We met up with Keith, Jesse, and Tim on Saturday morning for a long mountain bike ride. We started at Timp Park and headed up to the altar and down Frank's and Dragon's back. We took the paved trail to Vivian Park and then headed to Sundance. We went up and down and then jumped back on the road Timp Trail parking lot. We took Jurassic Park trail to the top of the Alpine loop. We did the Ridge trail and headed back home.
The guys were dropping like flies. Okay, well Keith turned down at the top of the Alpine Loop. But both Jesse and Tim were also suffering too. On the way back while we were on the paved trail, Chris rode up next to me and said he was not doing Bonneville South. I was feeling pretty good still considering the riding we had done, but did not want to ride it by myself. So we all just headed back to the cars. It was approximately 4:40 ride time.
I found the ride just a bit ironic though. Keith, Jesse, and Tim were all on hardtail 29ers while Chris and I were both on 26 inch wheeled full suspensions. Things had come full circle.

My new bike came in...finally. Well, I have had the parts from Gary Fisher for awhile, but the frame came in while I was in IL. Chris started building it up and finished it on Monday. It's maiden voyage was Tuesday.
It was weird. I strayed from the 29er and went for a "classic" 26 inch wheeled full suspension. "Why?" seems to be the question most asked. Well, the obvious is that I have the ultimate mountain bike already--a Gary Fisher Superfly (thank you Chris). So really anything other than another Superfly is a downgrade. My options were the FS 26, Hard tail (aluminum) 29er, or FS 29er. The FS 29er seemed like overkill. I don't think I would every want to race that. The HT 29er is way too similar to what I have in the Superfly. The FS 26 was intriguing. I have not ridden a full suspension or 26 inch wheeled bike in probably 5 years. I thought it might be interesting to try. If I don't like it so much, I would sell it at the end of the year.
Well, truth be told I like it. It is different and I am still getting used to it, but I think it might be fun to have around. It is all squishy and stuff. It climbs really well too. I took it up and over Dry Canyon. I was more cautious going down the stairs, but it was fine.
I have to say though, when I raced my SS last night at Sundance I still am a fan of the big wheels. This new bike (my "mini" bike) is more like a toy.

Chris taking the "mini" bike out for a quick spin...

...making sure it shifts, stops, bounces, etc.

It is just so little and cute, the bike that is.

First, I want to say Happy Father's Day to the world's greatest Dad, mine.
Secondly, I am just tired. So I got back to Utah on Thursday evening. My plane seemed to take for-ev-er. We had to zig-zag around storms and then compete with a killer head wind, so the flight took a bit longer than it was supposed to. That was the pilots story anyway. I got there though. I spent less than 4 hours at home before we were off again. This time by car (truck) heading to California. Karl and Carson invited us to join them in racing the second 12 Hours of Temecula event that was really at Rim Nordic to avoid the heat. I can appreciate that.
We arrived early Friday morning, slept for a couple of hours and then headed to the course for a pre-ride. After the first lap, I was not so sure about the course. We did it a second time though and it was tons of fun. I was excited.
The race is scheduled from 9 to 9, but all racers must be in by 9--that is the cutoff. 9:00:01 and your lap does not count. Chris started us off doing the parade laps. This ended up being a huge cluster, but he was the first to enter the course according to the announcement I heard. Then they kept reporting some other guy was in front. So I took my time getting ready, but assumed that Chris was close behind. As I was slowly making my way to the start/finish I saw Chris get there first. I was probably only a few seconds behind him, but I felt badly.
They give out cash for the fastest male and female laps. Chris told me it was my responsibility to bring home some cash. He was the captain, so I did what I could. My first lap did not flow as I had hoped. It was not bad, but I just did not have the same groove as the second lap the day before. This Sho-Air team was there too and Heidi is ripping fast, so I pushed super hard on my second lap also. Chris was putting in screaming fast laps. This is when I realized that I was not getting the recovery time that everyone else was. Chris was jippin' me out of rest.
Jason runs these races. He is this pretty cool lil' guy. He goes over the rules before hand. One of his rules is Jason's rules are it. Essentially saying he will make the final judgement call on DQ's and what not. On three of my laps I passed him as he was either walking the course or just watching racers go by. Each time he would encourage me referring to me as "my [his] lady." I left Chris a race note between laps that said, "Jason says I am his lady. Sorry. I still love you." I thought it was pretty clever for mid-race. His response back was something about taking the bikini-clad chic at the top of the climb in my place. Equally clever.
Towards the end it was going to be close as to whether Chris would go out for our 15th lap. We could not catch the overall top team, so he told me to just finish my lap safely. My goal was not to have a lap over 60 minutes. So I took it conservatively, mostly because I was spent. I was so excited to reach the final descent. It should be smooth sailing. I came over this rocky section and then a little gully with a rock in it. That is when I heard it--spsh! I had a flat rear tire. It was big pinch flat and there was not just pumping it up. I would have to throw a tube in it. I was pretty close to the finish line. So I just started running. About half way there I ran into Chris back tracking on the course. He had decided he would try another lap, but when I did not get in with enough time he came looking. He told me I could slow down, but I wanted to be under an hour. I think I made it.
In the end we finished 3rd overall behind two three man teams. Chris and I got the cash for fastest male and femal laps respectively. Karl and Carson took first in the Duo Open category. It was another successful 12 hour race.

