding but
still good for Nome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a month
before the race the temps started rising and… uh-oh it was weeks of above
freezing temps, rain, overflow galore. Iron dog was a glorified mess of open
water and raw tundra and dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Iditarod moved their race to Fairbanks for the start and that left the ITI to assume the northern route following irondog. The reassurance of a full battalion of dog mushers and trail breakers will not be there this year. A snow storm in the wrong spot during the ITI (pre-ruby) and one could <i>really be </i>snowed in.... <a href="http://www.adn.com/article/20150329/too-cold-too-snowy-too-much" target="_blank">which became a reality to a few.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many ITI racers were talking about rain gear and wiggies up
to the hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the temps
started dropping, froze overflow and the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race lineup was heavy with fast fast fast racers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raceday was glorious and thank you Dave
again for driving me to the start line and Mike for hosting me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zlLNXAgn1P5ZSGdPiioT5iqeQI5J1Ws0SHIYeJmE1Js9a2vcgEzwYfRJZuXfgQt3pzd5ybDaymzMBMF_wTCJNtB5CxVWQ8MtV43kM1PPKbVgPm4CoZoT0z803jqJ-TDIzVyo8OpBTEoz/s1600/11044541_10153199819501654_1481827734460872943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zlLNXAgn1P5ZSGdPiioT5iqeQI5J1Ws0SHIYeJmE1Js9a2vcgEzwYfRJZuXfgQt3pzd5ybDaymzMBMF_wTCJNtB5CxVWQ8MtV43kM1PPKbVgPm4CoZoT0z803jqJ-TDIzVyo8OpBTEoz/s1600/11044541_10153199819501654_1481827734460872943_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The Race Start</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I knew it the race started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Per the usual, </span>I fell on the ice before leaving knik lake, a tradition it
seems for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up riding
the route of the old Iditarod trail with Jeff and Heather instead of the road
and powerline trails to flathorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have tried this trail a few times and always thought that on a hard
packed year the shorter traditional route would be faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I</span> can say with absolute certainty this
is not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came out on
flathorn believing we were seeing leaders crossing the lake but it was actually
mid pack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also having problems with my drive train at this
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know what it was
but my freehub ‘froze’ in place and turned my bike into a fixie that dropped
the chain if my legs didn’t keep up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived at
Yentna at 8:10—2 hrs behind the lead group. I moved on to Skwentna in fixie mode
and got there around midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just in time to see JP leave after he slept for 2 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was concerned about the hub and
thought I should call Greg and have a freehub sent to ...well I didn't really know where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would just have to ride fixie till
then, at least it wasn't free spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, when I left
Skwentna the problem resolved itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shrugged my shoulders and said “cool”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m no Pete Basinger mechanic btw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Over the course of the race it occurred intermittently and
turned out it was a broken pawl in the hub that bound it up at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually after Koyuk I ground the
piece to a pulp and voila excellent operation.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At shell hills it was late but I wasn’t tired and kept
moving. I was risking a lack of rest (for Nome at least) to keep moving but it was warm enough to bivy anywhere quickly if I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving
towards Fingerlake I saw a light heading in the opposite direction directly at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bike and when he rode up he
said he was Toni Lund and missed the turn on the lake following someone else’s
tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it up on the trail
but headed in the wrong direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I kept moving toward Finger getting there around 6 or 7am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> A bad time to try to sleep but managed maybe an hour and left around 10:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was not feeling particularly strong and my stomach was upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The happy steps went ok, Jeff and
Heather caught me at Shirley lake when I had to unpack all my gear to get my
bike up a super steep hill, really a cliff that has a lot more snow typically
to at least push the bike up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
helped each other up and then traveled to Rainy lodge around 3:30 in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi78-x8e1RqYYQdnm5lqL1l3Jq60RRZkYOO5v312ZbFpn5l07ZtYbvW00oruEK1qpxkjnYw3_lW5N-NyPtFzAQ4rUXwLggs1iS702LYDcpqj-40QuGup5qB-xMH229TBYlHv2Y4IUly85S/s1600/11088872_666629756816264_1517581092939432127_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi78-x8e1RqYYQdnm5lqL1l3Jq60RRZkYOO5v312ZbFpn5l07ZtYbvW00oruEK1qpxkjnYw3_lW5N-NyPtFzAQ4rUXwLggs1iS702LYDcpqj-40QuGup5qB-xMH229TBYlHv2Y4IUly85S/s1600/11088872_666629756816264_1517581092939432127_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">somewhere between Rohn and Nikolai.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leaders were blazing fast leaving
puntilla 6 hrs ago! I was glad, at least that I was running around 10<sup>th</sup>
instead of 21<sup>st</sup> like the first checkpoint at Yentna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff, Heather and myself left Puntilla at
4:30-ish and rolled into Rohn midnight or 1am maybe? I actually can't remember the run to Rohn, which is why I wrote a single sentence. Huh, weird. Still a surprising fast run considering the
sketchy conditions in the Dalzell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had 2 awesome brat dogs and slept
really well for 4 hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach
felt horrible though when I woke and was grateful Toni Lund was there to offer up some tums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left Rohn sometime in the early morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daylight came and the
