Dutch Hollow

Jen, me & Jolene at the lookout for Heber Valley.

Trying to decide what to do this weekend. Option 1 go to Glenwild with the Bike Peddler group, option 2 AF Canyon--went with option 2 until I talked to Jen and she suggested Dutch Hollow. I have been wanting to check out this trail section for along, so of course I was in.

Dutch Hollow is in Midway not too far away, in fact it turns out it takes as long for me to go to AF Canyon as it does to go to Dutch Hollow. Not really knowing the trail system, we looked at the map in the parking area made some decisions and took off. Not knowing the trail system we learned very quickly many people do not go on the east side of the trail system. I think there were trails we rode that we were the only bikes to have graced the trial all year long.

We had a great time exploring and as we explored we explored right over to Aqueduct and Barrel Roll. There really are no words to describe Barrel Roll, other than pure fun. We went down and I could not stop laughing, it was better than being on a roller coaster. Of course at the bottom we knew we had to do this trail again, so we found another way to get to the trail. We ended up finding 4 different ways to this trail and ended up going down 4 times. Great ride for a Saturday.

Came across these guys on the trail with a broken chain. Jen pulled out the chain tool and went to work fixing the chain, as the guys looked on.

Jolene shows exactly why we went down this trial so much.

Nothing but smiles as I ride.

Jen going down Barrel Roll. The smile says it all.

I Pushed My Bike

Saturday I went on a great mountain bike ride. with Jen and Dale. The ride was ride up Mill Creek, take the Mid-Mountain Loop to Spiro, Thayne, Scotts Pass, and then down Wasatch Crest and Mill Creek back to the car. I was very excited for the ride and couldn't wait.

The ride started out with a few hitches, the first my 29er was in the shop so I had to ride my full suspension--thank goodness I had a bike to ride. The second hitch was my fs tried to shift by itself when I dropped my gears. Thank goodness Dale knew what to do. A quick adjustment of the cable and it quit automatic shifting. The third hitch, my body was not in a cooperative mood.

About a mile into the ride I started to have breathing problems, I became slightly asthmatic, and of course I did not bring my inhaler. I have been doing pretty good this year, in fact I have only had two issues this year so I felt pretty good about my breathing, so why bring my inhaler. Live and learn, it took a bit before I could breathe normally. I still need to keep that thing with me.

I wish I could say the only problem I had was my breathing, but no it became worse. I was a bit slow going up hill, but I attributed it to the bike. It turns out it was not the bike, but me. I seemed to not be able to turn the pedals like I normally do, and eventually around mile 18 my legs just quit working they did not want to turn. I got them to turn, but nowhere close to a good pace. Around mile 20 every little hill became the biggest, steepest incline I have ever taken on, and when I say little I mean little. I actually walked my bike on a couple of very small steeps. I was not happy with myself at all.

I really am not sure why my body quit working. Just a week and a half ago I mountain biked 26 miles and could have gone more, I felt great. This week I pushed my bike at mile 20 and by the time I got to puke hill, it was nothing but walking as three other riders went past. I wanted to think of excuses, but really there were none--it was a very humbling moment. I don't know why my body was so fatigued. Was a fuel problem, a heat problem, hydration or fatigue from lack of sleep? Whatever it was I am determined to go back and do this loop and not walk anything!

Once we reached the top of puke hill things went pretty well. I was out of water, but luckily Dale had water he could spare...thank goodness Dale was so prepared. Jen had to take off she had to be somewhere, since I was so slow today our ride went way longer than expected...way longer! From the top of puke hill things went pretty well. I had a blast going downhill on my full suspension bike. It has been a long time since I have ridden a full suspension bike and I forgot how well they absorb everything--it made going over the rocks a breeze. I also passed a few guys on the downhill--to me that was pretty cool since normally I do not pass going down. The entire ride we only saw a handfull of riders, very surprising on such a wonderful Saturday. I don't know how we got so lucky.

