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Friday, March 28

Alaska Ultra Sport - to McGrath

I had no idea how I was going to treat the race to McGrath (350 miles) considering my goal was to try in complete the route to Nome (1100 miles). I did know I wasn't going to lie down like a fish and just move to McGrath but I also wasn't going to take control and steer the ship either. I had a few things I knew I would do, follow somebody from the start through the short cut section of the start of the race, sleep a fair bit every night, and don't get caught up in somebody else's effort of suffering to McGrath. So I basically played a bit of cat and mouse, keeping a careful on eye on the others that were pressing the pace a bit more and of course paying close attention to taking care of myself.

Start - Yentna. The start was quite calm, I usually like to put out big efforts at the start of a race even if it is weeks long but with my plan to follow someone through the short cut that I didn't know about helped me hold back. I followed Peter (knowing he was going to be competition) and after several hours it all sorted out and we were the ones leading out to Yentna up the frozen Su river. I was the first to arrive and while eating my grilled cheese, pops, and soup the masses were piling in. The ride to Yentna, actually all the way to Finger Lake was puuuurfect snow riding.

Yentna - Skwentna. While everyone was doing there typical checkpoint maintenance of eating, drying out, and now getting ready for the darkness outside, I notice Rocky in and out and Tim traveling with the experience of Jeff O. following. I put myself back together and proceeded up the frozen river with the dark sky stars talking about as you glimpsed up. I pass Tim and Jeff shortly after and follow the lights of Rocky into the Skwentna roadhouse. At mile 90 and 9 hours into the race at 11:00pm it is a good place to catch some more real food and decide to catch some winks here or push onto Shell lake some 20 miles away and sleep there. I decided to eat, go upstairs to a bed sleep for 3.5 hours and eat again. At this point a lot of people are coming in deciding on the same but a few people did press on, 4 to be exact. Jeff a veteran strong arm traveling with a friend Tim from CO., Carl an experienced Ultra Sport fella from the UK and James a fast, happy, anxious first timer. I am no expert to this thing but it is my second time and I like to treat my multi day races like a "game" and not just a physical one. Anyway, what a very comfortable lodge, we are always welcome like family at Skwentna. I check out at 3:00am with 4 people ahead.

Skwentna - Finger Lake. After getting the full details several times on leaving the checkpoint (sometimes the hardest navigation is arriving and leaving a checkpoint) I proceeded through the utility roads and am now on the trail. With 2 eyes starring at me up trail, I start yelling and turn my light to strobe, the moose continues running down the trail as I am following. He decides to stop, I stop. I proceed in my aggressive manner but he is busy eating and not caring no more. He no longer wants to go down trail and I continue this back and fourth game with him but clearly he is not going to give up the trail, can't blame him since it snowed something like 6 feet the week before and off trail is chest deep. My patience is running out and am quite frustrated after wasting more then an hour in less then a mile from the checkpoint. Now, Phil joins me as I explain and then Rocky. So finally after close to an 1.5 hours we all join and approach the moose knowing something was going to give, and it did, his head went down, ears back and charging he comes. We all jump off trail into the deep snow and he passes all of us. I don't blame him for not giving up the trail and he certainly didn't want to venture further then his usual area, it is more his land then mine.

After the moose fiasco, I hit it hard looking back to see the others had dropped. I was fairly amped up to get through the Shell hills strongly and stop at the Shell Lake Lodge for a quick pit stop pick me up before carrying onto Finger Lake. The hills are very rollie and require on/off the bike quite a bit. So by the time you reach Shell lodge your probably, sweat wet. When I hit the lake I seen the headlamps of Tim and Jeff leaving the cabin, the other 2 were ahead of them which I am sure didn't sleep. I stop in the cabin and give myself 20 minutes. Chug a couple of pops, dry out what I can, make some adjustments, eat some more, and carry on. Shell Lake Lodge is basically a cabin, I stopped in here last year and found it to be unique in the way that I just walk into this persons home (they do sleep in the back), tip toe around, messing with my stuff hovering around the wood stove, help myself to there food and drinks behind the bar, leave more then enough money to cover what I had, and leave. I do sign the guest book, but with being my second year through this cabin in the middle of the night, I've yet to meet this kind women. Sort of weird. Thank you.