weather changed to a snow and blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The temps were still warm (at one point we saw a mosquito) but I felt bad for anyone heading over the
pass as I think the conditions up there deteriorated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joined up with the Heather and Jeff and we more or less
rode to Nikolai together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
started hitting the tussoks after buffalo camp I finally started feeling
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach was improving and I was able to ride stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got into
Nikolai in the early afternoon —super fast time in comparison to “normal” years and left with Charly Tri an hour later. The group dropped me easily and was only able to catch up at their breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had to check a couple of times how fast we were riding and they were hitting 12-13 mph the closer to McGrath we got, while I was lucky to hit 10 or 11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fast for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
all ended together but I was certainly the slowest of the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished McGrath at 10pm in 2 days 8
hrs…. whaaaat??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my fastest
time to McGrath. I was floored at the speed of the lead group at 1 day
18hrs…?!? faster than sled dogs… insane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The temps were insane too, high 40’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next up…. The race to Nome: -40/-50 temps, snow storm,
grinding, edema galore and a doggy encounter….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I guess I couldn't do it in one sitting, my mind is fried. </span>Hopefully I’ll keep writing this one…it gets good, meaning brutal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fy9SOBZVc-iWj3VVcDkx42v6BoWGV2aSCDQ0Js8oBCyh5ef0zoJ7BptIODTgOvAlpKTjgQD682sVlKntpng6FzP99wRt6UZ-CmOAeI0DuvOCsJjbq5fp4lcTl8ZgZxFVMNe3rCmcKOEB/s1600/iti+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fy9SOBZVc-iWj3VVcDkx42v6BoWGV2aSCDQ0Js8oBCyh5ef0zoJ7BptIODTgOvAlpKTjgQD682sVlKntpng6FzP99wRt6UZ-CmOAeI0DuvOCsJjbq5fp4lcTl8ZgZxFVMNe3rCmcKOEB/s1600/iti+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">overflow after Rohn </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-73729773926610564942014-08-24T19:12:00.001-08:002016-08-27T13:02:01.250-08:00IM Canada (Swim)3:00 am came too soon (does it ever come too late?) but I actually slept pretty good and was awake. Kirk and friends were moving around and we ate breakfast, coffee and headed out to the shuttle to bring us over to the swim start. The early morning was chilly (in the 50's) but very clear and felt like a great race day. The shuttle ride, borrowing a pump to air up tires and a lot of nervous peeing in the wetsuit was the blur of how it went till the mass start. <br />
<br />
At the 5 minute till race mark I swam out to the bouey and treaded water about the 3rd row back. The water was chilly (66 degrees) but I had my earplugs in and extra head cap for warmth. All of sudden the gun went off and it was a churning mess. 2000 or so swimmers full of arms and legs. The first 200 meters were fine and I was out front a bit more than I should I have been. It was 4 turns per lap and two laps. A lot of bottlenecks. My arms, as all previous times with a wetsuit, were tight and heavy. I hate hate hate the feeling of swimming in a wetsuit. If I slowed down I would get run over and if I sped up I would run people over. I tried to feel a groove and actually started swimming ok, a bit slow but ok. The last turn finally came and I swam to shore. Wow the first leg was over and my watch showed 1:05 out of the water-- 1:07 according to timing chip. Not great by any means and I really need to evaluate the wetsuit-- my out of shape 100m average is easily a 1:30 split and I can do that all day long (in a warm pool). My race pace in "shape" (these days) for the 1600m is a 1:20 average per 100m. I just don't see how with a wetsuit (which is supposed to be faster) puts me at a 1:44 per 100m. I know it's an open cold water swim but still I don't understand it and should look further (better fit?) if I do another one of these b/c I always feel much worse with a wetsuit than without. <br />
<br />
In any case I was not very tired (or dizzy) and that was the most important. Someone came over and stripped my wetsuit off and I went into the changing tent. I took my time and ate a bunch of gu's, powerbar fruit thingy's, drank a lot and then ran over to my bike.... and here comes one heck of a long ride. Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-53490875016082655202014-08-12T23:25:00.002-08:002016-08-27T13:02:33.576-08:00Ironman Canada<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YlFUl0A5sz3Wd8XiWvMPsNSsp13ptZkY3dollvf2UhWF9cWrnqNLOQbEGonb3tS8zvYA_TcC5iJu5etOX5sc7ERvVGMJatGHOOEZHR21yHcMKdOfrZuGjIaADrvavP13IWw1w1gE09YZ/s640/blogger-image-588013860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YlFUl0A5sz3Wd8XiWvMPsNSsp13ptZkY3dollvf2UhWF9cWrnqNLOQbEGonb3tS8zvYA_TcC5iJu5etOX5sc7ERvVGMJatGHOOEZHR21yHcMKdOfrZuGjIaADrvavP13IWw1w1gE09YZ/s200/blogger-image-588013860.jpg" width="200" /></a>Exactly a year ago I signed up for the Ironman Canada after a good friend convinced me to enter the race. I have always been interested in completing a full ironman event but the expense, time away and frequent sell outs have been limiting factors. In 2011 I did two half's a week apart while visiting family and completed both in 5hrs even. Of course I was expecting to do around a 10:30 or thereof... seemed reasonable- I actually felt fitter than a few years ago and LW has helped me incredibly the past couple of ITI races.<br />
<br />
Well, after this years ITI my body was trashed and had to recover for a month before I started swimming in the pool. Almost exclusively I swam building to 9-10km a week in the pool and finally felt good swimming-- till our pool closed in early June. Then I switched back to training on the bike for a month and even completed the training "ride" across the seward peninsula as well as lots of biking in Maui. I had been running a little bit interspersed but not a lot, albeit the foreshadowing to my downfall. I completed runs but overall felt lethargic- not sure if left over from ITI. In either case I managed a 20 miler two weeks before the Ironman in about 3 hours very casually and slowly. I felt like I could "easily" do at least 3:45 or 4:00. Yep not so much. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirk and me-- I should probably wear a hat these days...</td></tr>
