Whiskey 50 and Sedona

Jerome AZ...have to check it out for yourself.  Cannot be explained in words!

Since I am so blog behind....I will spare you the longer details.  Few words and a picture ;) 

Pre race training in northern Ontario went something like this...

Anyone want to go for a long ride? #hard #cold #stoked!

view from top of King Mountain 1, 722 ft 

CAT


Whiskey 50.   The cold and snow turned into HAWT REAL HOT (78-83F) ! Probably not that hot for the southern folk, but could easily melt down a pale white Canadian in a hurry.   It was a great weekend.   Top pro cyclist and over 1000 amateur athletes tackled the 50 mile high (5000ft-8000ft) race in small town US of A (Prescott Arizona).

It was literally a pistol shot start and we were ALL off...like a herd of turtles.   A mass start gong show.  Used my mad skills to avoid a multiple person crash in front of me in DH section.  
It was a bike graveyard of broken carbon handlebars, forks and hangers...poor fellas.  
Got away lucky with a cut and awkward bars....but still had a really long race ahead.
I managed to come back from the dark side by trucking hard to the end. 
Had good legs today, unfortunate with slow start and a crash placed 17th overall women open 
(not a master yet!)

crash early in race...and couldn't but humpty dumpty bicycle bars back together again (but good enough!)

The Stoke and Suffer climbing out of Skull Valley

Dusty and hot

A nice meal outside and local music!  

Great view from the deck..wicked bad moon rising!

Great cabin on race course

The super pepper grinder


After the race, I drove to Sedona and enjoyed last bit of fun before heading back to work.
It is a great life.. (it is a lovely talk about experimentation vs analysis). I think it is important to live a life wide in achievements vs. high in achievements.  I choose to spend my time adventuring on my bicycle, exploring and keeping healthy.  I also have a great career, family and friends.  This lifestyle (not for everyone, but I think for most) reminds us to prioritize and focus in the everyday moments as we constantly weight the various activities and passion of our lives (our families often being at the top). It is a big responsibility but a life worth living...  

View from the high highline
  

Live Lost Die Lost...well at least that is what the local said when I asked for directions! 

My new bike is looking good...ready to roll again sans awkward handlebar

and a new endurance snack....and a snake on the trail but we won't talk about that!