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Wm. Bates | all galleries >> Galleries >> A New Beginning...Picture A Day > Wanda LOTOJA "Agony of Defeat" 09_12_09.jpg
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12-SEP-2009

Wanda LOTOJA "Agony of Defeat" 09_12_09.jpg

Some of you know Wanda spends a major amount of her time and energy training for a single bike race LOTOJA http://www.lotojaclassic.com/ or the Logan to Jackson race is the longest single day road bicycle race in the United States. The race covers 206 miles in the mountains of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. It ends at the base of the Tetons.

This was Wanda's second attempt at this race. Last year she made it to the 146 mile mark in Etna, Wyoming. This year,struggling with a knee injury, Wanda made it into the Snake River Canyon and ended her race at the 165 mile mark.

She is off to the doctor this morning and will have the now swollen knee looked over.

She says she will never attempt this race again. I heard that last year.

LOTOJA 2009 race results http://www.milliseconds.com/races/detail/1230/141858

I'm sorry I haven't got more photos but I was riding support and really just didn't have time to take photos.

Canon EOS 5D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/400s f/4.5 at 120.0mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 13-Nov-2009 05:11
Wanda congratulations for This Big achievement, I'm A cyclist aswell ,and prefectly know 206 miles are not joke ,you did 165 and that's alot ,I know you can do this but you need the help of more riders(friends)so you can draft to recover , as far as your knee pain sadle positioning and hight is very important to prevent knee injures, (been there before) next time if you do it again , get some aerodinamic weelset .won't recomend you higher than 32mm or 38mm,beleive me this will help you big time when doing this killer rides.if you have support don't carry your bag patch with you avoid extra weigh on your bicycle .... !! DON'T EVER QUIT!! cycling is all about corauge, dedication, pain, and strengh, CONGRATULATION ONCE AGAIN
John S. Nasche06-Oct-2009 03:41
Well, both of you know what you’ve done for me, even though I’m not “around much”, (as far as you know anyway), to mention it. Nevertheless, it’s truly a rare week that I don’t pop on by your pBase site to see what new images grace its pages … though I haven’t even posted a thing on my own pages in pretty close to a year I guess. I know Wanda in this photo you were probably heartbroken and heart-sick, for I know how much you wanted to finish the route this year. Bill, there’s not a single doubt in my mind that your own heart was just as broken and as burdened as hers when you pushed the shutter release. The strange thing though … even with the heart-break … even with the tears of disappointment and perhaps bitterness … even with the trembling quivering muscles and the bone shattering weariness in the arms and shoulders … all of this “ain’t but a thang”.
It really isn’t … is it?
You know what I mean.
How many little slightly overweight teenage girls and young twenty-somethings have looked at your riding images Wanda and said to themselves,”Man! If she can do it, I can too!” When you were bitten by the dog and were so afraid to even get back on the bike again, could you have possibly imagined that not only would you get back on it, but push through 165 of the toughest miles in the West? How many tens … if not hundreds … of men and women have watched your struggles and seen your body tighten up, become rock hard and firm, younger and healthier … and been encouraged to do it for themselves?
It ain’t but a thang.
If you never sit in the saddle again, you’ve paid the price and proved the point … but somehow, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Wanda on her bike and the beautiful images of Bill to chronicle it.
I personally know one man that’s still alive today because of those first images years ago.
Go for it!
Debbie B.01-Oct-2009 05:03
Wow. I cycle and I can say there no defeat in 165 miles. That is 165 miles of victory. The tour pros dont even go that far in one day. The rest of us mortals are happy with 20! Well done. BTW, great emotion shot Bill.
Debbie
spectre23-Sep-2009 12:51
There is no defeat in giving your all and doing your best. And this goes beyond, where your passion drives you. Most people (including cyclists) would never attempt what you did and therefore will never know what is possible of themselves. There will be a winner in every bike race, but there are no losers.
Jon Andoni Liquete21-Sep-2009 15:18
Tienes una esposa que es mitad seda, mitad acero. Hasta en esta foto está bella. Un abrazo para ella, y que se recupere pronto esa rodilla.

Saludos
Wm. Bates19-Sep-2009 18:54
Jola,

Thank you for your comments and for sharing your plans for your amazing quest! I wish you all the best luck and much success. Reach the top for me would ya?

Wanda
Mumblix 18-Sep-2009 10:21
That is extremely impressive. I'd be wiped out after a 165 mile car ride.
Jola Dziubinska18-Sep-2009 09:51
Wanda, you are doing a great effort. You are an incredible woman, you know.
Congratulations on your 165 result, for me it sounds like going to the Moon.
Wishing you a quick recovery.