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About a month before the race I was in Maui talking with a fellow Ride to the Sun racer. He was from Canada and I was talking about the Ironman race and somehow he mentioned "passport"... then it clicked...oops. I haven't traveled international since the kids were born and knew the passport was expired. When I returned I had almost 3 weeks till race day.... In Nome Alaska there is no passport agency, in Alaska there is no passport agency. I had to risk an expedited mailing. As a result I had no idea if I would be going. Additionally, I had no tri bike. I was in the middle of transforming my road bike but as a result of previous rides in Nome the rear derailleur was broken as well as the whole drivetrain and brake / shifter cables. In Nome Ak there are no bikes shops so my Amazon ordering (months ago) resulted in wrong parts and delays. Foreshadowing, part II. <br />
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Was I nervous about not making the race and not having a bike? Eh not really it just seems so me and worse case I don't race and lose an AK miles ticket. Typical. Amazingly, at 5 days pre race departure I rec'd my passport! Whew! Then.... two days before departure I received the balance of my bike parts.... I frantically put it together and hoped for the best. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a LOT of expensive bikes!</td></tr>
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Departure day. I hopped on the plane and 12 hours later was in Vancouver. The next day I met my friend Kirk and we drove to Whistler. The scenery was incredible, Whistler was simply beautiful. The temps were mild and even chilly at night. Pre race events and spending were 'fun'. I put my bike together and it seemed to all work out. The swim course was in a lake that was about 66 degrees and I could tell that I haven't swam in a while. The wetsuit, as always, felt constricting. The cold water stimulated my balance canals (i.e. dizzy) so I used earplugs which worked great. Everything was looking good. <br />
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Race day: Next Post.... if I get around to writing again!<br />
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-58488527311993225432014-07-13T23:18:00.001-08:002016-08-27T12:37:17.805-08:00Deering to Nome (1)Every now and then I get it down just right, a perfect misadventure. Some people ask why would one live in Nome, well this is why. It was perfect because I managed to convince a few friends this would be a worthwhile adventure and we had a blast. I couldn't ask for better company. I did not expect it to be as grueling but nonetheless it was fantastic. In 2008 I did a trip with a friend, Tyler, to a place I was fascinated in and very difficult to get to called, <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2008/07/you-cannot-bike-to-imuruk-lake.html" target="_blank">Imuruk Lake</a>. We never made it-- as the conditions were brutal but I held on to the fact that I have heard there was a trail or even a "road" that was used in the gold rush days and up to the recent era to Deering and have been fascinated with the interior peninsula. Since that trip in 2008 I have always wanted to get back into that country, a desolate, very unvisited place in Alaska that runs through the upper middle of Seward peninsula and through the National Bering Preserve (the foundation of the Beringia landbridge concept). It was beautiful. And horrible. And not for the faint of heart. I somehow thought that since Tyler and I ditched mountain bikes previously that a fat bike would work just fine.... at least some of the trail.... wrong again. <br />
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At first it was just me and my friend Chris, who was new to fatbiking but was experienced in hunting and back country Nomenclature. He was always up for an adventure and has been teasing me that we haven't done anything since <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunday-trolls.html" target="_blank">2009</a> . Then I asked my wonderful friends in Fairbanks, Jeff Oatley and Heather Best if they would want to join us in this cool adventure. What a great alignment of the stars because we all went, the logistics worked out for Bering Air to drop us in Deering and the weather was awesome...... After a bunch of back and forth emails, logistics, discussions we agreed to fly to Deering on Bering Air and just "ride" all the way back to Nome. It was a good thing we flew to there because if we drove up the Kougarock road from Nome (original plan) we would have turned back. Yes it was bad trail and ended up all pushing.... almost all of it till the Kougarock. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to leave from Nome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landed in Deering</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike packed in the caravan plane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imuruk lake from the air.</td></tr>
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the road at first was great.....<br />
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then the "road" ran out and... well let's just say it was good ITI training for the pushing part of that race....</div>
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What can one say, ahhhh Maui.... You just don't have to write up much in such paradise.... some day we will live here...</div>
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GREAT Bike rides....</div>
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Haleakala</div>
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West Maui Loop (multiple times, it just doesn't get old)</div>
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Cane Spiders</div>
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Fighting Lizards</div>
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Date Night(s)</div>
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Pali Run</div>
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Beautiful wife</div>
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Sunsets</div>
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Hike into Haleakala crater<br />
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Exploring little know lava tube<br />
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-37048691195426986832014-06-30T01:24:00.001-08:002016-08-27T13:03:31.825-08:00Cycle to the Sun RaceI have had a couple of misadventures since the ITI staying true to the blog title but have not been able to write it up. Heck I am still working on the best part of my ITI where I cut out my bike shorts so my saddle oozes wouldn't touch fabric... but that's another story. My latest venture is the cycle to the sun race. Yes I went roadie... for a second. I happen to be in Maui with the family and while renting a road bike the worker at the shop said "hey there is the cycle to the sun race up Haleakela this weekend you should see if you can sign up". So I did, thinking it would be the perfect training ride before Ironman Canada next month... yes another misadventure waiting to happen. <br />
