LOTOJA

The weekend after Brox's birthday party my Dad participated in the LOTOJA. For those of you who don't know what that is.... This is the description from the LOTOJA website:

"LOTOJA is a European-style road classic that is unparalleled in distance and beauty. At 206 miles, LOTOJA is the longest one-day USCF-sanctioned bicycle race in the country. LOTOJA participants come from all over the United States to test their physical and mental stamina on a course that climbs and descends three mountain passes in the first 110 miles. The race starts in Logan, Utah and finishes in the shadows of the Teton Mountain Range at Jackson Hole, Wyoming."


Also read my Dad's account below: (Keep in mind my Dad had just turned 54 years old the day before!!)


Richard A., Rhett L., and I applied as “Team CUCC” for LOTOJA this year. There were 4,000 applications for 1,500 slots. This is all the riders that was allowed by DOT to be on the rode at any time. 1,110 slots went to the racers and 400 went to the relay teams and fun riders.

We registered as Citizen Men Category 35+ and were placed in the 2300 series. By registering as a team if one drew out then all the team went. 46 riders were placed in this series. I happened to be the oldest in this group. 41 finished out of the 46. Rhett finished 14th with a time of 11:00:15. Richard finished 21st with a time of 11:21:38. I finished 37th with a time of 12:34:42.

Of the total racers 970 finished and 130 DNF. Rhett was 546, Richard 653, and I was 915. The overall winner finished with a time of 9:01:44.

Data from my Garmin bike computer: Average Speed: 16.3 mph; Max Speed: 45.1 mph; Average Cadence 80 rpm; Total Calories Burned: 11,820.

Stories:

While riding in a pack of approximately 15 riders we passed a lone rider. His top tube on his bike frame was about at my eye level. I glanced over at his bike and thought that is the largest bike I have ever seen. After the race was over Richard asked me if I had seen Shawn Bradley riding?

I was hoping to make feed zone 6 (Alpine junction) by 6:00 pm. (That is when they stop riders from continuing on the race) I made it their before 5:00 pm. I had only been off the bike for a couple of rest room breaks. So this was basically 160 miles with no rest. My feet were numb not to mention other areas. My back and neck stiff from the constant forward bend. So I took off my shoes and lay down on the asphalt. I hoped no one would run over me but I was not moving. Words cannot describe how wonderful it felt to lay in the road. After a couple of minutes, (my wife said it was over 10 minutes) she began to encourage me to get up and finish the last 47 miles. With some reluctance I climbed back on the bike and headed for Jackson .

The next day on the trip home we stopped in Evanston for food and fuel. At the restaurant Julie went to the restroom while I got into line to order. A couple in front of me was placing their order when I noticed the LOTOJA stamp on his left calf. (All participants were stamped on their left calf when they registered and given their timing chip) I asked him if he had finished the race. He completed it in 12 hours. I told him I had done it in 12½ hours. As we were discussing the race Julie walked up to them and started hugging them. They were Orem High classmates and he grew up in her Ward. As we ate lunch together he gave the quote of the day. He has trained for several triathlons but in training for LOTOJA he said, “I have never trained so hard to be average.” After a good laugh I thought, well if 12 hours is average that means: I have never trained so hard to be “below” average.



We are all so proud of you Dad!! We all know we could not have done what you did that weekend. Love you lots!!

XOXO Melanie