Leaving Shell Lake with a gauge on the others ahead and the others behind were no where in sight even after my pit stop, I was very motivated to catch up. The trail after Shell is a dejavu of swamp crossing after swamp crossing. It was an ideal 1 snow-machine wide trail, fairly flat, indented down into the snow pack and very fast. I enjoyed some in the dark and then the transformation to day light. It was a very beautiful combination of trail and sunrise. I passed Tim and Jeff during day break and was moving steadily toward Finger Lake. I came across 2 women that were skijouring to McGrath for fun, I found that to be very cool. They let me know that the other 2 were not that far ahead. Seeing the back drop to Finger Lake is very exciting because when you get there you pick up your first food drop that you sent out there, weeks ago, curious to remember what you put in it and you get quite a good meal at the lodge. I arrive seeing Carl and James at the lodge which makes me very happy knowing I slept last night, been eating very well, and been holding back a bit on my exertion level. I take my time doing the same old routine maintenance. Eat, drink, eat, drink, resort my kit, go through my drop, pay attention to when the others leave and make sure I prep everything I can to move efficiently to Puntilla lake. Remembering from last year this section tends to be a bit demanding gaining elevation, steep hills, off camber trail and knowing when you arrive to Puntilla, Rainy pass the toughest section of trail is to be taken on. I leave Finger lake with the 2 leaders less then an hour ahead. That was mile 130, hour 20.

Finger Lake - Puntilla Lake. I carry on to Puntilla Lake that sunshine filled day being able to ride quite a bit more then last year but still having to push the more consistant steeper hills, wondering how a musher with a dog team actually makes up, down and around some of these more technical fast tight turn areas. Into my afternoon I see Carl and James sliding down on there butts on one of the more steep down hill areas. I join them for a minute, have some brief chat and then I carry on. Whenever I catch someone I like to see where there at by pressing it a bit, if I can. I stay strong pushing and riding with the two behind but in sight for a while. After some passing time I arrive to Fin Bear lake, just short of the checkpoint (12 miles?). There is a couple that goes out to there lonely cabin on that lake each winter and welcomes us in for whatever it is we need. An oasis for sure. Carl and I enjoy a cup of hot coco here share a few minutes with Mike, the cabin owner, and carry on. It was one of those moments that was very comfortable and we both would of loved to spend some more time and enjoy Mikes company and cabin but with day light burning and the real checkpoint just a few short hours away we made the visit fairly quick without it being discussed. Hitting the trail I bumped it back up to a strong pace with Carl no longer around. Traveling to Puntilla Lake you now become surrounded by mountains and for me is when you feel like this little dot in this huge place. This feeling to me is Alaska, dwarfed, vulnerable, and where survival along with moving forward are 2 basic but most challenging things.

Arriving to Puntilla Lake first I shout around looking for the checker and proceed to the correct cabin. I get myself stripped down with my clothes hanging around the wood stove to dry, soups and stews boiling on the Coleman stove, prepping to get some sleep, and taking the steps to be as close to ready when I wake. I really focus for this first 30-45 minutes trying to do as much as I can before the cabin fills up and things become confusing from all the people, chat, gear, and noise. My chores are done and I am sleeping and organized within my time allowance. Carl and James have arrived and were the only ones in the cabin when I went to sleep. When I woke some 5 hours later the cabin was full, beds full, people lying on the floor, people hovering and rotating there gear around the fire, food being eatin, and lots of chat. Whose leaving first and when? Is there a trail? Did trail breakers make it over Rainy Pass? The info one gets from the checkpoints usually can only be half believed or half correct about the trail, so you take it, throw the dice, and then make your own assumption, like worst case scenario is usually best. I rubbed my eyes looking to get in on some of the conversation. Peter who amazingly was there after a big layover the night before with a broken pedal and Rocky in the bed next to me were talking different scenarios. Peter was anxious to leave with who ever was first out, It seemed as if Carl and James were just about ready but I commented I didn't want to travel with them throughout the night because it didn't seem like they slept much there and I know they didn't the night before. I have had close to 10 hours at this point and knew when I was to leave for Rainy Pass I would be fine. If I am to travel with somebody I want it to be with somebody of same ability and rest, especially since its midnight. The sleep monster can really effect ones travel at night and since it is already not the most efficient traveling time you don't want other things to slow it down as well. After chatting with Pete I commented 1:00am I'll be ready. I rested an additional 30 minutes, got up, ate, put my kit together and Peter and I headed out about 1am for Rainy Pass.

