Kendall Card 2.0

…continued from Part 2, this is the final part of the race recap…

Leg 5 – Alpine to Jackson Hole

Thanks to John’s wife I had that Coke and it felt so good. I had heard the carbonation and sugar was a good alternative to energy drinks when in a long race. John had to find a toilet and the porta-potties were 10 deep in waiting so we rode across the bride over the Snake River and pulled into the Chevron where we were first in line for a “clean” bathroom which was a nice alternative to an out-house. My butt was saddle sore and the first 1/4 mile I couldn’t really sit. We were both quite tired and we agreed that we’d ride at conversation pace the entire rest of the way.

That resolution didn’t last too long as we hopped on the wheel of a passing team. The pace was enjoyable and steady. When we hit a small hill one of their team dropped off the back so they all slowed leaving John and I to ourselves as we surged in front of them. By this time we were complaining openly about every little incline claiming that the race bible said nothing of hills. Two strong riders came by and I looked at John to see if we should hop on. He urged me on so we grabbed their wheel and started to rotate with them. After a couple of rotations John and I agreed it was a bit fast and we let them go.

A few miles down the canyon we passed this twosome who had pulled over to relieve themselves. We rode on, picking up a couple riders with each passing mile. About 4-5 miles later that twosome caught us and once again we jumped on their wheels and started to rotate. As we rode we enjoyed some conversation and got to know them. One was riding a bit stronger than the other but all 4 of us shared the load.

Just before Hoback Junction there was one last neutral water station where I got a Red Bull, a banana and topped off my water bottles. As John and I readied to head out the other twosome asked if we shouldn’t ride the rest of the way together since we had been in sync for quite some time. I didn’t realize just how well we were riding as a group of 4 until right after Hoback Junction when in a group of about 20 riders we pulled away from them on a little incline.

The sun was starting to get low in the sky and the shadows casting long across the Teton Valley as we neared Jackson. My wife and kids had finally made it up to the race, my 8 year old son having competed in a triathlon earlier that day. It was energizing to see them as they yo-yo’d past us and would pull over to cheer us on. This was a mental boost, more than I had imagined.

As we came into Jackson and readied for the turn towards Wilson and then to Jackson Hole Resort, I found myself in the front of a large pack, likely 25 riders. It felt really cool to be out in front of this group, most if not all of these riders with certainly more riding experience than my meager 2 years. Despite a large group the four of us kept the rotation of leading. A couple of times John and one of the other riders didn’t quite have the juice to pull so I darted ahead and took the lead to pull as we rounded the corner for the last few miles into the finish.

By this point in time I think the four of us didn’t want to give up the lead or responsibility of leading the group so we’d insist on rotating back into the group in front of the trailing riders. We’d lead this far I wanted to lead all the way in.

The sun finally set behind the Tetons with just a few miles left. The rotation came to me and I pushed forward feeling quite strong. After what seemed like a long push I turned to John and pulled off the front saying, “It’s all you John, take us in.” “He replied, “I don’t have it, you’re really moving”. I looked over my shoulder and realized that we had pulled away from the group. I didn’t even know that we had done that. “”Wow John, we’re all alone out here!” I exclaimed.

I sat up in my seat and waved my arm in a “come on up here you guys” and then jumped in front of John to lead to the finish.

About 100 yards before finish a team of 4 in the same jerseys made a push and caught John and I. I let them go, more than satisfied with the work I had done and the strength I showed near the finish. John pushed ahead to race them to the end, ever the competitive cyclist. He finished a couple of seconds in front of me and I was satisfied at our ride.

Better than any winning time was the compliments that came from the two riders we

had shared the last leg with and from many in the pack who simply said, “thanks for bringing us in so strong”. John overheard a couple of riders, pointing in our direction whispering, “those are the guys who brought us in.” Tim as at the finish and I could tell he was sad that it wasn’t his day. I felt bad for him but knew he’d be back. It was a pleasure to ride the race with John.

I was so happy that I think I smiled all the way back to Kamas that night as we drove home. I had come in rider 752 in a field of 1500, right in the middle of the pack. 11 hours, 41 minutes was good for my first time….but I think I can drop 41 minutes from that and break 11 hours.

True to my philosophy about races I’m going to ride Lotoja again next year and will once again ride the entire race solo vs. with a relay team. My philosophy?

Anyone can do something once. It takes someone who is committed to do it twice.