Of course by the time I got to the parking lot I was tired, so I did not continue on to do pipeline, but opted to ride in the car. When I got home I thought for sure I would be extremely sore the next day, but wouldn't you know it, no soreness what so ever, and I didn't feel fatigued, but I decided to rest anyway and not take any chances. Who knows maybe Saturday was just one of those days.
Flowers on the trail
Dale and Jen eating lunch.

Lookout at Mid-Mountain.

I Rode Rattle Snake Gulch!

I know it may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it is huge. Last year I walked a good portion of Rattle Snake Gulch, so this year to be able to ride the whole thing is absolutely phenomenal to me.

Wednesday was a great day I met up with seven of my riding buddies to ride Wasatch Crest. We took the Wasatch Shuttle up to the start of the Silver Lake Trail. We got a great deal on the shuttle only $1 a person!
Drop off point for the shuttle--what a beautiful view.

The start of the trail is fun, but for some reason I was not riding it too well, I felt shaky and unsure, so I made sure everyone went in front of me. Eventually I made it to the bottom of the trail and the start of the climb. As I started the climb, I was thinking I must have remembered the climb incorrectly, because it was not that hard, but then I rounded the bend. Oh yeah, this climb is not over. I kept going and going and ended up passing a couple of the riders in our group. As I was going up, two riders in our group were going back down to climb it again (Ryan and Eric T). Now can I say I thought I was sick for liking climbs and such, but today doing that climb twice just seemed sick and wrong. By the time I got to the top I felt like I wanted to puke, yes I said it, puke--boy am I out of shape.
Top of puke hill.
At the top of the hill we waited for everyone and then took off down the trail. We had a little more climbing and then the flat. On the flat I was feeling good and my legs were starting to get warmed up and then there was a loud hissssssss. I quickly stopped, found the leak, and tipped by bike so it would seal up. Of course as luck would have it there was no more sealant left in my tire. It turned out my tire had a good tear on the side. Luckily Kerry had a boot and I had a tube so we sealed the tear and put a tube in and then got going. The good news is when we fixed my tire we discovered the front bearings were loose, so now I know why I was not riding so well.

Just as we got ready to go Stephen's brake pad fell out. While he fixed that I discovered my front brakes were not longer working. I kept trying to pump the brake to see if it was an air bubble and I could get it to move, but no luck. When ended up taking off after about 15 minutes or so of fixing tires and mechanicals with me having no front brake.

We rode the Crest all the way down Mill Creek and dropped into the parking lot. I chose to ride at the back, because of no brake and I didn't want to hold anyone up. Can I tell you this was a huge mistake. Have you ever ridden behind 7 other riders on a dusty trail. Two things happen, one you cannot see the trail and two you eat a lot of dust. Front brake or not riding in the back huge mistake. Also, riding down a trail really fast with no front brake, maybe is not the best idea. As we were going down riders were coming up. As long as the trail was wide, I was fine pulling over so they could ride and I could ride. However, at one point I was going down and the trail was narrow and not wide enough for two riders. All of the sudden Gordon stopped and yelled "rider up" all I could do was use my back brake and yell multiple times "I have no front brake, I have no front brake" as I tried to fish tail to a stop. Luckily the rider going up must have figured out I couldn't stop and he pulled over as I shot in between him and Gordon. Whew, that was a close one.

At the bottom of Mill Creek we took off down the road to catch the pipeline trail. This time I went near the front of the group and that's where I stayed until we reached Rattle Snake Gulch. Stephen was explaining to everyone how technical it was, I told them it was just plain yucky, which meant they would have a blast. I let everyone go in front, except for Gordon, he wanted to stay at the back, and then I went. Now remember I had no front brake, so I was gripping my back brake and just hoping for the best, and the best was what I got. I skidded the whole way down, but I made it!
Eric also got a flat apparently we can't go on group rides without multiple rides.

Todd turns off his cell phone.

Rock garden after the spine.

6 bikes in one truck not too bad of a feat.

Played All Night

Woke up Friday morning as usual to get ready for work. At 7 pm I met up with my friend Katie and her husband and we drove to Mount Pleasant for an all night softball game. I took Mandy with me to this tournament, she was so excited about the idea of staying up all night and watching mom play softball. I think she was probably the most excited about staying up all night.