Puntilla Lake - over Rainy Pass to Rohn checkpoint. The trail up to the pass was what I call " in between" which means barely rideable, on and off a lot, takes effort and concentration to ride, so you just end up pushing because its less effort and not much slower if at all especially in darkness. During the night we caught up and passed Carl and James who were a bit spread out. Going up this wide valley on this calm night you could glance back and see the headlamps of others making there way. James in particular would not really let us gap him as he would catch, pass, and then drop off and this seemed to of happened all the way to Rohn, he was like a yo-yo. Arriving at the mouth of the pass at about daybreak Pete and I continue pushing up the windswept canyon that will take us over Rainy Pass. I am excited to be taking this route as last year we took an alternate which lead us around the range. Besides just being very comfortable, their is a feeling that I enjoy when I am "in" and surrounded by mountains. As we ascend, James of course comes up passes and we sort of watch as he is trying to ride and is being kicked on and off and falling into the sides of deeper snow. This is sort of entertaining to watch from behind as we continued to walk and ride when we can. We made it over the pass, which I was imagining was this crazy steep high elevation pass, not, giving the weather of clear and calm it made this wide open low elevation pass a beautiful one to cross during sunrise. Descending down through the other side James drops back and Pete and I carry on riding some fresh snowmobile track that was established the day before. We heard before leaving the Puntilla checkpoint that the trail breakers were bivying on this side of the pass and were going to continue in the morning to Rohn. We were hoping they were going to stay ahead of us and we would just follow. After an interesting little creek crossing, which I am totally comfortable with just walking straight through in my shoe system while others try to pick there way through or are slipping something on over what they are already wearing or some probably really are'nt prepared for open water and get wet. Cold and wet is not the combination I want to be involved with!

So Pete and I continue a little further past the creek crossing to pass the camp the trail breakers made and then a little further to bump into the trail breakers themselves. 3 snow-machines with 3 people, 2 involved with the Ididarod dog race and 1 part of our race. The lady mentioned they were moving very slowly and it was quite a bit of work given the deep soft snow and the amount of down fall that had to be cleared as well. Our choices were for Pete and I to get in front of the machines and continue breaking trail or wait. My first suggestion without wasting anytime was, lets go to sleep for a while, seemed odd giving it was noon time but I wanted to do something of benefit with my time. We wasted no time beating down a spot along the trail in the sun to gain 3-4 hours sleep. By the time we gathered ourselves back together we continued up trail not more then 1 mile to bump back into the trail breakers, and with all this lapsed time 7 other bikers. It's a really good group of guys hanging around, busting funny comments and stories and just shaking our head on what the hell are we going to do next. Time is passing and as we sit idle people are getting cold. Kind of funny after 2 plus days of racing, everybody reaching this point with a different story, we are now all equal in distance but not sleep and physical fatigue. I am proud of my current condition of aprox. 13 plus hours of sleep, been eating and drinking really well, and I haven't had to put out any big physical efforts yet.

After a bit of time, Rocky rallies the troops and says lets go, with this many of us we decide to break trail ourselves trying to rotate the trail breaker. We continue in front of the snowmachines and break trail through the gorge. It was mostly a knee deep slog, trying to find the old trail markers, crossing the creek from side to side with ice, running water and weak snow bridges all the way down the gorge. We all took our turns some more then others but all and all the camaraderie, positive attitudes, and sarcastic heckling kept us moving steadily. We finally made it through this section to the wide frozen river below with a bit of dusk light to spare. New attitudes and thoughts appear as we are closing in on the last mile to the Rohn checkpoint. Who is going to check in and out? How long is each person going to sleep? At this point its anybodies game and a new starting line.

