Tolbert's: Lotoja

The next item in September was Lotoja. The 206 mile bike race from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY. This year Bri did it solo and after four weekends of 50+ mile mountain bike races why not finish the season with this? Because hotel rooms sell out before registration even opens for the race we ended up sleeping in our car at the camp ground and living out of the car for two days. It actually wasn't so bad and you know what? Subaru Outbacks are totally big enough to sleep in with the seats down. We started to get ready around 6 am on Saturday and Brian's official start time was 7:20. This year the weather was slightly warmer and not quite as dark at the start.

7:10, just before the start. I dropped off Brian and made my way to Preston, ID the first feedzone of the day.

No time to take a picture at Preston so after the round about 83 mile drive to Montpilier I got a picture of what the feedzones typically look like. A couple hundred people all looking for their riders. It's chaos and very little personal space. He made it there around 11am. He had found a group to ride along with and was making good time. I think he spent about 45 seconds in the feedzones and then was off again.

Once again no time to take pictures until the finish line. To fill you in, there's a grueling uphill climb between Montpelier and Afton, and then the descent is nerve wrecking to watch. Luckily Bri made it to Afton safe and sound and was then battling a headwind all the way to Jackson. To throw a kink into this long day I had some car troubles leaving Alpine Junction. Pretty much my car sounded like metal rubbing on metal. NOT GOOD! I knew I had no cell service through the canyon and hoped that I could catch Brian's parents at Hoeback Junction. The drive was slow and Brian pretty much beat me through the canyon. As I passed him he gave me the look of 'what the heck is going on with the car?!' I met up with his parents who luckily helped figure out that there must have been a rock in my brakes. Problem solved and on we go. Meanwhile Brian is yelling 'what's going on' while he passed us. I knew he had a good lead and just wanted him to finish strong so we waved him on. He dug deep, deeper then was thought, he made a pass and got the win for his age group! 9 hours and 44 minutes later he was done. Done for the season.

The look of a long hard day and season. His legs were strong, bike had no mechanicals, and we found a great new food for endurance races. I was so proud of him.

The next morning on the podium receiving his prize and trophy. And what does a 1st place finish get in the goody bag? A free entry for next year. Haha, I guess if he would stop being so good at what he does he wouldn't get thrown back into it again.