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What the heck, I did the ride a few years ago with a mountain bike it'll be way faster on a road bike. It was but I started further down toward Paia a town on the ocean. Also there is just no way around suffering on a 36 mile uphill.... racing... with fast cyclists. It was an awesome race with people, did I mention it already, that were really fast road cyclists. I only managed 63rd place at 4 hrs 7 min although my strava says 4 hrs 8 min, I don't think it makes much difference. The winner did it in 2 hrs 47 min....I have no pictures, I was pretty wasted at the top as if the heat and altitude weren't enough there was no wind and these wild Alaska type swarming bugs were driving me batty. I wanted down ASAP. The race org won't let you ride back down so I had to hitch a ride with someone. Let's just say I almost hurled on the way down... going up on a bike is way better than a car!!<br />
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What's the race detail? I will say no more and just show the profile and highly recommend it:<br />
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-82957545672249306212014-04-22T23:18:00.003-08:002016-08-27T13:03:52.736-08:00...and then what? Ophir to Nulato When I glanced at my last post I couldn't help but over analyze the words. So just for clarification the only reason I was bombing down the hills<i> first</i> was because I had a cool 700 watt kickass nite rider light. The following day Jeff dropped me like a bad date and the chivalrous guy he was he stuck with his bad date till the next evening before I said, "no you go ahead, I'll catch up to you later." Ha famous last words. <br />
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Anywho, that next day waking up from the ophir landing strip I was amazed. I was amazed that it was warm. Amazed at what felt like a good night sleep, though took a few hours of groggy riding to feel it. And amazed the conditions were basically perfect. While we were going through what in past years had been a certifiable hell, Jeff turned and said "so where is this bad section you were talking about?" I was really at a loss, I just can't believe how different it felt. I swear it was bad in the past! It must have been the company for one.... and for another maybe the cabin(s) on the upcoming trail felt like added safety and the weather / trail were really awesome. It had to be it because I started having conversations in my head analyzing those feelings-- I just can't get over how one year things could be so horrible and the same section undeniably fine. Last time I went through here I fell in overflow over my knee at -30 and was pretty worried about frostbite.... this time was muuuuch better I fell in overflow on my back and the water came in my open side zips / pit zips but it was only 20 above so we're good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff (who made it just fine across overflow) Oatley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Innoko Cabin</td></tr>
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As the day wore on conditions continued to be great but I started feeling, not so great. On reflection I was eating non-stop when I left McGrath till about the first cabin at the Innoko crossing. We ate great there, melted snow, felt good and then I decided to put butt butter on the ole tush.... and about fell over in pain. I have never felt pain like that and just stood there cursing for about 5 minutes and knew something was deeply wrong with me. The saddle sores would not get better over time. This was serious. After we left I was worried and believe I stopped stuffing my face on the fly because I began riding more out of the saddle. The whole afternoon I was depleting. I was fading on those big rollers before the second Innoko crossing and the second cabin. If you did the northern route you know what I speak of...At that point I knew I was in a bit of trouble. This is where Jeff and I parted, he was <i>on </i>fire and I wanted to sit <i>next</i> to one.. to dry out... at the cabin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Innoko Crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff getting ready to depart Innoko cabin</td></tr>
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I slathered neosporin on my nether regions hung my wet overflowed clothes and tried to sleep. It didn't work and after 2 hrs most everything was dry and I just wanted to get out on the trail to catch up. I ate a bunch and felt decent to wolf kill slough (drop point) and picked up my *only* planned drop till Unalakleet. It felt good to have my own packed food and I just sat in the trail and ate and ate! I left, eventually, and there were a lot of sharp hills so stand-up riding did not feel awkward. The hours flew by and around 3 am I passed Aiden sleeping in a bivy and moved on a few miles later I passed Jeff sleeping. I called his name and shined a light but no answer, I knew I had to sleep and went to find the next patch of pine boughs about a mile up and lay down. It was around 4 or 5am. I slept 2 hours and Jeff woke me and said I should get going. I promptly fell asleep again. An hour later I got up, packed and took off. It was a bit after Poorman and it was on this day that I struggled mightily with denial on my butt. I stopped often to try to get a groove where I could sit... the pain just worsened. I tried every possible seat position, used mole skin and all to no avail.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poorman area (beautiful sunrise) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poorman area</td></tr>
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At exactly the Sulatna crossing I decided "that's it." I mentally made a decision not to sit on the seat from here on out and that's what I did. The hills were brutal to Ruby and I stopped often but made pretty good time. I arrived in Ruby about an hour after Jeff. I went to the school to try to get my drop but to no avail. I didn't know what to do (heard Aiden and Jeff blew through Ruby which seemed impossible) and was led to a home, I decided to sleep for the night and make a big push along the whole Yukon. I rested, showered and for the first time was able to take a look at my ass. It was not an abscess (something to pop) it was something much worse. I rested well, ate and left about 4 am a 10-11 hr stop! My plan was a go for non-stop till Nulato or Kaltag or more!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Yukon</td></tr>
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I felt good. Mostly because I simply decided not to sit and my knees stopped hurting. I made Galena by 10 or 11am went to the only store I could find (liquor store) and stocked up on food, ate and left by 1pm. No drop... again...- post office closed on Saturday. From here till Kaltag was a griiiiind. Lots of snow machine traffic churning the trail... I lost time here, the stand up riding killed me <i>and</i> I was not eating <i>and</i> I kept stopping. I kept going, lots of endos, punchy trail and I had no idea how far up Aiden or Jeff were. By 1 or 2 am that night I was totally bonked and weaving badly... I would stop and glaze at the stars that looked like a planetarium-- weaving like a drunk and zoning out.... Here this is what it's like:<br />