I am always thinking about my game and decided I would use the warm cabin that Jasper, the Ididarod checker, was so generously accommodating us all in. Rohn is also another checkpoint that we pick up another one of our resupply drops from. I gathered myself into the corner next to the wood stove and fixed myself some warm food while drying out all my clothing. Going through my drop bag, reorganizing my kit, and thinking what my best strategy will be all seem to be simple right now but then it seemed to be overwhelming and quite busy especially with 10 of us in this 15x20 cabin and everybody talking trying to figure there plan. I wasn't concerned with to many peoples plans but I was curious what Pete was going to do so I asked. He looked at me and said will you be ready in 15 minute, I'm out of here. I looked up and said I need some sleep. Not that I needed sleep but wanted it and thought it would be to my benefit and my last, before McGrath if played out right. I sort off thought it was an intense day, we left the night before, pushed all night, post holed the last few hours and even though it wasn't 9pm it was warm and comfortable. I look at this way with the option to leave, it was the first colder night in the negatives, if i push on the sleep monster is going to nail me in a few hours, and I will be riding slower or even pushing when I should be moving efficiently. The warm cabin allowed me 5+ hours sleep and I was on the trail by 3am, well rested and situated to hit hard until sunrise.
Rohn to Nickoli. I leave and realize what a firm trail it is and try to gain what I can from such trail. I catch up to pass James and then Carl, both have been out for about 5 hours to my 3, I realize how good i am moving and just keep up the pace.
Traveling through the "burn" can be very repetitive with being able to see into the distance and to constantly roll up and down with nothing changing. It's always nice to go through these types of areas during a change of day light so that the transformation helps break the monotony up. This particular morning was very brisk (-20) and so moving quickly is encouraged. Also, Bison camp, a tent camp within the burn area is a nice pit stop at usually the best time. Funny how shelters in the middle of nowhere are always stumbled across at the best time. So I arrive at Bison camp at around 9am to find Pete sacked up catching a few z's. I asked the fellow hunter next store how long Pete's been around he thought just a few hours maybe 3. I did some quick figuring to think i probably had a few more hours of quality sleep back at Rohn and with following Pete's trail I thought maybe I rode a bit more. At this point I felt to have a bit of edge, I wasn't going to stop until the finish. I took my time here drying out and heating up some hot food and refilling some water. Meanwhile Pete has taken off. I knew I had another 40 miles to Nickoli the last checkpoint and then another 50 to McGrath the first finish line where I had a planned 24 hour layover. I get back to ticking off the miles through the burn, past Sullivyn bridge I come across Pete resting in the trail, he said he had some stomach issues. Nothing I can do, I carry on making it into Nickoli around 6pm.

Nickoli, is a small village where a family hosts the race in there home and is a checkpoint. Nick and Joleen(?), had some moose stew with bread going for us. Oh yea some desert and several cups of coffee to get me jump started.What an incredible meal. When I showed up I was the first to arrive, they have been anticipating somebodies arrival as it is just as exciting for them as it is for us. I made it clear when I showed up I just wanted to dry out , eat, and get on going using the little day light left to get me on my way and I would hopefully arrive in McGrath in the wee hours of the night. Last year at Nick's we walked in to him stretching a beaver hide on a sheet of plywood, this year he had lots of martin furs hanging to be taken and sold in Fairbanks. After this much comforting hour of replenishment I put myself back together for this 50 miles to McGrath.

