Fifth Water Hoot

Well I found some time Wednesday evening and scooted out the house with the bike and extremely excited to ride as usual. I was armed with the geared bike since the Belltown bottom bracket is completely shot and I need to get the new one in. I chose Diamond Fork area since it is fairly close and there are more trails to ride in there. I started up Fifth water instead of the next Canyon over to change things up. I found out that it was nice for the change in scenery but there were more walk a bikes than I would have liked. I rolled bye the waterfalls and Hot Springs as many people were enjoying them and I wish I had time to hop in a cold river. It was a long climb up Fifth water, I did finally make the gate when my phone got signal and it was a message from my wife saying I need to be home at 6:30. Oh poop, I had planned for more time but that was ok, that gave me 20 minutes or so to check out new terrain above where I have ever been. Oh it was a treat, it was such a nice pitch and the trail was skinny and the scenery was great. I had to turn around once I hit the Center trail and I wanted to proceed to bad but I had a 7 mile downhill to attend to so I could be home in time. The ride down was killer, me and the bike were in harmony and it really was a ton of fun. Another absolutely stellar ride, can't wait for the next!

Provo Canyon Raw

Monday morning I got a chance to go get in a morning ride, as usual I was up by 4:55 and gathered my gear and off I went. It was even darken than last week, I could barely see the trail when I started so maybe I will be packing a light soon. I decided to try a new climbing route, the Ireland climb. Believe it or not it was even worse than the other routes. I guess I won't be looking to climb that again, it was however a spectacular view of the city lights. There are so many trails on the way up and I did not mess with my phone so I winged it. Turned out I did pretty good as I found my way to the pile of rocks. I had plans to take a trail called Taj Majal but due to confusion I missed it. I was climbing forever and finally checked where I was and I was on my way up to Little Baldy. I have been wanting to get up there since it totaled me a few weeks ago, so I chugged on up. It was a solid climb let me tell you. I spotted a trail off to the left and thought nothing of it since I was not in Dry Canyon yet. The trial started to get really ugly, very grown in, very steep, nothing that resembled a well traveled mountain bike trail. I said just keep going but I was hiking a bike now and running out of time. I know once you clear the Big Baldy Mountain things get so good but I have never had enough time. I was in Dry Canyon but had further to go but I just did not have the time and the trail was terrible. I turned around and took that unknown trail I spotted a little ago. Holy crap it got steep and loose and fun, it was a tight trail that wound down a steep mountain and then into a little chute. It was a ton of fun and I was on the Full suspension that day and I was glad I had it. It was nice to be roaring downhill for what seemed forever. I made some random turns and found myself on lament trail, the DH I smashed my face on last week, I rode it very carefully. Once I hit Dry Canyon I usually go straight but this time I went down it. It was another killer addition to more ear to ear DH. The I hit Shoreline and had a nice fast ride to the car. Loved this ride it was a beat down for sure

Diamond Fork

Over slept the alarm clock this morning but thankfully I had time, I headed up Spanish Fork Canyon to a less ridden trails. What a nice ride vs using the highway I was driving through cow country. Getting to the trailhead it was nice and cool and they got a little rain which made for some great grippy trail. I have ridden here two or three times before and was unsure if the SS was going to be a bad idea but it turned out to be perfect as it usually is. The trail was actually much easier than I remember which there is nothing wrong with that. Pretty soon the trail was littered with cow pies, fresh ones I might add, filled the air with unpleasant aromas. After caking the bike in manure I did some pavement where unfortunately you have no choice but to use it unless you have more time which I did not. Riding on a paved road in the mountains with no cars is actually a very pleasant believe it or not. Got to third water and started descending on a fun ride. I arrived at the hot springs and hopped in and was stoked to find them a good temperature unlike the last visit. I had them all to myself and soaked for a good 10 minutes and enjoy the tranquility of the stream and flowers and amount of awesome this morning was! After a good soak I enjoyed a 10 minute ride down to the car. I need to get back here before I move back North in a few weeks, I need more time to do the bigger ride.

