Thru Endurance We Conquer!

Last year's post Frog Hollow vacation was mostly off the grid, dirtbag style camping. It was nice and relaxing - a chance to just settle in to a routine without distractions of the world. We did plenty of off the grid this year, but all spent more time in cities and around people. In some ways, the mix was even better - we were better prepared to head off the grid but were able to make all kinds of connections. And the time alone was that much sweeter.  Sunset at the McPhee Reservoir outside Dolores - got to see a part of Colorado I'd never been to before Thanks to the challenging weather at the race, people were in a hurry to get home, get clean and warm. With no one left at Frog Town and a brief dry window, Nick and I also packed up our gear and headed to St George. Our first thought was a nice campground with laundry and showers, but that proved to be elusive. We ended up in Snow Canyon for the night - one of the quietest nights I've had. Best shower I'd ...

Many years ago, while on a hike during a Sierra Club camping trip I wanted to join the adults on a hike to the summit of a mountain. I don't even remember the mountain, but I know that in order to get to the summit, there was about 50 feet of trail exposed on both sides. The trail was maybe a foot wide, just a ridge of rock, with nothing but air on either side for hundreds of feet. Well, I made over to the summit just fine, but panicked on the return trip. I think it took me a hour to cross that 50 foot gap, and only with patient coaxing from nearly all the adults on the trip. Ever since, exposures have been a weakness of mine - one of the reasons I was so proud of myself for not panicking in sections on Porcupine Rim. I was able to block out the tickles of fear and focus on the trail. Well, I wasn't so lucky on the second ride at Moab this time around. Quick - let's play find the trail along the distant cliff! We went to the Amasa Back area with no real agenda - we...

Three years ago, our planned Porcupine Rim ride got rained and snowed out. We drove up to LPS that day and played in the snow, but left without riding. Last year, I wimped out on the climb up Sand Flats Road and we were unable to arrange a shuttle so we could ride Porcupine. So with two trips to Moab under my belt and I'd yet to experience one of the classic rides - still no Porcupine. This year we made it the priority. We wanted to explore Moab a little more and ride some new trails, but first - Porcupine. I even took a day off the bike on Tuesday to ensure that I would be ready for the rough, challenging terrain and long, technical ride. Before the fun of Porcupine comes the long grind up Sand Flats. We didn't even bother calling about a shuttle this year, figuring we'd get the same answer as last. Time to ride up the road. With our early start and the chilly temperatures, the road was quiet. There were only a few cars in the Slickrock parking lot and even fewer fu...

After nearly two weeks of sunshine and warm temperatures, we returned home to sub freezing and snow. More snow was on the way as well. Before, that would have set me to the trainer or to a run. Not this year. I'm thinking except for targeted workout where I have specific goals in mind, the trainer isn't gonna see a lot of use. Nick was right last year with his trainer killers article. There's no excuses to get out and play in the snow now.  Nick heading up into Stratton - no first tracks there. Someone had beaten us there   But we did get first tracks on Spring Creek! What's changed? A new bike of course and Sunday morning was the maiden ride. We got it just before our trip and had enough stuff to do without trying to get a bike fit as well. So when the snow started falling Saturday night, I was jonesing to go. Nick gave it the once over and did the fit Sunday morning while I made breakfast and then it was time to ride. We dressed for the freezing yet ...

After vacating Gooseberry just before the mass of riders arrived, it was a quick stop to pick up a part and resupply. Then onto the next adventure - Guacamole. A few people had told us to check it out, that it was worth the drive up. And a drive up it was! Dusty road through an expansive valley, then up the narrow canyon to the top of the mesa. We were just across from Zion and the rock formations of the national park filled the eastern sky. It was only 2:30 when we parked the van and the sun hung high in the cloudless sky. Nick decided that he would get in a quick lap of the trail, see what we were in for tomorrow. Despite my fatigue and slowness with the ride at Gooseberry that morning, I decided I would do a short run. I'd originally planned to stick to the jeep roads that lead off in all directions from the trailhead, but my TADD kicked in. There was singletrack - with the potential for views! Why just run on the roads? I can do that at home. So off I went on to the trail. I ...

Three nights in St George and it was time to head off the grid to Gooseberry. We'd spent the time at the hotel wisely and we had a cooler full of food and clean clothes for the next days of riding. We scored a good campsite this time with morning sun, afternoon shade, some big rocks that were perfect for stretching on and quiet. We were only a half a mile from the trailhead and there was a rocky section of road before and after the pull in, forcing the traffic to slow down and decreasing the dust from the cars. Perfect for home base for a few nights.  Nick on one of the rocky climbs on South Rim trail Time to ride. We were both looking forward to exploring Gooseberry some more. I of course, started the ride off badly, falling off two big rocks right away. Nick was in "make your own fun" mode on the slickrock and I thought I could follow him. Well, I didn't fully commit to one line and toppled backwards - I would have the bruises and scrapes to show for my effor...

Big days exploring new trails on tired legs with fast guys. That was me after asking Jonathan Davis (who was also in St George - running the recovery station at Frog Hollow with his Elevated Legs) if he wanted company on the ride he had planned for Tuesday after the race. Nick and I were planning on almost the exact ride   - I say almost because we had anticipated parking at a different trailhead and just riding the singletrack. Meeting up with JD meant riding more of the True Grit course, having someone who had a better idea of where we were going with us and about two more hours of riding. Well, that was what we were there for - trail riding and exploring. The ability to do it with friends? Even better. I packed my Osprey Rev 12 with enough water for four hours and plenty of food. I had a feeling I was going to need it. We left the Green Valley - Zen parking area and headed up the mesa across the canyon from Zen. Just a short road climb and we were descending big swooping dr...

Zen Trail that is! I've seen photos, read reports and knew it was an integral part of the True Grit Race (which is on the agenda for next year) So it was on the list to ride for sure. With the help of our map, we found the trail pretty easy and headed up. A steep double track climb up towards the Mesa edge that quickly led to narrow singletrack right along the cliff edge. Wow. Higher and higher we climbed - following the tire tracks and cairns through the maze of rocks. Big rocks. With some big moves. Nick was enjoying every minute. There were some tricky lines, but only a few places had big consequences. That made it even more fun. We practiced a few different sections, the lines between the rocks becoming more clear with each run. After one lap, we decided we hadn't had enough fun and headed back up the road. A little cleaner this time and more ability to enjoy the huge views. Looking off to the north from the top of Zen View from the top of Zen, looking north. Wow...

We had a very simple plan coming into the 2014 25 Hours in Frog Hollow. Race as hard as we could until midnight, then see how we felt. With a planned vacation to explore the riding around St George , we wanted to be able to trail ride after the race. (Zen Trail! Barrel Rolls! Gooseberry!) So we were planning on pulling the plug early and going to bed, regardless of our standing in the race. We just didn't know when it would happen. But until then, it was game on. Dark skies to start the morning out Under cloudy skies and howling winds, Nick lined up for the running start. I stood among the dust devils, waiting for him to appear. There were some fast runners, but Nick was well within the top fifteen on the run. Then off into the dust he vanished. Our plan was to start a little easier this year, but be more consistent with our laps. I dressed for my first lap, hemming and hawing over the light weight rain jacket, gore jacket or mont-bell hooded rain jacket. Dark, wet clouds lur...