Park City Powder Cats

On Tuesday, I had the chance to go snow cat skiing. The PC powder cats operate in the Uintahs with their base on a the thousand acre ranch in between Kamas and Oakley.

Fresh snow was coming down most of the day. The days prior, the storm dumped plenty of new powder. With the avalanche danger high, and low visibility, we skiied low angle runs throughout the day. Most of the runs were through glades of aspen trees to help give some depth perception in the flat light.

I have done heli skiing in the past up in Canada. The PC powders cats were much more relaxed than my experience in Canada. In Canada we were required to keep our tracks in a close pattern with the other skiers. With cat skiing, they would tell us of the dangers to the left or right and then let us go. The heli skiing runs were much longer, and the time between runs was very short. While with the cat skiing, there was plenty of time to rest in the cat.

The service and guides were great. Lunch was awesome. At a fraction of what heli skiing costs, cat skiing is a pretty good option. Especially considering that it is so close.

A father and son from California were in our group--one boarder, one skier. These guys are accomplished sculptors. Most of the runs were at or over 10,000 ft elevation--Those two noticed the altitude. The son, Greg, is the one who meets the tree.

Park City Powder Cats from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Winter Riding Video

Winter Riding from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

January 12 - still riding

You get some strange looks from people when you tell them that you are going for a bike ride instead of going to lunch in the middle of January.

Today the lunch ride was a group of 9. We were even graced by the presence of Brad from Carbo Rocket.

Trail conditions are still excellent. It has been a while since I've put together a video. I got some good footage and will put one up in the next day or so.

The board of directors at the lunch meeting.

More Squaw

I wouldn't have ever guessed that in the middle of January, I would have in more days of biking than skiing. I'm not complaining one bit other than wondering if I'll get my money's worth out of my Sundance pass. The squaw peak / lunch meeting rides continue.

Friday, Kenny set a blistering pace up squaw peak. Ricky kept up, and I fulfilled my lanterne rouge role. The conditions of the trail had completely changed. The snow was packed down and the tires were gripping. It was practically like riding on the dirt.

Late afternoon on Saturday, I made a quick run up to the lookout again. The trail conditions continue to change--With all of the sledders, snowmobilers, and 4 wheelers, the trail is becoming a sheet of ice. Climbing is still great, but I was a bit more cautious on the descent.

Friday - Kenny & Ricky
Saturday at sunset.

Winter Training - Last Week

Monday - 45 min. Bike Trainer - 1 Point

Tuesday - 1.5 hr Mt. Bike Ride -Squaw Peak - 1 Point

Wednesday - 1.15 hr Mt. Bike Ride - Squaw Peak - 1 Point

Thursday - 45 min. Bike Trainer - 1 Point

Friday - 1 Hr. Mt Bike Ride - Squaw Peak - 1 Point

Saturday - 1 Hr. Mt. Bike Ride - Squaw Peak - 1 Point

Total for week - 6 Points + 1.5 bonus of 3 = 9 Points

Here is Coach Dan's point system.

The points start over every week. Each day is worth up to a max of 3 points Only 6 days a week count for points (you have to take at least one day a week off) Points are earned doing only aerobic activities as follows: (weight lifting is cool, but no points for it)

1 point for each:
1 hour of outdoor cycling
1 hour of hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing
45 minutes of indoor cycling (trainer or spin class)
45 minutes of cross country skiiing
30 minutes of running
30 minutes of swimming

At the end of the week if you scored at least 1 point over 4 consecutive days, total points for the week are multiplied by 1.25 (25% bonus). If at least 1 point was earned over all 6 days, total weekly points are multiplied by 1.5 (50%) bonus. No fractions of points. So if you ride for 90 minutes, you get 1 point. You have to complete the 2nd hour to get the second point. With that said, riding 3 hours every day gives you 18 points, plus the bonus puts the total max points for a week at 27.

Maiden Voyage

Another lunch meeting happened at squaw peak today with Ricky M. and Kenny. I caved into the SS 29er peer pressure and gave my new bike its maiden voyage-shown below (Superfly SS, Industry 9 hubs, Noir Cranks, Black Box BB, Juicy Ultimate Carbon Brakes). The plan was to pull the parts off this bike, use it for the Niner Air Carbon that's hopefully coming in March. After today, I may have a hard time parting ways with it. Fun bike, insanely light--especially after riding a full suspension free ride bike.

Mid Afternoon Meeting

First post of the new year.

Biking Resolutions for the new year:

1. Ride a lot.

2. Beat Rick S. (if I can't do it on the bike, then maybe a game of uno)

3. Do a race that I have never done before - in a competitive category, not just citizen group.

4. Lotoja and Leadville (assuming I get in)

We had a mid afternoon meeting today. I rode with Ricky M., Kenny, and Mike Y. up squaw peak road today. To be honest, I rode with them for a little bit. They flew up the snow packed road and I did my best to minimize the gap. I was the odd man out, as they were all on SS 29ers and I showed up with a full suspension 26". The ride down was a blast watching everyone eat it on the way down - especially Kenny.

Winter Training - Last Week

Monday - 1 Hr Bike Trainer - 1 Point

Tuesday - 1 Hr. Bike Trainer - 1 Point

Wednesday - 1 Hr. Bike Trainer - 1 Point

Thursday

Friday - 45 Min. Bike Trainer 1 Point

Saturday - 45 Min. Bike Trainer 1 Point

Total for week - 5 Points

Here is Coach Dan's point system.

The points start over every week. Each day is worth up to a max of 3 points Only 6 days a week count for points (you have to take at least one day a week off) Points are earned doing only aerobic activities as follows: (weight lifting is cool, but no points for it)

1 point for each:
1 hour of outdoor cycling
1 hour of hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing
45 minutes of indoor cycling (trainer or spin class)
45 minutes of cross country skiiing
30 minutes of running
30 minutes of swimming

At the end of the week if you scored at least 1 point over 4 consecutive days, total points for the week are multiplied by 1.25 (25% bonus). If at least 1 point was earned over all 6 days, total weekly points are multiplied by 1.5 (50%) bonus. No fractions of points. So if you ride for 90 minutes, you get 1 point. You have to complete the 2nd hour to get the second point. With that said, riding 3 hours every day gives you 18 points, plus the bonus puts the total max points for a week at 27.