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This site is a visual and verbal diary of my world. My world is filled with bikes, family and images. I like bikes and I like cameras. I like the way they go together. Joy for me comes when I can capture an image that shows the true feeling of riding. Images here are often experiments and explorations of color, tone and texture. All images property of Gnat Productions. All rights reserved. If you wish to post an image found here on your blog or website, please give full credit to Gnat and please link to www.gnatlikes.com. To contact Gnat about purchasing any of the image(s) found on these pages, please click on the "ABOUT GNAT" page and use the submission form. Hope you enjoy the site. Thank you.  

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« Moving on down that road | Main | TKO'd at DK »
Tuesday
Jun072011

2011 DK200 in pictures

Still can't come up with words to recap my race. Since folks have been writing and texting me wondering how I'm doing and if I am OK here is the short version. I felt great strength wise and as I wrote yesterday, I felt strong into 100 miles. I rode my race and my pace. My body did not like the heat. By mile 100 all my contact points with the bike had become numb. I thought this was strange as I had training rides that were longer in both miles and duration. I had lost feeling in my right foot and my hands had begun blistering. My bottom wasn't jiving with the saddle. I would stand to relieve my bottom and my hands would hurt and my feet would burn. I would ride no handed for a bit then my bottom would hurt. It was a constant cycle of pain or burning. I did not want to endure another 100 miles of it.  I got on my bike after some rest at the second check point and decided that was it. This was not for me. Considering it is now Tuesday and one of my toes on my right foot is still buzzing and the palm of my right hand is numb, I'm confident I made the right decision.  

I have a lot more to going on in my head right now that will eventually come out as well as a lot of great experiences. Despite what it sounds like, this event was a highlight for me. I still rode 100+ miles through some of the most beautiful land in our great country. It was great seeing all my old friends as well as making new ones. Thanks to Jim Cummins, the Mohns and the City of Emporia. It's doubtful I'll be back next year given what dreams I have yet to tackle and what I see in my future. I may be back someday. Who knows? Right now though, that's all I have to say so at this point pictures are going to have to do. Hope you enjoy the pics.

That was my day. Beautiful morning. Stunning scenery. A great ride. Good people. Heat. Suffering. Joy. Relief. All in all a great experience.

Reader Comments (3)

Great photos Gnat!
June 7, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJason
Enjoyed the pics.The words in the summation are great......Thanks for sharing!
June 7, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterHerringbone
Hey Jason, La Cruz-riding Eric from San Francisco here. I'm really impressed with your speed over the 100 miles you did. You were haulin! It took me well over 8 hours to do the same. I'm sure glad I stopped at the halfway mark. What a brutal race. Great experience. Might need to tap you for some photos for my Paved article. Would you be game for that?
June 15, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterEric Gustafson

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