Sep 28, 2021

THE ORIGIN STORY

THERE'S A LOOP IN UTAH THAT STARTED IT ALL. Beginning in the college town, riding across the valley, and up a giant climb. It's majestic. Rugged rock cliffs jut up on each side, graced with pine, aspen and bubbly streams...

... I never feel pain here.

I should, but I don't.

In the best of conditions, it's an hour to the top. In the worst, it can be deadly.

Heavy canyon winds.
Ice.
Rain.
Snow.

11 miles straight up. 3000' in vert. Topping out at 8000'.

Then, straight down, back to town.

But, not straightstraight. A series of countless turns, mostly banked and in good shape await.

Rippable.

The kind of terrain that makes one feel immortal...

... wishing it would never end.

That's my origin story of road racing.

I think the most beautiful part is that I'm not really a climber. Not the pure kind. But, born to climb nonetheless because I love it to so much....

... the effort,
being in the zone,
watching the rocks and trees slip by,
reaching the summit,
bombing down...

... that's my jam, what got me hooked, keeps me going.

Today was classic.

Took the gravel bike, 40s and all.

Temps in the 50s to start.

Light wind at the bottom,
light rain at the top.

Just me, like that first day.

Plus a snack at Sundance.

Perfect.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets

It was exactly the kind of climb I created the KOM jacket for...

... warm at the bottom, inclement weather at the top.

Pulled it out of my back center pocket, were it easily nested waiting to fly.

We make it from a superlight membrane fabric we import from Italy. It's breathable, yet extremely wind and water resistant.

The KOM jacket is truly one of my favorite pieces. Because along with the above it's pretty darn aero. I worked had getting sleeves just right so the jacket doesn't turn into a parachute.

It's my goto any time it's gonna be chilly, and potentially wet.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets