PCPP Recon - Round Valley

Let me start out by saying that Park City has some of the most heavenly singletrack I've ever ridden. The abundance of trails and perfect temperatures makes me want to move to PC. Today was the final recon ride prior to the PCPP on Sept. 4. Dave B., Rico, Evil Banks, Derron, and I did the round valley section. We were rained on a few times, but the trails remained in great condition.

Leg 1, Part 1 - Fast Fast Fast. The gradient never gets very steep and for the most part, the trail is buffed and fast. Nothing very technical. Lots of places to pass.

Leg 1, Part 2, (I think its called Skid Row) was some more heavenly singletrack. Rarely do I give props to a climb, but this was a fun fast climb. Passing other riders through this part will be a challenge.

Leg 1 Part 3, I bailed out to get back to home responsibilities, but Rico and Dave made the climb to Silver lake. I had done this part a few weeks ago.

Leg 1 Part 4. I consider this really to be part of Leg 2. The climb up sunset and the rest of Leg 2 is where the elevation gets serious. Leg 1 - Parts 1,2,3 are fast and enjoyable--never any serious climbing.




Update - Still waiting for the Niner. This is like waiting for a kid to be born. Can I give revolution some pitocin? (They are a good bike shop--I'm just impatient.)

Bad Omen

Saturday morning, I found this guy moving slowly across my driveway. I hope this isn't a biker's version of the black cat. STAY AWAY FROM ME SNAILS!!!

Update

While the posting has been spotty, the riding hasn't.

The new bike is sitting at Revolution waiting for the BB30 Bottom Bracket so show. It is killing me. I wanted to have it in plenty of time to dial it in before the PCPP. Hopefully it is ready to go Monday or at the latest Tuesday. Do I still ride the niner in the Point 2 Point if I get it on Friday???

Tour of Utah Stage 2 Nebo

Thursday I took the kids half way up the Nephi side of the Nebo Loop to watch the Tour of Utah come up. Brandon joined in and we strategically picked some switchbacks so we could see them below and above us.

My kids love going to the race. We all were given cow bells, noise makers, powerades, stickers, etc. Plenty of swag-- All before the race even comes by. We, of course, come prepared with some street chalk and have a blast writing messages on the street.

The race was awesome. I love watching the speed of the riders and realize that I would be the first picked up by the broom wagon at the tour riders pace. The other part the I enjoy is bike watching. It's probably more like bike lust. Carbon, carbon, and more carbon.

Short video & pics of the race.

2010 Tour of Utah Stage 2 - Nebo Climb from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

100% luck

I drive a mini cooper and often have my bike(s) on top. Mini car, big bike.

Usually, I park the car outside. Today, as I was running some of the kids around, I thought I'll park in my wife's spot in the garage. As I drove in, SMACK!!!!!!!! I had forgot that my road bike was on top of the mini. Big time sinking feeling in my stomach. As I got out of the car, I saw this mark on the garage entrance.

I then saw that the bike was still on the car. I did a quick check over the bike. Handlebars-in one piece, no sign of damage. Front fork and headset--fine. I hurried and pulled the bike off the car and saw the saddle.

The nose of the saddle had just cleared the entrance of the garage. Scuffs on the saddle were the only damage. Boy, did I get lucky.

There was a bit of minor damage to the bike rack on the car. One of the q clips was bent. A rubber mallet quickly fixed that.

The first time I went by Keith's home, I immediately saw the damage in his stucco above his garage. I now have the bike tattoo on my house (not as severe as Keith's)

On a side note, I'm taking the kids to the Tour of Utah tomorrow. We'll be camped out at the start of the final climb up Nebo. I won't be dressed up in a gilly suit, beard, or dress. Just plain fans.

Strange Things

One thing about going out on the bike is you never know what you are going to see. From wildlife to awesome wrecks, it seems there is always something to see. On a ride last week, I ran into this odd landmark.

Not only had this rock been painted a lovely shade of blue, someone had actually cut a 3 foot wide path through the meadow leading up to the rock. This is the the meadow North of the Dragon's Back spine in Utah County.

Crunch time this week for the PCPP. Following the leadville results has me excited for PCPP and for hopefully getting into Leadville next year. Congrats to those who rode Leadville.

Strawberry Ridge

Another early am ride w/ Brandon this morning. The route was up cottonwood creek, up 2nd water to the strawberry ridge trail. Northward to 5th water trail, and descending down back to the diamond fork parking lot.

Climbing cottonwood creek is one of the my favorite climbs. Although it is located in Utah County, it isn't the typical straight up the hill trail. Gradual rollers lead you up to Rays Valley Road.

With the recent rain, the trails were in near perfect condition on the climb. 2nd water trail, normally a dust path this time of year, was packed and good climbing.

Brandon at the top of 2nd water hooking into Strawberry Ridge.

The descent down 5th water was awesome. There were a few sections of Mud. Brandon, one of the best descenders I know and skilled bike handler, had a few trouble corners with the mud. His front wheel slid out not once, but twice.

There are plenty of cows in the area. Brandon chased a group of ten or so down the 5th water trail.

I will be returning in the near future to do some more riding. Next time, Brandon and I are going to figure out how to incorporate the Center Trail in the loop.

After the rain

Awesome ride this am in American Fork Canyon. Brandon did a good write-up. Here are a few pics.

3 week countdown - Niner Air Carbon

Yes, the PCPP is 3 weeks away. However, that isn't what I'm referring too.

Revolution called yesterday and said they needed a few questions answered. 1. Do I still want the vana white Niner Air Carbon? 2. If I could get the Air Carbon in Tang earlier, would I want it? 3. (less important right now) What do I plan on running for the bottom bracket.

My answers

1. Yes, I still want the bike. 2. Hmmmmmmmm - Hard decision. 3. BB30

Revolution explained that I could have a tang frame in 3 weeks. The whites, because of tons of orders, would come sometime in the future.

I ran up to revolution today and checked out a medium tang that they were building up. The color was awesome in person as the stock photos were less than impressive. After seeing an actual bike, the decision was easy. I switched to the tang.

I've been picking up parts for months for my vana white niner. Now that it is tang, I'd prefer to have a black fork, but have already purchased this white one. Black 29er forks, w/ a tapered steerer, and 9mm drop outs are apparently rare and expensive. I did order one of the niner rigid carbon forks so that I can easily swap between rigid and travel.

With my luck, the niner will show up Monday after the PCPP. That's ok if it does--I'm beyond excited for it.

Mad Dog 4Life Photo Shoot

4Life, a sponsor of the Mad Dog Race Team, arranged for a photo shoot Monday night up AF Canyon. It was fun to participate. 4Life is a great company and their sponsorship is appreciated. The photographer had us riding up and down several times the famous Tyler Hamilton wipeout corner.

On the way up to Pine Hollow for the photo shoot, I passed several riders climbing the canyon who were coated in salt stains and suffering. I wondered if I showed my suffering and pain like that when I ride. These riders happened to be the tail end of the ranatad riders. Maybe next year I'll put ranatad on my list.