Donner Pass — Deux Fois Plus
In September, I rode the 60-mile loop of the Sierra Century. The 60-mile loop started us at Squaw Valley and took us out to Donner Lake were we climbed Donner Pass and rode out to Rainbow Lodge and then back over Donner Pass for a second time on our way back to Squaw. If you are not familiar with Donner Pass—its name comes from the infamous Donner Party who in desperate hours of winter turned to cannibalism to survive. In some sick fashion, the ride organizers put a rest stop on the way back over Donner at the “expected spot” of the Donner Party Camp. After climbing for 15 miles into gusting head-winds of 30 miles an hour and up—I was ready to gnaw off my own leg.


Steve and Scott at the Donner Pass Lookout (near top)

Airless Wind
I have complained about the wind before—but this was an interesting experience. Climbing to the top or West-side of Donner – I was struggling with the lack of air at 7K feet of elevation coupled with the burning in my legs from fighting off cramps—the pace was, needless to say, slow. Then these huge gusts of wind would hit me smack in the face. The only way I could describe it is to say—it was like being stuck on a life raft in a violent ocean while dying of dehydration. Wind was hitting me in the face but my lungs couldn’t find the air they needed. Instead, it just hammered my body and making every turn of the pedal slow and painful.

What Happened to Summer
It was also cold that day—much colder then I had planned for in the middle of September. It was 34 degrees in the Valley and the wind was not helping. My riding partner/friend Steve Wessels was not prepared either. He actually wore a long sleeve shirt over his jersey to keep warm on the way out. On the way in—he was shivering (like a little girl) on his way down Donner back into Tahoe. The same gusts of wind going up Donner played havoc with us coming down the mountain. As we were negotiating the hairpin turns, our bikes wanted to drift the opposite direction because of the prevailing wind.


A little hard to see but the outside temperature as we drove into the valley of Tahoe was 34 degrees.

For Steve's first organized ride—he did awesome. He finished a solid 30 minutes before me. He is joining me on the Tucson 110 mile ride. I know he is strong enough—but is he man enough to tough out the time in the saddle—stay tuned to see how he does.


Steve Wessels preparing for the first pass over Donner


Fighting Me and Winning!
Why oh why, you ask, do we/I do these things? For me—it inspires me to be a better person—physically, mentally and emotionally. It always catches me by surprise that my mind is the first thing to call it quits. I start to doubt myself—I start to over think the simplicity of turning the pedals and most of all—I start to let myself feel pain. My emotions are the next to go. The first emotion is anger—I am mad that I doubt myself but I can turn that anger into energy and push myself. Then I experience fear—how much further, how much climbing—are my legs going to cramp up. Fear can be a crippling emotion—but I use pride to stuff my fears down and continue to turn the pedals. Every time I throw my leg over the top tube on my bike—I think to myself—I can’t believe I am doing this—maybe it is the feel of the seat (or lack there of) or it is the stretch of the Lycra—but I thank God I can. Nothing feels better for me to achieve something I could NOT have done physically just days, weeks or months ago. I am a better person every time I clip into my clip-less pedals (I know—that sentence is confusing—but I said a better person—not a smarter one.)

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Help me find greater inner motivation by sponsoring my ride. Knowing that you are supporting me on the rides—keeps the pedals moving. The leukemia and lymphoma Society not only funds the doctors that find cures for cancer but they help with financial assistance for the families who are fighting the disease on a personal level. Please donate what you can. If your company matches—just put my name and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It will find its way to the right people.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntsvmb/leatherman (the superman pose)