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The weather was so mild I just wanted to sleep next to the trail.... and that's what I did. I could see the lights of Nulato but I was toast. I crawled in my sleeping bag about 20 yards off trail---2 am on a friday night on the yukon with basketball tournaments could be dangerous with fast snow machines. Then about 4am I heard the braaap of a super fast machine blow by me and then the unmistakable whine of fast braking. This was followed by a the machine racing up to my sleeping bag..... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJceG33VQtNVjVPrLvbSBQ2S3KzXuISpSfGc32_ui9KPT_LgqNWmlvNJgZkc2jhohgCu2P9sy1WsiJG7p2Lvp-yVFO2WxD5gv5g-Ux2xiHx3jn74AIXJP0iXBk_m-x5cxbNGGXL-Uxzb2/s1600/P1010118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJceG33VQtNVjVPrLvbSBQ2S3KzXuISpSfGc32_ui9KPT_LgqNWmlvNJgZkc2jhohgCu2P9sy1WsiJG7p2Lvp-yVFO2WxD5gv5g-Ux2xiHx3jn74AIXJP0iXBk_m-x5cxbNGGXL-Uxzb2/s1600/P1010118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Endo on the Yukon</td></tr>
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-67623265493659606992014-04-12T17:04:00.000-08:002014-04-12T17:06:56.037-08:00McGrath to Ophir<u>Dropless</u> <br />
I walked in the door at McGrath to a great welcome as usual. Peter and Tracy are really incredible people, hosts and I think of them as a role models in the true Alaskan spirit. When it is difficult for our little family house to host Nome racers I think of the way we are treated in McGrath and try to emulate that spirit (or ask others to:) as best as possible.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzCJQb9NkPh_SaUSouSaFIYrGW2NKEqk_uzSieNSlcgn_PNpn8PGGTynIxb8s-Z01WtQuByVE4U-Vzq5IZqjzUEt6MQ41NDArxbkIqDRyj_FI01zP03wc9wsK-MT-ITva7K7q-NrHy2oL/s1600/1973535_658060030899105_106875773_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzCJQb9NkPh_SaUSouSaFIYrGW2NKEqk_uzSieNSlcgn_PNpn8PGGTynIxb8s-Z01WtQuByVE4U-Vzq5IZqjzUEt6MQ41NDArxbkIqDRyj_FI01zP03wc9wsK-MT-ITva7K7q-NrHy2oL/s1600/1973535_658060030899105_106875773_o.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>McGrath was full of 10 other racers at the end of their race, which is hard to be around when you have to move on. I have finished 3 times with McGrath as the endpoint and this was the 3rd time where it was not. The section from McGrath to Ruby has taken almost 5 days both times I have done it previously with horrid conditions each time. The Innoko is nothing but a wasteland in my mind and I was preparing to rest a bit before getting out the door. Aiden said he was leaving right away which I brushed off as a joke. I started getting some of my gear together but I was not really in a rush. I walked upstairs where the drops are stored and began looking for mine.... but it was not there. It was the beginning of racing <i>dropless</i>. I searched and re searched but no drop. Before I had a chance to go the store, multiple racers offered their leftovers to me. Thank you. I was able to pull a decent drop together though it was tough for me to calculate how much it was or I needed. The mind was fuzzy.<br />
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<u>Nome (rural) Alaska Postage: </u><br />
<img alt="Photo: Map" border="0" src="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/images/0612/best/globe-route.jpg" hspace="0" /><br />
Mail deliveries in rural Alaska have no time frame, it could be overnight or weeks. No rationale. I have often ordered from Amazon in one sitting with same postage and received one item in 2 days and the other about a month. Ahhh Nome postage... To travel to McGrath, which is directly on the way to Anchorage but it has to go to Anchorage first. Get sorted. Wait. Wait some more. Then get shipped to McGrath. Fortunately, all my drops were returned to me in Nome... which was fun too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdPORU5BdQBRyt5WwktXmCHTMCprIeUB-Hq_sOGVpiZi1ClCt0Mbb8pE2U1haqVvoUyUWvBnGF8Fr90Rd90fHiz9qWg2rPQPViFYJcA70HhRSTOZXv0IWegrqlIaMxZKdwyu_VLrwUKN5/s1600/P1010156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdPORU5BdQBRyt5WwktXmCHTMCprIeUB-Hq_sOGVpiZi1ClCt0Mbb8pE2U1haqVvoUyUWvBnGF8Fr90Rd90fHiz9qWg2rPQPViFYJcA70HhRSTOZXv0IWegrqlIaMxZKdwyu_VLrwUKN5/s1600/P1010156.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>Back to the race:</u><br />
I went to sleep. A couple hours later it was around 2pm, Jeff I could tell was getting anxious to leave. I asked about Aiden and he was gone! No joking there. Jeff and I got our gear together and we left around 4-5pm together. <br />
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<u>Ass-trastrophe (continued)</u><br />
As we rode out of McGrath I forgot my rechargeable light and had to go back. I got the light (whew) and caught up to Jeff on the river. My butt hurt incredibly, each time I tried to sit I could see my heart rate monitor on the GPS rise 10 BPM before I sat down. When I did sit, initially it was like the seat had sewing needles waiting for my butt to make contact. Immediately I would jump back up. I would repeat this multiple times before I could actually sit. I was OK for a little while until I stopped or if I stood up. The chamois was stuck to my butt and then peal away in some kind of oozing infection (which I treated with antibiotic ointment). Lovely. At least it kept my mind off of the knees.<br />
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<u>Bonding</u> <br />
We took turns leading our way to Takotna. A couple of decent climbs got our mind out of the gray fog of funk that accompanies leaving McGrath. The 900 ft ascent before Takotna brought back memories. A rather fun fast 18 miles later we hit Takotna. As soon as we pooped into town and passed a house with dogs barking, two residents came out of the house. We stopped to talk and explained they just returned by snowmachine that day to open the Ophir cabin for Iditarod but no one was there yet. He said we were welcome to stay there. The temps were balmy in the 20's and we both seemed to have fun climbing out of Takotna-- a steep 5 mile grunt. The next 30 miles were a blast. So much different than previous two times. It was downright fun, we were climbing and bombing descents looking forward to ophir. The trail was excellent. Jeff said he hasn't slept since Nikolai and would probably need to sleep soon. As the night wore on I didn't feel tired but.... started hallucinating things. First it was a moose and Jeff almost ran me over when I stopped suddenly on a fast decent. The moose was a tree. Then about 20 min later I stopped rapidly on another decent and just stared 20 yards ahead at about 20 glowing eyes. I was afraid to say what I saw.<br />
<br />
Jeff came alongside and said "what's up?".<br />
I said, "What is that?" pointing to the 20 eyes staring back at us.<br />