Nickoli - McGrath. The only thing exciting about this stretch of trail is knowing what waits at Peter's house, the checkpoint/finish, in McGrath. I set out on the frozen river trail with just enough light to navigate my way to a comfortable feeling of being on the right trail going in the right direction. With darkness setting in along with the -20 degree temps it was sure going to be a long evening. The trail also decided to go to the in "between" in lots of spots, it wasn't a bad thing because it made me warm up as I walked briskly throwing my feet forward to get the blood into my feet. McGrath wasn't my finish line but it was the first finish line for the 350 mile event. Whenever I close in with a finish line in sight I spend a lot of my time thinking of how lucky I am to do such a thing and all the people that have contributed to me being in this moment. I am sure I shed some tears as I starred at the airport light tower in McGrath as I closed in on it. It was one of those key features you pay attention to but never really gets closer as the hours go by until you are actually next to it. Arriving in McGrath at 4:20am with all my skin covered, goggles on, and even an extra layer, I can actually say I never even payed attention to how cold it really was until I walked into Peter's house and he said it is -25 and I looked like "The Iceman" covered in my frozen breath. Within about 2-3 minutes Peter had hot coco exploding with whip cream on it, a generous portion of some delicious lasagna and bread, and a fresh salad with fixins' all in front of me. Then a second helping of the same, followed by a wonderful hot shower. This was my second time arriving to Peter's in McGrath and I am now in belief this is the reason to do the event.

Thanxs for checking in reading and maybe just looking at the pictures, sooner or later I will have a part 2 which was a journey to a small village of Koyukuk before I surrendered to the trail.
Friday, March 14

Post Race Blues

There is always a period of time immediately after, that I constantly rehearse the events, decisions, discussions and moments of the race. Whether it was good, bad, happy, sad, successful or unsuccessful it is all analyzed and absorbed with hopes to learn from it and not harp on it to much. I think it is important to do, but try not to get to caught up in it as it could also turn into an unhealthy thing.

The recent decision of pulling off the trail early, with my hopes to make it to Nome has got me thinking more then ever. Even though I think back and say well at least I won the race to McGrath, that wasn’t my goal.

A few things learned. I wasn’t patient enough. I let my emotional feelings affect my decision. I made a decision at a weak time. I let other people’s decisions affect mine. I even mumbled several times before the race I wasn’t going to push my bike all the way to Nome. I should have told myself I will do anything it takes to make it to Nome even if it means pushing all the way there. The bottom line is I never thought about what I would do if I even thought about stopping early. I will now have a plan for future events on what to do if I am in the same state mind of pulling out early. It is extremely hard to make rational decisions out there after days on the trail, lack of sleep, insufficient nourishment and a shot out mind running with emotions and other random morbid thoughts.

Maybe one of the reasons I am beating myself up for my decision is because this is the first time I have had some sponsorship, financial and product support. Also, the local friendly support from friends, workers, and just the people that like to live vicariously through my adventures is unbelievable and felt inside. The old friends from NJ and my family that I don’t really keep in contact with touch me deeply when I see a message or hear from ya. The 3500+ views under the message board of JayP shows me how much support and belief people have in me. When I am on automatic pilot day in and day out I think about everybody and make it point to think about all the things in my life. Everybody has believed in me and I feel as if I have let everyone down including myself.

The hardest part about all this is it will be 2 years before the same route is available as the route rotates year to year between the north and south route. There will always be a piece of my mind unsettled until I complete the North route.

Thanks for reading my ranting blues. Time, fun, a new focus and some tastey beers will help band aid this till 2010.

Check back in a few days for a more positive fun read on my win to McGrath and journey to Koyoukuk with lots of pics.

Thanks.
Wednesday, January 23

Pegged

This is an instrument my buddy Chris uses, it is all so accurate. It has a good representation with what has been going on lately.

Since I have been pegged the last few weeks and things aren't really letting up I will post some pics of whats been up.

Togwotee Winter Classic, turned out to be exactly that a “Classic”. It was pushing the fat wheels to there limit. For me, 5 hours for 25 miles, and that was at a strong consistent pace.

There has been a great introduction for some wider rims for the snow bikes but I opted for some fatter skis since its been a powder filled year so far. These are sooo fun. If it means anything, 134 in the tip and 102 under foot.

There was a recent skate ski demo day at Teton Village so I hung around the Atomic booth and took some new boots for a spin, O.K. a 15k race. Turned 4th. I really need to get out skating a bit more if I want to be able to hang with the elite group in the marathon I have coming up.

Lots of work with my kit, going to AK, this is my rig about 85% ready for the journey.

In between playing on a daily basis I wonder how I’ve been getting my job done. I will say the views certainly aren’t getting old.

