That’s no Stick

It was a snake. It looked just like a stick until the Ripmo almost crushed it and it slithered for its life. My brain sees every root or fallen stick as a snake so I’ve spent a bunch of time training myself to not see snakes. When everything is a snake my poor heart can’t take the stress. Ironically, right after telling myself it wasn’t

Continue readingThat’s no Stick

Choose Wisely

Later today we’re headed to southern Utah to take my daughter to college. I couldn’t resist pausing for a photo of this fork that I’ve ridden hundreds of times. This time it made me pause to think about the choices I’ve made at the forks in my life and about the decisions ahead of her. In other news it doesn’t matter which path you choose

Continue readingChoose Wisely

Ponies

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 ride

Continue readingDam to dam and all the pretty ponies in between

Jardine Juniper with sun shining behind

Just Me

The Ripmo requested a change of scenery and it’s been a while since we’ve seen the ancient Jardine Juniper. The parking lot was empty which meant we had the mountain to ourselves. The morning chill didn’t last long. The climb, the heavy breathing and the sweat start at the parking lot. The Ripmo was feeling spry together we held a decent pace in spite of

Continue readingJust Me

Wildflowers in Green Canyon

Wander Through the Wildflowers

Green Canyon earns it’s name. Even this late in the year there are still clusters of wildflowers that brighten up the ride. The Ripmo is not amused if I stop and smell the wildflowers so we compromise and I take a quick photo here and there. It’s only 15 minutes from my house but 15 out and 15 back is 30 minutes I could be

Continue readingWander Through the Wildflowers

Farm road, Cache Valley

Running Errands. Getting Lost.

I needed to run something to Smithfield. Gas is expensive. The environment is important. Clearly the solution is to ride a bike as much as possible so I decided the best way to make my delivery would be via the Time. The errand would also take me close to Smithfield Canyon and I haven’t ridden that in forever. the skies were filled with rainless clouds.

Continue readingRunning Errands. Getting Lost.

Going full tourist

I’ve been watching the rides of a bunch of my Strava acquaintances. They are all in France riding all the amazing segments of the Tour de France – past and present. It looks amazing and it’s easy to be jealous. Someday I will follow in their footsteps and climb all the lung busted roads of the Pyrenees. Until that day comes I have to remind

Continue readingGoing full tourist

Looking out from Providence Canyon

Rain Delays and Sliced Sidewalls.

The weather showed rain so I was going to sleep in. The rain didn’t come but I woke up before 7 to cloud filled skies. I decided since the water wasn’t falling I would chance. Then as I got on my bike to head down the driveway drops fell from the sky and I slunk back to the basement to work and wait out the

Continue readingRain Delays and Sliced Sidewalls.

View of Logan Canyon from Bridger Lookoff

The Sweet Smell of Sagebrush After Rain

A late night rain provided some relief to the scorched dirt thirsty from a summer’s worth of heat and sun. I had to squish the ride between morning activities and so it was a fast out and back without a lot of stopping. Lucky for me the clouds hung around to keep my skin from broiling off. The rain left the forest wet and vaguely

Continue readingThe Sweet Smell of Sagebrush After Rain