Let it snow...just a little

No one is more surprised by this attitude than me. Don't get me wrong, I have been loving the riding I have been able to do. Chris and I have been riding the local trails like it is early spring or late fall. Yesterday, we actually put in close to five hours. Granted we planned on four. It got dark and cold on us. And when it got dark and cold, I just took my sunglasses off and could see. Even getting dark and cold, it still was great. We did a Dry Canyon Loop then headed North to Lambert Park and back again. We were joined by Keith (for a moment) and then Josh and Matt. We were plagued by flat tires, but my two were expected as I am still waiting for rim strips to come in for my 100. And tubes...well, they suck.
But Chris got/built/adapted me a snow bike for Christmas. This is a custom Holley special.


 

He took an old frame he got from the Shop. And had the chain stays and seat stays adjusted at a local metal shop. He also had them build a disc brake mount. Then he welded it back together elongating the stays to fit the bigger rim and tires. 



He drilled out my rims so they would be lighter and increased the Q-factor to accommodate the wheels and tires again.

 

He stole drive train, shifters, brakes and levers, and cranks, etc. from my Hi-Fi. He bought a Surly fork and put everything back together again.  Now I just need to find some snow.

Vision Quest IV

I have been traveling around South East Asia giving presentations in different markets to our (Nu Skin) distributors--5 presentations in 8 days. It has been so much fun not having to hassle with glasses. I have been able to see everything I needed very clearly. And being on planes for long periods of time alternating between sleeping and watching movies has been a breeze.
I have noticed an increased sensitivity to sunlight. It has been sunny here (in SEA). I have always loved the sun and seemed somewhat impervious to bright light. Chris would often say the sun is burning his retinas and I would just be soaking it up. My retinas will likely be burning with his now. One more thing we can bond over.
I went swimming for the first time also. I grew up swimming with my eyes open in chlorinated pools and it has never really bothered me. Until now. I swam for a mere 20 minutes the other day and my eyes HATED it! Wow. That is going to take some adjustment. Luckily I don't swim that often anymore.
I go in for my one month check-up on Friday. I should find out how good my sight actually is. I am pretty excited.
And I canNOT wait to see Chris on Thursday!!!!

Things I miss...

1. Chris. I have not seen him since Monday December 5. That seems like a long, long, long time ago. We had just spent the weekend in St. George riding bikes. So much fun.
2. Riding bikes with Chris. I have hardly exercised since the 4th. I got one hour on a rickety old spin bike and 45 m. on an elliptical trainer this week. That has been the extent of my exercise. I was going to squeeze in one more spin class on Monday before I left, but opted to spend a little time that morning with Chris.
And in my absences, this came in. See below. I cannot wait for to head south to do some serious riding. 

2011 Superfly 100 Pro

3. Eating where I like to eat with Chris. While galavanting around SEA, I find myself at seafood eateries. We are talking fresh, fresh seafood. Crabs, snapper something, prawn, squid (yes squid) and I could not tell you what else. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of seafood in the slightest. I just don't like it any of it. I did also get a first and second taste of durian and mangosteen while in Singapore. I am sure I like mangosteen, but the jury is still out on durian. I like it better than fish, but can only do small doses.

Durian

Yummy Mangosteen

4. Just being home. I am a bit of a homebody. I am okay with short trips, but being gone 10 days (I am on day 6) is a long, long time. The worst part of it is also being limited in my communication. I don't have a phone that makes calls from international locations, so Chris and I have been limited to email.

I am over half way done... I can do this. 

From Funtastic to Fiasco

We spent the weekend in St. George with friends mountain biking. We invited everyone we knew who rides a bike in the dirt to join us. On Friday, we hooked up with the Olpin’s (Paul and Gayle), the Nelson’s (Tiffany and Lance), the Hodnett’s (Jen and Tim) and Dan. Dan we met at the trail head. He raced with Keith in the ICUP series and was extended the invite. As we got ready to ride Church Rocks and Prospector, it was cold. But once we got riding, it was not bad at all. The sun started to come out and warmed things up. We were able to keep a good pace. We grabbed a quick bite en route and headed to Paradise Rim. We have not ridden this section of trail for a long time. It was perfect as we just wanted a little something more before calling it a day.

The Olpin’s rented a house for a big group of us to share. It was so nice and had a hot tub which felt good post ride(s). 

View from Zen

The next day, our group was joined by Bart (Gillespie), Jeff (Higham) and friend--Chris, Keith, Richard (not to be mistaken with Keith Richards). We met up at the Zen trailhead and rode Zen, Barrel Cacti, dropped down Bear Claw, to Stucki, rode the Rim trails, Barrel Roll and then the wash back. Different individuals did different variations but that was the jist. The weather was a chilly when the wind blew, but when it was calm it was so delightful.

Most of us met up for dinner that night at Bajio and were joined by Jess, Dave Dean and Wendy. With two days of good riding in the legs we were feeling it but feeling good at the same time. 

Thanks to Paul and Gayle for the cake. I hear it was as delicious as it looked.

Birthday ride

 Then we hit Hurricane Rim, Jem, and planned on Gould. It was not to be though. Paul, Gayle, Tiffany, Chris and I headed out with Joe. Joe was at the Zen trail head cooking bacon and ended up joining Jess, Dave Dean and Wendy on their ride. We headed out and Chris got a flat on his MukLuk. He tried to patch it but it did not take. The group had separated figuring we would regroup on the trail due to pace. Chris headed back with my pump to the car to get his SF100 circling around to join us. About 15 minutes later, I pinch flatted my rear tire. Paul was riding with me and through some air in with his CO2 cartridge. It did not seal so I nursed it until we caught up with Gayle and Tiffany. I must say the trail is not nearly as fun when you are protecting a rear rim. We finally caught the two girls and I started to throw a tube in. Joe caught up and had a pump, so we used that. Another 10 minutes or so, Paul’s sidewall started leaking. He threw in a tube. By this time, I could not figure out where Chris was. Why had he not gotten to us?

Chris got to the car and had no rear brake on his 100. He still rode it up but thought he had missed us some how. So he went back to the car and called. Then there was a mix up on where we would meet back up as we were all about done with this ride. Finally, we got to the road and back to the car.

While it ended in a fiasco, it was a delightful weekend in total. Thanks to all who shared it with me. 

Paul, Keith, Richard (who did NOT get lost!)

Fast guys: Bart and Chris

The good guy: Lance

Gayle and Tiffany

Tim and Jen's wheel (she was too quick)