Shoreline To Dry Creek To Bobsled

Visited an old friend today, the good old shoreline to bobsled route. I knew I had to return the bike tonight, so I knew I had to make this one my very last ride here in Utah. I managed to get in six rides which I have been extremely happy about! The shoreline section I was about to ride I have had a lot of good memories on, being on of the first trails I rode after I moved out west, also I have been pedaling there with my wife LuAnn. I could not help to think of her while I was riding and how thankful I am to have such a great woman in my life. The ride started at 6:15 which was going to be a great time, since the day was pretty hot, that time was going to allow me to get some shade and sun going down for a great ride. I began at the zoo trailhead and quickly began climbing the first stiff climb and felt immediately my heart go into a frenzy. I went to take drink since my throat was extremely dry and to my disappointment........no water. I sat the bag down on the bite valve which somehow manages to be the case 50% of the the time. Frustrated but dedicated I continued uphill in an effort not to think about having no water for the next 13 miles. Soon the trail leveled out and now I was quickly making my way along the old Bonneville Lake shoreline. The Bonneville lake was a prehistoric pluvial lake that covered most of the North American Great Basin. To most it would just seem like normal trail but there is a lot of history and geology under my tires. I was making my way north, cranking up the wide buff trails filled with dogs and walkers. I was rolling by the Red Butte Gardens and got to hear some good music at it is a concert venue just above the University of Utah. By now I was cranking my way back uphill behind the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where I usually can't help be grateful I am healthy and alive and it also makes me sad the people in there are fighting for their lives. It is always an eye opener when I ride through there. On to Dry Creek where I begin a hefty 1400 ft climb through a shaded canyon. As I entered there was a lot of water on the trail. More than I have seen in the last 5 years which surprised me. After a mile the water and puddles disappeared, and I was climbing my way up through a canyon I have before probably 50 times. I made the hairpin and began climbing steeply up the traverse and began to near the end of the 2nd to last climb. I turned the canyon and there was Salt Lake City in it's full glory. This was always my favorite part when the trail skirts the mountains 1,000ft above the city. Your so close to the beating heart of Utah but yet you have serenity up on the hills looking down. The trails dipped and twisted along the mountainside and was truly breathtaking. Soon olympic hill came and I conquered that mother. Soon it was a short ride to Bobsled which I took a minute at the top of and caught my breath for this awesome downhill. For those of you that have never heard of this trail, it is as it is called, walled like a bobsled track. Lots of jumps and features along the way to please all riders. I made it down safely, and made my way back through the neighborhood and then back to the trail and then traced my steps back. Incredible ride and can't wait until I get to visit again. Off to MOAB!
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Shoreline

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More Corner Canyon

So it just so happens that I friended the Dr. that repaired my tooth on monday, he is a huge mountain bike lover just like me, he gave me his cell number and sure enough this morning we went for a ride. It was another early bird 6:30 start which meant a 5:00am wake up for me. We were all set to meet at 6:30 and ride some new trails I have not yet been on in corner canyon. We began uphill and my legs felt ok, but had a deep pressure feeling in my thighs and were refusing to work at full power, so luckily I was able to hang somewhat with my new friend Jamie. He had a really great bike that I couldn't help but admire being a black sheep bike. We climbed up canyon hollow which I have never used as an uphill route and it's too bad I hadn't cause it was great, it reminded me a bit of clarks but more distance and less steep. Soon arrived at the top and to my surprise I counted 8 other mountain bikers, this place never use to be this popular but that's not a big deal. We were set to ride the RUSH trail and this is a trail my friend Jamie who is on the trail committee, put a lot of effort into building and making sure it was done properly. It was fun, lots of berms, fun high speed table tops and lips everywhere, was really fun chasing him down the trail. Soon we began climbing again to get to the top for yet another good thrill. This time Ghost Falls was on the radar and he gave me the front and I tore down hill. I love Ghost Falls and I think it remains as my favorite downhill option in corner canyon still so you know I had a great time. Made our way down the canyon and to the car where we parted ways and had yet another great morning on the trail! Phone everytrail went haywire so I didn't get accurate tracking for the first time.....no biggy

Wasatch Crest Spectacular

There is so much to say about this incredible trail, it is the icon of scenic big mountain rides. I have ridden this trail in many directions and linked different ways but the shuttle up to guardsmans pass and crest to millcreek canyon is usually the way to go. After a run in with an endodontist for some pain I have been having on a 15yr old root canal, I was sent into surgery and sliced up. I was given the ok by my Dr. who is a mountain biking fella as well, that I should be ok to perform my ride which was 90 minutes after they cut drilled and stitched me up. I questioned my sanity as my dedication to ride was so great. For this ride I somehow managed to pull together three of my good friends to spend a great evening on the trail. We parked our shuttle car down at base of Mill Creek Canyon in salt lake which "shed a tear" a year ago I use to live. We then had to shuttle two cars up Big Cottonwood Canyon since no one could take four bikes and four dudes. We climbed up to the parking location and got to climbing, it was about 6:00 when we started riding so we were in for a real treat with the sun going down as the mountainswould show their full majestic forms that they are. Now I forgot my camera this trip "DOH" so the iphone camera was going to have to do the trick. We climbed and climbed a steep hill which just so happens to be called "puke hill" It managed to conquer a few of us but I kept climbing in hopes to reach the top without setting foot to the ground. I made it 95% up when I lost traction and set a foot down.....10 seconds later in the same spot I continued to complete the climb which I decided to say counted since I only took a breather and started in same spot :) We all then took a rest because we just covered 1400Ft in 1.4 miles! We then set off on some double track which lead to single track diving up and down the ridge line of pinecone ridge of Park City Mountain Resort. The views were spectacular as I looked at silver lake and Brighton and famous Wolverine Cirque and all the great views. To distract me from my views were little pockets of alpine trees which are my favorite part. We were riding great and everyone was having a good time. Everybody even made it safely down the spine and soon we were at the top of what was going to be a 4900 foot descent into millcreek canyon. We all held our own and worked our fingers until they cramped after holding them for our 30 minute of amazing dowhnill. It dropped us off onto the upper millcreek which we still had another couple thousand feet of downhill pavement which was really fun with all four of us chasing one another down at high speeds. Soon we were at the cars where my great day came to an end. As the sun went down and I sat with the bikes I could not be more thankful about my amazing day. Today I am going to take a break from pedaling since I have been pretty selfish and need to spend time with my wife and less with my bike :) CT legs and lungs are still good to ride today though.