A change of View.........

A trek to the top

It seemed like a good idea to do something a little different.  Not getting a ton of road miles and spending most of my time on the dirt has made for less than effective training.  Never mind the garbage that seems to have enveloped most all of us these days.  A few of us (fam) got out early and took the seldom used Cutler trail up to Ben Lomond - a literal hike. (See my post from October 2017 as well).

The Broad Shoulders

Ben Lomond was named by early settlers in the Ogden area (Montgomerys), as it reminded them of a mountain of the same name in their homeland of Scotland.  That mountain rises above Loc Lomond, which also has an island called the Black Island.  As a result, the steep dark outcropping that is directly below our mountain to the east is called "The Black Mountain" (often referred to as "Blacks Mountain").  With the exception of the Unita range, all the mountains in Utah run virtually South-North.  That is except Ben Lomond.  "Ol' Ben" juts out and takes a stand East-West, before heading back toward Willard Peak.  As such, the "broad shoulders" can be seen far to the south as weather permits.  It is known as the original mountain featured in Paramount Pictures opening credits, as William W. Hodkinson (the founder of Paramount) was originally from Ogden.  A lot to be said, but for now, this is my home.  I've lived on both sides of this mountain my entire life.  For the past 33+ years, I have marveled at the majesty of the Rocky peak and the beauty of the Black Mountain, from my home.  

I've ridden this thing on my mountain bike and even dragged one to the top just for the money shot (again, see Oct 2017).  We encountered several bikers yesterday coming up from the recently re-opened North Ogden Divide trail head.  Apparently at least one of them ditched the bike for the last mile up to the top.

It doesn't define me, but it certainly centers me.  I love this hike/bike ride.  I highly recommend it, but do it when it is not hot, and no chance of inclement weather.  You'll be glad you did.  From the North Ogden Divide trail head, it is a pretty good walk - maybe 8 miles one way.  Cutler is not quite as long, but it is considerably steeper.  You can also dive to Willard Basin and cut it two a few, much easier miles one way.  Put it on you list anyway.

Welcome to my backyard.

Donations

Huntsman support is down this years, as you can imagine.  That said, we are still seeing some donations roll in.  Thanks to the absolutely awesome Deboer family for supporting the Porpoise this year.  Also, thanks to the "old man" that go me into this in the first place.  He and his family are back supporting the Porpoise again.  I still can't keep up with him. You guys are what makes it happen.  Obrigado!

We'll see what the next couple of weeks may bring.  Holding out hope for good things.

Not sure why, but here's one that takes us all back.

Click Here for the Bellamy Brothers

Ride HARD!

It's been a month...........

Finally, back on the road bike....

It really took a while, but I finally got the road bike back out.  I usually take an early morning ride on Independence Day, that is to say, when I don't have scheduled power outages to support.  Normally I get out around 6:00, so I can get past all the parades and community events. This year was very different.  Traffic got busy just after 08:00, so I resorted to catching the "pathway" part way back from Huntsville - that costs time and is a bit risky.  When I got back to the house, I felt almost sick from riding on an empty stomach and pushing a little harder.  Just about right.

Truth is, I was quite apprehensive about getting on the road bike again.  It's been one full month, and I just couldn't bring myself to get back on.  I've been riding the heck out of my mountain bike, and actually taking some time to enjoy all the local trails.  I don't drag my mountain bike behind a truck, I just ride straight out of the garage - and it is always good riding.  I know this area well and have been all around it most of my life. When I first moved into the area more than 33 years ago, I would ride my first mountain bike around the service roads with my yellow lab.  There were no single track trails, and people would look at my as if I were from another planet. Now there are new trails being developed regularly.  There is a constant stream of mountain bikes pouring in and out of the area.  I typically go out later in the evening when most people have already left.  Yesterday I went about mid day when it was a little warmer.  Still a spectacle; wearing the collared and long sleeve flannel shirt, old duck Carharts (and riding shorts underneath) with the old reliable wool socks.  Yep, I'm that guy.  But I'm also the guy that knows the area and the history better than most.  So when I got to the overlook yesterday, I too a little time to listen to all the bustling from the campgrounds. The fact that I (or anyone for that matter) can ride to these places is nothing to take for granted.  Sure, there are still horses and the occasional trail runner, or hiker.  Still, it is something to just take in when you can.  Lately, the escape and the chance to reflect has been good.

What's to come?