"Those reflective lathe?"<br />
To which I let out a relieved, "Huh...."<br />
"What did you think they were?"<br />
"Ummm, a pack of wolves..."<br />
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I obviously needed some sleep too... When we started passing old buildings Ophir cabin was approaching and then, there it was. Except it wasn't empty the lights were full on, generator humming and clearly occupied. We searched a bit and I was a little gun shy of knocking on the door. This is a private cabin and we reluctantly moved on. The weather was perfect, no wind nice temps.... We made the small runway and saw a nice stockpile of wrapped bales of hay. Wow, this was cool. We arranged the bales and made a bivy on them. Yeah this was comfy. My feathered friends bag was warm and I was out in a heartbeat. It was only midnight or a bit later,(?) not bad since leaving McGrath. <br />
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-48800894831605279782014-03-30T19:19:00.003-08:002016-08-27T13:05:41.163-08:00ITI 2014: Start - McGrathConsistent with my tradition of ITI, I flew in to Anchorage and stayed with Mike and Dave. I left Nome in a flurry of work mindedness that was hard to let go, even in Anchorage. Sarah and the kids flew to Ariozona while I tried hard to get in a race mode. I mean I was riding to Nome! I was concerned that my preoccupation with work made me lose focus. I was not as nervous as I should be for a Nome ride. <br />
<br />
Living in Nome I don't have access to local outdoor or bike <br />
stores and I waited till pre race to purchase way too many new gear (without trialing) at REI and of course pre race bike tuning at speedway. Normally, this is a huge bonus but I was determined to switch to a 1xsetup which speedway accomodated in true pro fashion. While I like the simplicity of the setup I knew nothing on gearing and didn't train with a 1x .... thus made a poor decision with a 32 front ring on a 1x10. This essentially removed any kind of granny gear and my knees suffered the first couple of days. (Post race I did miss the second ring up front as it seems easier to shift on hills instead of going through so many gears on a single front chainring...and I had a number of poor shifting oopses that stalled my uphills).<br />
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With a tuned up bike, studded tires and a number equipment packing checks I was feeling pretty good about the bike. I had nothing up front on the handlebars just the way I like it. Most everything was on the rear rack and frame bag. I used a combo of hydroflasks and bladder. The hydroflasks were great for keeping things hot. I used three of them and a thermos, a bit much. Bike weight was over 60 pounds and I believe I am one of few people who gain weight during the race in the form of edema. Nothing like adding <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">23 pounds of edema by race end, arrr that was frustrating. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAtuKqh_tt0FAKnJ9w0VZBEy2Urfx9-bnAUbI2Q2_yl88peY1w0Rb8Cc4MZzTvczitxBi7vV8iYi8KhOrR-nBJ7fkTFelLwhYGz4W83sNGCfrO_97yvz6GuQU4VMgLfn7vYfa_64pyRe6/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAtuKqh_tt0FAKnJ9w0VZBEy2Urfx9-bnAUbI2Q2_yl88peY1w0Rb8Cc4MZzTvczitxBi7vV8iYi8KhOrR-nBJ7fkTFelLwhYGz4W83sNGCfrO_97yvz6GuQU4VMgLfn7vYfa_64pyRe6/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">New equipment from previous race experience included some redundant systems: </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">1. Lighting. I always worry about being without lights and really like the a handlebar light. I added a rechargeable one that was awesome- I didn't have to worry about batteries just a charge. This was not an issue at villages like I thought. A good combo with my two battery driven headlamps. I used them all. The spare headlamp was used a couple of times after the rechargeable and primary headlamp both died at once. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">2. Pumps. I used three different pumps- a tiny carbon, a crankbrothers and another that has a bit more volume. (Two failed while changing a flat later in the race).</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Sunday arrived rapidly and I found myself still feeling too casual. The plan to wait 5 minutes after the race </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">start helped tremendously (see previous post)to keep pre race nerves at bay but I shouldn't be this casual. Kathi said go and everyone was off scattering in all different directions. I waited and chatted with some friends that came to see me off. At the 5 min mark I took off. It was weird. I passed some walkers and then continued solo on the trail. My goal was to use the traditional iditarod route not the fast road powerline version. I was keeping my heart rate low as instructed by LW the first 24 hrs and felt great. It was a nice day and the trail was good. I caught up to some bikers who missed the powerline turn off. I followed a while and then I think they were concerned that the rest of the pack up front was missing. They pulled off and I continued on. A little while later the following riders called out if this was the correct direction. I explained that it would get us to flathorn but most everyone is on the powerline. I'm not sure which way everyone went but a rider from Anchorage, Chad, followed me and the trail eventually turned to powder, it was undridden after burma road so we back tracked to Burma road over to Ayershire road eventually taking the same route as the others, who were long gone ahead. I believe Chad was relieved to back on the same route as the others. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb7DiQ6peRfmYNBxn933ZYUq-6JByA9PB9xvooA9lRzZ4LXoLrDKF2AkS9KNmqPUBManEfRS7QSoqliVGBh-MiDevCaghut-_HWcqcMtQdAFQCNod3wyo48lQtMSs9pprmiAZqLzn59Qm/s1600/P1010098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb7DiQ6peRfmYNBxn933ZYUq-6JByA9PB9xvooA9lRzZ4LXoLrDKF2AkS9KNmqPUBManEfRS7QSoqliVGBh-MiDevCaghut-_HWcqcMtQdAFQCNod3wyo48lQtMSs9pprmiAZqLzn59Qm/s1600/P1010098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Flathorn came pretty quickly and I passed a few more riders and settled in to continue over dismal swamp and on to the river. It was not even dark yet, the trail wasn't this good since my first race in 2008. I cruised up to the first checkpoint a bit before 9. An hour or more after the lead pack who were flying. I stayed for a coke, soup and moved on to Skwentna. This always takes me a long time, I do not like this section and it never fails I can hear Carl Hutchings words despising this part too in 2008. I pulled in to Skwentna around 1 still maintaining a low HR trying not to push hard. I stopped ate chatted with Jeff before he took off. I warmed up and kept going to Shell. This is where I found out my gearing was not so good. My first hill up shell I completely stalled. I was baffled at first and wondered why I couldn't clean these like I have in the past. It was frustrating and I thought my leg strength was super low. I had to walk up some parts and thats when I realized the gearing. Uh-oh this will be a problem. My knees were aching a bit. It's like 2008 all over again... I arrived at Shell with a pack of racers strewn about snoozing. I found a little spot next to the stove and slept a couple hours. I don't remember when I left but it was getting light out. At some point I met up with Heather and Jay Cable to ride with them for a bit. Heather just took off though, she was on fire. I hit finger lake a little before 11am, got my drop and rested for about an hour. Who was there and who I talked to is a little fuzzy but it was quite busy. I left, the sun was shining, it was warm and the riding was grand. I had great difficulty climbing though and it wasn't long before the knees went from an ache to pain. I then made another mistake... I lowered my seat to relieve the knee pain. It worked but was the beginning of my ass-trastrophe. