Star gazing

Not really what you think. This weekend the USA national Xterra off-road triathlon championships were held at Snowbasin ski resort in Ogden. About an hour for us, just to the north. This is where the 2002 Olympic Downhill course was. Still haven't skied there yet in 9 years... but I digress. Anyway we went up because some guy by the name of LANCE was racing. Funny, how that goes, when he shows up so do the crowds. It was estimated and extra 3000 people were there. So, what does a 7x Tour de France winner expect when he races against the top Xterra athletes in the world? Well, I guess he is not really intimidated!!

Lance on the last downhill

Apparently he was out of the swim in the first pack, then finished the bike in 4th overall, and actually ran 10k and only lost one place!! The man can run too!! I would say a pretty impressive finish, considering he is not really known for running anymore. Yeah, I know he used to be a triathlete before the bike thing. But come-on, that was like 20+ years ago. How many of you can say you are as fast now as you were 20 years ago! A good show!! He was beat (soundly) by a Frenchman (ironic huh!) Nico Lebrun, who just flew over the run course, from 3rd to first. Followed by a South African (Dan Hugo), then an American (Josiah Middaugh), then "the Caveman", Conrad Stolz. Too bad Lance is not admitting to racing in the World Chaampionships in Maui, though the rumor is he has scouted the course, from his home in Maui. We'll see.

Not only can he ride uphill.. he runs too!

Nico Lebrun.. The WINNER!!

Be nice to have the tire actually ON the rim!!

Sun Valley

Finally.. the last post of our trips for the summer. Amazing that we actually went to all these places in the summer. Funny, what you can do when there are no real training objectives for the year. I digress...

We talked to our friends LeeAnn and Jordan who are experts on the Ketchum/ Stanley area about going for the long labor day weekend. They arranged a condo and we all went to Ketchum for the weekend. Also we met some new friends, Greg and Kristen, that added to the enjoyment of the weekend. Was a great weekend of shared fun, rides, food and socialization.

On Saturday we rode to the east portion of the valley, up to a high cabin built for backcountry skiers in the early days, that is still used today. Wow, what a beautiful place. High up in the mountains, below the peaks of open bowls. This place must be just crazy in the winter. Anyway, a good ride up, though a few thought it was too steep and rocky. Nevertheless, a great place. The descent left a little to be desiered. Was actually a hiking trail, that allowed bikes, but was very narrow, steep and overgrown. Lots of on/off the bike and bushwacking. We made it down to the road and all but Jordan decided we would ride the road home, rather than climb back up over the ridge to get back.

On Sunday, there was a division of desired activities. Karen and LeeAnn went for a run/ride at the resort. Greg and Kristen went for a more mellow ride and the fish/ shopping trip. Jordan and I went for the gusto and rode up Red Warrior to Mars Ridge. The first section up Red Warrior is an absolutely pleasant ride up toward the top of the ridge. All but the last 2 miles are easy well graded climbing. you do need to cross the creek something like 20 times, including at the trail head where you need to wade thru thigh high (labor day level) very cold water. In a 20' crossing my feet where numb. Anyway after some hike-a-bike to the top of Mars Ridge (looks like a lunar scape) we had a great 360 view of the mountain ranges to the north, east, west. Wow. A great descent, a close encounter with a badger, and a little ride on the bike trail and we were back home.

Monday brought a nice relaxed ride for 2 hours with Greg and Kristen just north of the city. A great end to the weekend. If you haven't been there it is great in the summer, but also in the winter for all the  XC-skiing trails and nice weather. The downhill skiing..... let's just say it ain't Alta, Snowbird and Solitude!!.

Brian Head

Wow, what fun. Though at times i thought some of the group would need new lungs, or at least an accessory one for some of the altitude riding at 9000-11,000', but everyone managed. We started with a great cabin just north or the resort base. Great place, but needed a decorator and a good purging of knick-nacs and shit but no bother.

First day, we rode the two shuttled "downhill" rides, Dark Hollow and Bunker creek. Dark Hollow, had some tough technical sections, but was very fun and challenging. Bunker Creek was more mellow, more pedaling and flowed smooth, like a true XC course. Both, definitely worth riding at least once.

Day 2 was the big challenge of Virgin River Rim trail. From a start at Strawberry point to the end at the park was a challenge. It has been 7 years since I rode the trail last and did not remember the rocky base of the trails. A 30 mile trip began early, with the group starting like they were shot from a cannon!! Taking up the rear to start, I had a bad feeling about people while I was trying to catch back on. A couple crashes near the zion overlook, drew first-blood, but everyone soldiered on. With all the climbing toward Navajo lake, Brian started cramping. Needed more salt. At Navajo lake, he decided to take the road out to the car and the rest of us embarked on the last flowing section to the end. Some great flowing, swooping single-track later, one big herd of sheep to navigate thru, a few people bonking on the final climb out and we made it back to the road. Fun!!!




Day 3 and a many a sore butt we loaded the cars and went to Red Canyon for the Thunder mountain ride. This is a great ride thru the redrock canyon, amongst the hoodoos. A nice road and dirt climb up for 7 miles, then rolling, fun, switch-backed terrain to the final 1 mile downhill along the wash. a great end to a great weekend. Next years trip...Crested Butte?

Crested Butte

Only 2 1/2 months late, but finally able to get around to it. Our 2nd annual trip to Colorado took us to the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen. Crested Butte was great, Aspen... not so much. Crested Butte is a great small town with a laid back style and welcomeness. Okay, maybe I made up some words, but you get the point. Bikes everywhere, friendly locals willing to share info on the good rides, water, etc.. Will plan a trip their next year for more rides, that we didn't get to ride because they were still under snow from a record year.
Aspen, well it is pretty much the opposite. Stuffy, crowded, lots of traffic, too much crap (Prada, Gucci, ferrari's). Though it felt great to drive thru in our 1987 vanagon!! Mostly we went to see the John Denver memorial and to check out the town. Checked out, not really on the list to go back.

MIA

We have been MIA from the blog lately. Actually just me as Karen has abandoned me and gone to face book land. Anyway we have been busy with lots of trips and plans to go some more. Stay tuned for more from Crested Butte, Brian Head and Sun Valley.