Bill - this is a moving shot and says it all.
BiIly Goat (Ken) 17-Sep-2009 02:51
Bill, After reading your explanation of the shot and then viewing the photo, I almost cried. Although her face is not fully visible, I believe you captured her disappointment and pain (I can even see it in her finger tips draped over the handle bars).
Wanda, I believe I know how much you wanted to complete this challenge but you are still a winner in my book. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
VerymarriedV 16-Sep-2009 04:23
Wanda, if I added up all of the bike riding I did as a kid, it still wouldn't add up to 165 miles. I don't know if you'll want to torture yourself that way again next year, but if you do I know you'll go even farther. And if you do take Chris up on his proposed redo of the Mean Joe Green commercial, PLEASE let Bill take pictures of it :-)
jss02016-Sep-2009 00:38
Great effort. It's all about trying!!!! thanks to both of you.
virginiacoastline15-Sep-2009 23:56
. . . and all 20 relatively FLAT
virginiacoastline15-Sep-2009 23:55
I haven't figured out how to get my hair up under the helmet yet without getting a headache . . . .I can't imagine doing 165! I'm proud when I do 20 =)))
Wm. Bates15-Sep-2009 12:54
Thanks Chris, You know I luv ya! I think the ride was worth the time and effort just to get this shot! It says it all. . . not only about cycling, but about life in general. I think everyone can relate to the feelings of defeat. But it's never the end of the world. Just the beginning of a new chapter in life. Onward and Upward I say!

Wanda
Chris Friloux15-Sep-2009 02:13
If I was standing on the side of the road with a coke.....I would give it to you. Then I would tell you that "You are the best ever" silently I would wait as you drink the whole bottle.....hoping you look at me and say "hey kid.....here" and throw me your jersey. The background singers would sing "A Coke and Smile Makes Me Feel Good..........Smile SP.. you did good.
Guest 14-Sep-2009 22:48
Outstanding shot Bill, as it truly speaks to the physical demands that the race put on Wanda and the agony of having to stop prior to the finish.... hope Wanda's injury is only a minor set back for her and her love for cycling. All the best, Jv V!
Robert J Kane14-Sep-2009 21:48
Someone once told me "don’t just try….just do and go for a beer after" My longest race was 110kms long I had dropped out around the 105km mark at the base of a 2km climb the first year, the words were from former national team coach. I finished the next year.

From Bills writings and images I can see you love the sport, if you are like the Badger (Hinalut) you will be back next year.
Bill this photo brings back memories; it really does say it all.
Under the Palms14-Sep-2009 21:22
165 miles under human power, sounds like a personal win to me...
isleman14-Sep-2009 21:19
Hold your head high Wanda, you are an amazing woman! My congratulations on surpassing last years mark and my hopes and prayers are with you for the recovery of your knee and heart!! Take her out for a really nice dinner Bill!!!
I_have_a_Car 14-Sep-2009 21:09
chapeau !

165 miles is a fantastic achievement. Just google the length in relation to cycling... and you;ll know its a enormous achievement.
Joe Lasker14-Sep-2009 19:41
I'd hardly call 165 miles "defeat", but I do understand. You'll always be in a winner in our book Wanda, for all you do for others and for how hard you drive yourself.

I hope your knees heals quickly.
Guest 14-Sep-2009 19:40
This image says it all, Bill
Guest 14-Sep-2009 19:22
Congratulations Wanda!! You are always a WINNER with your fans at PBase!
Hope the knee heels soon! Looking forward to some more great photos from you and Bill !
Guest 14-Sep-2009 19:21
Congratulations Wanda!! You are always a WINNER with your fans at PBase!
Hope the knee heels soon! Looking forward to some more great photos from you and Bill !
cougar_6114-Sep-2009 18:54
In a word - Outstanding!

I do hope and pray that her knee is okay -
Guest 14-Sep-2009 17:20
Outstanding picture. You have really captured the moment.

As for Wanda and her effort...That is a huge feat to cover that many miles. Hope her knee is not too bad. ~bryan
Dave Callahan Photography14-Sep-2009 16:49
a valiant effort for sure,much more than any one of us would do.hope its nothing too serious.and as an aside,Bill this is a great shot.
Jeff Barbour14-Sep-2009 15:48
Congratulations Wanda...Well done.....That's along way to ride a bike in one day...V