The tournament was two pitch with our pitcher pitching to us. Great, because you know you are going to get great pitches. Different because the pitchers does nothing when the ball is hit, so you cover the field a little bit differently.

In the dugout

Our first game started at 9 pm--we won. We then had an 45 minute break before our next game. Mandy was so excited. She had already convinced Lloyd (Katie's husband) to buy her a snow cone. Played the next game at 10:50--we won. Now we had to wait to see when we would play again and how we were seeded.

Great spot to wait and hangout in between games. What you don't see are the tents in the background.

Once seeded this ended up to be the longest break we would have for the night, our next game wasn't until 1:20, so we had about an hour and a half to wait. This was perfect, I had time to get Mandy set up on a mat with a sleeping bag, get my sleeping bag and chair, get some food and get set up for the rest of the night. Once Mandy was set up on the sleeping bag I was hoping she would soon rest, and then turned out to be the case. Little by little she settled into the bag, and eventually she told me she wasn't tired, but her eyelids wanted to shut. Then she was out.

Mandy finally asleep.

We ended up playing games until 7:15 am in the morning, before we finally lost and were out of the tournament. For the most part it was pretty cold during night which kept me up all night long--well that and a diet coke I had at 5 am in the morning. This was the first all night softball for me. I am calling it preparation for 24 hours of Moab.

Ride Like a Girl - Ride

Went with Jolene yesterday for the monthly Ride Like a Girl Ride. We got to Mad Dog in Orem, and the only person there was KC. We visited for a bit while waiting to see if others would show up, but it turned out to be on me and Jolene this ride. After a little bit of discussion it was decided we would ride the BST over by bridal veil.

We started at the 800 North trailhead and rode up to the start of the trail. KC rode her single speed for this ride. It amazes me at what a lot of work the single speed takes, it also amazes me how KC can ride behind me on a trail and still keep going consistently even though I am not.

The first part of the trail I have been on, but it has been quite some time since I have ridden it. The second part of the trail I have not been on. KC led the way the new trail. It is a fun, quick simple trail until near the end where there are 3 tight switchbacks. Just prior to the swtichbacks KC stopped and described what we could expect from each switchback--I like it when people tell me about what to expect it makes the ride a little bit easier. The first switchback was a very steep left handed sharp turn. When I got to it, I stopped and thought no way. Luckily KC showed me and Jolene the right line, for the next time I go back. The next switchback was a right turn and I made it around with only a foot down! The final one was similar to the first but somewhat bermed. Unfortunately the bermed part did not take away my fear of spilling down the switchback, so I ended up getting off and walking...oh well, hopefully next time.

We ended the ride going to equestrian center and back to the trail head. Perfect night for a ride with the girls.

They Touched Many Lives

Last night was an unusual night for me--I went for a mountain bike ride. Not too unusual, but normally after a ride I come home I blog about it, check my email and facebook, but not last night, I was too tired. Next unusual thing I did was check my email and facebook the next morning before I went to work. I have never done this! Well, of course I found out that Susan had died yesterday, and although I only have met Elden very briefly, I have read his blog and laughed at his stories, sympathized over his struggles and now was sad from the latest post. It amazes me how someone I really do not know, and many of us do not know personally has touched my life, as well as so many others. My sympathies go out to Elden and his children through this time. Let us not forget to continue to donate to the Livestrong Foundation in Susan's honor and show our continued support inthe battle against cancer.

The Canyons

Mandy's 3rd place overall prize!

This race started out different than all of the rest. Usually our division starts near the back, but this time Ed started us at the first. It was pretty funny when we lined up in front of the pros, they were sure they were going to run us over, and of course they would if we were going on the same route, but our course had changed. Instead of doing a half and a full lap Ed had changed us to a full lap only. This meant we would be going up one way while the pros were going up a completely different way. It was actually very nerve racking being on the front line. Usually in the back we are joking around and visiting with each other, the front has a whole different feeling, much more pressure, less visiting and definitely less joking around.

