Last year Trappers Loop was under construction for the entire season. The only time I saw East Canyon was when I dragged the bike to Mountain Green and rode Big Mountain. East Canyon from home is about 100 miles round trip with that pesky climb stuck right in the middle. Okay, not really the middle, but it still gets in the way. The climb out of Ogden Valley is still taking too long, but not stressing. Knowing I have several hours ahead, plus the return climb, I've learned not to "blow-up" early on. Being mid-week, I still did run across a couple other riders - and boy were they fast. No way I was going to hook on to that, Of course, they were doing the quick sprint up to the dam and back, where as I was on an all day, rolling picnic. Still, I need to get used to "hooking onto" other riders. That is key to a good LOTOJA showing - if I can even get there.
Riding alone gets old pretty fast. Getting caught in the wind, while alone is a real problem. For whatever reason, there has been a ton of wind this year - if you can measure wind as a mass. Still, the miles drag on forever, especially when suffering. You hear every little creek and tick of the bike, the annoying sound of my tongue dragging in the dirt, and of course the flood of random things that go through my mind. Still, this is where I can sort out some pretty technical issues, without having my calculator and reference books. I'd really rather have someone to talk to, or simply ride with. It is hard to get motivated when going it alone. Add to this, the changes in Huntsman and the all associated crap, and it has become a lonely effort.
Heat coming on is making it hard to get safe and quality rides on a regular basis. Pretty typical, but it means I have to do short end substitutes; hill intervals and sprint intervals. The mountain bike is also good, but the trails can get busy enough prohibiting good, hard continuous rides. I need to start logging regular long rides every week, with the regular treks to Woodruff right soon. Those days are long - I mean really long. That's what it takes..........
The holiday this week means no long ride on Wednesday. I'll have to play it by ear and make the most of things.
Walk a thin line - Click here
Ride HARD!
