Hoodoo Voyager DNF


The Voyager Division of the Hoodoo 500 is not for Everyone. The ultimate challenge in cycling in many ways sent me sailing off the high wire into the abyss. I took off strong with the only ex-european pro to take on an ultra, Sean Nealy, and quickly realized he was going at a pace way beyond anything I could handle. He told me he wanted to break 30 hours, which was a mighty audacious goal. I kept in second place pretty much the entire 1st stage other than a few miles where I rode behind Steve Lachaine, but I must have pushed a bit too hard as I began to really suffer on the climbs after Kanab. I enjoyed a ton of cramps, and lot of doubt about the day ahead. I realized quickly that the pannier that I had picked up in Kanab was not such a smart move as the weight was killing me on the climb. In one act of desperation at mile 110 I jettisoned my camelbak and rain jacket, but I was still suffering mightily into Hatch where I was passed by the supported solo leaders. But I kept pushing up towards Bryce Canyon National Park and started to get my legs back a bit. I pulled into the 202 mile park in under 13 hours of riding time and even though I felt pretty crappy, was doing great on time. I took a quick shower at the motel they provided us Voyagers and felt pretty solid taking off Boulder Mountain. I decided to not bring my Ski pants to save weight and slowly climbed up this climb to almost the 10,000 foot level. I froze on the descent off the mountain and started shaking so much that I had to stop on the side of the road. I pulled out the space blanket and tried to take a break, but this was probably a bad idea, as I was unable to get warm enough and I noticed a ton of black clouds above me which spurred me on to ride down the hill. I hooked up with Rick Jacobson and his crew and hitched into Loa for a DNF. The intimidation factor of riding up 10,000+ foot mountains w/o any support is what makes the Voyager so challenging. When the going gets tough, its up to you to work your way out of it. I went from feeling pretty how I would expect to feel at mile 260 on an Ultra to the bottom of the pit where I could not crawl out and it was all due to a mental breakdown. The supported divisions are so much easier as your team can keep you going and get you extra clothes, etc. I have a lot of respect for anybody who has finished this division. This year, it looks like 2 people might make it, but still not sure. The ex-pro must have had some major challenges as he may not break the existing record of 42 hours as I write.

Comments

mthead said…
thanks for posting. It sounds as I might imagine it. Hope you don't feel bad, many of us are living vicariously, impressed that you are picking off such monumental challenges. Glad you're back safe, that is first, and you've learned a thing or two.
jmilliron said…
Bummer man. Better luck next time.
Good read! Your still a hero in my eyes!
Anonymous said…
brilliant riding, good strategy to win but not enjoy your ride being cold is a choice just as is going fast your intuition/instinct was supreme, if Nick Adams in the big two hearted river had it he would have never fished the swamp, If Getty had had it he would have never been eaten by New Guinea head hunters, even bears know when its time to hunker down, they dont wander about in the snow trying to chase down one more elk. The ego suffers but the soul expands when you have seen the elephant you know you must turn back and venture on another day......