Peace out, and don’t forget to peg your meter!
Monday, January 7

Spinning

Yea, I’ve been spinning the wheels and legs, but it’s been my mind that’s been spinning most. Reality is hitting with a few things coming up.

The Togwotee Classic is less then 2 weeks which I’ll be riding the 100 miles. Good timing really, and if I had to I could probably be ready in an hour since I will be treating it as a day ride (a day is 24 hours, right).

The real spinning of the mind has to do with all the preparation going into the Alaska Ultra Sport 1100 mile journey to Nome. Less then 7 weeks away and I have just a slew of things spinning through my mind.
- Time in the saddle. With the love of other snow sports and lots of recent powder from the sky it’s been tough being on the bike as much as I’d like, but it is picking up and I am starting to focus on it.
- Food/mail drops. This is how I will be resupplying myself along the route. Trying to figure out how much to take isn’t nearly as hard as, what to take.
- The “Kit”. This refers to everything I will be wearing, carrying, riding and pushing while I cross AK. The decision of each piece of gear making up the kit can be agonizing at times. Light enough? Warm enough? Too much? Not enough? Just enough? Will it work in -40? I will say one thing; everything in my “kit” is carefully chosen, used and abused beforehand.
- Strategy. Sure, it’s a race but strategy is a result of the efficiency that one has learned before the start. I also see strategy as a performance of decisions that are presented to you at that time. So basically no preplanned strategy is sure, therefore I will just spin different scenarios through my mind. Do I let the race to McGrath effect my race to Nome?
- Weather. No control here, but will I be riding 1100 miles or pushing? Will I be out there for 2 weeks or 4 weeks? Hope I packed enough food if its 4. The arctic temps, stop in your tracks blowing wind, and deep snow will be the dictator of time. Oh yea, don’t get wet in any open water or overflow either.
- Navigation. Well, you will sink to your waist if you’re off trail. Bringing a GPS and just getting familiar with the route villages and general direction of travel with a breakdown of mileages will have to do.
- Tuesday, January 1
  
  Happy New Gear
  
  and a New Year!
  
  With the holidays just behind us and the new quest of sponsorship relations, there seems to be lots of new stuff around and more on the way.
  
  Princeton Tech has recently shipped a box of lights that I am toying with and will decide which is to go to the Ultra Sport with me. The Apex Extreme has me excited as my main light source, being a headlamp. After all these years of wearing batteries on my head the separate battery pack of the Extreme was quickly noticed and will be much more comfortable and longer lasting for the long haul.
  
  Safety is no accident (learned this motto in the construction world). I believe in a rear safety blinker but I don’t believe in a red blinky in an endurance race as its useless otherwise. This little guy, the Impulse, will blink for safety and you can still use it for regular lighting, it will be my new rear light
  
  RBH Designs- I’ve been using standard shell type vapor barrier socks with different sock combos and have recently been trying the RBH Designs, VaprThrm Hi Rise Insulated Sock. So far so good, the hi-rise fits my boot system to the top of my gaitor so I don’t accumulate moisture inside my gaitor like I use too. The insulated version also fits well with some breathing room for heat to hang out in, unlike a combo of vapor barrier then a sock which compresses and fits snugly.
  
  I have also been playing with one of there vests that they threw in to try, with my order. I will say one thing so far, it traps heat… and moisture.
  
  Zeal Optics has been kind enough to take care of my eyewear for the year. So far I have only been wearing the Maestro (for sports) and the Dignity (for casual). The first thing to notice is the clarity of the polarized lenses. Oh yea, the spp goggle I’ve been using skiing has been the bomb.
  
  Tech tip: that ear band around my nose is so versatile. Trust me, try it, use different ones, come to your own conclusions of the options and convenience. I’ve been running this accessory like this for a few winters and as of recently have been commented on it and with the cold around us been asked “how do you keep you nose warm when riding?”.
  
  These are just a few of the many things I’ve been testing, playing, trying and exploring with. Stay tuned for more.
  
  Here are a few shots of the last week in 07’:
  
  Double rainbow sunrise in front of my current jobsite.
  
