Despite our first real snowfall of the year this week, it feels like spring is just around the corner. The City of Lakes Loppet this weekend, the Birkie a few weeks later, pitchers and catchers report to camp - then boom! the LML, Dickie, Almanzo, Kanza & 99er come in quick succession.
Last year was kind of a down year for riding, running and skiing. The Kanza was a clear highlight, but the other few races I did ride were not great experiences for me and I skipped quite a few.
I'm hoping 2016 is a bit brighter. I'm planning to race the Maah Daah Hey 100 again, but skip the Tatanka and the Cheq 40 (I forgot to sign up!). We're planning a fall trip to the San Juans for a 7 day pilgrimage from Durango to Moab and I'm threatening myself with a White Rim 1 day ride at the end. I'd love to run another marathon too, its been a few years. Maybe even in the spring to help with my Kanza training.
Ride the bull - 2015
I never did post any recap of the 2015 Tatanka. Bottom line, the race was too technical for me. Living in MN I just don't get to ride those kinds of rocks. It was a beast. A great big beast. Below are some pics, but they don't really convey the difficulty of the ride.
Pre-race dinner in Sturgis
Gathering at the start
At the start - not really ready for what was to come
with some great flowy single-track
Most water crossings had to be waded through & some had guide ropes to help keep us upright.
only a few of the water crossings had bridges
Rocky & Steep
Selfie on a climb with a nice "canyon" on the right. Somewhere near mile 65?