Tuesday June 15, 2021: Out of bed just before 5am. Another morning dominated by a sense of optimism. I am still riding high from yesterdays amazing day through Yellowstone and past the Grand Tetons. I definitely feel like I am entering a new stage of...
Wednesday June 16, 2021: Given my abbreviated day yesterday I had set my alarm for stupid o'clock. I was desperate to make up for the lost time and to also get a jump on the forecasted heat which was predicted to be north of 100...
Thursday June 17, 2021: Yet again, an early finish called for a very early start. However, on this occasion I was ready and rearing to answer the call of the 2:30am alarm. I had even pre-packed my bike and laid out neatly all the required clothing...
Friday June 18, 2021: Another 2:30am alarm, another similar reaction - where am I? What the fuck is going on? One Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi...
Saturday June 19, 2021: Out the door just after 5am, the leftover Chinese food that I'd just inhaled for breakfast already creaking in the belly. Stay where you are Chinese food - I don't want to hear from you until the appropriate time and place...
Sunday June 20, 2021 (Fathers Day): Pre Sparrow fart, aka stupid o'clock aka very early in the morning (or is 2:30am still night? - Strava thinks so) on the first day of the 3rd week of the race brought with it a determination and focus...
Monday June 21, 2021: Up at 3am and the lethargy hit me immediately. I felt like shit. Nothing specific outside the usual aches and tiredness but I had very obviously recovered particularly poorly. The pitter pater of rain on the tin roof outside my second floor...
Tuesday June 22, 2021: Given the late finish the previous night I gave myself a little reprieve and set my alarm for the more civilised time of 5:30am. Surprisingly I answered the call with the minimum of hesitation before proceeding to hobble around the hotel room,...
Wednesday June 23, 2021: On the road at 6:47am. My starting times were starting to slip. An absolute necessity given my later finishing times over the last couple of days but starting in bright sunshine felt a little unnerving - like I was already behind schedule....
Thursday June 24, 2021: Yesterday had hurt on quite a few levels so I was determined to be a tad kinder to myself today. That started with ensuring that I stuck around for the hotel breakfast which started at 6am, and ended (pun intended) with my...