LOTOJA 2012

For the 7th time, Andy was doing the LOTOJA! This was the year to receive the 1,000 mile award. You have to do it the 5 times and collect it on the 6th time. We can't technically count the first one in 2006 because he rode under someone else's name. I made a book of all 6 years and presented it to him on Friday night at dinner (we went to Elementals - it was great!). This year was such a bizzare year. So many things went wrong. Andy's knee was giving him problems, but that wasn't even the worst part. There were goatheads (stickers) thrown on the road between Logan and Preston that gave hundreds of riders flat tires (Andy didn't get one) and slowed the riders down 30 to 40 minutes. I only know that because my cousin's son-in-law was caught in that group! The crashes they had were fewer this year, but there were more injuries. Andy said there was a bad one at the top of Strawberry Pass. We saw one as we were leaving Alpine. A rider was down on the road with a broken pelvis. And then the worst, a rider from Mesa, AZ fell off a bridge into the Snake River (with very little water in it) and died. He apparently swerved to miss a pot hole and bumped into the tiny guardrail, if you could call it that.  It happened after we drove by and before Andy came by. It was terrible and totally changed the celebratory feel of the awards ceremony. It was somber. Sad. We feel for the family he left behind, a wife and three kids.

Andy's start time this year was 6:37:00.

Neena's family came to support Andy. This is Meera,
Janita and Neena

Scott, Neena and Andy

Scenery on the dirt road, shortcut, as we head for Montpelier.

While we were on the dirt road, Andy was going over Strawberry Pass -
the mountain peak you see in the background here.

Neena and Meera at our favorite spot to stop and cheer the
riders on. It's the sprint point for the King of the Mountain
as the riders go up over Salt River Pass into Afton, WY. Scott
left to go look for Andy because he was taking so long.

Bonny and Neena getting ready in Afton to give Andy his
food and water and Gatorade (note: the Lime Cucumber
flavor is NASTY!!!) Neena was amazing - I officially step
down from my roll as support and become a cheerleader.
(It's hard letting go of that one - time to move on!)

SUPPORT CREW in Alpine, WY

Our better sides!

On our ride into Teton Village, we were witness to the beginning of a fire. Could
not believe how it ate the trees. We could feel the heat out on the road. I love this
picture because the fire looks like a DRAGON chomping down on the trees!

Thank heaven for Ibuprofen! He did tell us that if we had been
at the top of Salt River Pass, he would have quit. Good thing we
weren't there!

OFF THE BIKE - DONE WITH THE SHOES!!! Across the line
in 9 hours, 53 minutes,  and 17 seconds.

Steve enjoying breakfast alone. We all ate while he was in
the flyfishing shop testing rods like a child in a candy store!

 We stayed at Crystal Springs, a condo right there at Teton Village. I think it was our 3rd year there. It's perfect! We had a spaghetti dinner that night and french toast for breakfast the next morning before heading to the awards ceremony. Andy and Neena stayed with her family to go hiking and swimming. Scott and I left to head home to visit some friends whose son had just returned from a mission. We're so grateful to be able to share these experiences with Andy! Proud of you Andz!

Andy holding his 1,000 MILE AWARD and wife, Neena!