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB5lpO4GLDfVnhy97kxAHcJqsGhAmYW5jsO8VFl5oD8yh0kyYq_cJW74PfULwS935eND6dzaRuFkSYa2wHqymPiXj0qmWiPX8kG8J4EFZfsRRhlElt7p8ZD_Prk0kKJOV8BmFE3NJAoRV/s1600/P1010099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB5lpO4GLDfVnhy97kxAHcJqsGhAmYW5jsO8VFl5oD8yh0kyYq_cJW74PfULwS935eND6dzaRuFkSYa2wHqymPiXj0qmWiPX8kG8J4EFZfsRRhlElt7p8ZD_Prk0kKJOV8BmFE3NJAoRV/s1600/P1010099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Around Shirley lake I bumped into Jeff and Heather. We rode back and forth a while and after finbear lake </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> I struggled up the long climb before desceding into puntilla. At one point I stopped for a rider who blew by me going uphill. It was Aiden,</span> he was keeping a groove and flying uphill on his single spped. That was impressive. I pulled into Puntilla at 6pm. I tried to sleep but could not so took off around 9. I actually cannot remember Rainy Pass much other it was almost all riding and that on the other side of the pass I found an awesome bivy spot about 7 miles from Rohn. While clearing the trail the iditarod trail folks left a beautiful pile of pine boughs under a tree. It was too hard to pass up and I already knew I didn't want to sleep in Rohn checkpoint. It was very cozy in my feathered friends -40 bag. Unfortunately, I overslept from 2am till almost 7 or 8am! I checked into Rohn before 9-- I think-- ate some awesome brats and canned goods (thanks Rob!), loaded up my bike with the drop food and left. From here till the finish I was glad for studded tires. Here's a video, with my wife in the background for music of course, of crossing the farewell lakes.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzDtuLmTX0oD4FKGS_-VeupV-oFCQxtPUJcakzKuC0Tv-qb1-yZItJFjVKAU7jHQ68yUxUzn7gj1_NukmDKQQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I didn't see much of anyone, Jeff and Heather had passed me in my cozy bivy before Rohn. It was like a mountain bike race with the conditions of no snow except the bike was getting hammered. I saw Jay Cable on the trail, his derailler exploded or something and he had to turn his bike into a single speed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXZpqKGqXUOwLnI2O-jy6Q52BGkbQ8pabZ5f-cm5Ka-nzf7YnmskhP7_L6HXM4qZoMIGPVfXg8lVY0vFUc0CDO_p8hpABKOu-Gp5oTCGmIRQw-TX9ZJBqeMgQjKe4w7Hsvjdf2WgGLlx6/s1600/P1010105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2pargd464eYGLfHoQyj42S-rULmTgNwRIfLeCSsfXNJry-xGHKxKhUZ1k3kt5J3-ijji60vZyIaJkMj1SEpfEp4evhsJtVfpWqOvgk_xylGeR6oMSd_vknfUU574az8-quRa4330VuTZ/s1600/P1010106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2pargd464eYGLfHoQyj42S-rULmTgNwRIfLeCSsfXNJry-xGHKxKhUZ1k3kt5J3-ijji60vZyIaJkMj1SEpfEp4evhsJtVfpWqOvgk_xylGeR6oMSd_vknfUU574az8-quRa4330VuTZ/s1600/P1010106.JPG" width="640" /></a><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXZpqKGqXUOwLnI2O-jy6Q52BGkbQ8pabZ5f-cm5Ka-nzf7YnmskhP7_L6HXM4qZoMIGPVfXg8lVY0vFUc0CDO_p8hpABKOu-Gp5oTCGmIRQw-TX9ZJBqeMgQjKe4w7Hsvjdf2WgGLlx6/s1600/P1010105.JPG" width="640" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEHytp1fmhusfv40HITMX5CwrwgIQSIlDhMb4u6qJHV4u_4a-zhmz4JcoXYAb4tEHJgjXpzAqiAAttLj2xf6pZPiYg4BMlcN4vFU7cjuhEjNC25OHr55p5gehLuOuXffRDIJVcYIDxtVw/s1600/P1010107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEHytp1fmhusfv40HITMX5CwrwgIQSIlDhMb4u6qJHV4u_4a-zhmz4JcoXYAb4tEHJgjXpzAqiAAttLj2xf6pZPiYg4BMlcN4vFU7cjuhEjNC25OHr55p5gehLuOuXffRDIJVcYIDxtVw/s1600/P1010107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">It was a fast trail and pretty soon I was at the sullivan bridge getting water as I had run out completely. I arrived in Nikolai around a little before 11pm. I ate and then lay down for 3 hours. I left after 3 am and I remember I stopped often as my butt was in quite a lot of pain since Rohn. Wait that was an understatement... I was in pain. How can I most accurately describe it I don't know... (this is where I wish I could write like the <a href="http://www.fatcyclist.com/" target="_blank">fat cyclist</a>). I took ibuprofen to reduce the pain which helped but I was worried. I arrived for my 6th McGrath finish and fastest time at 2 days 20 hrs. But it was just a checkpoint this year....</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-37229707120472843752014-03-22T14:04:00.001-08:002016-08-27T13:06:59.666-08:00ITI 2014 thoughts...? The recent finishes to Nome and story telling with Tim & Loreen Hewitt, Donald, Jill and Beat have spurred the thought that I have not touched an ITI writeup yet. Typical post race decompression, thoughts that are prominent at the finish start to fade. Retelling and sharing trail stories reminded me that the ITI is a race of issues and how we overcome them. This success is what breeds victory- whether it's <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2013/03/iti-2013-b.html" target="_blank">fast cycling,</a> <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2012/03/iti-2012-knik-fingerlake.html" target="_blank">ridiculous pushing</a>, <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2009/03/iti-2009-knik-lake-to-rainy-pass-days-1.html" target="_blank">waist deep rainy pass snow</a>, <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2010/03/iti-2010-2-trail-magic.html" target="_blank">consecutive days of -30</a> and colder or <a href="http://nomemisadventures.blogspot.com/2008/06/alaska-ultrasport-entry-5-mcgrath-ruby.html" target="_blank">ITB pain, swelling, bad knees and bad trail</a>. This year I was very very stoked about my ride and credit a lot of my success to <a href="http://www.lwcoaching.com/" target="_blank">LW coaching</a>. I had a balance of enjoying riding alone mixed with loneliness and excellent fun riding with Jeff-- (my only regret is not being faster to ride together more). The experience was challenging and so completely different from the 2010 and 2008 Nome race. This year was all about strategy, racing and uncertainty of where people were at; these were huge