Physical therapy has it’s benefits. Mostly benefits, maybe a couple downfalls. Like not having time to relax or express oneself in a blog. But benefits abound. For me getting stronger has sparked an exploratory flame where I now want to climb mountains and ride my bike off of them. Right now, while I can, I want to fly. Why hold back because I don’t have the skill or am scared to get hurt. Shit … I’m doing it. Because someday I might have more hurdles. But for now my number one goal is to stand and reach for the sky. Or PT as they call it.
We named him bikram
Since learning more about the dizzies I have made some modifications, you know, just in case one of the many possible causes is brought on by food. Like processed meats for their histamine. Or cheese and wine for their tannins. Or alcohol for their … well … for being a poison. Cut these out and knock on wood, I have felt pretty solid most of the time. Who am I kidding? If history repeats itself I will wake up with the dizzies one day.
Oh no bikram, hang in there
But I am ready, in fact excited. Because when it does I can go into a specialist and they can get some more clues. Number two goal I wait for clues and stay away from the yummies.
Bikram is down!
Neurology tests will narrow it down while I wait for symptoms to resurface. So thirdly I do tests. Other than those I do enduro. If I crash into a tree and end up on the ground then it was on my own terms. Not some disconnection in the head or past injury. Go for it while I can. And in the end, when it is all over, I will have done it all. Well at least as much as I could.
Foul play
Dead
So I say to you go all out and make sure if you crash it is truly spectacular. And do it well so that you don’t have to deal with the injuries due to a half assed attempt.
Wow, it is so hard to get it all in. And some things just fall off the todo list. Like blogging.
Hyalite Lake
Oh no! Adventure has not been affected. Specially fat biking into cabins. One must adventure. But now I have a couple things added to my daily routine. This includes specialist visits and the resulting rehab sessions. Right now I do a morning session and a evening session to try and fix my back. Then add to that the investigations into the dizzy.
Mo approaches the cabin as the sun gets low on the horizon.
It all adds up leaving me with no time to express. Just fat bike to cabins. And rebuild. Plus dream. And plan. Things like doing a enduro race.
Our summer was short, about a week, and now as the snow begins to fall and the winter of 2017 begins.
No, not endurance mountain biking. Or endurance-go-to-cabins-on-my-fatbike stuff. Just the opposite. You know … because it is the best way to train the brain for balance. Trees whizzing by and mock 10 and big rocks to jump off of to get that open space feel. How does Mo feel about this? Don’t know … she just showed up on her fatty.
I need to blog. Maybe because it helps me sort things out. Recently I have been so busy … I could pick from numerous excuses. But who am I apologizing to? Really no one. Well maybe there are people reading this. I sure don’t want to disconnect the communication. I may need it later. Speaking of disconnections.
Indoors was better then outdoors depending upon how you look at it.
Ok so going from fire tower to valley floor in a blinding snow storm could be considered dramatic. And I am pretty sure I can come up with some kind of weird story how we got out with a broken arm, then by crawling along with one good one. Naw … oh gosh, that would be lying. And that is miss communicating true data? Speaking of which.
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
I think the story of how miraculous it is to pull off adventures without balance is how I am going with this story. So lets review balance. You need two main things. A sensor which in my case is called a “Inner Ear”. With fluid in it to tell us where we are oriented in space. A computer or brain that translates the signals into a sense of balance. We need balance right? Without it you could not walk in complete darkness.
Our temperature sensor got a little frost
And here is the drama part. What if early on a sensor gets damaged. From an adult slapping you upside the head as a child. Or a misguided earache treatment gone awry. Maybe it is related to one of the many concussions. Maybe it is a college roommate that attacks you with his fists and smashes in your face. Whatever … sometimes a damaged sensor can haunt you later on.
Contrasting layers
Then imagine the connection between the two disconnecting. We all know that a bad sensor would give you vertigo right? But what if the sensor was good and you still get vertigo? So imagine getting down from a Fire Tower with a connection between the sensors and the brain going out. Like a transistor radio when you move the antenna to the wrong position.
