Zoe Fitness | Personal Coach

San Juan Hut to Hut with Terra Firma Racing

The best way to describe it is Wow;

Wow-zapalooza.

What is Hut to Hut?

It’s a 6 night adventure via bicycle through a hut system from Durango to Moab:

 

I committed to the event about a year and a half ago.  I committed to schlepping the kitchen through the San Juan Mountains.

I love Back Country.  Although 6 days would be the longest I have gone.

I knew the truck would hold up well, as the guys at the shop said, it’s the best shape they have ever seen the make and model of my vehicle.  One owner definitely has it’s benefits, I have done all the maintenance.  It’s kind of like my baby.  It’s been my truck for 10 years, nurtured, and cared for, never leaving me high and dry, always getting me to my destination.

I was excited to be with my friends and meet new ones.

 

I was most excited about driving from Durango to Moab 4 x 4 enjoying the vistas and hopefully getting in some bike rides while I was at it.

Chef Connie was stellar, with a menu above and beyond just your normal back country trip, more like Four Seasons.

It’s not every day you get a 4 course breakfast in the dirt on paper plates!

Thomas was hypnotic the way he moved through the loading and unloading of the kitchen, as he danced around flipping chicken, cooking bacon, and filling coffee cups.

Everyone on the trip was fabulous, I enjoyed everyone so much.

There was something magical that happened on the 3rd day.

A shift in consciousness,

a recognition,

of being united on an adventure,

alone, with the bears, and the company of  amazing people.

There were people representing Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

Kathy and Scott, as always the most stellar Race Directors , hats off for a great event!  Click the link to the Terra Firma Racing website to see what other great events they offer: every thing from this Epic Adventure, to 24 hour races, to Sprint Adventure Races.  The “Best Races in Texas”

 

On Day 2 I was blessed to be able to get in 3 hours of riding.  I hopped out of the truck on 145 and the dirt, from Bolam Pass, and got to ride up, up, up to Black Mesa Hut.  I never understood why it was called Black Mesa, at least the way we were coming from it was green.  I do think, the vista from the opposite side, it may have appeared black.  That was tough to see.

On Wedding Bell Hut, once we got there, I got in another 1.5 hours of riding, which included the ascent up from the hut to catch this great picture.

On top, I felt like Eeyore, the black cloud following me with rain.  At this point, my water bottle water was warmer than the ambient air.

This was the hottest of the huts thus far, shade was limited, and it was, apparently the most exciting.

I was happy because of the 6 nights, this night, I actually had one bar, it was good to catch up with the family.

 

This is where, if memory serves me right; Chef Connie fell off the top bunk, Nak-ed, and Thomas got to chase a bear out of camp somewhere between 4:30 and 5 am.   Although the laughter was heard for miles, somehow I managed to sleep right through it all.

 

 

 

This is a great depiction of mornings, breaking down camp, loading the truck, saying good bye to the riders.

 

 

 

Being a volunteer, I feel like,  I missed a lot.

But I have  been having fun getting caught up, seeing all  the festivities through great photos the awesome participants took.

I can only imagine the intensity, the fun, and the massive amount of beauty that was brought to each soul that was brave enough to carve into such an epic undertaking.

If you would like to see more of the 2013 San Juan Huts 200 Adventure, please follow the link: San Juan Huts 200 Open Group on Facebook, this is where you can see the  pictures of  daily rides posted by riders depicting their daily travels = COOL!

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that was truly amazing, is that each one of the volunteers had ample opportunity to ride, if they so chose to.  Thomas got in plenty of epic rides; the 1st 2 days, and then, this awesome Utah/Colorado State Line day.

How totally cool is that?!?!

Back Country State Line!  LOVE!

On the last day, from Geyser Pass to Moab, Chef Connie grabbed the wheel, and I grabbed my two wheels, for an Epic Adventure.

Single track with Gabe and Vanessa.

 

How simple?

How could we have missed it?!  Vanessa, is hard core, she wanted to ride the mountain twice, marking the trail for the rest of the riders.

It was tough single track, some hike a bike, some tip toeing.  It was steep going up, and steep going down.

It was AWESOME!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is where I bailed off the Single Track down Sand Flats Road.  It was Epic, I only had supplies for 6 hours, I got some Kokopelli some Upper Porcupine, plus the totally epic single track on the way down to this point.  It was awesome, and I am so grateful for the company I had.

Vanessa and Gabe continued for an 8 hour finish tackling Lower Porcupine.

 

 

 

 

 

When I got back to Albuquerque I slept for 2 days.

Picked up a copy of :Rescue, that Barbara had lent me so I could finish reading it.

I had to get bailed out of my 1st ever road ride = pure exhaustion, I’m sure.

I almost have everything put away,

almost.

I think, it’s totally amazing, that so many people signed up for such an amazing event.

I was surprised, I was as tired as I was when I returned home, and all I have been thinking about per my return is;  how even more awesome these people are, and how utterly exhausted they must have been.

People rode between 3 and 8 hours for 7 days, and that does not include that most everyone did a prelude ride the day before.

 

 

Kudos to everyone who participated on both the front and back end of this event.

It is the sum of all parts that make something truly amazing.

And yes, it always helps if you have Stone Ground Mexican Chocolate made in Massachusetts.   🙂

 

And Thank You Lara Bars and Infinit Nutrition for being part of this event through Zoefitness.  We appreciate your support!

Thanks to all of Zoefitness Sponsors:

Fastenal

2XU

Rudy Project

Chef Connie Bakes

CPR Guy DFW

Infinit Nutrition

Terra Firma Racing

Mad Duck Cyclery

Fit to Win Cycles

UPS Store 4275