Lotoja 2007 - He did it!

I wanted to get the below photo's posted as soon as possible so I could show you all how proud I am of Kenyon - but I didn't have time to post details of the event, so here you go!

For those of you not familiar with the Lotoja - it's is a annual race sponsored by the Huntsman Cancer Society. The race is 206 miles form Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They way they describe it is "1000 riders, 206 miles, 3 states, 1 day!" The cyclists ride in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming.

Kenyon had been training for this race since about April when he fully commited by registering. The Lotoja only allows 1000 riders, so all those that are interested, are really committed, because many riders don't get registered in time. Needless to say, I've been a cyclist widow nights and weekends for several months. When we attended the Support Crew meeting, which was held at the Hunstman Cancer institute a couple of months ago - they recommended that if riders were interested in the riding the Lotoja, they might be interested in visiting the Psych ward before they headed out that evening. This comment got a lot of laughs - but now I seriously know why they say that... read on..

The race started at sunrise cyclery in Logan, and Kenyon's start time was 7:34 a.m.
Kenyon did great on the first leg - pulling into Preston- that first leg is relatively flat and only about 34 miles. When Kenyon pulled into Preston, he was doing great. He was ahead of his time and had shaken off the nerves within the first 20 miles or so. While Alex and I waited for his arrival - we saw two riders crash into each other and skid across the pavement! It was a total "le tour" moment..

The second leg of the race was from Preston to Montpelier, Idaho. Kenyon had trained on this leg the week before, so he was familiar with it and knew what to expect. This leg is 46 miles but it has 21 miles of uphill climbing and then a super fast downhill. Kenyon did great on this leg as well - he ended up in Montpelier before his planned arrival time. At this point in the race - cyclists were dropping like flies.

Another funny thing that happened at this feed zone... when Alex and I arrived - there were volunteer support crew in the road, they were yelling to the riders "cows on the road". I however, thought they were saying "Calzone the road" which was so weird to me, because that is totally not the type of food you'd give a rider on his way to climb the "king of the mountain". Alex then explained to me that they were referring to wildlife, not to delicious italian pizza benders. Then it made more sense.

The next leg was the hardest 45 miles of the race. This leg is from Montpelier to Afton, Wyoming and there are some really steep grades. This is where they crown the "king of the mountain". We loaded Kenyon up with water, grapes and nuts before the King of the Mountain segment, but somehow on his way up and over, he got really sick and ended up in Afton 30 minutes after his planned arrival time. He was feeling really weak, but only because of his stomach - His legs were still feeling good. Since he arrived at the Afton Feed Zone so late, Alex and I just stayed with him for the next 4 hours.

Kenyon started to get a little discouraged on the segment of the mountain between Alpine and Hoback Junction. Picture this - it's getting darker, your feeling sick, can't keep food or water down and there aren't a lot of other riders around. By the time we hit the Snake River Canyon it was pitch black. Now remember, this is not a closed course race so.. it's pitch black, Kenyon has no lights on his bike, we are shining our headlights on him going about 20 miles an hour, cars are speeding past on the left, and on the right is a giant cliff into the Snake River.. I hated this part - I'm not gonna lie! But he made it to Hoback Junction!

By this point - he's 190 miles into it and still riding. Keep in mind that because we are in Wyoming, it's now hit the low 40's and Kenyon is wearing his cycling stuff - so, in my opinion - he might as well be naked... We stopped at Hoback Junction, got him a sweatshirt and some glowsticks, loaded him up on Ibuprofen and he only had about 10 miles to go! I would love to have bodily forced him into the car at Hoback, but he REALLY wanted to finish the race!

About 2 miles back into the ride - Kenyon was riding alongside the car - holding onto the bike with his left hand and holding onto the jeep with his right hand...Along the way, Alex and I are talking to him through the window encouraging him and telling what a great job he's doing. Now this is the part that will make you both laugh and cry... As we are driving along - he looks at Alex and says (in a voice that sounds like he's about 7 years old) "do I have my helmet on". Alex looks out at him and says "yeah bud, you do". And Kenyon responds "Ok- I can't remember". Alex and I just looked at each other and wanted to cry.

Kenyon arrived in Jackson about 1.5 hours after they had closed the race, but he made it! He arrived in Jackson at 9:30 p.m. 14 hours after his 7:34 start time.

I will say that I'm so super impressed and proud of him for riding this race. I'm so amazed at his stamina and resiliance! I'm also SOOO glad I got to be there as part of his support team! He's my hero!

Make sure you check out the photo's below - Hopefully, this gives you a good feel for what it was like! Enjoy!