Pretty much every major race/ride has been scrubbed for the year.  Laramie cancelled a couple weeks ago, due to some State and local regulations.  It makes me wonder if LOTOJA will survive, as it only takes one municipality or State to close it down.  The Cache Grand Fondo (or Jane as we call it) is still planning on limited starts next Saturday. With the increase of Covid cases state wide, I suspect, they'll be pressured to fold as well.  There is also the inaugural Iron Lung Scheduled in a couple weeks out of Huntsville.  I suppose it is being looked at closely as well.  I suspect if either of them get the ax, everything including LOTOJA will be a write-off for the year.  Meanwhile, we have to prepare as though we are a go in September - for what its worth.

Still a job to do.............

It was good to be on the road again.

Click here for a little tribute to Glen. Great to see Randy with the boys.....

Ride HARD anyway!

Grinding in the Dirt

Doing what it takes - kind of...

The other morning I was passing over Pine View Dam a bit before 05:00 in the morning. In my last post I mentioned going fishing when I was just a pup, here at Pine View. I can still smell the wet morning dew on the sage brush and hear the Red Winged Blackbird singing across the open fields of wild flowers. I remember as we'd come up over the dam, quite often you'd see the morning star out over the eastern sky, just above Monte Cristo. If you look closely at this picture, the morning star is just at the top of the breaking light, directly over Monte - maybe over Woodruff.

Just last night I ran across some old grade school pictures. It really hit home how many season have passed and how much life has been lived. As I looked at the face of the 5 year, 6 year old and so on, I could see so much of what I have forgotten.  Those years seemed like an eternity, and now.........they just spin by. I guess its good to take inventory from time to time, but we also have to live out the day in front of us.

A lot of dirt....

The kids decided my old dirt helmet was getting a little ridiculous. The Fathers Day gift was a new dirt helmet.  Needless to say I immediately went looking for some stickers, but could only find a few - for now (how about that tank decal). Still the little kid at heart.  

The evening climbs are getting better.  I busted the free hub on my Trek a couple weeks ago and had to do an emergency rebuild.  The past few nights have been void of any other riders, but then most people don't like the grinding to get to the top.  Tonight I didn't see another person on the trail anywhere.  It was premium time on the mountain - and right out of my driveway at that. The bike still needs a little work, but I'll get to it...sometime.  I just can't bring myself to get back on my road bike, and haven't been since that particular morning.  It'll come.

For now, here is a little something from Joni.  I believe this is her reply to Neil's "Sugar Mountain".

Click here for the Circle Game

Ride HARD!

Why?

Sometimes we make things harder than they have to be...

From time to tome, I like to "noodle" on my otherwise well worn Takamine acoustic guitar.  This habit goes back decades, from the days when I'd workout in the early evening and not be able to sleep as a result. Having broken my little finger on my left hand when first learning to play guitar, I had to adapt to working around that thing constantly getting the way.  It would be many years before I could really learn to use that finger and change my hand position.  As such, I learned to play a lot of stuff.....anyway that I could.  A lot of stuff I play today, I couldn't really pull off that many years ago.

Something like '75/'76 I bought "The White Album". Being a huge Beatles fan early on, I was intrigued by so much of what they'd do and how it worked.  Having a fairly good background in music, I knew a little about theory and how things were done - in the day.  I listened to one track incessantly, trying to figure it out. Needless to say, I was convinced it was far more complicated than I could master. Later, I caught a glimpse of some sheet music, but I couldn't make it work - jacked up finger and all.  Many years later, I realized how simple it was, aside from the method.  Still it wasn't as hard as I needed to make it.  Okay, the busted finger made things hard to manage, but eventually that worked itself out and..............I quite often find myself picking through it in the quiet of the night.

The things that shape us

June 4th, 2020 will be a ride, a day I will never forget. An early morning ride up SR 39 to Causey was absolutely awesome. (the little thing in the lower left corner is a ZipLock bag I keep my phone in while riding). Not feeling particularly frisky, I was still feeling good and thought I was on the right track.  The ride was pretty straight forward and enjoyable, something I needed and truly appreciated. As I rolled up to Liberty Park nearly home, something caught my eye that just drew me in.  As my mind processed what I was seeing, I couldn't understand what I was visualizing with my eyes.  Still, as natural as anything, I ditched my bike and dropped the helmet and found myself kneeling next to a person doing chest compressions on a small lifeless body. What happened at that initial moment will haunt me forever and is extremely personal - for lack of any further discussion.  Still, I relieved the person doing compressions briefly, and he tried a couple times to provide air. As many times as I've practiced this procedure, this was almost automatic and surreal. Aside from counting compressions (which I'm sure were way to fast) I remember nothing else other than calling out to my god for.........something, anything.  As it turns out, this other person was her father, and her younger brother was standing over his sister's lifeless body as the 911 dispatcher was counting compression pulses.  I had no idea at the time, but in our little valley we all kind of know each other - in one way or the other. After medical arrived and I was no longer needed, I stood by as I heard her father call what I believe would have been her mother and told her of the desperate situation. I hung around for a few more minutes to give my name rank and serial number to the deputy before I left.  At that moment, it hit me what was happening. Needless to say, getting on my bike and "pinning" that last four miles went by fast.

