SR39 MP 40 - out-bound, looking back at the Mt. Ogden range in the center, Weber Canyon at its left and Ogden Canyon at it right.
Took a Beating Today....
A later than usual start had me going up SR39 with it already getting warm. What a contrast from last Wednesday. Of course, more construction made things less than ideal. Somewhere around MP 30, I encountered a single-lane condition, flagger and pilot truck. Both lanes had recently been chip-sealed, making for a lot of rolling resistance. With only dump truck traffic, the pilot truck sent me on my own, telling me to stay far left and watch for heavy equipment. I had no idea how far up the road I needed to go before finding the other flagger, so I bolted on a 5% grade, rough road and no idea how long this effort would last. I'm guessing it was close to two miles to the other flagger - all the while dogging trucks and equipment. The pilot truck caught me just before I got to the other flagger. Man, was I cooked! Still on rough roads, I stayed in the big-ring (mashing pedals), as far as I could - which was a mistake. I'm too hard-headed and should have dropped into a the smaller ring to spin much earlier. Instead, at MP 36, I was suffering - without any good reason. By MP 37, I knew there wasn't enough in the tank to go over the top. At MP 40 (just past Marriott's) I decided to make it a picture day - and a gorgeous day for pictures it was. This gave me an excuse to stop - a lot. Up on top, I had stopped to get a picture of the Mt McKinnon turn-off and caught a badger trying to sneak across the road. I moved up closer to get a picture, but he was too wily and ducked back into the grass before I could get the image. My past experience with seeing badgers has always been good luck when it comes to riding. Lets hope this one pans-out, as I'll take all the luck I can get - after today.
The Mullet Set-Up
After burning up a perfectly good Bontragger R3 (tire) last week, I switched to my DT Swiss wheelset with a newer set of R3s for the Cache Valley Ride this past Saturday. I generally don't do training rides with this wheelset, unless it is something I need a good benchmark from. So.....last night I sorted through my tires (and there are a lot of them) and ran across an older, but really good Bontragger Race-Lite hardcase 700-23. I used to ride the guts out of those things - they are nearly bullet proof. Knowing the conditions on SR39, it seemed like a good choice. The size is a little different than the front tire. Like 700-25 on front to 700-23 on back. I've heard of guys dong this -especially on mountain bikes. On a larger scale, some guys do it with a 29er upfront and either a 27.5, or 750b (the same thing) on back. Thus, big wheel on front, little wheel on back. That was the difference of loosing perhaps 1/2 tooth gear equivalent, which should have kept me in my big ring longer (wrong!). I can say the descent was much smoother. Cornering at 44 MPH was very easy - enough that I may try it again later this week. We'll have to see what conditions look like Wednesday and/or Thursday.
Mt McKinnon turn-off. Standing at 9,036 foot elevation - according to the Garmin.
The Tale of Two Supporters
The "Fixie"
One of the supporters sent me a message, telling me of his personal (and I mean very personal) experience with the Big-C. A success story to warm the heart - he truly helped make a difference. This guy is a STUD, as in the real deal. He rides a bike called a "fixie", as not does it have only one gear, it also does not freewheel. As such, the crank-arms move at the same relative speed as the the rear-wheel. And for brakes - you use your legs to hold the pedals back. This is no small feat and takes remarkable strength and skill. Anyone that rides a fixie is in a league completely of a unique breed. And a great person is he. Thanks for jumping in and "swimming with the Porpoise". I am honored to have made your association and earned your friendship.
Early morning at Pine View - looking back toward the Hinkley Ranch.
The Early Moring Beam-of-Sun
Not many years ago, I used to make occasional early rides to Snow Basin, before having to go "crush rocks" at the old day-job. On several of the those in-bound returns, I would run across a former fellow workmate and his awesome wife - while walking their little dog. Generally it would be around the same stretch of the paved path, northside of the lake, or just east of Gertson Bay. It was always a pleasant stop - taking time to catch up on a few stories. A few years back, my friend was blind-sided by the Big-C. I wrote about it somewhere back then, but I'd have to go looking. One of the last times I was blessed to speak with him, I caught a glimpse of him puttering around his yard with his wife at his side. Never to miss that opportunity, I spun back around and rolled into to have a quick chat. To know his as we all did, was just absolutely heart breaking. Here was a man I had known as a machine, impervious to the elements that may have slowed others. The go-to guy, that made things happen. The guy that could and did withstand a lot in his life. But as much of a rock as he was, the battles were taking their toll. I made sure to pass the word to some of the other guys, as it was clear, he could use the support. As too often happens, that war eventually took our friend. It seems it was sometime the next year I ran across his wife walking the dog one morning. A true ray of sun on even the cloudiest mornings. In her truest character, when asked, she came to the aid of our friends at Huntsman, through the "Porpoise". Talk about swinging for the fence; she knocked it out of the park! I'm blessed to have earned your friendship as well.
These are but only a couple of the stories - in a much abbreviated format, making things happen for others. The "Porpoise" has never been about an individual, but it is truly about individuals strengths and muster, toward a much larger effort. It takes all of us at times, but inspiration and leadership is somewhat organic, as demonstrated with these two remarkable individuals. It happens in the most unexpected of places. We should all aspire to be as much.
Thank you both so much for leading the way at the drop of a simple text message. You are truly heroes and shall be blessed beyond measure for being such.
Maybe I should reconsider the entire "Ride HARD" thing
After today, I sure don't feel like I'm living up to the credo of nearly every Porpoise blogpost. When I see the selfless efforts of the supporters, I feel as though I'm only words. Maybe I'm only a paper tiger after all.
Here's one for Colin (Zeke). You will never rust.........
Ride....Like you mean it HARD!
