The Durango Dirty Century is never an easy ride and this year proved it once again. My goal was to go under 13 hours but it wasn't to be. I knew my legs were tired from all of riding I have been indulging in. When It's a nice blue bird day in the San Juan's you have to get out and enjoy it. I have completed this route before on the single speed and on a true fat bike. I picked my Kokopelli 29 plus bike setup for this ride. I rode smooth and took in the views while suffering at the same time. I ended up riding with Aaron Boatman for most of the ride after leaving Hermosa Creek TH and some dude named Tony from Durango. Solid riders for sure.
The full rigid bike was rough on me especially in the last 20 miles. I ended up puncturing the front tire in the creek bed and fortunately I had my tire plugs with me and it held immediately. This was my first time to use a tire plug and I was happy with the results. And like a knucklehead I couldn't find my C02 cartridges. Cat Morrison rolled up and was kind enough to lend me hers. Thanks Cat!!! I had a hand pump but the C02 is much quicker. The tire held and I took it easy on the remainder of the course to finish at 9.30pm at the Junction Creek TH. I had also lost my two water bottles in the last section of trail. That sucks but I knew I was close to the finish and ate two gel packs to get some liquid. Cat was two minutes in front of me and was at the TH waiting. We rolled into town together just in time to order a burger and a beer and hang with other DDC finishers and laugh at what we just endured. Endurance riders are the best. I was beat.
Total time: 14 hours 22 minutes.
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| Blackhawk Pass |
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| Aaron Boatman on Blachawk |
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| Up toward Kenebec Pass |
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| The Kokopelli rig took a beating |
