Mike Curiak Wednesday, late Abiquiu
I've got about 575 miles until this thing is done. I've had an unbelievably epic trip from Del Norte with thunderstorms and snow and lightning going into Platoro. I've got a little bit of sleep and headed out at 5am this morning. I rode into the most scenic and stunning part of the race by far. Beautiful Ponderosa pines and huge peaks and flowing hills and grasses. For a change, I didn't have thunderstorms breathing down my neck so I was able to enjoy the scenery a bit.

That was all great but with 30 miles to go to Abiquiu, my right pedal spindle just broke in half. I had the bright idea of supergluing it back together and that lasted about a hundred yards. It happened on a climb so I had to walk a bit. I then rode 1-legged on the mostly downhill 26 miles. Unfortunately, there's no bike shops here so I'll probably have to get flat pedals from someone's beater bike and hopefully make it with that to the next bike shop 100 miles away.

June 28 - Highlights

11 am, Pinedale - Gary Dye is Out! He is ok but severe bike problems, bad weather and brutal trail conditions have forced him to quit. He gave it his all in the past few days and it's now time for him to pack it up and start making plans for next year's race. He takes his hat off to all the other competitors on 'this hard f---ing race'. Good luck and see you next year!