Hey Everyone.......

Here is a recap of the Idaho Smoke 'n' Fire 400 that wrapped up last weekend.  It was featured in Bikepackers Magazine.

http://bikepackersmagazine.com/smoke-n-fire-400-recap/

Cheers.

Hey Casey,

Great thread on the fantastic routes you and the ACA put together.

Here is a link to my overnighter in the Boulder-White Clouds. It was beautiful, rugged and remote! I left from Smiley Creek, overnighted at Germania Creek and then back out the next morning.  It's tough, challenging terrain and and I had my share of hike-a-bike.  Great route!!

Expansive views, water crossings, wildlife, rain and a rainbow, plus the big bright supermoon made for an awesome sub 24 hour adventure.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10203989570490596.1073741830.1563032583&type=1&l=99f4eac863

And I'm unhappy to hear about the landslides and road closures from Featherville to Ketchum.  Hopefully they will get those opened soon because that is a terrific section.  Each time I've ridden the section between Featherville and Dollarhide I've encountered bears so be on alert when the road is open and you're all riding in this area.

Cheers

This is a great topic and something I've struggled with as well.

I think hormones, sleep deprivation, nutritional challenges, fear, solitude - you name it - all contribute to a complete imbalance/overload of the system.  The high of 'mission accomplished' is followed by a pretty dark place at times.  In triathlon, that usually hits a few days after the event and after a few days things start to get back to some sense of normalcy. 

The TD, on the other hand, left me battered physically, but even worse was the mental/emotional darkness that lasted for a damn long time...I don't think I got on my bike for months.  Zero interest in the bike, work was difficult and life, in general, was muted and fuzzy.   

Overtraining can do the same thing and as bart said, with some good recovery you can be back in form and feeling great again.  For me , just knowing this is the outcome from doing multi-day rides and racing makes it a bit easier.  I've come to accept it as my new normal.

Good luck sorting it out Amagi...keep us posted.

Thanks, Chris, for all of your efforts on V5 of the Cordillera!  Copies ordered and looking forward to the extended version.   

Excellent material, Martin. 
Enjoyed the Annapurna pics and description because I'd like to do that ride someday. 
Also, the Stupid Light caught my attention cause you know us types are always searching for new ways to lighten the kit!
Great stuff and thanks for posting!

The desire of a repeat has come and gone several times since I did the TD in '11.  The rhythm and flow of the never ending days, the solitude and loneliness, plus the sheer beat-down over several weeks - this race is truly a cruel mistress, but I love it to death!!  Or until death...

I can't imagine NOT taking another run at this beast.  It's really just a matter of when.

Great report, Eastman!  I've been interested in riding Newfoundland for some time. More so now!
 

Hey KG,
I may be able to offer an assist. I'll send a PM.

What!??  You mean our own Private Idaho has been discovered?

I can tell you all, first hand, that you will not be disappointed with the diversity this state will offer you.  Few people, great scenery, incredible hot springs, high desert and high mountain passes to miles of sick single track.

Thanks Casey and ACA!  Looking forward to seeing what you have come up with.

Cheers.

Fantastic report and love the images, Casey!!  Well done and nice to see your adventure come to life.

Congrats Mike and Jeremy!  And way to set the bar even higher Mike. 

David Horton finished in 25 days in 2011 at the age of 61 or 62. Incredible athlete and ultra-runner. Google search him and you will see he is somewhat of a legend in the ultra world.

Holds all sorts of through hike records as well. Amazing dude with a more amazing attitude.

Cheers!

Wow, super sick times by the front runners. How long can they sustain this pace?  Time will tell....

Sure enjoying watching those blue dots bounce and move.  I was wondering what happened at the start....thought a few folks must have slept in this morning.  And it does look like conditions are primo - so far that is.  Could be many fast times this year.

Much respect to each one of the riders out there.  Enjoy the adventure!!

Hey Marshall and John....

Marshall, that was me you met around 10pm before Fisher Valley. Ended up camping shortly after we met and i did see another rider come by an hour or so after you.  The climbing from Dewey was huge and the work load for this half of the ride seemed more difficult and just longer.  Did lots of pushing and pulling through those canyons.
Got into Moab around 1:30pm or so. My pals and cold beer awaited!

How was your through ride?  When did you arrive in Loma?

And as mentioned, when you're in Boise holler and John and I will take you out for a ride and some beers.

Cheers! 

And in the event.....hopefully your SPOT is ON and then you have a chance at recovery. You can then retrieve your bike and punch the culprit in the throat.   

Or call the police.

I've been using these for awhile now. As Trebor said, an inner tube provides a good contact point and can prevent slippage. I then add a zip tie just below the Two Fish to prevent it from sliding down.  I use mine with the Salsa cages and even using the 33oz Zefal Magnum have only had bottle ejection once.

Great report Rolund. Way to stay strong and get this race done!

That is most ingenious, 303. I can see perfecting this with practice and having a small tube as part of your kit.  I've hauled Co2, but always looking to streamline and lighten kit. And once a bead is set - it is set. Takes a lot of force to unseat a bead.
Great topic.

Excellent!  Ordering V4 for the collection.

Thanks Chris, Eric, Scott and Eddie for all the hard work that went into this endeavor.  Great cause and here's to the Blumenthal family.

Can't wait to read the stories and feel the heat!