With plans to leave early Monday morning, January 8th, me and Chase were well prepared. The car was ready, the bikes prepped, the AirBNB reserved, and the routes and distances roughly planned. We had been monitoring the recent colder weather and were prepared to pull the plug, but things were ready to go coming into Saturday night. Then we both got a text.

WILD BILL: I’m good to come with you guys?

JACK: lmao what

WILD BILL: I’m coming to Arkansas

I guess, in retrospect, we didn’t have a choice. So 5 AM Monday morning rolled around, after my employee holiday party the prior evening. Chase and, inexplicably, Wild Bill pulled up to my apartment. I guess this was really happening.

Chase was the brains of the operation, driving nearly (maybe all) the way to Arkansas as we pulled up. Chase is both indestructible and impossible. Have you ever heard of the sled dogs that love running so much that they will pull a sled until they die? They’re Chase’s spirit animal. Chase had a bad crash during cyclocross season, which made him start up late in training 2017, to set up for a few midseason spring goals, namely JMSR 2018 and Collegiate Nats.

Wild Bill née Alex Turner was the last minute addition. He just upgraded to Cat 3 last season and trains incredibly inensely. He’s blustery, sometimes abrasive, but supremely friendly, willing to chat with everyone. He was in Arkansas for the same reason as the rest of us, looking to get in some base training miles.

We were hosted a little further South this season by two southern gentlemen named Jarrod and Justin. They have 4 pets, 3 dogs and a cat, and are working on adopting a child from Missouri. It’s taking a little longer than expected, so their Christmas decorations are still up. Super nice folks and incredible puppies.

After a day 1 spin, day 2 we had a slight river crossing due to a bridge being out. There was a 20 foot gap and a 15 foot fall, with probably a 6 foot deep 20 foot wide patch that needed to be waded, but that didn’t initially deter Chase. He was 1/4 of the way across before me and Wild Bill told him ‘no way.’ It resulted in a 7 mile detour.

Chase and me shared a room, we’re getting to be experienced bunkmates. I’m excited to announce that next year we’ll be on the same team again, with a new group of folks. Logan, recently married, is making the hop across with us as the rest of the Apollo Velo boys head over to Minnesota Cycling Team. We’ll be racing with Donkey Label Racing this year, which will give us access to some incredibly strong and experienced teammates along with several new domestic elite races. I think a Cat 1 upgrade is on all of our minds, with an eye on Northstar Grand Prix in early summer. We’re stoked and Arkansas is just the first part of this adventure.

Days 3 and 4 were a blur of political arguments, waffle house, miles, pedal strokes, and Chipotle. We were bracing for a cold snap Friday, and it happened. We decided to cut the trip short and ended up heading up early, with many miles in our legs, and a few new experiences to write about. A good part of the trip ending early was that I managed to make it up to the cabin with Louis, Emma, Jordan, Waverly, Hailey, and Tony. It was a great time near St. Croix State Forest. Always a good time with tons of physical challenges and games. It was chilly this weekend but an excellent way to wind down winter break.

Lastly, Apollo Velo is using the influence and notoriety we developed last year by pivoting into a bike accessory business with  Louis and I taking the reins. We won a University of Minnesota business competition last month and have some great momentum heading into 2018. We’re looking for beta testers and brand ambassadors, so let me know if you have any thoughts or are looking for some free product in exchange for some feedback. We’d love to work with you.

I hope to get a little more back into the blogosphere as I continue to travel and study and live life. I had a big semester this fall but didn’t adventure too much beyond Minneapolis and that’s been the main reason for the lack of posts.

I hope all of my family, friends, and maybe some readers I don’t know are well going into 2018. I’m excited and I hope you all are too.

Jack