So, What's the plan Stan?

​So, what’s the plan Stan? It’s a month and a half till the Arizona trail race kicks off, are you ready? Are you strong enough? Do you have all the gear? Do you envision yourself winning the race?
 
This is the conversation I have had with myself every morning. For the past year and a half, I wake up the same questions, echoing through my head. I can't decide if it’s good or bad. On one hand it helps me stay focused and ask myself important questions but on the other hand, it's exhausting and creates an unhealthy type of anxiety, an anxiety that doesn't spur action but instead instills polarizing fear.
 
But after a year and a half I can say that I am ready. I feel like the pieces have fallen together for the first race of the Bikepacking Triple Crown. I know where I need to be mentally for this race and I am nearly there. My mind feels calm and my body feels as ready as it can be.
 
Well my body feels 80% there if I am honest but, I know myself and my mind can trick my body when I am in the right mental space. This ain't my first rodeo.
 
110 miles a day is the goal. This would get me to the Utah border in 7 days, right on track for breaking the Bikepacking Triple Crown Record. I will be sleeping for a few hours each day and riding through many of the nights, and I can't wait!
 
The plan is to drive the 1,716 miles out to Las Cruces, New Mexico from Marquette on April 10th or 11th. This will give me a few days of training and fine-tuning in Las Cruces before heading to the middle of freaking nowhere Arizona on the 18th for the start of the race!
 
Las Cruces has unbelievable trails and open land access to get the system totally set and get used to desert riding again. I also have family down there that will make the final preparations that much more relaxing.
 
The race starts the 18th and when I finish the 25th (Knock on wood) the other side of my family will be there to pick me up and take me to Placitas, New Mexico. I will probably take a day to reset before taking New Mexico’s commuter train the “Rail Runner” (such a cool name) to Belen where I will jump on to a bikepacking route dubbed the New Mexico Off-road Runner (mapped by Cass Gilbert on Bikepacking.com)
 
This 340ish mile jaunt will take me back to my truck in Las Cruces from which I will sprint back to Marquette to move into Olivia’s and mine new apartment, watch Olivia graduate, and work as a bike mechanic at Downwind Sports. It’s going to be a busy kick off for the summer!
 
But wait, why the hell am I doing an additional 300 miles after the 750 mile Arizona Trail Race?! Well with all of the racing this summer it will be paramount that I keep riding between the races. I need all the miles I can get and a nice spin to Las Cruces will get the legs cooled down a bit before the two day drive back home.
 
Of course if I need to be back a bit earlier I will just get a ride somehow down to Las Cruces and get back earlier. It will be a logistical challenge no matter what but I am ready for it!
 
Also who the hell knows if this plan will pan out? I may end up riding the 260 miles from Las Cruces to the start as a warm up!
 
I am always accepting sponsors and supporters for the monumental efforts I am about to take on this summer and I can't thank those who have already helped enough.
 
This blog has been a great outlet and such a joy to work on. Thanks for following along!
 
Keep on rambling.
 
-Dylan