Off the start I was not feeling too well. I was hot (like everyone else), dizzy and my stomach was not at it's best. Of course not feeling well did not stop me from starting out fairly strong, and in the front. As we went up the road I heard someone coming up behind me and knew it was Jolene. Not a few seconds later and we were riding side by side. As we were riding I mentioned I did not feel well, and Jolene told me I would feel better soon. She was right of course and she knows me. There is something that takes over and I forget about everything except riding.

Jolene and I rode up the road together and just before the turn into the single track I pulled behind her and told her to enter first. We rode up the singletrack together and pulled over together for a couple of the 16 year olds to pass. We did the same thing at Snowbird, pulling over together for people to pass. As we rode I would remember each switchback and how we needed to execute it. Eventually we came to the right hand switch back that you need to take very wide to get up. When we got to this switchback Jolene went wide but cut across, and didn't make it. By this time I was feeling good and took my chance to pass.

From this point on I brought my pace up and climbed. I don't know when it was Jolene and I became separated, but after a while I realized she was no longer behind me. This made for somewhat of a lonely ride and left me to many thoughts. Depending on how I was feeling I would think about the heat, my stomach, my favorite songs, other rides I have done--it's amazing what you end up thinking when you are riding by yourself. Eventually the climbing on the trail ended and I made it to the downhill.

I was ecstatic to reach the down hill. I had ridden the trail enough and felt I would be able to ride it at a good speed. This did not turn out to be the case. Instead I rode it like a sissy. I had a hard time negotiating the trail, I was getting bounced around and took turns much slower than I had a few days before. Somewhere on the lower loop Tiffany came up behind me and when we hit the up-down road near the end of the downhill she passed and I thought I would follow her line and do better, but this was not the case. I continued to ride poorly and only saw Tiffany for a short period of time.

While I as riding the downhill it finally dawned on me I hadn't seen Mandy yet! This was great, and I wondered if she had beat me to the finish line. It was not until the meadow part of the downhill at the hidden right hand switchback I saw Mandy. I passed her on the switchback and as I was riding I heard her call mom. I looked up, then behind me, slowed down and told her to follow me. We went along for a short time, and then I looked up and saw a red helmet at the top of the meadow. That meant only one thing Jolene was on her way down. I turned to Mandy and told her I had to go, and finished the last little part of the down and crossed the finish line. I then turned and watched as Mandy negotiated her way down the hill and crossed the finish line. Unfortunately she fell on the rocks on the final switchback and had to get cleaned up and bandaged by the paramedic, but the good news is she had fun and from what I heard did a great job with letting people pass.

I am a bit sad about this being the last Icup race of the season. It ended on a good note with me getting first at the race and first overall in my division. Mandy did great and got 3rd overall out of the girls in her division--she was a little sad she did not get recognized, but we made up for it with ice cream and the cute bracelets Dorothy sold for the Livestrong foundation. And although it is the end or Icup racing, it is not the end of riding and it leaves us with a lot to look forward to.

Coming up the road at the start.

Jolene and me riding side by side.

Good way to end the season.

Race Season Over - Maybe, Maybe Not?

I took Mandy to pre-ride The Canyons race course today. Let me preface this with I had a mild migraine when we left, was waiting for my medication to work, and was not feeling my best. When we got to the course we rode up the little paved hill, and I was very surprised to see Mandy scoot right up the hill. At the top she announced she did it in 2 and 1! Wow! I have become used to her walking hills and was very happy to see her make it up without any problems. I thought this was a good sign of how the pre-ride was going to go.

We got to the top of the hill, I zeroed out my computer and we started to ride the race. Now for those of you who have ridden the race course you know that the half lap has some descent climbing. As we started Mandy did pretty good, but it did not last for long, and soon she wanted to get off her bike and walk. It was not too steep, but Mandy was tired and it was hurting. I offered her words of encouragement, and this is where everything went wrong.

