Corner Canyon - Mtn. Bike

Scott and I were planning on riding with Craig at Glenwild today but Craig called off the ride because of the rain the previous evening and the prospect of rain today. Me and Scott had all our gear and wanted to get in a ride so we went to Corner Canyon and rode the Clark's Trail from the Draper Temple to the top. From the Top we rode up further toward Jacobs Ladder and up to the top of a knoll. The view from the knoll was awesome. We could see Alpine, Highland, Utah Lake and most of Utah County to the south. To the west we could see the south end of the Salt Lake Valley and to the northeast I could see a snow field off the top of Lone Peak that I want to ski before the snow all melts. But I digress. We then biked back down to Clark's Trail straight down the face of the knoll. We should have gone back the way we came because it was too steep and slippery for safe cycling. I was riding my new mountain bike (new to me at least) with full suspension. I was cursing the new ride on the way up as it seemed heavier (probably just my lack of fitness) and the shifting was backward from my other mountain bike but the way down was terrific. I think I am going to really like this bike. I figure we climbed about 1,100 feet of vertical on this ride.

MS 150 - Century Bike Ride - Road Bike

Annual century ride in beautiful Cache Valley. Scott and I started doing this ride in 2006 and has been our start of summer century ride ever since. I usually drive to Logan on Friday after work, snag some grub and then camp out at the fair grounds in Logan. This year was no different. On Friday evening at the fair grounds there are vendors. One of which is Bingham Cyclery. I bought some new mountain bike shoes, cleats and a new set of handlebar tape. The wrenchers at the booth installed the tape for free. I camped with Rich (his first century ride), Rees and Scott. Scott attended the Sheryl Crow concert in Salt Lake so he didn't arrive until 1am Saturday morning. I had set up a tent for him and had his sleeping bag and gear in it waiting for him. Unfortunately he went to the wrong tent and tried to snuggle up to a young couple before they yelled and asked him to leave.

We woke up to a beautiful cool morning in Cache Valley. Scott and I skipped the Wells Fargo team group picture in favor of breakfast. Free to participants. We got geared up and ready when Rich, Rees and Aaron met up with us. We made our way to the start line. We left in the 3rd wave of riders. We snaked through the riders in front of us until there was some thinning of riders. We latched onto a small group of UHP team riders that were really cooking. Their pace was hot but doable on the flat. When we got to the first rise in the road the group splintered. Aaron stayed with the UHP boys as Scott and I watched them roll away from us. When we turned around we couldn't see Rich or Rees. At the first rest stop we were ready to go when Rees and Rich rolled in. No sign of Aaron.

Scott and I spent the rest of the ride stealing the slipstream of different groups always trying to find the perfect group that match our desired pace. We had to spend some time alone but were wheelsucking most of the ride. We got in one large group. Most were wearing Bad Ass Coffee team kits. It was a large double paceline. It kind of freaked Scott out to be riding in the large group so he went to the back of the bus. Other groups were just a couple of riders that we would latch onto for a while. Some were gracious and let is ride with them other's didn't seem to like us that close. There was another good single line paceline as we were getting near the end but we had to drop off at the last rest stop (they kept going) to pee.

Scott got to ride past his grandfather's homestead in Amalga. That made him real happy. We started the ride at about 7:30 and finished at 1:10. I'll take a sub 6 hour with stops century any day. Particularly when I have not got as many miles in my legs as I would like. Tough spring for training. (Too much snow pulling me to the ski slopes)

Road Bike - Little Mountain

Bike ride from Tom's house to Little Mountain and back. Details to come

Hike - Kīlauea Iki Trail

We drove to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. While we were there Mike and I hiked the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It is a 4 mile loop that drops through rain forest to a still cooling lava lake that was created from a 1959 eruption. The hike through the forest was slightly down hill. Pretty trees and flowers along the way. Then we switchbacked to the lava lake. As we walked back across the lake there were a few spots where vents allowed steam to release. We swithcbacked up to the road at the other end. I had purchsed a trail map for this hike at the ranger station. There were a number of interesting facts along the way that we were able to observe. A dandy hike. I highly recommend it. It takes less than 2 hours to complete. About 400 feet of vertical. Here is a link to the trail guide.

Hike - Pololu Valley - Big Island of Hawaii

Today was celebrated as King Kamehameha day so we drove to the northwest part of the island (the only part we had yet to explore). There is a statue of King Kamehameha that the locals decorate with leis. Connie really wanted to see it. Along the way we found nice little farmers markets and quaint towns with neat shops. At the end of the paved road past the statue is a trail down to the Pololu Valley. As the rest of the group were taking in the sights from the overlook, I dashed down the trail to the ocean. I didn't stay long as it looked like it could start raining again so I grabbed a piece of driftwood and headed back up the trail. I found Connie and Mike coming down to meet me. Nice little hike with about 700 feet of vertical. Looks like there is plenty more in this valley to explore if you are willing to hike a bit.

Hike - Waipio Valley - Big Island of Hawaii

One our recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii I hike from the look out down to the valley below. The road is paved but access is limited to 4x4s that are checked at the a guard shack. It has to be about 20 percent grade in some spots. Super steep all the way. The valley is about 5 miles wide at the mouth and there are beautiful tracts of farmland planted just in from the ocean. You can see a trail on the other side of the valley. I would like to hike down and across and then back up the other side. That would be cool but I am with a group that is not interested in that kind of adventure. Maybe another trip. On the way back up I saw a Brighton Ski resort sticker on the back of a sign. I thought that was cool. I should have put my shirt back on before Connie snapped my photo too. About 1,000 feet of vertical.