  2-bulls making antler music in the forest during a morning commute.
- Sunday, December 23
  
  Convenience is Key
  
  After a couple weeks of long hours and an out of the way job site(and the additional hoopla due to the holidays), I have finally finished up and moved to my new much more convenient job site. ~10 miles up the road; this will allow me to commute via. fat bike(a few base miles and good testing riding) and on powder days I am in direct route to Teton Pass for a backcountry ski run, or I can venture a few minutes off route to skate ski on one of the 3 nordic tracks.
  
  Living in this beautiful valley and surrounded by an amazing mountainous play ground, we tend not to realize how spoiled we really are here with so many outdoor activities to do with such great convenience.
  
  Convenience = efficiency = more time to play.
  
  Yee Ha! Happy Holidays!
  
  Just another morning on Powder Patrol.
  
  Tracks are set and finally in.
  
  The convenience of 2 fat bikes means Tracey will now be able to join me. Santa came early.
  
  This is the house we will be finishing the drywall in, achieving a “smooth wall” finish.
- Monday, December 10
  
  This is How!
  
  With the winter riding season upon us, one of the biggest cruxes to figure out and the most commonly asked question by somebody just starting to ride in sub-freezing temps for any length of time is “my feet get cold quick, how do you keep yours warm?”
  
  For starters you might want to figure out how much winter riding your going to do and how much you want to invest in it, time and money. Platform pedals can be a quick fix allowing you to wear any combo of shoe/boot and or overshoe (neos). If you want to go clipless, I don’t see any other way, you might start with a winter specific clipless shoe. I bought a pair of Lake’s 2 sizes to big the day before the Susitna 100 in a state of paranoia. This shoe, as is with just some sock combo can get me close to zero. I learned quickly these were the ticket but if I wanted to go to the Ultrasport 350 the next year I would need to do some work. Knowing the temps could be -40, possible overflow (open water), and being exposed to the harsh Alaska winter for long periods of time in February, I needed to prepare for this.
  
  My tinkering started with this over boot gaitor that a friend gave me, which was picked up at the local thrift shop. I started working with it stretching it on, riding and testing, soon realizing I needed to permanently attach it. The gaitor not only gave additional warmth but also came up to my knee, helping protect against deep snow slogging and overflow. I used lots of Aquaseal, clamps, and screws to make the attachment. Next, I needed to step the warmth up. In my research I learned about the whole “vapor barrier” idea. Investing in a run of the mill VB sock, I was amazed of the result of such simplicity of basically a plastic bag suffocating your feet. All this is great feeling good to about -20, but what about -40. I still was trying to maximize my system so I modified a wool soreal linear fitting it between the outside of my shoe and the inside of the gaitor. I took this system to the Ultrasport last year and endured some constant temps of 0 to -35 for the 4 nonstop days.
  
  This system and a toe warmer get me by to about -40, and great protection to the knee. Beyond this I’m not sure but I will be tinkering until I head back up to AK this February.
  
  System and tips
  - hydropel ointment (multi use lub.)
  - thin linear sock
  - VBL sock
  - Insulated sock of choice
  - possible coal warmer
  - shoe/gaitor system
  - don’t forget your local cobbler
  - and your insole upgrade
  Have fun and keep those toes warm!
- Tuesday, December 4
  
  Variety is the Spice of Life
  
  Last week was the start of snow riding and this week was the start of skiing.
  
  Sunday Tracey and I headed over to Grand Targhee to meet up with Dave and some snow. There is not enough snow in the Jackson Valley to ski tracks so we took the hour plus drive over to get our fix.
  
  Tracey and I have been skate skiing for the past 6 years and have a real passion for it. It is very technical and takes time to become more and more efficient. The workout is amazingly aerobic as I think it compliments my cycling well. We do a bit of traveling and hit up a bunch of races also.
  
  T-Race and Dave. Notice Dave leaning, breathing, and smiling on his poles. This is his first year at it and I bet its not long before his got it. Targhee is one tuff nordic area. T-Race just as casual as ever at 9,000’.
  
