It’s just about that time of year. What time, you ask?
Tomorrow, here in Minnesota, the Almanzo 100 takes place. A few folks here in the building had their Almanzo bikes with them today, so I asked if I could shoot a quick photo or two, and let them tell you about their bike setups, but more importantly, why they’re riding Almanzo and what they hope to take from it.
The snap of cleats locking into pedals was all that could be heard on the desolate street as we prepared to head for mile 109. I was faced with 19 more freezing miles and doubt began to creep in.
Paul was the first to mention “taking a break” at the store. He was barely done with the sentence when I agreed with him. We were all weary and the pretense that we weren’t was long gone.
With the race starting at 4 a.m. I knew that staying safe early on was paramount. Also, experience has taught me that TI always goes off like a rocket…more like the start of a two-hour mountain bike race, than the start of a daylong effort.
Five times I’ve trained, stressed, and obsessed over Trans Iowa. Trans Iowa, a race I fell in love with as a budding, fresh-faced endurance cyclist, looking for an adventure that would go beyond anything I’d ever done.
It was truly a privilege for me to attend the annual Whiskey Off-Road a couple weekends back in Prescott, Arizona to help spread the Adventure by Bike story.
Today, I’m pleased to present a short interview with Salsa sponsored rider Jay Petervary. Jay has more ultra-endurance experience than most of us can dream of, and there is without a doubt, a lot we can all learn from him to better ourselves as cyclists.
Life is busy now, but I have been riding far more than floating. That’s going to change soon.
In some circles, space is the final frontier. In mine, that adage belongs to Alaska.