Mandy did not appreciate the encouragement or the "you can make it to the dip right up in the road". She became belligerent or may I say very independent minded and out right refused to ride. Now normally this would not be a problem, but it was 7:30 and the sun was going down and we had just started riding the course! I told her she needed to get on her bike or walk her bike, but we needed to go. She then informed me I could not make her go. Again I told her to go, and again she outright refused, but this time with some back talk involved. I don't know how it happened, but I actually remained fairly calm and told her no she had the choice to go or not to go, but there would be consequences if she did not follow my instructions. I then laid out the consequences for her choices. And to leave out a lot of detail let's just say by 1.29 miles Mandy had lost having hot cocoa at Starbuck, the allowance I owed her from the past 3 weeks and all of August's allowance. Goodness this girl is very strong willed! Luckily Mandy's strong will is also, what drives her to finish all of her mountain bike rides despite struggling towards the end of the season.

About mile 2 things started to get better for Mandy, and with that her willingness to cooperate changed. The frustration of climbing left and she was much more willing to learn how to let others pass and what to expect on the ride. Of course by this time I had decided she was not going to race Saturday. I definitely was not going to pay for someone to race when they did not like mountain biking.

Around mile 2.5 the course starts to go downhill and things got much better for Mandy. At this point she was very attentive. We went down and I had her follow me so she could match my lines and make sure she was safe on the course. We rode and I would describe what she could expect at various parts of the course, how she should ride it and the best line to take. She did great, and listened very well except for once. There is one part on the course you make a right hand turn and you are going down a bunch of rocks. I stopped Mandy and told her she needed to walk this part and then I rode down it. As I rode down she said "I thought we were walking this", and I told her she was walking it, but I was going to ride it. I stopped at the bottom and turned around to wait, and low and behold Mandy is coming down very carefully riding her bike! I can't say I was upset, because I wasn't I was actually proud to see her ride it so well. We continued down the hill to the bottom of the course, and by the time we got to the bottom Mandy had a big smile on her face and was loving the course.

I am glad she was happy by the end of the course, but I am still not convinced she should race Saturday. It took her an hour and thirty minutes to ride the course, and when we met some friends of hers that are in her division at the bottom of the course and I mentioned to their dad how long it took us to do the course, she was very embarrassed. We headed to the car, and Mandy told me how much fun she had going down hill on the course, and she wished she did not have to go up hill. Of course I explained that in order to go down she must go up. We had a good talk, Mandy apologized for her behavior and asked to please race on Saturday. We talked for quite a bit. I told her racing was supposed to be fun and if she wasn't having fun then I did not want her to race. I told her if she raced she had to race with it being okay to come in last, to have everyone pass her and possibly to lose her overall 3rd place division. At first we she wanted to race, but we went over everything again and I told her to think about it and get back to me tomorrow. So right now it may or may not be the end of the race season for Mandy.... I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

The Canyons Pre-Ride

A group of us went up to The Canyons to ride the course. There was Tiffany, Jolene, Mindy, Gayle, Sally and Dale. We also, saw Gigi, Ruth and Theresa in the parking lot, but that was the last time we saw them.

The new race course is a blast. There are some skittish areas on the half lap, but for the most part it's not so bad. I loved the full loop and the down hill was fun, fast and smooth. I don't know if I can explain it detail by detail, but there is some up, then down, then slight up and then a lot of switchbacks up and then back down. For a ride it was fun, for a race I guess I will find out Saturday.
Tiffany coming up the trail.
Jolene heading up the trail.

Gayle making around one of the switchbacks.Mindy clearing the switchback.

Sally coming down the last part of the trail.

Jackson Day 3 - Race Day!

Mandy's Race

Mandy was ready for her race. She was excited, because she had rode it the night before and liked the course and thought it was a lot of fun. Mandy got off to a good start and was doing well. When I passed her on the trail she let me know she had gotten off to a good start. That was last time I saw her. As I went through the course I saw she was staying with most of the group in her division and doing pretty well. I was pretty sure I would see her at the finish line when I got there.

