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helena kotala

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Tag: sonoran desert

Posted on February 28, 2020February 28, 2020

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 3.

If you missed them, catch Part 1 here and Part 2 here! I forced myself out of my sleeping bag as morning's first light was creeping in the tiny window of the RV. A conversation ensued in my head: I am so tired... I should sleep a while longer... I need it... This is your …

Continue reading "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 3."

Posted on February 19, 2020February 19, 2020

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 2.

Catch Part 1 here if you missed it! Sleep didn't come easily. After my first race lap, my adrenaline was skyrocketing, but I wanted to try to get some amount of rest before I'd have to head back out for lap two sometime between 3 and 5 am. There were still a few teammates who …

Continue reading "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 2."

Posted on February 18, 2020February 20, 2020

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 1.

The sun was just setting as I began my first lap, casting shades of orange across the sky and bathing the desert in a beautiful warm light. I was excited to finally be on my bike after an afternoon of waiting for my teammates to complete their laps, and I was gunning to see just …

Continue reading "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo — Part 1."

Helena Kotala

Outdoor adventurist. Mostly bikes, also runs, paddles, hikes, and more. Map-maker & other duties as assigned at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Central PA based.

Bikes + friends to celebrate 33. πŸŽ‚ I can’t say enough good things about the inaugural @lulackawyco Starrucca Crossing. The route was beautiful, remote, and challenging with over 10k feet of elevation over 100 miles and unrelenting, punchy climbs. My legs felt like πŸ’© by mile 45 but I was determined to do the entire course and kept it rolling slow and steady. As is my usual M-O, I got a second wind and my legs loosened up at mile 70ish (naturally an endurance athlete through and through πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ). There were cool old bridges and impeccable stone walls, SO much gravel (probably 85-90% of the route?), and continuous lovely views of rural Susquehanna County. Word is the course will be different next year but I have no doubt it will be just as great. Put this one on your calendars! Some more from Virginia! A sampling of photos from my MTB trip to Virginia with @_whit_green_ this past week. I can’t pick a favorite ride or trail β€” the highlight was in the variety. There were plenty of vistas, lots of rocks but not too many, and a healthy amount of climbing (almost 17k ft of gain in just over 100 miles over 5 days). Been very excited about mixing it up with more foot-powered adventures lately. Sometimes off-trail, often steep and rocky, always good views. Seeking snow last weekend. I’ll probably always complain about the shuttle, but the Red Mo long run sure is fun. Under the railroad, over the river, and up the hill. An H in her natural habitat β€” deep in the middle of the woods, staring off into the trees.

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