factors that made the race interesting... and frustrating. Being so far ahead of iditarod also left a much much more genuine experience too... the villages and trails were real in the sense that there was uncertainty and no tourists at all. It was cool, lonely at times (but I am great at entertaining myself with the most creative hallucinations and stupid oopses that Jeff got to witness fist hand) but mostly it was a significantly 'genuine' experience. Like if I walked out my door in Nome and just rode the trail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab4O7vJEfWl417XwqhWaq7OyJpx-bIAllmDu1yPIEFlrhQpep3JxpbRbNBSyyZW24Vo_C6hVRBZDPSQBNJvdFNZKoPSCEuxD9O7U-yrc9DusI8GjkpAVucozrwazFUKXtNIUQBxQeh-ki/s1600/1973535_658060030899105_106875773_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiab4O7vJEfWl417XwqhWaq7OyJpx-bIAllmDu1yPIEFlrhQpep3JxpbRbNBSyyZW24Vo_C6hVRBZDPSQBNJvdFNZKoPSCEuxD9O7U-yrc9DusI8GjkpAVucozrwazFUKXtNIUQBxQeh-ki/s1600/1973535_658060030899105_106875773_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I getting ready to depart McGrath (not sure who took photo)</td></tr>
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While I was happy with the ride overall I just couldn't get into a groove leaving McGrath. The saddle <strike>sores</strike> lesions forced me to stand up and ride from Poorman to Nome. The non resolving pain and increase in intensity over time I simply couldn't sit down if I wanted to finish to Nome. Sound gruesome? Yeah it was but wait there's more to come...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving McGrath (not sure who took photo)</td></tr>
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-72637761305016500592014-03-15T13:33:00.000-08:002016-08-27T13:07:37.256-08:00ITI 2014 StartI have a lot of thoughts about this years race other than just a race report but having a difficult time to actually put down on "paper". I'll start out with thanks to many of the usual suspects who "sponsor" me in their own way every year. This year due to my flu / pneumonia I had three physicians help me get my health together before the race that are worth great thanks: Dr. Head, Dr. Mraz and Dr. Lawrence- three awesome folks who are great at what they do. Thank you. The list goes on to my family, of course- Sarah, Jojo, Hahnah and my folks- my mom came up to help with the kids this year. Dave C for driving me out to the start and LW Coaching for planning a strategy that seemed to have gotten me to the finish line in a decent time even with a less than ideal amount of saddle time b/c of said illness. That flu was nasty I have to say. LW said I need to wait 5 minutes after everyone leaves at the start... it would prevent me from blowing up too early and give me a fighting chance to build as I go. Not the easiest way to do the ITI but I did it. Lastly thanks to Jeff O for getting me studded tires at the last minute when everywhere else was sold out! There are A LOT of people to thank while on the trail which I will try to do as I write this up too...<br />
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Here I am waiting around at the start and after everyone goes.... thanks for the pics Dave!<br />
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Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-3708434761953046832014-02-09T10:46:00.002-09:002016-08-27T13:08:06.767-08:00Blue bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another blue bird Saturday, pretty good crust for riding the hills. Soon I pack up the bike to hand off to Speedway for a little tuning and sorely needed new parts before the big day. <br />
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-20133706742545462662014-02-01T18:02:00.001-09:002014-02-01T18:02:15.770-09:00Keeping the snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have had strange warm weather off and on for the past 3 weeks or so. It was discouraging to see all the snow disappear. I woke up this morning glad to see the temps in the 20's and went out for a ride. The first part of the trail was like above, no snow and tundra and ice. <br />
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As the trail slowly climbed the conditions improved as it seems to have snowed more up here with less melt. The higher I rode the less I had to stay on trail and eventually was just able to point and go. I rode to top of newton peak or almost then bike skied down. It was a blast, definitely one of the best rides since Fairbanks. <br />
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229441234891188443.post-32495427317315806732014-01-18T21:05:00.001-09:002014-01-18T21:05:14.818-09:00Flu, fluid and feeling better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Christmas eve I came down with what was most likely a nasty case of the flu type A, a bad one that has been going around town. The whole family got it but it hit me the worst. It was like a freight train ran over my lungs and head. I am pretty sure that the respiratory illness that hit me in September (and took a long time to recover) added to the effect of this last one. In the Sept illness I thought I recovered but like a typical addict I kept working out and fooled myself into thinking that I was better.... riding was ok (even long 8 hr rides) but every time I ran my lungs felt like someone was standing on it. Something I have never felt before. I don't get sick often and am fairly certain it has been a culmination of work related hours and stress. So when the flu was going around I got hit hard. I could feel crackling fluid in my lungs when I breathed.... not a good sign. Aside from core gym training I took three weeks completely off, slept in, had reasonable hours and barely rode-- a rather difficult thing to do. But it worked... along with nebulizer tx with antibtiotics that is....<br />
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I rode today, cautiously. We just had a storm yesterday that dumped a bunch of snow so was surprised one of the local trails was actually rideable. It felt great, no better than great. I was surprised how well it went. The illness and missing a couple of key rides may change my strategy a bit for the ITI but for the first time in weeks I am feeling confident about this years ITI. <br />
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I spent the bulk of today on amazon exploring the very dangerous "one click". Dang that is an evil button but I managed to get a lot of updates on my gear, trail food and even bike components. I am still exploring some bike setup options which will be interesting. I see a lot of carbon setups and ultra light setups that I will have to compete with my "older" fatback. Amazing that the fatback I have is only a year old and already so much has changed. We'll see what happens.... I'm just glad my health has really rebounded... whew. </div>
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<br />Philhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02276596666223591698noreply@blogger.com0