When I got to the finish Mandy was not there. Of course due the Deer Valley scare I was a little worried, but soon riders from our team started coming in and letting me know where she was. When Mandy finished, she was discouraged and disheartened. She had weeds in her bike and looked like she need a good hug and a talk.

Mandy's race did not turn out how she hoped. There were a lot of people passing her and she kept having to get off her bike and then when she tried to get back on more people would come. She slipped off the trail and almost fell to her death on the cliff (those who do not know this course there are no cliffs on this trail only steep slopes)., but she didn't fall to her death and was able to get back on her bike and ride. Her feelings were hurt because everyone yelled to get by. She came in last again and was very discouraged.

My guess is most of the people were pretty polite, and just loud in passing. This is the first time Mandy has been passed by adults, and it can be very intimidating and overwhelming. I didn't think about it before the race, so I feel bad I did not prepare her for all of the people that would be passing her. We've talked and hopefully it helped. She did tell me she was done racing after this year, but then she said she wanted to race in St. George next year, so I guess we'll see. I always leave it up to her.
Mandy off to a good start.
Coming across the finish line.

My race got off to a tentative start. I had been in the bathroom a lot before the race and I was not sure if it was nerves or something I ate, but it sure seemed like something I ate. I was a little worried as my stomach was definitely not agreeing with me. Turned out Jolene was having the same problem, so I am thinking food, water or something else.

We started this race with the beginning women. I got off to the start really well, although going up the hill my legs were a little tired and not wanting to go. However my brain took over and the legs went. I stayed at the front, but could hear the group behind me. This trail makes it difficult to see who is directly behind you , so I kept going and all I could hear was the person breathing behind me. This was good, because I was breathing, but knew I could turn it up if I needed to. I kept going and it was not long before we came upon the 10-12 group of racers. Passing these racers kept us on our toes. They were good about letting us pass, but they did not quite know how to move out of the good line. I learned I can go over very tricky routes when I need to. I imagine by the time we got to them they were pretty frustrated with being passed, but they were all good sports and let us by.

After passing some of the 10-12 group we finally hit the switchbacks and I saw it was Tiffany following closely behind. This was okay for me as she was not in my division and I could settle into a good pace. We rode most of the uphill with me leading the way until just a short distance before the 10-12 turnoff when I had a slip and told her to pass. I then followed right behind her and up the first steep singletrack we went. I kept with Tiffany for the uphill until I bounced off the trail, and at the same time three riders came up right behind me and asked to pass. Of course it is okay as I am off the trail.

I continued going, following closely behind Tiffany, but she started to slow up on the hill. She asked if I wanted to go in front, and I almost did, but we hit a section of downhill, and I knew she could fly on the downhill, so instead I stayed tight on her wheel. Tiffany is good on the downhill, and I used her to draw my lines as we went down. On the final down she came out first on the road and then I came out a little bit later. There looming in front of us was the hill.

As we headed up I went by Tiffany and told her we are going to climb this hill all the way to the top. She agreed, but I could tell she was not convinced--the day before she only made it half way. Going up we passed a lot of people and kept strong to the center line. At times this was difficult as people were walking up the middle and they were not always quick or willing to move out of the center to let you pass. Luckily they eventually did and both Tiffany and I made it all the way to the top. However, the first minute of going down was tough. I actually stayed in my granny gear as I rode just trying to recover from the hill climb.

This time on the downhill I led up until we hit the 12 and under portion of the downhill and then had Tiffany pass for the remainder. As long as she was not in my division I was fine with her going ahead, especially since the down hill is her forte. We both finished and it was great having someone to trade off back and forth with and encourage each other along the way.

Getting off to a good start.

Finishing the race and happy.

After the race we had went down to Jackson to have some fun.

Time for some grub.

Happy faces now that our tummy's are full.

Mandy & Royce on the chair lift towards the Alpine Slide.

Royce going down the slide

Mandy posing in front of a huge statue.

The boy scouts collect these elk horns and sell them.

Watching the evening town square shoot out.

Time for dessert--a good way to end the day.