Blacksmith Fork canyon is both beautiful and deceiving. It is generally uphill. However, I frequently find myself flying up, my music clear and the hum of the tires against asphalt pronounced. Those are the signs that I am not Superman. Rather, a tailwind is carrying me deeper into the belly of the beast. Turn around and the breath of the dragon will consume your heart, soul and motivation as you pedal with all your might to escape the jaws of the demon.
This is one of the most popular rod bike rides in Cache Valley. It starts near the city of Hyrum and ends 14 miles later at Hardware Ranch. The canyon is typically a few degrees cooler than the valley and so this is an especially popular ride in the summer.
- Drafting my shadow
Sure riding in a group makes you go faster and there are definitely days I miss the hum of tires and chains particular to riding in a peloton. A solo ride gives you a moment (or a couple of hours) to meditate. I do haunt the same roads over and over. There’s a reason – no cars and beautiful country side or tree filled canyons. - Dam to dam and all the pretty ponies in between
According a calendar my wife has yesterday was ride the wind day. That must mean today was fight the wind day. I and my legs prefer ride the wind day. We were severely punished for missing it. Nothing is more disheartening than pushing 300 watts and going 10 MPH. Instead, we gave up and pushed 150 watts and went 9MPH. The ponies made The rideContinue readingDam to dam and all the pretty ponies in between
- Legs are like no, nope, no way
Not a terrible ride. Even though I slept in it wasn’t too hot which was a miracle given the heat wave that is cooking most of the Northern Hemisphere. I had one of those days were breaking 20mph was a grind and my legs felt like giant lead rods. The bruise from a recent mountain bike incident on my left leg still hurts on occasion. - Wake Surfing
Took a meditative, recovery ride out to Paradise on the Time. On the way back a huge truck pulling a wake boat passed me. Turns out it’s super fast to draft behind a wake boat. I had been pushing a few hundred watts to get 22mph against a breeze. Behind the boat it was 24 to 30mph while barely pedaling. I need to hire these - It’s Like Paradise
Had serious leg crams last night as my quads and hamstring got revenge for what I put them through on the MTB. Today we compromised and took a recovery ride to Paradise. The sun shone, the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees and there was but a gentile breeze. It’s hard to pick better road bike days. If it wasn’t for meetings and complaining legs - Remembering that I own a road bike
I love the mountains and I spent a lot of time there. Cache Valley has some pretty amazing roads. After neglecting my road bike for quite a while I decided it was time to go out for some asphalt meditation. The weather was spectacular. The ride was perfect. The ride – Paradise The bike – Time VRS Fluidity - Wind, Sun and the Hum of Asphalt
Right at lunch the sun shone bright, the air was mostly still and for the first time this year I found myself haunting the country and canyon roads of Cache County. There’s something significant about the first ride after a long winter. Sure, I’ve been out in the snow on the fat bike and I love snow biking. Though I’ve been blessed with many first - Seeking Solitude
This is a crank rant. Read at your own peril. <crank> Some days I hate people. Not anyone person, just all people. The thought of interacting with another human is exhausting. I don’t want to listen to anyone’s demands. I don’t want a to do list. I don’t really care to hear anymore about why I’m not the perfect or even decent human in your - What a Place!
Praying as I pedal that this not be the path on which I pass I am particular about picking a path vacant of the petroleum powered population conveyors that power people from point to point out here in Paradise. I pass ponies and pastures. A phone call, Shimano will warranty my cassette but the parts cannot arrive by parcel until July is past and August - Recovering From Old Age
I usually wake up to the first rays of the morning sun breaking over the mountains to the East. It’s a pleasant way to start the day. This morning I was awoken by a burning sensation under my right shoulder blade and a numb hand. Mountain biking, body is fine. Paddleboarding I’m fine. Apparently sleeping through the night is my biggest physical challenge. I took