One of the greatest things about being involved in the cycling industry is getting to know incredible people from all over the world.  Through one of my other cycling inspirations (Ryan van Duzer), I connected with Dex Tooke who is one incredible endurance cyclist.  Today I got to finally meet up with him and spend some time together.

Dex has completed the Race Across America (RAAM) twice and in doing so is one of only 6 people over 60 to ever complete this ultra-challenge.  On top of this he’s competed in countless ultra-endurance cycling races and just recently came in third at the Texas Time Trial 24 Hour Ironbutt….completing 344.5 miles in 23:43.  Insane.

There are a lot of heroes and people to look up to in the world of cycling, but it’s people like Dex who inspire me the most.  I was just interviewed this week for a new online magazine called Not Another Hill (which will launch soon) and when asked about what cyclist I look up to, it was Dex Tooke at the top of my list.

Dex is an incredible athlete, a super nice guy, and lives by many of the same principles and values that I do.  When I’m in my 60′s, I hope to be half the cyclist he is.

Dex also happens to be the star of one of my favorite cycling photos of all time.  Here he is climbing Monument Valley during RAAM 2011.  Photo by Dan Joder.

Here’s to real cycling heroes and all the good people found in the world of cycling.

Dex Tooke is an incredible endurance cyclist and he’s here today with a great little story based around the concept of “the endorphin rush”.

Jonathan Livingston Buzzard

By Dex Tooke

I awoke at 1:00 p.m. Not much rest considering I had gotten to bed at 8:00 that morning. My thoughts quickly reminded me of the day of the week and that I wouldn’t have to return to work that night.  At least that was good.

I stumbled into the kitchen.  Set the microwave on two minutes and started that most important first cup of coffee.  Grabbed the half and half out of the refrigerator and went ahead and covered the bottom of my cup with the cream so not only would I be prepared the instant the two minutes had expired but I wouldn’t even have to waste  energy stirring.

I peered out the kitchen window to check the limbs on my favorite tree to see how bad the wind was blowing.  Bent nearly double.  Coming from the southeast again.  Must be at least 20 m.p.h. and gusty.  Doesn’t the wind ever stop blowing in Del Rio?  The countryside was parched brown in color and the temperature was already over 100 degrees.  Another beautiful day in the neighborhood.  The coffee was ready.  105 p.s.i. in my 23c tires.  Water bottles filled.  I put on my faded shorts and grabbed my unwashed, salt-caked, body-odored jersey.  ”Ah, smell that! Isn’t cycling a glamorous sport?” Shoes, helmet, sunglasses, chaps tick.  I’m out of here.

The first few miles went slow as I gradually worked the cobwebs out of this ill-treated old body.  Living in the “land of manana” for seventeen years on the Texas/Mexico border had taught me it didn’t pay to rush into anything.  Easy spinning.  15-17 m.p.h.   The wind hot and gusty.   The desert hot and dry.  The bunch grass brown and thirsty.  A lone jack rabbit competing for a small area of shade beneath a mesquite tree.

That first bead of sweat began forming on my temporal region and slowly trickling down the side of my face.  The heat rising off the pebbled asphalt as the tar began to melt.  Pushing a little.  Heart rate near the 150 range.

Then after about 30 minutes a strange transformation started to occur.  The wind went dead calm.  The temperature dropped.  I was headed south toward Tlaloc, the Mexican rain god, and as I topped the railroad bridge near the International Boundary and Water Commission I could see a solid blanket of purple covering the countryside.  A sea of purple waves.  The Ceniza was in full bloom.  And shooting out of the purple sage was the long slender arms of the brilliant red Ocotillo.  The large yellow flowers of the prickly pear sprinkled the desert floor.  The thick single shaft of a germinating Agave rose 18 feet into the blue sky.  And the air was so clear I could see some of the white rock facing on the cliffs of the Sleeping Lady over 70 miles in the distance.  The Chihuahuan Desert was at her best.

As I approached the riff-raff of the dam I noticed a small buzzard sitting atop the guardrail.  Expecting him to fly off as I got close, he surprised me with his boldness and remained on the guardrail even as I passed.  Then I saw several more buzzards ahead.  Now believe me, seeing buzzards on Amistad Dam is not unusual, but I had never noticed this many.  They were everywhere.  And all seemed bold.  They all stood their ground.  I couldn’t tell if it was in defiance or fear.

As I passed through American Customs and crossed the dam I observed something different about these buzzards.  They were all small.  No, young.  Some of their feathers appeared immature.  Baby feathers.  As if they were molting.  The pigment of their ugly faces was more pink than the dull red of an adult buzzard. These were fledglings.

It didn’t take long to figure out the occasion.  These young Jonathan Livingston Buzzards were perched atop this 200 foot dam looking down into the canyons and water of the Rio Grande trying to work up enough gumption to take their maiden plunge into the flight of life. They were there to learn for the first time about wind, lift, velocity, and atmospheric navigation.