Whiteout on top
The human system is so freaking great that it has backup systems. So to ride a bike out of a backcountry situation with the ear-brain connection flinching out seems horrific. Not so. How is it done?
Mo descending
The other sensors. Like a blind person who can hear a pin drop a hundred feet away. Other sensors. In this case the eyes. The eyes provide the brain with data that the brain turns into balance and coordination. Well … as long as the brain has energy because let’s face it, this takes huge computing power. That is how I got out. On this alternative system.
Rocking the snowy downhill
As with everything this is not optimal and comes at a cost. Yea, vertigo at times when the inner ear finally checks in and data doesn’t match up with the visual data. Or when your running smoothly on proper inner ear data and then it starts to go in and out. Huge cost. Maybe a barf or two 🙂
Tracks
There are others like extreme exhaustion. With a overworked brain I tend to pass out on the couch in the afternoon. So exhausted all the time. And forget going into anyplace with un-natural lighting … within an hour I am so brain dead I can’t figure out why I went to that store in the first place.
At the trailhead waiting for Mo
In the coming months I will be traveling around getting tests done. To figure out the path to getting my sensors hooked back up. That way getting home safely from an adventure will not be so mirecalous.
At the end Mo crosses the creek and finalizes the decent
For now blogging might be a way to practice sensory articulation. Maybe getting this data to you, the reader, even if it is myself, will help me balance.
About a year ago we decided that if we were going to get into the most popular rental in the Gallatin then we needed to grab whatever weekend we could. So for a couple nights when a new block of dates became available I was there to hit the reserve button. Finally I got one.
“GOT IT”
“When did we get it for?”
“The 7th through the 9th … in April … wow, that is right after my birthday”
“Cool, it will be your birthday celebration …”
The first signs of spring
Thursday night after work I arrived to a house strewn with gear. There was a little bit of excitement because neither one of us had spent the night in a fire tower.
I tried to back in the day. With my friend Paul and my dog Marcy. A late night thunder storm killed the chance of making it through the night and we bailed. This week I could finally do it.
Looking across the valley to Storm Castle Mountain (guessing)
The plan was to hike up with backpacks and snow shoes. It had been super dry and I didn’t even expect to see a lot of snow. We brought along our bikes just in case. This was a good idea. When we got to the gate … wait … A GATE?
The trail was bone dry the day before
Yea, a gate. We had to hike 3 miles down the road to the trailhead. We pulled out our bikes and loaded them up. The new plan was to bike to the trail head and make a decision. Bike all the way up the snowmobile route for 12 miles or stash the bikes and hike the 3000 vertical feet to the tower. The sky started to darken as we rode down the road to the trailhead.
“Well what do you think”, I inquired as I peered up the dry trail. Mo pulled up to me and gave no hesitation.
“I would be into trying to climb it on the bikes”.
“Really?”
Mo enjoying the 3000 feet of vertical gain
Next thing we know we got into the rhythm and the challenge of riding the entire way up the trail. Turns out it was dry and if we could just muster some endurance we might just possibly ride the entire thing. Almost! With maybe a little titch of walking near the top we finally did crest this mountain and stood peering at the tower.
I awoke just like so many times here in Bozeman. So so many times. In fact … almost every time. It always happens like this. I go to bed after a nice day of riding and have spring visions dancing in my head. But then waking to fresh white stuff on the ground with temps 30 degrees cooler. Seems like every other day this year. So frustrating.
I slowly packed my gear and weened myself off from a nice toasty stove. I cleaned out the cabin and removed the old ashes. Chopped some firewood and stocked up the abode. Actually took a while doing it alone. Another benefit of a partner … right?
But then I go to work tomorrow and really, who gives a shit that it is cold with crap on the ground. Or mother nature could be cruel and it will be 70 tomorrow. Either way I soaked up the ride home.
What does one do when the partner has taken off gallivanting to Missoula. And leaving them car-less on a weekend? Well, I don’t really know what others do but I know what I do. Rent a Forest Service cabin and bike to it.
Starting out
I picked Window Rock Cabin. I packaged up some frozen brats and coffee and headed up Hyalite Canyon. The road approach to the closed section is 10 miles from home and then from there another 10 to dirt. I took as many bike paths as possible to reach the closed section. Then I was set free to roam the road and ride in peace.
