Day: April 9, 2024

Ah, finally hit the jackpot with a good night’s sleep, seems like I’m rounding the corner on this pesky COVID beast. After prying my eyes open this morning, I lounged on the couch for a bit, indulging in my usual pre-coffee musings about how I wanted the day to unfold—nothing out of the ordinary there. But then, a wild thought barged in, probably fueled by too many YouTube marathons during my quarantine. Imagine, just imagine pulling off the entire RMVQ (insert dramatic pause) on the longest day of the year. Yeah, you heard that right, the summer solstice, when the sun basically forgets to set.

This year’s longest day in Montana, also known as the summer solstice, is on Thursday, June 20, 2024 .

Here’s the game plan: I’d jump on my trusty EMTB for the opening act, zipping through most of the transitions and devouring the EMTB-friendly portions like it’s nobody’s business. Then, when it’s time to face the infamous rattlesnake segment—where EMTBs are as welcome as a skunk at a garden party—I’d switch to something else. It’s a plan that might just work, or it might be my cabin fever talking. Now I’m genuinely curious, does this sound like a feat of endurance or just plain lunacy?

As long as I am thinking of RMVQ, enjoy the gallery.

Living … in … a … van … down … by … the … river. That Saturday Night Live skit was hilarious. But really what if someone we knows does actually live in a van down by the river.

I have been hearing the word “old” a lot lately. “My teacher is so old they cant teach me without a classroom”. “Your the oldest one here”. “your so old”. Well if we are measuring metabolic age I will bet I am younger then you. And if your so fucking stupid that you just do some simple math to determine my age. Then I certainly do not want to tell you where I live.

I am waking up on a hump day, stuck in between societal obligations and the blissful weekend. I sure wish Boz Angeles was different in two ways.

#1 – A tram. And then we could get rid of all our cars. Right?  There would be a law stating that no motorized vehicles are allowed in city limits. Then our green spaces would be peaceful and our hoods green and happy. And also maybe push through a law stating that diesel pickups are not allowed inside Gallatin County.  Ah yes ….

#2 – Allow big wheels. Right? Allow fat bikes on all our trails in Gallatin County. All trails. Wilderness and groomed ski trails.  And this would make Bozeman a true pleasure to live in. I think I will live within my dreams today. Screw the real world. See ya all later … suckas.

I watched the car turn the corner and waved goodbye, once again. There I was, rooted to the spot, basking in a cocktail of emptiness sprinkled with a dash of adventurous optimism. Ah, the dawn of a new day, the start of another week. Glancing up, I caught the prelude to sunrise, and boy, did that get me moving! I spun on my heel and dashed for my camera like it was Black Friday and I was after the last discounted TV.

Today at noon, I headed out for Barking Spider, much to the laughter of my Aunt Paula. That’s what we call Uncle Dave’s farts. All joking aside, it’s a fun little course.

Last night, I was able to join the Thursday Night Ride, but to everyone’s dismay, I proceeded to smash my bike with my foot, resulting in a complete mental breakdown. I creased the top tube of my Leader, and it was intentional.

This happened after I had meditated to clear my mind of the frustrations stemming from mechanical issues. Just as things started to mellow out, my front tire sprung a leak.

In frustration, I kicked my bike and listed all the things that are messed up with Missoula: can’t make a decent living, waste of a good education, can’t even feed myself, and so forth. I really lost my temper. Usually, I prefer to vent my frustrations in the woods where I can scream and yell.

I am now officially 3 hours away from leaving town, and I’m trying to push out of my mind that my bike is being held together with zip ties and JB Weld. But who cares? I’m going camping and traveling. It’s a break from the brain drain of Missoula.

Big props to my buddy Chris Rose! Remember those days we prepped for a whole season of tearing it up on our mountain bikes? We’d go for these epic rides and then just collapse, spread-eagle, on the toasty driveway pavement (yep, the one next to the place I was renting from him) to bask in the early spring sun. Then, it was all about giving our bikes some TLC on the porch, gearing up for the next adventure. Man, those were the days, huh?

Sending good vibes from an oh-so-promising Missoula, Montana, where I’m feeling top-notch after figuring out where I went wrong. A little PSA for everyone: munch on your fruits and veggies, and when it’s time to chill… snag a massage and dive into some active recovery. Just like that, I bounced back last night.

Guess what? I’ve got a new toy – a commuting totals gadget page. Take a gander at my commuting stats!

And hey, the good times seem to be rolling into town here too. The weather folks are teasing us with forecasts of the 60s and (fingers crossed) possibly the 70s this weekend. One can only dream, right? You’ll find me soaking up the sun – where will you be?

Today’s Parting Thoughts:

The local heroes, Team 5 Valley Velo, rocked it in Spokane! Check out their story: https://ts5vvraves.blogspot.com/2008/04/frozen-flatlands-2008.html

Today I hit the mountain pass at Lolo Pass on the Idaho Montana border for this weekend’s bike ride. I am going it alone and will be taking limited tools, food, and water. I’ll use my filter to get water from the Lochsa River. I might even stop off at the hot springs for a soak. The weather looks nice but on the pass who knows pass web cam.

I should be back this evening after 8 pm as I start out of here at 10. I want to be on the bike by 11 as the weather is supposed to peak on the nice side by then. I am feeling pretty good although last night Marcy and I hiked University Mountain and I could feel remnants of last week’s knee soreness.

• Date: April 9, 2006
• Distance: 75 miles RT
• Max El: 5,251ft
• Climb El: 8,999ft
• Est. Tm: 5 to 6 hours
• Map: click here

The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.

Citations:
[1] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/2013-rmvq
[2] https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[3] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq
[5] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/

Ah, the rare unicorn that is a day off. You see, it’s that special day when you look your cycling shorts in the eye and declare, “Not today, my stretchy foes, for I am off on a grand adventure!” And by adventure, I mean a cinematic voyage with “Slap Shot II” steering the ship and a bag of black corn chips dunked in roasted red pepper hummus as my trusty sidekicks. Picture this: me, becoming one with the sofa, embarking on an epic quest where the most demanding task is the heroic reach for another chip.

Now, I’m not implying that my bike seat was maliciously swapped for the couch in a daring overnight operation. However, let’s just say I didn’t send out a search party for it either. There’s this almost rebellious joy in telling your legs, “We’re off duty today, folks,” while your taste buds are out here living their best life. And sure, “Slap Shot II” might not be snagging any Oscars, but as the backdrop for an evening dedicated to the fine art of lounging? It’s cinematic gold. Who needs the agony of hill sprints when you’ve got the glory of slapstick comedy, am I right?