A few days later, I found out what had happened, and who these people are. I go back with this extended family a long way and was probably better I didn't know who was who at the time.  Still, as I read this young person's obituary a few days later, I felt even more helpless than before. She had just graduated from High School - or whatever they did this year. Undoubtedly, there is much more to the story, but I can' help but feel what desperation must have contributed to this event. Out of respect to her and the family, I will leave it at that.

It doesn't have to be this hard

I know these are some pretty crappy times, but we will prevail.  I've had a rough time over the past 10 weeks and have found myself doubting so much.  These are the things that make us who we are - for better or worse.  Accept it. It shapes us and our views on the world around us.  Like that song that took me a life time to finally figure out, it wasn't as hard as we make it on ourselves. We still have to negotiate broken fingers and other things that get in our way, but we'll get there eventually.  So...sometimes when I'm not paying attention, I'll get the bridge or chorus wrong occasionally.  Still, I just noodle and it eventually works out.  It's hard. Sometimes it's unbearable, but hang on. There is nothing sweeter than crossing that line against all odds, even if you don't finish first. It is the human spirit to overcome that I find so compelling.  For those who cannot; just hang on a little longer.  And for those who cannot - I'm sorry I couldn't do more to make a difference.

That song

Some of my earliest memories of fishing when I was maybe four or five years old, are of hearing a Red Wing Blackbird singing in the early mornings at Pine View.  Life seemed so simple at that age.....

This ones for you kiddo.

click here - Blackbird 1968

Ride HARD!

Shoving off for another year

What to expect

No need to get into all the crap that's been going on for the past few months, but aside from that, there are a lot of things on which to get caught-up.  LOTOJA is still a go for this year, but given how fast things have been known to change, anything can happen.  Huntsman has called off , or modified several events this year.   At the moment, Huntsman Heroes is still going, but at a far diminished force.  Bummer!: That's how it's going to be.

Riding Conditions

As of this writing, the road bike hasn't seen any action.  It is still hanging in the garage from last years race.  Since then, it has been all MTB.  The image above is from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, looking back toward Allen Peak.  This is good early season riding, albeit a tad technical.  I really don't care to ride it after it gets warm, as the Rattlers tend to sun themselves across the trail.  I grew up on this mountain and know it well.  I've dispatched more than my fair share of that vermin, but I hate stumbling onto them while riding.  It's generally not good for either side.  Still, riding early in the morning tends avoid such problems.

Riding the local favorite.  You know; the one that makes me work my guts out.  The image from above is the Cole Canyon Water Fall as seen from the overlook (the top).  A week ago the trail was pretty darn dusty for this time of year.  Several small storms have made the trail ideal.  Saturday morning, the snow level dropped to about 6,000 feet - just below the look-out.  That evening the conditions were superb. 

During the warmest days of the year, I find this trail to be a great evening workout, when I don't have time to be on the road for 3+ hours. If I can catch it just after the sun drops behind Willard Peak, I can sprint (climb hard) for about an hour.  Occasionally you'll see a snake on the trail, but usually they're trying to get out of the way.  Occasionally there will be a Rattler stretched across a trail or road as well., but not often enough to worry about.  At the moment, I have to deal with the occasional horse, rider or hiker, but nothing too serious.  The fact that I can ride excellent trails right out of my garage is awesome.  I see dozens of cars and trucks dragging bikes up here to ride what is literally outside my door.  

This past winter

A lot has happened since last fall.  You'll catch more of the details as the summer progresses.  For now, there is a ton of ground to recapture.  

Brothers'...........

