SMSS

Alright, listen up! Sunday morning? More like Sunday Mourning Shit Show, or SMSS. But hey, gotta say, Mo and I cooked up one heck of a challenge to get my blood pumping for the Togwotee Winter Classic.

First things first, urban snow biking through Carriage Way to the “M” parking lot. Didn’t catch much sunrise, mostly trees and sidewalks, but hey, gotta start somewhere. Rattlesnake Creek checkpoint? Nailed it, Twitter update sent, and off I was to conquer Mount Sentinel.

Mountain run time! Crampons strapped on, I attacked that mountain like a deer… well, if deer puked. Sprints galore, 25 to be exact, at 30 seconds each. Some dude even commented on the “cold morning for sprints” as his dog decided to add some slobbery encouragement. Summit reached, time to blast down Hellgate Canyon and Kim Williams trails.

Trail running? More like ankle-breaking ice dodging! Stumbled my way down 2,000 feet of uneven, icy mess. Thought I’d seen it all, then BAM! Dog attack – real or part of the race, who knows? Maybe they should add “avoid gnashing teeth of a mad dog” to the special sections.

Snow bike hill climb in Crazy Canyon? More like an hour-long test of balance and focus on a sliver of packed trail. Nailed it, though, and prepped for the next stage with all the layers I could find – gotta be ready for crashes and warmth, you know?

The Gut Trail – downhill on a snow bike with no brakes? Sounds insane, right? But for me, it was pure joy and adrenaline. Reports warned of ice, but I guess my speed blurred things out, or maybe there just wasn’t any. Either way, I flew down, finish line getting closer with every turn.

Feats of strength? Piece of cake! Especially when the finish line and its glorious food were within sniffing distance. Core exercises flew by, and bam! Five hours later, I was sitting down to a well-deserved plate of Bangers and Indian Curry Soup.

Gotta give a shoutout to my amazing supporter who waited patiently at home while I was out getting my fix – this SMSS wouldn’t have been the same without them.

Sure, it was a crazy, messy adventure, but it pushed me, built my mental toughness, and created memories that’ll fuel me for the Togwotee Winter Classic. Now bring it on! I’m ready to crush it.

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On this day in history:

2010: Push – This is part 4 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009.

2008: Cyclist v.s. Mother Nature – Oh, today’s the day for a beastly two-hour spin! Who’s up for the challenge?

2006: Geeze … Gotta Get Get Going – G5 – I guess you have to be there … in my mind. Too many coffees!

2006: Blackfoot Ride To Potomac – Hey there, friends! Bill checking in after a fantastic day that ended with me glued to the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

2005: Lolo Peak Area Today – My friend Alden Wright and I have teamed up this weekend to snowshoe up a East ridge of Lolo Peak.

2004: JOB UPDATE – As you all know the government has canceled comanche. Sikorsky aircraft along with UTC has no clue what to do with us.

2003: Computer Funnies – At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry.

2002: Me Fat – Today is blue. I am blue because my body fat reduction and/or weight are not where I want it to be. I seem to be gaining weight with muscle mass.

From the latest outdoor misadventures back to a time of personal reflections and career uncertainties, this list offers a chronological reverse journey through the captivating and varied experiences shared in blog form.