Almonzo 2016

I always enjoy the Almanzo 100. It's a classic 100 mile gravel ride. One of the first, so I've been told. And now, in 2020 it's no more so the times we had are over. It's now called the Spring Valley Classic or the Haywood depending on the town you feel is the Almanzo. The original town of Spring Valley or the last town, Northfield. Personally, I think it's has to be Spring Valley where Chris Skogen started it with his buddies. I've ridden it with my buddies and THAT is the Almanzo, period.

My good buddy Blake and I are expecting to ride together but I get excited as usual and chase off with the fast people for the first 15 miles before I slow up and catch a group more my speed. Weather is good, a bit cold, but I'm not feeling strong and spring has been bad for training. I suffer early. Mostly it's a mental suffer, that's not uncommon for me in endurance events. I need to feel the sting of quitting to really commit to finishing. It sounds strange but if you have ever regretted not taking an opportunity, it's that. The pain to finish last a few hours, the pain of quitting last for ever. I'm frankly done quitting, but not this day.

Blake's feeling strong. His success in the Almanzo is mixed. Mine, to date, was 100% but that's not going to hold and I really can't explain why this day went so badly.

The first checkpoint is slow. I don't feel the need to leave. I usually ride in, swallow a pile of food and tear out of there like it's a race, because it is.

Coming into Forestville State Park is a little over half, I think 65 miles. This is the big feed. Everyone that is out for a fun day in the sun and doesn't care when they finish hangs out, some even nap. I normally eat,  turn, and burn as stops kill your overall time. Sure they are nice but in the end make a long, long, day.

I roll in and find my wife. She is the best and always SAGs for us. SAG is Supply And Gear, I believe. She has a load of food and cold sports drink and cola. I roll in and sit down and start resting and eating and it's all over for me. I just don't care to finish. I think it was just that day but my head wasn't into it. I've finished so many times... I was having a hard time seeing the value in pushing myself the last 35 miles as they are the hardest. So, the fun part is over, I quit. Blake arrives and I encourage him to finish. Just because I'm out doesn't mean he needs to stop. I've never watched the ride so a little bit of me wants to see what's going on. Blake heads out, We load up and head to the third and final stop before the finish line, Cherry Grove. If you make Cherry Grove you're in the home stretch. It's hard but your happy to be counting down, 85, 90, 95...the last miles are like, 95.1, 95.2, 95.3...it feels like miles get longer. The last, mile 99. It feels like 10 miles to get from 99 to 100 and see Chris at the finish.

Blake comes in to Cherry Grove but without me in the ride I guess he is no longer enjoying the day and quits as well. I try to encourage him to finish. There was talk of me getting back on the bike for the last 20 miles but I feel like that's cheating and, well, I still don't want too. Not only did my mood sink me, it pulled Blake off the course and sunk him. Again, a lesson on how toxic quitting is.

DO NOT BE TOXIC