Last Day of April

I had great plans for mountain biking and then woke up to this!

Not to be deterred by the weather we met up and decide it was time for a long road ride.  About 13 miles into the ride we passed Patty, so she turned around and rode with us until she reached the outskirts of Payson.  The ride was long and fun--53 miles....so take that snow you are not going to ruin my day!!!

Is Yoga Babe Certifiable? Longboard Collision!

The weather report had a high wind advisory this, morning, but it wasn't supposed to start until 10 am, and I was sure the wind would miss or arrive late to the area.  So with that in mind I called Yoga Babe to make sure she still wanted to ride and then got ready.  By the time I was ready the wind had begun.  Oh well, I guess the weather report weather report was right.

It is very rare I can  find someone to ride with me in less than good conditions.  I was ecstatic when I rode to Yoga Babe's house and she was still on board for the ride.  We took off in 21 mile an hour winds, or so that is what Yoga Babe said and I believe her.  The wind at one point was so strong I rode my bike tipped at an angle to it wouldn't blow over.  Poor Yoga Babe is about 30 pounds lighter than me and ended up getting blown into the dirt on the side of the road.  Luckily the worst was only for a short part of the ride.  Mind you we had head winds a good portion of the ride, but only the one part was strong enough to blow us off the road.  So glad Yoga Babe came out with me, and now she can be part of the certifiable club of riding in less than perfect conditions.


Longboard Collision

Eventually Yoga Babe and I parted ways, but I was still in the mood for more riding, so I took off up the Canyon. I didn't expect much traffic on the trail as the winds were pretty good.  As I rode up I could tell the ride back was going to be tough as the wind was literally pushing me up the trail.  Which is gret as you are going up, but coming back was sure to be a struggle.

As I was trying to decide how far I would ride I saw 4 to 5 long boarders coming down the trail.  They were in both bike lanes, and not budging, since no one was in the pedestrian lane I went over to the pedestrian lane to avoid being hit.  Apparently the pedestrian lane was not safe as it should have been.  One of the long boarders came around into the pedestrian lane heading straight for me.  I had no where to go.  There were boarders on my left, bushes on my right, a boarder headed straight for me and about 2 seconds to react.  My reacation to use my famous swear word with "Holy" in front of it, skip around the board then collide with the boarder.  Thanks to my mountain biking skills I was able to avoid a straight on hit, and did not get knocked off off my bike. Only the right side of my body hit, but boy did it hurt.  Major, ouch!  I hope it hurt as bad for him.

I know that's not nice, but it really hurt, and he shouldn't have been in the pedestrian lane at all!  Of course after we hit I thought of telling him how he shouldn't have been in the lane, instead I just asked him if he was okay.  He was, so I rode on.  On a side note, he did end up off his board, which gave me a little satisfaction.  

The rest of my ride was uneventful, thank goodness, but it makes me wonder if long boarders should be allowed on the trail.  I have heard stories of them almost hurting people, and being impolite.  Personally I have never had any problems with them.  Some close calls, but no problems until today, which of course makes me wonder.  Do you think long boarders should be allowed on the trail? Or is there another solution--perhaps and even, odd day?  I don't have the answer, but something needs to be done so no one gets seriously hurt.

DZ-Nuts In Heat

I am sure most of you have heard about Dznuts and Bliss, Chamois Cream but have any of you tried Dznuts In-Heat?  I first learned about it in the Cycle and Style Blog I was somewhat sceptical it would work, so I decided to find out for myself.  Unfortunately right about the time I bought it was cold enough outside I didn't want to find out if it worked or not.  For some reason experimenting in 20 degree weather does not seem all that appealing to me.  So, I waited until the conditions were right, which turned out to be this last week.

First test of the product was Friday.  I went out for a short road ride with the temperature 39 degrees.  I had on 2 armers, a vest and my shorts.  I put the high In-Heat on my legs and took off for my ride.  At first it was a little brisk, but within a few minutes of steady riding my legs were warm and I could not feel any chill.  My ride was short only 1.5 hours, and the temperature outside increased by 10 degrees by the time my ride ended.  Results, my legs stayed warm the entire time.

Next test--a longer ride.  I went out for a 55 mile road ride with  a climb and descent on Suncrest.  My friends were all in leg warmers, but I was in shorts.  In fact, I was the only rider that day in shorts.  I am sure many riders thought I was nuts, and maybe I was, but the In-Heat worked.  It was about 42 degrees and stayed that temperature most of the ride.  I was warm the entire ride including the fast descent down Suncrest.  The In-Heat lasted the entire ride and I probably could have gone longer.  Bottom line if you don't feel like wearing leg warmers or extra layers use Dznuts In-Heat.