Wednesday took a surprising turn. It started off as I expected. We went for a bike ride and this time Jac joined us. (Yes, I realize he has committed the cardinal sin and not worn a bike helmet. I am working on it.) We essentially did the other end of the trail that we hit on Monday. There was a bit of head wind coming back. This trail is apparently much more flat than yesterdays. (More flat?)


We came back and ate lunch. Then we went to shoot some guns. Now I never pictured myself as a gun person. Yeah, I have shot stuff before. Dad took us out once or twice growing up. In college, I went with some friends and we shot stuff by the lake. I never really have given it much thought since then. And I probably would have graciously declined most invitations. This was my Dad and brother asking though and it almost seemed like a challenge. And I like challenges.

They asked me what I wanted to shoot. I had no idea. Handguns? Sure. Bigger? Sure. We started off with a 30-30 Winchester. That thing has kick. I did not really like it so much. We each got just a couple of rounds.



Then it was time for the handguns. We started off with the .45 Caliber Springfield XD. I thought I would really like this gun as Jac was showing it to me. It reminded me of Hunter and I loved that TV show growing up. I can't shoot like Hunter though.

My divots well before the target

Then we moved on to the .22 Caliber Ruger Mark III. Looking at it, I thought it was "pretty". I always imagined I would like something tougher. I really like this gun though. It was light and easy to handle--and I could hit targets. My dad said that we would leave this to me in his will. I am in no hurry, but would not mind breaking it out again.



We came back in and the guys started cleaning their guns. I watched as they ridded their firearms of dust and potential corrosion. Jac looks up at me as he is meticulously finishing and asks if I want to shoot an AK47. And my head said no. Then he and Dad launch into some tirade about how Princess' (my Mom's friend) daughter did it. Something, something she liked it; she didn't. I don't know. So again it seemed like a challenge. So the answer was yes. I thought for sure it would have power and kick like the Winchester. What was I getting myself into...

Jac brings it out. We head back behind the house and set the targets (pieces of wood on an old rusty, shot up barrel). Jac shows me how it is done. I am still apprehensive, but here it goes. I loved it. It was awesome.

Jac shooting the AK47

Yesterday, my mom and I went for another bike ride. This one was in Hebron and was a bit faster. There was one little pitch as we returned, that my Mom attacked like a pro. She did great. She has this sixth sense about knowing when the trail moves up or down. She will call it out, "up hill". I would miss it otherwise. Honestly, even when she tells me I am not sure what she is talking about 75% of the time. She can feel it though.

My mom posing at the turn around point

Kamikaze toad that just about took my Mom out

Then she took Jac and I canoeing. Jac is here too on a two week leave from the Army. It has been fun engaging him in banter. Just like the old days, but now we are old. We drove through some sprinkles into Wisconsin. We put in the Wisconsin River just outside of Clinton. I think it took us around an hour and half to reach our destination. It was really cool. I only wish the sun would have been out.

