Humane League Fundraiser 2018 | 12 Hour Loop

The Humane League is a farm animal protection non-profit, founded in Philidelphia (2005) The Humane League's mission is to "reduce animal suffering by creating change at all levels"  Change is advocated by encouraging implementation of methods reforming how farm animals are treated.  Other methods involve corporate campaigns, wide-ranging outreach and education programs, supported by an extensive network of organizations and activists from around the world.  Each year, The Humane League grants athletes the opportunity to raise money through goal setting.  This platform fundraises for a non-profit while simultaneously breaking the stigma that vegan athletes are subpar.  If anything, science is proving vegan athletes have the advantage.  That is why this year, on behalf of The Humane League, I am looping Mt. Sanitas for 12 hours straight. Mount Sanitas and Sanitas Valley Loop Trail is a 3.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. 

Photography by @ian_xvx 
*an understanding of relative time, lap, and mileage*

12 hours of loops - 16 laps in 11h56m22s (2/22/2003) 52.8 miles 20,800 feet of climb and descent

30 loops would be 100 miles with 40,000 feet of climb and descent (April 2006) 45h05m

Huge appreciation to anyone who has donated anything at all. 

The privilege is realized and never taken for granted.  

Thank you for the support! 

Sponsors and Donors

Hill Killer Apparel 

Vafels

Skratch Labs

Cateye

The Humane League 

General Support

Donation #fortheanimals  

Become a Sponsor 

Increase performance and speed recovery 
Crux Krispies

Podcasts
Vegan Danielle Podcast Episode 45 
The Unlock Wellness Podcast Episode 138

Mt. Evans

Grueling and epic (Mt. Evans was a blast)  Tips: Eat and drink enough on the ride up, approach well rested, pace yourself, pre-acclimate regarding elevation, be careful descending.  The first half of Evan's descent from the summit is painful.  Cracked asphalt, potholes, high-traffic (goat, human, car)  Met majestic mountain goats with babies.  So graceful on the rocks (compared to the greatest athletes, mountain goat mannerism, and skill set remains unparalleled.

Chapman Drive Trail Off-Road

 Chapman Drive is a dream.  A cyclocross-style venture, not incredibly steep (descending Chapman on a road bike is another story)  I question how climbing up rubble so chill, can make for an unequivocally terrifying descent.  That is why I choose to descend Flagstaff's tarmac (post-Chapman climb)  I also enjoy the enhanced smoothness tarmac offers (psychologically) post several minutes up gravel.  If you shift enough body weight over the rear wheel, it won't spin out much standing.  I very much enjoy the challenge of staying seated vs. standing up gravel.  I'd compare it to a mindfulness exercise of sorts.  The first day I found out about it, I had to do it twice...once wasn't enough.  The forest surrounding Chapman is full of beautiful dark greens and blacks (early June 2018)  I love it . . . 

Arapahoe > Flagstaff > Baseline

I've been wanting to explore Arapahoe AND Baseline. So what better way than take Arapahoe to Flagstaff, hit the Strava segment on Flagstaff, and ride Baseline back.  The road conditions and vehicular traffic taking Arapahoe into Boulder (center) were intense. I'd highly suggest Baseline in either direction. Baseline has a wider shoulder, smoother tarmac, and is full of "sport and commuter" cyclists of all types.
Flagstaff was fun.  Snow-capped mountains, ominous and cloudy Flatirons.  Met a friendly deer and helped her cross the road.  Young kids in sporty cars, flooring it on the straight-away, could've hit her for sure.  The deer aren't shy here.  Brought one metal bottle, refilled it once. First water had electrolyte / hydration powder.  Had a few dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  Even though I don't enjoy chocolate on rides, put myself in a situation where I had no option. I'd rather meditate on chocolate.
Coming back on Baseline was fun.  Got the high / leg chills.  Drafted behind a bus and later behind a confident commuter with a large messenger bag.  Strong rider, nice pace.  Epic road conditions and beautiful rolling hills.  The scenery is amazing here. Everywhere I look is like a landscape painting, stunning and surreal.  Always grateful, it will never get old.