Morning Run

Afternoon Walk

Lunch Walk

Lunch Paddling

Went hard on Pennock Pass. As much as I love segment hunting, I normally don’t take it too seriously. But I was gutted when I uploaded and saw I missed “the whole thing” by 30 seconds, because I’ve had my eye on it for years (it is a 15 mile gravel segment, rated HC climb). 

Of course Strava-heartbreak is totally superficial. Maybe part of why this segment is meaningful is because my friend Rudy first told me about it (along with Old Flowers) and I still remember the first time we rode it together in 2016. He died while mountain biking in 2020. 

Had I been devoted to that segment today, I literally could have traveled a full 3-4 pounds lighter (although that would have meant turning around and skipping the adventure ride). I also didn’t have it on my screen, and had I known how close I was, I coulda found a little more power on that last climb (my legs had enough left to push the next 20 minute climb to Pingree). 

But I take solace in knowing the 2 guys ahead of me were truly better. Neither of them were racing it. Gavin took a 5 minute break during his effort (and could go drop another 10 minutes off that time if he wanted to), and Taylor had just climbed Rist canyon in 43 minutes, making it a phenomenal effort I could never match. I pushed onward to Pingree, and perhaps had a chance at Ernie’s record, had it not been wet and sloppy the last mile and a half due to grading operations (it should be perfect in a few days). 

Excuses, excuses. So I did the only logical thing… created a new segment from Stove Prairie fork all the way to Pingree 😂. I normally don’t create segments just so I can be king of them, but I deserved that one 😜. 

After that, I took it easy and just enjoyed the ride and scenery. Old Flowers is still closed to motor vehicles which is nice, but had a LOT of deadfall as well as some rough spots due to erosion. Took a selfie of myself crossing a stream. Great day. Ok, enough about me!

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Eric Holmlund

Fun and heartbreak on mountain gravel

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Morning Run

Afternoon Walk

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Lunch Walk

Lunch Paddling

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