Last December some old friends of mine got together in town.  I had other commitments, so I couldn't make the event.  Still, they sent a few group pictures of the gang.  I'm not sure if I found the correct image, but I think it is the one shown below (they all look alike).  I talk to a couple of these guys on occasion and we compare notes.  Sometime talk about old times, but generally just get caught up on what has happened over the years.  I ran into one particular chap (he calls himself the "angry black-man"), a darn good guy.  I've known him since little league baseball.  We played football together all through school - on the line together most of the time.  We are employed (if you can call it that) by the same company.  When I ran into him the other day, he was like everyone else - a little less sure of things.  Later that day I heard a song radio that reminded me of riding the bus back from a long road game (that we won).  The radio on the bus was blaring and things had turned into a casual sing along - for lack of a better description.  As bad as things were then, we really didn't care.  We were all living in the moment.  Life was good......I mean it was great. Somewhere I have a picture of our O-line, with both tight-ends, "the angry black-man" in a leg cast and our position coach. When I think of that moment, I truly believe we all thought we could do anything.  One of these days I'll find that picture............

Maybe not all beer drinkers, but certainly hell raisers.......

Click here - Tres Hombres

Ride HARD!

More Perspective

Last leaves on Mules Ear a couple weeks ago - 2019

It snowed again this morning, but this time I think I may stay for a while.  Still pretty early to be shutting down the trails, but it will make some of them a mess - if nothing else.  We'll give it a couple days.

This past week, or so, was a hard dose of reality.  The mountain bike needed some serious cleaning and service, so I decided to take it apart and clean/lube everything.  The problem with full suspension bikes is they require a ton of love.  A minor setback or two and I had it back and operable the next afternoon.  But then, life took over.  Always something to keep me from getting out the door before it gets too dark.  Yesterday was no different, as the storm hit a few hours before I got home from a morning funeral.

A funeral.........  The things you simply don't see coming, on all fronts.  That call came last Saturday morning.  It kind of put other more trivial things into a different perspective.  Thinking back of my own memories was of a little kid that I hadn't seen in years.  Perhaps a little goofy, as we all were at that age, but certainly many years ago.  Fast forward to yesterday to hear the life sketches of that "little kid".  He was anything but little, or goofy.  He lived life they way that we all do.  You know, taking it as it comes.  What became a few decades and change, was a seriously interesting profile, one that I didn't expect.  To see those that came to honor and remember him spoke volumes of the life lived.  All about devotion, dedication and soul honest friendship. I'm sure that is only the surface, but I suspect it ran deep as well.  Another lesson about taking nothing at what appears to be face value.

There is a lot to this life, isn't there?  .........I need a long and hard ride.

Here's to those that knew him as "Fish".  Awesome doesn't fit.  You guys simply kick a$$!

"Sweet Baby James" '71

Ride HARD!

Riding the Route of the Hiawatha Trail - Call it a review/recommendation

Something a little different, but worth the time

I'd heard about this rail grade in Idaho, somewhere up toward Coeur d'alene, that had a bunch of tunnels and trussel.  We got looking at it late in the season last year, but couldn't quite pull it off before they closed for the season.  I should know better than to put any ideas in the head of my better half, as it will happen before I know it.  Turns out, the trail is absolutely spectacular.  It's really not much of a bike ride, as it is only 15 miles from one end to the other, but what a fantastic experience.

East Portal - St. Paul Pass tunnel, starting point of the "Route of the Hiawatha Trail"

The ride itself is pretty gentle. Where it is a former rail grade, it generally stays under 2%, with only a couple places pushing toward 4%.  Most of the road is well kept, albeit a tad rough with the small rock that make up most of the surface.  There is nothing, and I mean nothing technical about this ride.  You'll see everything from gravel bikes, to mountain bikes, to basic garage bikes.  A lot of families with either tag-alongs, or trailers for little kids.  I'd say about 75% - 80% of the people that do this ride, do it from the top to the bottom only - taking a shuttle back to the west portal at St. Paul pass..  They ride it kind of like an amusement park ride.  Doing this misses most of what there is to take in.

Right from the very beginning, the tunnel at St. Paul pass (west portal shown above), sets the tone for what will be a very cool (literally and figuratively) experience.  This tunnel is by far the longest at 1.66 miles.  It is dark - absolute darkness.  It is also wet and rather cool.  Throughout the tunnel there are many water "sources" pouring all around.  If you look closely at the stream on the right-hand side above, you'll see about half of the water that drains from the tunnel - about 1,500 gallons per minute.  Long finger gloves, light rain-gear and a very good light are a good idea.  I would suggest at least 5000 lumens.  It is something to experience by itself.

