Alpine Loop

I rode the Alpine Loop (Provo side) this morning-- another amazing morning. There were some low clouds at the mouth of Sundance canyon. The sun was pushing through the cloud which made a pretty cool vista riding up the loop.

I had some friends who had started 25 min in front of me. It was fun to have some people to chase to try and catch.

I wanted to get some video of the downhill--especially the fall colors. I tried my new helmet cam - contour hd. Unfortunately I had it pointed down a little too much. I did get some good footage of Todd A. as a truck ran him off the road on the descent. He locked his rear tire, released, went off into the ditch on the side, and amazingly rode it out. I was amazed.

Check out this photo from a guy riding LOTOJA - what kind of bike is that?

Fall Colors

It was a perfect morning for a short ride up South Fork. The leaves are changing and it is beautiful.

It felt good to ride the bike again. When I rode LOTOJA, I hardly looked around to enjoy the beauty of the ride--I just put my head down and rode. It was nice to ride without pressure this morning and enjoy a near perfect morning ride.

I am looking forward to riding the Alpine Loop in the next couple of days. I will also be dusting off the mtn bike and ss and getting out on the trail.

LOTOJA report

I wasn't sure how this years LOTOJA would go this year--I hadn't done all the preparation that I did last year. My goal was to finish in the 10 hour range.

A quick summary

• It was warmer in Logan than last year
• I hooked on with a good group from the start and rode with them through most of the race.
• There was a headwind this year, however, the group I was with pushed through it.
• I tried to improve my feedzone times this year. I did stop but I would try to quick swap bottles, grab more gels and head right back out. Last years time was 31 min of stop time, this year was 26 min. I guess musette bags are the only way to really cut out that stop time.
• I was much slower going over the climb on Salt River, but I knew to ride within my limits.
• The tail wind coming into Afton was a pleasant surprise.
• From Afton to Alpine Junction, I was in the back of the pace line when some Skull Candy idiot riders lost a wheel, and my group that I had been riding with up to that point, continued down the road and I never saw them again. They finished 20 minutes faster than I did.
• Out of Alpine, I joined some Cat racers and worked with them all the way to the finish. I knew I would be very close to meeting my goal. I felt horrible for one of the riders who flatted with 1 mile to the finish.
• My finishing time was 10:58. I cut off over 30 min from my time last year. I'm very happy with the ride. No flats, no mechanical problems

Some closing observations

• My parents were my support crew. I appreciate them taking the time and helping me with the race. It is a long day.
• Honey Stinger Chews are awesome. I've been a fan of sport beans, but I have to say, the chews are better
• I'll be wearing pants for the next few days as I work to scrub off this ridiculous lotoja stamp on my leg
• Congrats to my neighbor Mark who finished LOTOJA this year. He hung with his friend Steve and made sure Steve finished even though it took them a long time. Mark easily could have matched my time.
• It was great to ride with the group from Pleasant View.
• I put on some new bar tape called gecko grips. I'm a fan.

Out with the old, in with the new

Time to sell a few things and replace them with some new toys.

The Old

The New

Stan's 355 white 29er rims, chris king SS disc red hubs.

Is that any way to treat your Grandmother?

BYU vs. Utah football game follow up analysis

Whether your a fan or not, and regardless of the side you have chosen, you'll enjoy this clip

My neighbor's daughter

I haven't posted much lately.  I have been mainly watching my diet, working out at the gym, and trying to deal with a tough real estate economy. 

Things were thrown into perspective today as I joined the Bishop (ecclesiastical leader of our neighborhood) at the hospital to try to console my neighbor and his family.  Life can dish out some unexpected curveballs.

Here is the article from the daily herald.

Woman in critical condition after morning accident on I-15   Daily Herald
The woman involved in a serious accident on Interstate 15 near 800 North Tuesday morning is not likely to survive, officials have reported.

Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Cameron Roden said the family of the woman is currently weighing the decision to take the victim off of life support. Roden said Amanda Clifford, 20, of Lindon, was traveling southbound on the freeway just after 8 a.m., heading to school at Utah Valley University, when she was cut off during the early morning commute. Clifford lost control of her vehicle and swerved to the right, then to the left in front of a semi-trailer. The truck hit the Clifford's Honda on the driver's door.
Clifford was the only occupant of the vehicle and was transported by helicopter to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

The freeway was closed for about 15 minutes while the chopper landed to transport the woman, and Interstate 15 remained closed down to one lane following the accident while officers conducted their investigation. The highway was closed down to the HOV lane until approximately 9 a.m., and only two lanes were open until the road was cleared around noon.

Roden said officials so far have no information on the car that cut Clifford off and are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Amanda did pass away.  Her brain swelled to where there was no blood flow to the brain.  There was nothing that the doctors and nurses could do.  

I can't imagine the emotions that the Cliffords are dealing with.  I am grateful that I can return home, hug my kids and tell them how much I love them.  

One last note, I was very impressed with two therapists at the hospital whose jobs are to interact with the family and help console and consult with them.  Their badges say social worker, but they are trained therapists.  I believe they may have one of the most difficult jobs in the world--knowing what to say someone through these tragedies is a difficult thing.