Love Dump: 2023 Pinyons & Pines
I had an incredible experience during the 2023 Pinyons & Pines Bikepacking Ride. I appreciate, and would like to recognize, everyone who helped make it that way. In the tradition of my people, I respectful submit this Love Dump.
Dana Ernst: You’re a good one. So much passion. So much humanity – slinging zero-dark-doughnuts at 300 riders after the storm detonated the race; doing your best to cheer everyone in; riding me in the last 5 miles. I’m so glad we got to spend time together afterwards. It was an absolute honor! Thank you for doing so much to build and foster this community.
Dylan Turner: You consistently took zero credit, but thank you also for putting on this amazing event! The ride brought us together for so many powerful moments. One of my favorites was charging the Black Canyon Trail with you and Seth in the dark. But I’ll never forget the time we shared during day three’s death march. Ours is a life bond forged in the Death Mud of the Agua Fria!
Greg, Kelly, and the staff of Verde Valley Bicycle: Miracle makers! First, thank you for even considering the unusual question I put before you. Greg, I still have no idea how you masterminded the plan and put it into motion so quickly. Kelly, thank you so much for driving the crankset down from Cottonwood to Camp Verde. And thank you to anyone else who helped get me sorted with the crank, bottom bracket, and replacements for all the tools I’d forgotten when I passed through on Day 1. I’ll never forget your willingness to jump in and help put out my rolling dumpster fire. My heroes!
James, Eric, and Allen “the Wrench” of Camp Verde Bicycle: Homeslices! We got to spend a lot of time together (thanks to my inability to identify my own bottom bracket). If I had to do it all over, I’d say the wrong one again just so I’d get to spend another hour speaking with Eric and playing cards with Allen. Thanks for going above and beyond to sort me out. In the order of my lifetime bike shop experiences, yours ranks as legendary!
Photo by Dylan Turner
To the head boss of all trail angels, who paid for Dylan and my triple-entre dinners at the Landmark Restaurant in Christopher Creek, then walked out without telling us… well played sir! Sorry we were not more conversant. I could not muster my three remaining brain cells into focus and Dylan had rattlesnake in his blood. Thank you for your humanity and the incredibly generous act!
Richard Meyers: Thanks for offering the charging cable you found along the trail to replace the one I lost along the trail. It revived my dead tracker and kept it limping along to the finish. I enjoyed leapfrogging and riding together on my last day. Sorry you had to turn right and ride over a mountain where I turned left and coasted to the finish. I enjoyed hanging out afterward.
John Phelps: I’m so sorry the unthinkable happened to your machine, and so early in the ride. You could have easily packed up and rolled back home, with none of us thinking less of you for it. Instead, you stuck around for days just to make sure all your friends made it home safe and sound from this faraway place. I struggled to feel gratitude during the last painful 36 hours of my ride, but the note you left for me at the top of the Pine Creek HAB brought me to my knees. Thanks for being there at my late-night finish… with Pizza no less! You are as solid as friends come. Love you brother.
Karin Pocock: Shred Sister! True to form, you were so fun to ride with – and anywhere near. Our mid-ride check-ins were about all the input my phone had juice for, but I so looked forward to each of them. It was so incredible that the ride brought us back together for a warrior’s feast in Camp Verde – a fitting end to an epic day for each of us. Way to crush it all the way to the finish. So proud to call you friend!
Steam’n Nemann! It was so rad to see your rapid evolution from bikepacking novice to veteran ultra-athlete, all within the span of one week. You went from a grunty eight-hour stress packing session the day before the event to rolling back into Flagstaff from your own post-race tour with all the confidence in the world. It was so awesome to witness that transformation. Thanks for being there at the finish and for taking care of my narcoleptic ass after! I look forward to returning the favor in the future. Here’s to many nights out my friend!
Badger: My trusty steed! Please forgive me!!! I’m sorry for the Agua Fria Death Mud spa treatment. I’m sorry for hooning you into Camp Verde in scooter mode (it must have been so humiliating!) I’m sorry for putting those bullshit carbon cranks on you. Never again. Only the finest titanium.
Susan, Maya, & Caleb: Thank you for letting me go on these crazy adventures and trusting me to come home. You are my North Star, and best cheerleaders. Love you always!
There are so many other folks I spent a bit of time riding, or pushing, or eating with during the ride or after: Zachariah, Allison, Seth, Jeremy, Lilly, Curb, Emily, Spencer, and Marin. I’m grateful for the time we spent together, and for everyone else who made the group start so special. Wish I could have rolled with each of you.
Long live Pinyons & Pines!