The Girls boat

Jac chillin as he gets a new bowman

My mom is pretty cute

As we approached a bridge

Lily pads

After Deer Valley, we grabbed a bite to eat and hung out in PC for a bit. Then we headed to the airport. As we descended Parley's Canyon we hit the perfect storm. I am not sure I have ever seen that much water fall from the sky since leaving the midwest. And even the storms from IL were never much worse. It was crazy. Cars pulling off to the side of the road. Big waves of water crashing on the wind shield from fellow motorists. There was even a guy on a motorcycle who pulled off. Hopefully, he made it. We could not stop; I had a plane to catch.
Today, I went for two rides. One with wings and one on wheels. Wings came first though.
My Dad got his pilot's license after he retired. He has a plane--a tomahawk. It is a lil' two seater. Flying in it is really different than a commercial plane. This felt more like we were floating than flying even though we were still traveling over 100 mph (I think he said around 90 knots.) I got to pull the plane out of the hanger manually. My Dad seemed a bit surprised when I asked if I could. I felt like I was in one of those strongest man competitions, but they just pull cars--pansies. Then the wheels hit the grass. I lost the momentum from the concrete and Dad had to help; maybe those Scandinavian guys are strong. I think he may have laughed at me. I cannot blame him though.

Pretending to be a co-pilot (I was leaving for a bike ride right after, hence the jersey)

Dad doing the preflight check

A quick touchdown in Delevan

After we got back, I went with my Mom and her friend Princess (yes, I believe that is her real name) for a bike ride. I did not bring any of my bikes, so I borrowed an old one from the family--a Murray Mtn Shadow. It was a different sort of ride. But it had two wheels and rolled, so there were no complaints. We hit this trail in Capron and rode an out and back of 11 miles (22 total I was told). It was really green. It reminded me of Germany when I rode there. It was pretty kickback, but that bike was heavy. I was also pretty hungry at times. I need to remember to bring a snack with me next time.

The trail (fuzzy, I know)

Sweet Mtn Shadow with kickstand and everything

Those shifters don't click! How do you shift? I didn't.

Deer Valley ended up much better than expected. First, there was the weather. Much like last year the weather was questionable. But based on last year, we were pretty sure the course would still be good. Driving up to Park City the skies were overcast. As we were prepping there was a slight drizzle. Just before the start though the rain intensified just a bit. I started to get nervous--was I dressed warm enough? How bad was it going to get? Then it stopped. The clouds broke up and the sun came out. In fact, I was over dressed in my knee and arm warmers. I ended up pulling the arm warmers down on my second lap.
The course was amazing. The first lap there were some slick puddles that had me nervous. But by the second lap the traffic had dissipated the standing water and a smooth trail was forming. The third lap was even better.
I was apprehensive about the Little Stick climb. I definitely felt it, but I was able to stay motivated and push each time. I made have taken it down just a notch on my third lap. The thought was to ensure I had something left for the single track climb. I did. I kept looking behind me to see if anyone was coming.

I really liked the way Ed started this race. Pro men led out, followed by 30-39 Expert Men, then the 19-29 year old boys and single speeders; we left with the Expert Men 40 plus next. This was great. I had guys in front of me as carrots or guys I was trying to stay in front of during the climbs. It was easy to let them pass when I needed to also. For me it was the perfect starting position at least on this course.

Chris had a pretty decent race too. He really suffered the first lap. He struggles with the starts. It is painful for him to start super hard and that was a necessity on this course. He seemed to feel better as he moved up through the pack.

I was able to sneak out between rain drops for a road ride. I went up Maple Canyon. It was good. Lots of water flowing from the snow melt and recent rains.

No race last weekend. This week is Deer Valley. We prerode the course with Adam and Tim. It is different than in years past starting with a really BIG climb. I will miss the single track on the way up. I really liked that section.
We have done some riding in place of the racing. It has been a bit limited due to inclement or ominous looking weather. We actually spent some time on the road in between showers. I enjoy that everyone once in a while, but I prefer the dirt.
Speaking of dirt, I decided that I have been much too lazy in my training. It seems like I am always taking it easy or not feeling good. So I have decided to push unless I am purposefully recovering. If I don't feel especially good, I am going to push for a bit to see if that helps. I did this yesterday and I had a much better experience than I had been having.
The ironic thing is that I have made this conscious decision right before taking time off. After Deer Valley, I am leaving sans bikes. I am going to go back to my home town to spend some time with family and maybe reconnect with some old friends. My Mom rides though I have never really ridden with her. She just started with a friend or two and I interpret it as being more recreational. None the less, she has promised me some time on two wheels. We will also do some canoeing too. I have not been in a canoe since Chris and I celebrated our one year anniversary by taking a camping/canoe trip at Lake Powell. I am looking forward to it. When I return it will be off to a 12 hour race. It should be lots of fun.

In light of my last post (see below), I found this photo somewhat humorous. Apparently I really do look up to Amanda.

India, Erika, Amanda, me, Roxanne