  Today I ventured to Teton Pass, 30 minutes from the house, to check out the snow via. backcountry skiing. This is another staple to my winter fitness besides being lots of fun. The drill here is, you park on top of the pass and then either skin south and do some “yo yo” style skiing or hike the boot pack. I air to the boot pack most of the time for value, it ascends ~ 1700’ and is steep. Its like a outside stair stepper machine. Casually today, first time out was a sub 40 minute hike. I tend to get out here and do this several times a week before work depending on the snow and if its real good multiple laps are in effect. I consider it my strength workout with a rewarding finish.
  
  The hike was wonderful and the ski was good. The accessible terrain here seems to go on forever.
  
  My biking passion runs deep but there are other things that are just on its heels. Variety keeps me in shape and prevents burnout.
- Friday, November 30
  
  1st Turns of the Year
  
  Throughout the last week since being back from vacation and catching up with work and the caretaking duties, I have managed to sneak out each day for at least an hour of pedal time and this is how the last couple days went.
  
  Tuesday, barely a dusting.
  
  Wednesday, the fat bike comes out.
  
  Thursday, linking turns.
  
  All rides were up the Mosquito Creek drainage, minutes from the house. Soon enough the bilers’ will get to it and keep it going all season.
  
  I feel I am very lucky to be able to be riding on snow trails just down the road. It allows me the opportunity to get out often testing, trying and tinkering with different systems and ideas.
  
  Snow biking and preparing for long journeys is something that I have fun with and enjoy!
- Monday, November 26
  
  Aloha!
  
  Tracey and I usually take some time in November to enjoy a vacation. We typically incorporate a race, being we both agree what a great way to travel, and use our post race time being tourists and do the more typical things per that area. This year we choose Hawaii the big island, with the idea of giving cycling a rest for a change. Hawaii filled the gap of having never been there. We also like to go to a sunny, beach type of tropical place this time of year.
  
  Living in Jackson certainly influences this with the winter being so long. November being very variable for anything. Dirt trails can be sloppy and shut down due to snow, snowmobile trails not yet established for snowriding, snows not deep and consistent enough to go backcountry skiing, and the nordic tracks in the valley aren’t established yet to go skating. Leave in November and hope the snow is far enough along when you come back to start making some snow tracks.
  
  While in Hawaii we did much of a typical first time tourist things to do. Hiking, swimming, and visiting state parks, unique beaches, historical areas and we even got a ride in. We rented some high end road bikes in Kona and put the pedals on that we brought just in case.
  
  A 50 mile ride from Waimea looping out to Waipio Valley returning back to Waimea. The ride started in land in some beautiful gently rolling farmland leading us out to the eastern jungle feeling coast then up to the lush green valley. This ride made us realize we like to travel by bike (tour).
  
  Back in Jackson and excited for the winter although November did’nt bring us much precip. In the last two days since being back I was able to get in a short MTB ride each day, up the drainage around the corner from my house. With the temps hovering around freezing it reminded me of so much there is to pay attention to when riding for any length of time in the winter. It brought in the real feeling of what’s around the corner, Alaska Ultra Sport 1100.
- Friday, November 9
  
  Two Very Exciting New Trails!
  
  Trail #1 - Blogging
  
  After 10+ years of an endurance racing lifestyle, I find its time to share my journal of doings, opinions, findings; either fiction or nonfiction of the trails I take or make. This Blogging trail will sometimes be as smooth as a day’s workout or as technical as a piece of gear. You will only know, for me as well, what the blogging trail has in store by checking back often. As told by others, “People want to know what JayP is up too”.
  
  Trail #2- Partners
  
  This is some of the sweetest singletrack, although sometimes busy and hard to find it is super fun, exciting and rewarding. It is fun to talk about, visit often, and maintain. Through my years of traveling, racing, and riding I have finally found the Partner trail. Having a strong presence, great results, and a love to spread my passion for cycling it has allowed me to make some new partners. I am excited to meet more people on this trail and hope they would like to take the ride with me.
  
  In taking these two new trails of Blogging and Partners I hope to reach out to many, make new friends, and create a more self-sustaining cyclist of myself.
  
  Welcome!
  
  A BIG thanks to my encouraging patient wife, Micky my silent manager for all his consulting, and Clay for the sight design and build.