Oh, one final note.  Don't to forget to wash your hands well and immediately after putting it on your legs.  You don't want to accidently get some in your eyes.

Fun Filled Days

Saturday June 12 - Deer Valley I-Cup

Went to the race in the pouring rain.  On the way up we saw the tail end of the Provo 1/2 marathoners (Heather was too fast, so I didn't see her), and the Provo full marathoners.  I kept talking about how miserable they must be running in the cold and I couldn't believe they were racing in such miserable weather.  Then lI realized we were going up to ride in the same miserable weather.  Oh the irony.

Random pics of people I don't know running in the rain.

The race was cancelled and resheduled for Wednesday.  On the way back the rain stopped, and the view was beautiful.

Midway mountain scenery.

Once I got home.  I went with the family to movies to see A-Team.  The show was fun worth going to. 

Then I decided to ride Squaw Peak.  For some reason this ride was especially painful, and I mean that in every sense of the word.  I actually had to stop where it says 3 3/4 on the road for a minute to let the pain leave my legs.  This is the first time I have had to stop because I hurt riding Squaw Peak.  By the time I got to the top I felt like I was pushing with everything I had.  Somehow I don't remember the end of climb being so steep.  I think pain has a lot to do with the perception of steepness.

In some ways it was a little discouraging because I had to ride in my small gears to get to the top and because it was such a struggle.  In other ways it was great, because now I have a guage and new goal to accomplish by the end of the summer.  Sometimes reality can be harsh, but at least you know what to prepare for.

Pic I took while riding up.

Love the view.

The ride down was very cold.  Another storm had crept up while I was going up, so I went up with a head wind, and down with a head wind.  I was shivering cold by the time I got to the bottom.  Just as I got to the bottom I heard a clinking noise.  I crossed the road, and discovered I had a flat tire!  I am sure hoping I was climbing with low tire pressure, then maybe the next ride won't be so painful.  I didn't want to change a skinny tire while I was so cold, so I called my husband and he met me at Timpanogous Park.  What a great guy to come and rescue me from the cold and changing a tire.

Sunday June 13 - My Birthday

Had a great birthday.  The family surprised me with great gifts, we had pizza and cheese cake and lots of fun.

My cake topper my husband didn't dare put on the cake.  Isn't it cool.  It played Happy Birthday.

Cute Octapus balloon bouquet.

Monday June 14th - AF Canyon

I finally got to ride AF Canyon.  I met up with Steve and we went to see how far we could ride before the trails were unrideable.  The trails were great except for Pine Hollow, so we only rode up to the look out and back.  I love this trail--hopefully next week the trails will be in good condition and I will have time to do the entire loop.

This view never gets old.

The patch spot below is where Pine Hollow & Salamander Flats intersect.  I can't believe how high up we are.

On the way down the canyon I came upon a rider on a road bike.  Not unusual when you ride in this canyon, what was unusual the rider was riding right by the double yellow line.  I could not pass--granted it was a double yellow, but if he had moved over to the side I could have slowly gone around him.  But he didn't. 

When we got to Timp Cave parking lot I thought for sure he would pull over.  Lots of room, but no he stayed right by the yellow line!  I had to ride behind him almost to the guard shack because he would not ease over.  I have to say I was a bit frustrated by this.

The other unusual thing--jeans.  I cannot imagine how painful it must be to ride up AF Canyon and down in jeans, but that's what he did.

Right by the yellow lines.

Proof of the jeans--I wasn't making it up.

Tuesday June 15th - Recovery Ride

Went for an easy ride today with my husband up to the Provo Trail.  On the way I got a flat tire, fixed it and we continued on our way up.  On the way back I got another flat tire, tried to pump it up, but it didn't work.  I did not have another tube, so my husband rode home while I waited for him come back with the car.  The entire time I waited riders went by, but only one asked if I needed help.  I always ask if someone needs help.  One guy actually went so far as to look the other direction like he didn't see me with my flat.  Glad my husband could come to the rescue again, otherwise I would have been stranded for quite some time.  Three flat tires in less than a week.  I think I may need to get new tires.

I believe this is the universal sign for a flat.

My Ride to Work

This morning I took the long, scenic route to work.  I wish I had a video camera to capture everything I say, but I don't usually take my camera with me to work, and alas I did not for this ride.

On my ride I saw two ducks come out of a large ditch, quacking as they flew ahead of me.  I then saw a convoy of tree cutting trucks riding past me in the opposite direction.  There was a group of road workers preparing to do work by the railroad tracks.  It must be an ongoing project as there was an outhouse close by.  I went by where they keep the school buses, and for the first time saw many of the drivers pulling out to go and pick up kids.  I saw 3 deer under some trees in a field, watching me closely as I rode by.  And finally the fog over the vast fields--I love the fog.

I don't think there is any better way to go to work.