When we want to accomplish a goal, declaring it publicly is one way to keep ourselves on track. If we quit, we know others will know that we said one thing, and we didn’t do it. So we stay with it.
Today, I am riding in the desert. I may be somewhere around Valle Trinidad or Bahia Los Angeles on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. All my life I’ve seen a map of North America and Mexico, and being from the east coast I never thought much about that little stick of land on the Pacific side of Mexico. It is beautiful varied desert landscapes with picturesque oceanscapes along the west, and the Sea of Cortez to the east.
I’ll be riding alongside the Sea of Cortez and then race over to the Pacific side and see the ocean there – back and forth several times.
I have to trust myself. I’m an expert rider – that’s not an issue. I have to read the terrain and judge carefully how fast I can go at any one stretch. There are surprise washouts, switchbacks straight up on one side and straight down on the other, rocks of all sizes strewn everywhere. I can handle all this with a sharp mind.
I must watch out wherever there are people along the race course – and over the 1134 miles there will be 400,000 of them. This race is a big deal down there. But where they congregate in the middle of nowhere spells trouble. They are watching the tough spots and waiting with their cameras. Sometimes the tough spots are man-made booby traps – a dirt jump followed by a pit or rocks usually. I have to pay attention carefully.
I must ensure not to get hurt. Sometimes just sticking a foot out to save yourself can twist a knee or foot, as happened to Tanner when we pre-ran the course two weeks ago. At mile ten, he injured his foot and could not walk that night and had to ride in the truck for four days as I finished riding the course.
I have to feed my energy out slowly. Adrenaline is not your friend when you have to ride 40+ hours. I must relax on the bike, and twist that throttle while not winding myself up any more than required.
I must not get dehydrated, and I must not run out of water (with electrolytes). I must eat correctly. Relying on energy drinks and gels for 46 hours is a mistake.
I must talk positively to myself – even if I have to lie. I must face reality at the same time, not taking wild chances. I must watch the average speed and the clock. I must not miss a single gas pit stop – a small trailer set up every 50 miles or so, often in the middle of nowhere. If I do, I’m out.
I must not break the bike. At times I will approach 100 miles per hour. I must be vigilant. Other times I will be working hard in a tight winding river wash filled with rocks to make 18 miles per hour. If I drop the bike in the rocks, it may poke a hole in the engine case. If I drop it in the silt, it will vacuum it in and blow up the engine. The bike and I are inseparable partners. We are one.
I must not get lost. 1134 miles is a long way. I must watch my tiny GPS screen as there are thousands of wrong turns to potentially make. Taking your eyes off the course to look at the GPS can be dangerous. The timing of my looks will be important.
I must see Tanner to the finish. There is absolutely nothing more I can do for him, other than be his wingman and see him at the finish.
And I must finish.
You will finish.
Good Morning Larry & Tanner – May you both ride this course all the way through to the end. This is what you have been training for your whole life. Be safe and expect to win big. If anyone could do it, then anyone could do it. See you at the finish line. God Bless and God Speed to both of you!!!
The Godbout Family
Well, I would feel trapped and sick, terrified of every bend, wanting to get off. However, if I believe that the track is my destiny and that God is in charge of the machine, then the nightmare becomes something thrilling. It becomes exactly what it is, a roller coaster, a safe, reliable toy, which will eventually stop, but while the journey lasts, I must look at the surrounding lanscape …
you guys are amazing.good luck.
You made me feel like I am there watching this. It’s a little hard to breathe, trying to factor all the potential pitfalls, especially the ones you can’t control.
You were brave to put this out there , what you are doing. You both must finish. Sending good vibes of strength and hope and all the luck you will need.
Good luck .. keep pushing forward
Very Inspiring! Thank you. Wishing you and Tanner safety and success.
Good luck & God bless you guys. You got this!
With a little luck, some prayers and your skill you and tanner will finish.
Best of luck to you Larry and Tanner! We are following your journey and believe in you that you will finish.
Best wishes Larry! I hope the race is going well and that you take 1st!
Larry, you are EXTRAORDINARY! All my life, I thought of love as some kind of voluntary enslavement. Well, that’s a lie: freedom only exists when love is present…while the journey lasts, I must look at the surrounding landscape and whoop with excitement. The person who loves wholeheartedly feels free. It is a gift that I can be part of this journey.
Make it back for your family. They matter the most!