Ride to the cabin
Did I mention that since it is April the Hyalite road is closed to motorized traffic. Perfect … right? And then I lucked out and picked the only sunny and nice day Bozeman would have for a month too. As I write this a blizzard has hit and the ride this morning was all snow and slush. Could this have been Bozeman’s summer? Wow, that was short.
Arrive
The route to the cabin was super easy too. Everything had melted off and dry. A total departure from years past. And something else new … a different stove. We have been avoiding this cabin due to its broken one which instead of heating would just turn the place into a large smoker. Not this time. This was going to be a blast.
The cabin
I immediately got a fire raging and made sure I would be all set with that before turning down the draft for the long haul burn. I really didn’t need heat at this point but it would be nice to show up after the afternoon outing. Then a quick unpack before setting out for the afternoon adventure.
Going up the drainage
Again the roads were in fantastic shape. Really weird for early season Hyalite. Continuing up the valley I did finally find some packed ice and snow to fat bike on. I made my way up the Hyalite trail. It was different somehow.
They must of reworked the trail because I found my way to Grotto Falls for the first time ever. This is where I started to miss my adventure partner. As a side note I highly recommend one. It really makes the adventure when you have someone to share it with. Otherwise it is just kind of dull and full of thinking to ones self.
Lunch
Back at the cabin I cooked some brats in the new stove and laid down to let it all digest. I actually passed out for a few. Upon waking I thought I better go on a walkabout and see how much bare ground I could discover.
Turns out … a lot. As the sun finally settled on this very long day I settled in on a bit of sleep. Far away from WiFi and human inflammation. I slumbered into recovery land. Alone, car-less, on a weekend …o/o
The three amigos took Cruzie out for a shakedown at Pipestone. It went pretty well. They found some dirt. They found out it climbs like a 90-year-old but goes down the hill like a cheetah. Can someone tell me what the hell a ‘dropper post’ is for? Besides making things more complex and getting into a tuck. And why ‘Cruzie’ for a name? The narrator couldn’t figure out a name, so Mo started calling it that, and now it is sticking. Plus, they needed to put something on the birth certificate.
Saturday we traveled to Hamilton. Once there we had some time to kill so we walked around downtown and ate at Bitterroot Brewing. The latter was a big mistake because soon my gut was aching and we had to go to our room so that I could lay down. Maybe it was all the stress of the weekend. Soon the person responsible for our new acquisition arrived and I jumped up to greet him.
It is a fixer-uper
As we waited for the delivery we chit chatted and got caught up on the happenings around the Root. Around 10pm it was time and everyone went into action. We all scurried to the delivery barn.
An image in a mens bathroom.
As the doc was telling us a story I got the first glimpse of the new baby. There it was … looked so tiny.There were minor complications but the doc fixed it up and finally was in my arms. Delivery time was officially at 10:30pm with a weight of around 33 pounds. Heavy little brute! We chatted about all the things we needed to do to keep our new edition healthy and hopefully around for a while. I was given some toys and supplies and we left with our new bundle of joy.
Cruz came with a care package
We stayed up late just looking at the newbie. So may intricate parts. So cute. Still though we had no name for it. We don’t even know the gender although we do know it was definitely trans-platform. 27 plus but sometimes a 29er. But we are cool with that.
Crossing the Bitterroot
I was up all night, once to clean minor leakage in the undercarriage. I was exhausted and got spotty sleep. Morning came and after coffee we went out for it’s first ride. It was all a blur. Our new edition was well behaved and did around 20 miles on it’s first outing.
Mo climbing on El
We checked in one more time with the doc and took our little Cruz home. All the while Mo was driving I was in the back tickling and holding the new edition.
Now that it is daylight I can see what we have here.
The family is now at home and everyone is getting to know each other. We don’t have the space but we are making do. Ruby is sharing her room for now.
Cruz posing in the Roots waiting to load up for it’s first ride home in the Element.
9 months ago we hinted at some future plans. Then December 7th there was a confirmation. I may have leaked it in a Facebook post, I don’t know. New adventures perhaps?
Today we travel to a destination that completes this process. We are hopeful that it is possible that we pick up a new edition to the family. I watch the sun come up from a ridge and wonder about names. Wonder about the care and if I will be able to handle it. Wonder about the new adventures. Then I bust down the trail as fast as I can.
A fortnight back, we sauntered back from the 2017 Togwotee Winter Classic, still buzzing from the chill. Feast your eyes, tune your ears, and buckle up for what’s coming next. Drumroll, please… Major reveal at the crack of dawn tomorrow. Stay tuned, folks!
It has been a long time since I went to a race by myself. But Mo was so sick she couldn’t get out of bed. And I did what every caring partner would do. I considered not going. And to be honest, I was not feeling well just yet anyway.
I got up early in the morning open the door and this fox was looking at me. Took me a while to come to my senses. By the time I got my camera it turned around and went scurrying up the hill
But then I got a sign. Upon going outside I was greeted by a fox on the porch. It did not run away immediately. It just looked into my eyes. I swear I heard a whisper … “do it … go to the race”.
This is the only photo I took of today. We were warming up for the start of the race.
So I did.
The race itself I feel good about. I was relaxed and managed my energy stores very well. I gave it my all and nothing more. Instead of racing to the front I just stayed my pace. I never buried myself and reminded my self that I was so lucky to even be able to be out there. Racing in extreme beauty. I settled into 3rd and stayed there. I did not even see anyone else, except for someone who passed … but then flatted. I gave him my pump and continued. Never seen him again! Since I turned 50 I have not had a good race. I am going to chalk this one up to that. A good race.
This is our 5th trip to Togwotee Pass for the annual Togwotee Winter Classic. I felt ok but did not know if we were going to race or not. Mo was the sickest still but we trudged on because it is what we do. Trudging all the way to Lava Mountain Lodge. Nice to be home.
I woke up sick but pushed through some pull-ups and chopping firewood. Mo was doing better now so getting out should be no issue. Sickness … ha … makes me think of that marriage vow sentence, “And in sickness and in health”. What the hell? I remember always thinking that if someone got sick then screw them, I was outta there. If I got sick I wouldn’t want the one I care about to be dragged down too. Anyway back to the thought.
And it wasn’t, issues with getting out that is. The route along with all the climbing does require a certain amount of fitness. Specially fatbikepacking! So I guess one could say we are healthy enough to make it back to the vehicle. So yea, we are healthy too.
Another great trip in the bag. In sickness … and in health.
On this day in history, Back in the mystical land of ’04, I found myself perched on the edge of destiny, with the “2004 EFTA Race Schedule” in hand. Picture me, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to etch my name onto the unforgiving terrain of cycling lore..
We were sick. But when you already have the forest service cabin rented it can somehow inspire you to go anyway. Even for a couple of sick people. Saying, “we can probably just drive it it anyway”. The fatbikepack into Hells Canyon Guard Station was pretty taxing and probably not the best decision we have ever made.
Battling a cold in a cabin
When Mo passed out in front of the wood stove I realized that maybe this was not such a good idea. I was up all night making tea and keeping things warm. Mo wheezed and coughed. As the sun cracked the ridge the coughing stopped for 5 minutes. I slipped outside to check out the surroundings. Then a storm hit.
The cabin scene
By the end of the storm Mo was up and messing about. I went outside to grab some wood and to also discover that we got a fresh 4-6 inches. There is something about fresh snow. It’s inspiring some how.
Fresh storm means we need to try and ride
Even for a couple sick people and inspiring enough to do an adventure ride. Say, “just down the road a bit to see how the conditions pan out”. Turns out conditions were perfect and we went a lot further then anticipated. Mo played it safe and went back early while I stayed out.
Mo, battling a bad cold gets out for a little ride and showing good form in the heel drop.
I rode to the top of a ridge that looked out over the valley where we came from the night before. I wondered if Mo made it back to the cabin. I figured I better check and rode back. She was nestled in drinking tea and doing cross word puzzles. And then the sun came out.