Shoreline to Corner Canyon

Gut up at the crack of dawn again, seems to be the best way that I assure I can get a ride in, since things pop up in the afternoons and I don't want to to get poo poo'd on my parade. Again it was so dark I could hardly fine the trail, I started in a new location I never had before. Its the flight park at the end of the mountain where the shoreline trail starts along a mellow ride behind the yards of the homes. I decided to mix it up and ride as much shoreline that allowed a big loop to return eagle crest trail. The ride on shoreline was pretty straight forward, built for single speeding and built to put a smile on my face. The skies dropped a few drops of rain that built a rainbow behind me and I continued on until I needed to turn around where I could finally get my climb on. I climbed up the new Rattler trail which is pretty good as any Corner Canyon trail goes. Hopped over the Canyon Hollow and then Brock's and I was on top heading for Eagle Crest. The ride on Eagle Crest was spectacular, offered up waves of grain and views of Utah Lake. Not ready for the morning to end I had no choice but to dip down on a fun long ripping descent. Ran into other riders coming up in all the worse sections but I was able to stop and move over. It was a quick ride once I hit shoreline and had to end the ride.....

Provo Morning

Hit up the Provo Canyon again, better enjoy it while I am still here in Utah Valley. I never though I would find such a great trail network on the foothills. I got up about 4:50am so I could get to hours in and be home and go about the day. It seemed unusually dark as I got closer to the trailhead, I guess the summer day light is already losing quickly. It was just about enough light to see the trail as I began my climb, feeling pretty good I planned the standard grueling climbing route and wanted to add in a few more feet after reaching the standard. I remember why I have not been anxious to climb higher since I was hike a bike a bit on the single speed or with gears. I hit what I thought was area 51, if it was, it was very short and surprised me how quickly I hit my familiar trails. Then it was off to the Lament downhill, well I was tearing down as usual, a very steep very narrow loose trail, the wheel drifted left and hit some break and tried to make my way right, it all happened in slow motion when the tire dipped off the trail and down I went, my face smashed into the ground and I popped up wondering what happened, my nose hurt, my side face hurt. The impact was very hard and a face full of rocks had me feeling my face and shoulder to make sure if the shock was hiding the pain. I felt my nose, not broken, face, not shattered and collar bone in one piece. I was fortunate with this one, another crash of just scrapes and bruises and I am thankful. Odd this happened two rides in a row, I think I was not paying attention, my mind was drifting and not focusing. I keep forgetting I have to have skill and not just natural ability. It hurt but it was not going to end the ride. So I continued and finished and had another great ride.

Corner Canyon Bliss

A lot going on but I managed to squeeze a ride Saturday, it was for an evening ride which is my favorite time to ride and a rare time lately. I was going thru locations in my mind as I drove and found myself at Corner Canyon to try to crank out 2 hours worth, I could have easily done 3-4 hours but 2 was what I had. After riding a lot of Provo Canyon it has really whipped me into shape, Corner Canyon is a walk in the park on the Single speed. I put a loop together in my head and changed it as I went and it turned out to be one kick ass ride. I was extremely surprised to have the trails to myself, I have been there on mornings and it is a zoo! It was really relaxing and just a great ride, I look forward to more of them since I will now live a few miles from it in 4 weeks! Coming down the road and entering ghost falls I got aggressive and washed out, took some skin off my leg and arm but got up quick and kept shredding. It has been a long time since I have had a crash and I forgot that terrible stinging that takes place after ripping flesh off. I was at my 2 hour mark and really did not want to stop riding, but I gave my thanks for what time I did get. I was scheduled for a 40 mile ride that day but event unfolded and fell thru, I keep aking my lady when can I get a good 1/2 day or so to ride and I am told after we move into our house, tip then 2 hour rides be just fine!

Delicious Provo Canyon

I have been riding here a lot lately, It has been more than anywhere else, this has mostly to do with location, the situation and where you can crank out miles and good trails. I did head to Sundance but was turned around after they said the trails close at 6:30 even for uphill riders, that was lame but oh well. Luckily it was cooler in the valley so I headed to a reliable Provo Canyon and had the trails all to my self. I took the standard way up and standard way down, only making a few different turns on the far end. Solid ride for sure, I finally felt really strong riding, I have bonked a few times on my fitness but I think I am getting it back and building as we speak. I love riding at the end of the day, it really glows on those foothills. I could have rode another hour easy, but I headed home to spend a little time with my lovely wife. So we are about to go udner contract on a home in Sandy, we are ecstatic at the location and so in love with the home, needs a few things since our budget can only be so much, but I am so excited to finally set down roots and no longer pay someone else mortgage!