The remaining tunnels are not nearly as long at St. Paul pass, but you'll still need lights.  I would recommend a head mounted light, rather than a bike mounted device.  There are numerous artifacts to see in these tunnels, including the story board kiosk in St. Paul that will be hard to examine without a head mounted light.

Distant Trussel from Trussel above.

The trussels themselves are pretty cool.  As you pass from one, toward, or away from the others, you will see other trussels a fair distance away, illustrating how far you have to ride in the elevation relief.  Looking at the construction, given the era in which they were constructed, that by itself is amazing.

The view along along this ride is absolutely beautiful.  Simply riding straight down to the shuttle pick-up is a shame.  Once you start looking around, you'll find yourself stopping every five minutes for a picture, or simply to take in the beauty around you.

The ride in between trussels and tunnels, is beautiful as well.  All along this trail there are numerous story board kiosks that provide a lot of interesting information.  If you take the time look, you'll also notice many artifacts not included in any of the "official" stuff.  It is well worth the time to simply just take in all that surrounds you along this trail.

End of the trail at the shuttle pick-up

 I recommend this tail to pretty much anyone that enjoys the outdoors and can appreciate history. This is not a bike ride, but a trail tour on a bike.  Don't do it for the bike ride alone.  It's not a bike ride.  I think most people miss most of the fascinating details that adorn this trail, by just riding down to the shuttle pick-up.  I recommend riding down to the shuttle pick-up, having a little something to eat and then taking the rest of the day getting back to the beginning.  If you save all the stopping for the ride back, you'll do so often enough you won't get tired.  Although it is up hill, it is pretty gentle and hardly noticeable.  Given that you are stopping pretty much every five minutes, it will take you several hours to get back.  If you are physically incapable of riding back to the top, take all the time to get to the bottom while taking in all the details.  Be aware, the wait for the shuttle certain times of the year can be lengthy.  Add to that, the ride back to the St. Paul pass tunnel can be 45 -55 minutes on a modified school bus - albeit in absolute stunning scenery.  You'll still have to ride the 1.66 mile tunnel back to the beginning.

Front desk at the Ryan Hotel, Wallace, Idaho

The beginning of the trail is in Montana.  Although you can purchase trail tickets at several locations, the trail "HQ" is at Lookout Pass Montana - directly on the Montana/Idaho boarder.  The nearest serviceable town is Wallace, Idaho.  A pretty cool little place, but somewhat limited in accommodations.  There is a little hotel called the Ryan.  It is very rustic, but extremely clean and comfortable.  It is literally right out of the late 1930's, early 1940's.  I also recommend this location as part of the experience.  Please visit the Ryan and tell Donna the Porpoise sent you that way.  You will not be disappointed.
Click here for the Ryan Website

So..........this is a little different, but I'd invite everyone to try this little experience.  Regardless of your ability. there is a way to make it happen.  If you haven't ridden a bike for a while, take a little time to re-familiarize yourself with that experience.  Dress in light layers and know your gear.  Carry enough water, as I'm sure there are times it may get warm up there.  Carry some snacks if not a simple lunch.  They do have hot dogs at the bottom of the trail, but everything is cash only.  You can also purchase some trail snacks and drinks at the bottom.  There are a couple limited water sources along the way, but don't depend on those for your needs.  Bike rentals are kind of sketchy.  I'd make sure you know what kind of bikes you will be getting with a rental (better yet, take your own bike).  The trail marshals were pretty much non-existent during our visit (second to last day of the season).  Be prepared.  You're not in the back country - completely isolated, but don't ruin the experience by having mechanical problems.  Good head lamps are a must.  You can purchase darn good LED, high-power devices on Amazon for under $30 USD.  Good to have anyway.  Most of all; start early and take your time.  Take all day if possible.  It is very relaxed and can be a great retreat from life.  The trail opens at 08:30 and closes at 17:30.  Keep in mind, that part of Idaho is in the Pacific Time Zone, while Montana is in the Mountain Time Zone.  Trail times are all Montana, even though most of the trail is in Idaho (the entrance is in Montana).  It is a long drive to get there, unless you live in Butte, but who lives in Butte?  It is directly off of I-90, about 90 minutes west of Missoula, Montana.

Do it right, and I promise you'll be glad you took the time.

Stick around.  Plenty of dirt riding to be had.

Okay, so the 70's had it's strange moments. Click here for a little Slade - Run Runaway

Ride HARD!