Let it out so it can breathe

For the last couple weeks we have enjoyed extraordinary Spring riding conditions in Payson Canyon.

The cattle still are no where to be found. The trails are nicely compacted and wicked fast. I know the canyon will soon have cattle, so get it while you can. I know I will.

Note: Order has been restored on Bennie Creek. The Yeti likes to be opened up and cut loose. I probably could have gone faster if my rear dérailleur cable had not broken mid ride.

Paso Della Nebo

Last Saturday was the "Queen Stage" of the Giro d'Italia.  I love watching and following the Giro.  The stage finishes they have are so amazing nestled inside their narrow town streets, or high snow covered mountain passes.

from Giro d'Italia iPhone App 

  

After watching 3 weeks of the Giro one can't help but get excited to get out the road bike and climb a mountain.  So I set out for the tallest mountain I could ride from home.

Of course a storm was rolling in and the temperatures were dropping.  It sure was windy up on top, but that feeling of getting to the summit felt great.  There are not too many local climbs were you can get 5000ft+ elevation gain in one climb.

The road was clear and there were only a few sections were you could see snow on the side of the road.

I didn't ride the "loop" as I really enjoy descending down the 20+ miles that I just climbed.  And of course if you ride it early you do not have a lot of horse trailers or cars to worry about while descending.  One of the perks about riding in South Utah County is there are not many automobiles to contend with like in busier areas.

Mt. Nebo

This is still one of my favorite road climbs around.

Canyon Photos

 It is getting lighter each morning.  Soon, very soon we will not even need lights.

While you were sleeping

Another beautiful morning in Payson Canyon today.  I know I have said it many times, but riding while the sun is rising sure creates some amazing scenery.

On every ride this year (OK it has only been 2 weeks) we have run into Elk and deer.  In fact, the other morning as we were flying down a meadow like the one above about 5 Elk were racing me to the trees.  It was like we were going for the "hole shot."  After quickly assessing my speed I figured they would make it across the trail just before I would get to the same point.  They passed across the trail like a bunch of NASCAR race cars 1,2,3,4,5 and then I went through.  Luckily we did not collide.

This morning just after riding through this grove of Aspen trees we rode on the pavement for a little while and right on the pavement only 15 feet away from us was a great big Golden Eagle.  It took flight and its large wings flapped in the wind as it flew away.  Seeing the Eagle was an awesome sight.  Too bad my Contour wasn't working this morning.  Seems to always be the case when something cool happens, like an Eagle, Bear, etc.

Bennie Creek DH Video

The recent rain created some of the most amazing "Hero Dirt" on the Bennie Creek trail.  You only get one or two chances at trail conditions like this in a season.  Or at least it seems that I only get one chance.

Jesse, Frank, and I were out scouting Payson Canyon after the storm.  Of course the trail could go either way with Hero Dirt, or mud.  The Schram Creek stuff was too wet, but Bennie Creek was amazing.  If you don't believe me check out this video.

It's been a long time, been a long time

October 18, 2011 was my last Bennie Creek ride.  Yes I understand with the minimal snow pack this year I am able to ride at much higher elevation than normal, but it has been a long time.

A long time to be away from your favorite downhill.  Bennie Creek is wicked fast right now.  So fast that I have been dreaming about riding it again, soon.   Oh Jones Ranch is also currently very fast, except for a downed tree and one small mud bog.  Since the leaves on the trees have not grown out yet, you can really see far while quickly descending the trail.  And best of all, no cows are in the canyon currently.

I am always amazed how after a couple months of not riding Bennie Creek I am still able to rip all the corners as if I had ridden the trail yesterday.

Bennie Creek, glad you are back.  Let's get together again soon.  Really soon.

You never know when or where....

A ride may pop up anywhere at anytime. The question is, when your ride opportunity presents itself will you be ready?

I wasn't feeling too excited to excited to get out and ride in the cold this morning. A couple of snoozes later an I had missed my window of opportunity for anything good around my house. So I went to back to sleep.

I packed the road joke today hopes g for a slim chance at a quick lunch ride. As the day progressed I realized no lunch ride would be possible. And of course I started kicking myself for not getting up earlier to ride. Most of the time for me if I don't ride early before work, a ride won't happen.

Well I got to my closing appointment and the people were in the middle of talking to their son who is serving a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic. Their son had been there for 8 months. I could see he was calling/skyping home for Mother's day and I said I could come back in an hour if that would help. They were vet thankful.

I had crossed over the Jordan River Parkway and saw a nice parking lot and trailhead. I have always seen the paved bike path and wanted to ride it but never have. I had an hour and I used every minute of it. What a wonderful bike path the city has created snaking along the Jordan River. There were lots of turns, bridges, and hardly any people. One day I would like to ride the whole thing from lake to lake.

Glad I packed the bike today.