There is something about the sun shine. It’s inspiring some how. Even for a couple sick people and inspiring enough to do an adventure hike. Say, “just down the road a bit to get some fresh air”.
Color in the white?
But the little adventures started to take their toll and we found ourselves back at the cabin to take naps and try to recover. The sun was setting and another storm rolling in. There is something about the darkness during a storm. It’s inspiring some how. Even for a sick guy and inspiring enough to do an adventure ride. Say, “just up the road a bit to test the way out tomorrow”.
A storm looms over the evening ride
And then I did it again. Got lost in the adventure. Riding by headlamp, pressed for time because a storm was near. Plus I was halfway around a big theoretical loop. Mo was monitoring me via radio from the cabin. But then I rode out of radio range. Now alone should I go for the loop or turn around? I went for the loop.
Wayward
There is something about going for it without anyone knowing where you are headed. It’s inspiring some how. Even for a sick guy and inspiring enough to finish an adventure loop. Say, “I know this loops around somehow”.
On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.
We tried to get farther but the rear differential went out and we had no traction. We could get more stuck then we were so we got turned around and found a good place to park. It would have to be bike-packing from here. Gosh, I assumed we would get farther.
Far as we could get with Elle
Biking was easy for a while. But then the road started to turn wet, then snowy. Eventually it was obvious why we brought fat bikes. We reached the cabin later that night. The snow was just soft enough to encourage walking the bike. Darn, it was a lot harder then we expected.
Started up the dirt Road
We should know better, right? Never assume that it will be easy. Mo slumped in front of the newly built fire and I set about to get us some grub. Wow, I expected her to feel better.
Transitioning to snow.
As we approach spring we should not have any assumptions. And we all know this. Just when you think that there is more light during the day. Or the snow seems to be melting. In Montana there is no such thing as spring. There are days that seem like spring but then the next 10 below and snowing. No, usually it just becomes summer one day and it skips spring. Just like that, sometime in July … it is summer.
On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.
I can remember as far back as the early 90’s where I would ride my mountain bike on snowmobile trails. Back then it was screws in tires and hefty strips of plastic to keep them from puncturing the tube. It was effective although I remember a ton of bruises on elbows and knees from going down on the ice.
As far as documented proof I can only come up with these 2011 images I suppose. But the technology never changed. Still had screw tires and walking was the norm.
Now my life is all about fat bikes. What a revolution that was. Wouldn’t mind going back … with my fat bike that is.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
let’s take a stroll down memory lane with my captivating(lol) posts!
This time of year there is no urge to take a photo of anything. I usually don’t have much to talk about. We get snow. It starts to melt. People make ruts and post holes. It freezes. Then riding a bike is like a jack hammer. Rinse and repeat. No vacation. Just going to work every day.
California Street Bridge I think it is called … I may be wrong
Commuting in Missoula the Leader I named Lolo
Commuting in Missoula
Much like 6 years ago today in Missoula. But then I found plenty to take photos of. A much more mild climate in Missoula there were challenges. Like ice and wholesale yard sale crashes. But I did manage to take some photos of the commute.
I am thankful for the fat bike though … maybe I will stop and get some photos and stop bitching.
Home weekend. Why not go out and ride the Bear Canyon trails on our fat bikes. I remember two years ago before it was legal I declared this venue my favorite. Then it became illegal. Then legal again. We could of actually rode it last year but the bitter taste had not left yet.
No wheeled vehicles … check
When we arrived it looked as though we still were unwelcome. The signs are so confusing. First off we have snowmobile trail permits. The signs declared that there were no snowmobiles allowed. Ouch, I could of swore that is what we used to ride on. Plus it said no wheeled vehicles. Which is a keyword for me and I turned around and started to run away. You know, before the feds showed up.
No wheels here … except for ours
Suddenly we hear a skier yell, “you can ride here … look”, pointing at yet another sign. Mo went back and I just kept my distance. I have been burned before.
Snuggles surveys the meadow
“According to this … bicycles allowed July to March”, she yelled back. I approached cautiously. Wow … cool. And just like that we were in.
One of the better cabins at the end of the Bear Canyon Trail
Boneshakerbike 