Hot Springs

I'M FINISHED!!! #47 to check in.

This was quite an experience. I remember laughing, screaming, and crying; talking to myself, talking to the bike, and talking to my friends; and freezing, baking, and drowning. And I believe there was one day when all of these things happened 🤣.

I did this to prove I could. I did it faster than I wanted, had mostly great weather, had no physical issues, and had no mechanical problems (except the flat rear tire--routine for me and this bike).

I also did this for Lumpy. I hope I made you proud, brother.

I don't know that I'll do it again, although it only happens every two years, so I may forget how I feel right now. What I do know is that this is most definitely a race, regardless of how it is publicly presented. There may no longer be a $500,000 first place award, but there is a trophy and the first 20 finishers get a rodeo belt buckle (made for guys of course).

Beginning mileage: 105,632
Ending mileage: 116,184
TOTAL MILES: 10,552

Beginning time: 26 June 0700
Ending time: 8 July 0734
TOTAL TIME: 12 Days, 34 Minutes

Daily Mileages:
Start 26 June 105632
End of Day 1 26 June 106542 (910)
End of Day 2 27 June 107603 (1,061)
Check In #1 28 June 108201
End of Day 3 28 June 108468 (865)
End of Day 4 29 June 109511 (1,043)
End of Day 5 30 June 110464 (953)
Check In #2 1 July 110911
End of Day 6 1 July 111145 (681)
End of Day 7 2 July 112102 (957)
End of Day 8 3 July 112919 (817)
End of Day 9 4 July 113735 (816)
Check In #3 5 July 113866
End of Day 10 5 July 114371 (636)
End of Day 11 6 July 115210 (839)
Day 12 Flat Tire 7 July 115628 (418) [no end of day]
Finish Day 13 8 July 116184 (556)

What I spent most of my non-riding time messing with (areas for improvement):
- Sleeping gear (I need a cot already put together and a one-piece bedroll/mattress)
- Clothing (I need a Klim suit or similar to avoid switching in and out of rain gear and heated gear)
- Fuel management (A larger tank means fewer stops)
- Hydration (I need to be able to drink while riding)
- Food (I need high energy food that I can eat while riding)Read more