Week #22 & #23 Flint Hills Ultra

 

Week #22 - 1248 miles

Week #23 - 104 miles

I am not quite sure where to begin. First I want to thank everyone for the messages over the week about Roxanne. I knew the Flint Hills Ultra Gravel Route was going to be hard, but never expected to have to deal with something like that. I am so grateful for the Musser family being there and also for taking care of Roxanne & I for the last 5 years.

Bobby Thompson designed an amazing route through the Flint Hills. I have rode in many places, but this route was truly unique. The Flint Hills are the best place in the world to ride and be able to experience all of it was magical. Bobby puts on a few events that highlight the Flint Hills and he also loves to give back to the community. Check out the Discover Gravel Fund - https://discovergravel.com/ This fund helps support youth in the Flint Hills area who are getting into outdoor activities like cycling and running. Hopefully someday a kid who got their start from this program will be able to complete the Flint Hills Ultra Gravel Route.

A huge

congrats

to Ashton Lambie & Trisha Luke for setting the FKTs on the course. Everyone had their own struggles, but Trisha gets the overall prize for the most miles walked!

When I had to stop at 90 miles into the ride and go back to Lawrence to be with Roxanne, I wasn't really sure that I would continue. I am really glad I did though. On Sunday, after 18 hours off the course, I got back to riding. With events like this your are mainly competing against yourself, but now I had a few folks to chase after. The north half of this course were somewhat familiar roads. My plan each day was to ride until I got tired and then sleep wherever I could find a place to lay down. I only had a sleeping bag and a space blanket. The goal was to take 20 minute naps and sometimes they would be 40 or 60 minutes long. I think the longest I slept from Sunday to Thursday 2 hours at one time.

As the days rolled by, I was able to think a lot about Roxanne and how good of a life she had. Being able to spent this time out riding was probably the best therapy for me. Roxanne was Joy's dog and losing her this past week felt like I lost a little bit of Joy again. The biggest thing that I take out of this experience is how it can make you stronger. I know now when I am struggling with something, I can look back on this time and know I can get through it.

I know this isn't a day by day recap of my ride. I got to see some amazing sunrises, met some interesting folks along the way and got to ride through a bison herd. I think to experience this route you have to do it yourself. The cool thing is you don't have to do it all at once. Setting out to complete sections is totally doable. I think pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is important though. You will get a different experience than you ever imagined.

My next little adventure will be the Great Plains Gravel Route Video Project - https://www.joypoweradventures.com/video-project-donation This will be July 10th - 14th