It was neat.  They were there to discover the essence of their existence, and I was there, too.  It was as though I was a part of their world.  A world that I had never been curious about or even thought about was suddenly unfolding before me.

I rode atop the dam.  A mysterious metamorphosis transpired.  My red taped aero bars seemed to grow a projection similar to that of a large ugly beak.  My STI shifts expanded horizontally to form a wingspan and my helmet became a cock’s comb.  The dynamics of my cycling position molded into the image of my feathered friends.  I was bonding with the buzzards.

And then suddenly, No friction!  The silence.  No longer the sound of chain and freewheel. No click of index shifting.  I looked beside me.  They were there.  Soaring side by side.  The wind beneath our wings.  I was pack riding with buzzards.  The flight. Dipping our wings first one way then the other.  Learning navigational tricks.  Confidence building.  Tucking in close behind one of my compadres and utilizing his draft to gain velocity.

As our skills improved we began to dive down faster and faster, daringly close to the rock cliffs, then banking at the last second to glide back over open airspace.  Then, pushing the envelope, we dangerously lowered our latitude and flew wing to wing inches above the cold water of the Rio Grande at speeds that kept the adrenaline flowing.  I felt true freedom. I felt the rejuvenation of enthusiasm and passion long lost to the hectic life-style of mere man.  I was a buzzard.

As I journeyed home and got within a couple of miles of my house I again felt the hot, gusty, 20 m.p.h. wind blistering my face.  I gazed and saw the familiar brown of the thirst ridden desert.  No brilliant colors.  No cacti in bloom.  Not even a jackrabbit stirred.  Another dreary summer day.

I opened the refrigerator door, pulled out a 32 ounce grape Gatorade, grabbed two oranges, a banana, some chocolate chip cookies and an Eskimo Pie.  The bennies of being a calorie burning tri-geek.  I relaxed under the cool, refrigerated air.  I picked up the latest edition of Runner Triathlete News and began reading an article entitled ‘The Myths of Endorphins and the Runner’s High’.  An eerie presence swept over me.  I glanced out the window.  A young buzzard was perched on the fence post.

“Exercise physiologists and athletes have long debated the science vs. myth of the ‘runner’s high’.  Some scientists stand behind the ’endorphin rush’ while some athletes contend they have been running decades without ever achieving the runner’s high.  So I decided to lend my two cents worth.”

- Dex Tooke

Dex Tooke is from Del Rio, Texas and is one of only six cyclists over age 60 to complete the Race Across America (RAAM)…and he’s done it more than once.  Dex is also the author of “Unfinished Business“, an inspirational story about his attempt to conquer the RAAM.  This October, he is holding the first ever No Country for Old Men bike race and continues to promote cycling and endurance sports.  For more on Dex, visit his website at www.ultradex.net.

Dex Tooke is one wild man ultra endurance cyclist, and now he’s putting on his own challenge to bring out other ultra cycling maniacs to join him.  You might remember Dex from a post we did that featured him a while back.  He has taken on the Race Across America (RAAM) a few times now and last year he became the sixth rider over 60 years of age to complete the event.  Dex is also the rider featured in what I consider to be one of the most beautiful cycling photos in the world.  Have a look at this incredible Monument Valley RAAM photo.

Dex has created the first ever No Country for Old Men (NCOM) ultra bicycle race which begins and ends at Kokernot Park Alpine, Texas.  This race is going to be anything but easy and likely to attract only an elite few.

The six time station, 382.6 mile race kicks off at 8:00am Saturday, October 13 and the route includes over 13,800 feet of vertical climbing.  During the race, riders will cycle through Big Bend National Park on Ross Maxwell Scenic Road……one of the Country’s most beautiful roads and winds through rugged, primitive country.

This race is limited to 20 people and invitations can be obtained by contacting Dex at dex@str.rr.com.

A Word from Dex:

The National Park Service has limited the race to 20 participants (relay teams represent one participant).  You do not have to immediately submit your registration, but because of the limited field, I would appreciate it if you would let me know as soon as possible if there is a reasonable chance you will be competing.  Anyone that Races in this year’s NCOM will automatically have a reserved slot for next year’s race.  Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of one of the most exclusive races in the ultra world.

There will be awards for the overall winner in 5 different categories.  Each Racer will have the option of purchasing a “No Country for Old Men” finishers jersey autographed by all Racers.  In the tradition of Race Across America (RAAM), please bring a t-shirt from one of your previous races.  Everyone will have the opportunity to exchange t-shirts with others competitors.

Dex will have an updated website for the race soon, but for now more information can be found on their Facebook Page.  Feel free to also leave a comment below with any questions you have or contact Dex directly.