Lots of fun stuff happening out there in the world recently, much of which has to do with the previous day’s discussion of future adventures. To whit:

1-This year’s AWC report appeared recently:

After traveling separately along slightly different routes over the previous 4+ days, the two teams arrived at Circle Hot Springs at almost exactly the same time, with only 8 miles of gravel road separating them from the finish line in Central. After the initial shock of seeing other racers this late in the game wore off, an old-fashioned, Wild West standoff ensued.

The two teams, although tired and battered, squared up, face to face, to size each other up. The tension was palpable. You could smell the testosterone and body odor. Who would blink first? Who would make the first move towards the road to Central? Nobody wanted to back down. As one racer had remarked at the start of the race, “There will be blood.”

McDonough spoke first. “Well, gentlemen, we have two choices: we can take off running and run until the last man is standing, or we can all shake hands and walk into Central as winners.”

That is really the next level. Perhaps some variation in MT and ID next summer? A no-forward-progress-on-pavement rule might be hard to negotiate in the lower 48. Perhaps a series of strategic checkpoints placed such that pavement travel would not be a (good) option? It’d be tough to make that work while still maintaining the freewheeling route spirit which is so much of the originals appeal.

The near future will see, I think.

2-Kyle Skaggs destroyed the Hardrock record this past weekend, sub-24 hours for the first time ever. More here. Meltzer calls it a soft record!

3-Jenn finished the GDR, with some words of note. Fred finished, of course, and will likely say very little about it. As Geoff noted a few days ago, Fred’s proven himself to be the most consistent and accomplished ultra-endurance mountain bike rider in the western US at this time. Completing the “big four” in as close to a calender year as seems conceivable? A feat unlikely to be equaled anytime soon.

In more mundane news, I went for a nice 6 or 7 mile run/hike last night. Out and back on the Ranch Trail to the high point before the descent into the drainage and half-pipe. Rain and coolish temps are very welcome. Otherwise, I’ve been working, packing, hanging out, and eating waay too much lasagna.

Moving soon.