Targhee Rando Race Beatdown!

OUCH!

Okay, the fact that last weekend's ski mountaineering race hurt in all the usual ways is no surprise. I mean, let's face it. There are few endurance competitions that punish participants quite like ski mountaineering racing. A friend of mine who is a solid mountain bike racer did his first skimo event at Targhee. When he came into the lodge after finishing looking a bit shattered but still displaying the masochistic grin of someone who got even more than he came for, I quipped that it was a lot like mountain bike racing. He simply said, "Harder!" He pointed out that with the hair raising descents on tooth picks and the ski boot equivalent of bed room slippers there was just no recovery. Another competitor was overheard saying he hit his max heart rate on a descent. How awesome is that?!

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Bjorn Dahle Days

Training on a bike outside this time of year can be an adventure, particularly if you live in the mountains like I do. When the weather turns bad like it often does around here this time of year, suiting up and getting after it requires dedication and a certain amount of masochistic pleasure in being uncomfortable while training. Today was one of those days.

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Logan to Jackson wrap-up

My first Logan to Jackson is in the books. I finished, did not flat, did not bonk, suffered through some scary quadriceps cramps and nearly achieved my one lofty goal heading into it. It seems strange to have this long event behind me. The idea of it consumed me during much of the summer. There were few training rides this season where the thought of the race did not come up at some point. Even though I raced nearly every weekend for 3 months, some part of those races and the training leading up to each of them were geared toward preparation for the 330 km beat down I faced this past weekend.

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Finding Form

For cyclists who live in true 4-season climates, cycling is not a year round sport. Fall comes, the snow flies and the bike is traded for skis. As a competitive ski mountaineering racer, my training focus shifts to skiing as soon as it starts getting cold and the white stuff appears on the high peaks. The roller skis get some use and I start looking forward to the first race in December. What this means is that the high level of cycling fitness obtained during the season is essentially abandoned for other things until the focus is renewed in the spring. At that point, the long journey begins again.

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Commitment and Reward

Winning solo in a bicycle road race is the ultimate prize in the sport.  It demonstrates all the values that define an admirable road racer - courage, daring, commitment, belief in one's ability and a plain willingness to just "give it a go". Every cyclist fantasizes about such a moment in his or her career but few realize the glory.  Luck plays a big part in the successful solo bid.  The right combination of circumstances need to conspire in one's favor for the soloist to be blessed with success.  I have never tasted this sweet but rare fruit.  The opportunity has presented itself a time or two but the proximity of approaching teammates has always coaxed me to hesitate and wait for the help.  So much for courage and daring.

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