Porcupine Dame is located at the south end of Cache Valley. The asphalt ends right below the dam. I’ve ridden up the gravel on my road bike but it sucks. I use this as a 44 mile daily training ride. It’s a good one to do before work as it can typically be done in just a little over two hours.
The Ride
- A thousand rain drop tattoos erased by the sting of piercing rays of sun
Dark cloud provided welcome relief from the heat and a bit of an early morning soak. Not to worry, when the clouds broke and the sun emerged any water on my skin or jersey quickly boiled off. There’s a deer in the last photo. The ride – Porcupine Dam, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity - Another dam Monday
I chose a different route to Hyrum hoping to avoid the chip seal only to find that route chip sealed as well. On the way to Paradise the road was clear but there were trucks full of gravel standing by which was an indication of the horror to come. My return trip was dammed by hot tar and and road crews preparing to turn asphalt - Chip Seal. Ruinous Curse From Satan.
My connection between Nibley and Hyrum has been totally ruined by the road ruiners who dump tar and loose rock all over the road in the name of “maintenance”. What we get are crappy gravel roads that shatter windshields, chip paint and ruin otherwise perfect bike rides. May the shame of these terrible practices haunt all those who continued this cursed disgrace while they rot - Dam week ride
Some days neither heart nor lungs feel like contributing much to the ride. I gave up on any chance at speed and performance early on and instead let my mind wander and observe the stunning beauty of Cache Valley mornings. The ride – Porcupine Dam, Utah The bike – TIME VRS Fluidity - Awakening from Hibernation
First ride outside this year. The wind attempted to thwart my efforts but the sunshine helped me to over come. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity - It’s been to dam long
With the Ripmo demanding more of my time I’ve ignored the path to Porcupine Dam. This morning the pull to return to the south end of the valley was strong. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity - In search of horse power (since I have none)
When legs, heart and lungs are all in sync and the bike perfectly tuned, the euphoric hum of the road leaves you with a sensation of flying over the asphalt. I like those days. Today was not one of them. Every, “shut up legs,” was met with an equally powerful, not family friendly response from my quads. I gave up on pushing at all andContinue readingIn search of horse power (since I have none)
- Running out the meter
Sometimes it is about the numbers. I was so close to 50 miles as I got closer to home that I couldn’t help but throw on a few miles. The problem is that all the roads are torn up or covered in mud because they were recently torn up. After dodging the junk I scored an extra mile and crossed the 50 barrier. Then I - Smells like raspberries
Passing through Hyrum, Utah the air is frequently thick with unpleasant smells as it is the home of a large slaughter house. Proceed south from Hyrum to Paradise and the air changes to cut hay. Keep on going and make the climb up raspberry hill to where Weeks raises their crop of the luscious little berry and you can’t gulp in the air fast enough. - Finding myself at road ends
Road to the end of 6 roads this morning (or at least where the asphalt turned to gravel). It makes a cool pattern on Strava. I would like to have ridden to the of Blacksmith Fork but time always runs out. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity - Go forth and have no fear
It’s a Utah holiday – Pioneer Day – so everyone was on the road. I like seeing other bikes. It feels less lonely. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity - Crushing grasshoppers, dodging ducks
I couldn’t go fast so I tried to go a bit further. The ride – Porcupine Dam The bike – Time VRS Fluidity