'What does this feel like?'
'I feel like I'm trying to run in a swimming pool.'
'No, in a pool I would be able to see the end getting closer.'
'It's like trying to run on a treadmill in a swimming pool.'
'#$*%, !@%$, #$%*, *#!@, %^$*'
I'd lost all motivation to do this race the instant I signed up for the 60k. I had wanted to try the 200k, but didn't have the right gear and didn't feel prepared to pedal 30+ hours in potentially very cold weather - the cold being my biggest fear. If my Raynaud's flared up when I was in the middle of nowhere, what would happen? Would I be able to get my hands and feet warm enough before frostbite set in and if so how exactly would I do it? It's a question I'm still pondering. I still want to do a 100+ mile snow ride...but I also want to keep my fingers and toes.
'20miles!...in four hours.'
'Why am I here again?'
'I really should have brought headphones.'
'@#^%, %#$$, %^*$, %$^#, ^$!@'
Two years ago there were three of us venturing up to beautiful Island Park, ID for West-N-Back. Last year there were two of us heading back for the Fatbike Summit. This year it was just me driving up to JayP's Backyard Fat Pursuit. I arrived at Ponds Lodge a few minutes before the Friday night racer's meeting. It was nice to see some familiar faces from the previous trips and even a few people from Utah. My mood picked up that night as I sat around chatting with my fellow fatbikers.
'Man, even the downhill is work today.'
'Grey sky, green trees, white road. Repeat.'
'I just want to be done already.'
'Argh, my goggles are icing up again.'
I stayed at a cabin about 8 miles north of Ponds Lodge (the start and finish line) because it was the best deal, only $25 for a shared room! I didn't sleep much that night. I wasn't nervous about the riding, it was the howling wind outside. It was going to be really cold.
It had only snowed a couple inches overnight, but the wind had blown a pile of snow in front of my car. It took 40 minutes of shoveling and pushing to get my car out to the plowed road - it would've taken a lot longer if not for the generous help of a fellow cabinmate. The stuck car meant I was now running late and wasn't sure I'd get to the start line in time. I wasn't bothered by that.
'Haha, someone put pink flamingos on the side of the trail.'
'Mile 30...there's the checkpoint!'
"Wes, give me your water bottle and I'll put some warm water in it."
"You've got this, you're doing great."
I pulled up to Ponds Lodge and went through the process of getting my bike ready: slide pogies over the handlebar, put food in pogies, seat pack on, spare warm clothes into the drysack then into the seat pack, lights, back up lights, GPS, tire pressure, check, check, check. Done with 10 minutes to spare. Damn. There goes that excuse.
'Okay, this is getting ridiculous I can't see anything.'
'Great, now there's ice between my lenses.'
'Keep it between the navigational becons.'
'Listen for the sound of the firmer snow [steer a little left or a little right]...ah, there it is.'
'One more hour to go...'
I crossed the finish line at 4:49pm. Total ride time 7 hours 46 minutes. Total moving time 6 hours and 36 minutes. Distance 39.4 miles with 2,224 feet of climbing. I finished 20th out of 34 starters with 4 DNF's. I did start getting some frostbite on the front of my feet...so it was good I didn't attempt the 200k this year.
It was a great event from the promotional and logistical perspective. The weather conditions made for a very difficult and cold race, but it was worth it. Don't get me wrong it was hell, but I'm okay with that. Having MCTD means a large part of my life involves dealing with pain and fatigue. Every race like this teaches me a little more about how to deal with them and every finish gives me the confidence that I've got this, I'm doing great.
