At the feed zone in Afton, Wyo.,
about 75 miles from the finish
of the 2008 LOTOJA Classic.
In 2007, I tried and failed to complete the 206-mile, one-day cycling challenge known as the LOTOJA Classic. It's a bike race or ride that begins in Logan, Utah, and ends in Teton Village near Jackson Hole, Wyo. I was pulled off the bike 46 miles short of the finish line due to darkness last year after crossing all three mountain summits on the course - Strawberry Summit at 7,424 feet, Geneva Summit at 6,923 feet, and Salt River Pass at 7,630 feet. It was pretty depressing.
Fast forward to Sept. 6, 2008. I finished this year's LOTOJA Classic, riding with the team of nine other riders that I've trained with this year. We all finished together and we finished with two minutes to spare before the event organizers took down the finish line.
The day started shortly after 6 a.m. in Logan, wound through northern Utah into Idaho and then into Wyoming. It ended as the sun dropped below the Tetons at 8:13 p.m. That's more than 14 hours in the saddle and it was all worth it, as you can see from the exhausted look on my face at the finish.
At dinner after the ride, I vowed never to do it again. I'm already thinking about next year though.
A big thanks to my teammates: Dr. Greg Staker, Dr. Mike Catten, Dr. Sean Paulsen, Dr. Shane Powell, Dr. Doug Ogden, Gary Child, Keith Powell, Corey Hicken, and Charlie Allen for all their support this year during training and during the ride. We accomplished a great feat together that many others will never do themselves or truly appreciate. I couldn't have done it without each of you.
I also want to thank all of the people who provided support for us during the ride, especially my support crew, Jill Hicken and Spencer; and Candi Child for creating "the document" that laid out who would provide us with food, drink, and encouragement during the ride.
Finally, thanks to Vanessa and the boys for putting up with stinky cycling clothes hanging in the laundry room after early morning rides and for the hours they were without me on the weekends when the group set out on all-day training rides. Even though you had to stay home in Roosevelt, you were with me all day from the start in Logan to the finish in Teton Village. I love you.
