Bikes, Monsoons, and Future Plans

          It's not always convenient to get outdoors but sometimes it actually is. I've been going into the local bike shop for years, but until recently there hadn't really been room for me to work there. Either they already had someone or my own schedule didn't fit. A few weeks ago though I walked in looking for some info on my mountain bike's fork and everything clicked. I've been working there a couple days a week since and having an absolute blast.
       I've been kind of messing around on my bike for the past few years. I did teach a spin class in 2011 and 2012 and I also helped lead weekly group rides at BYU Idaho before it got to cold in the fall' of 11'.

My first and only mountain bike race was in June of 11 as well but the fact of the matter is that I didn't do a single bike in 2012 or 13 and I haven't held a road license since 2010 and haven't ridden a sanctioned road event since 2009.
     I've been riding but it's mostly been to explore the backwoods, or run errands. My trail riding came pretty much to a halt when my suspension fork locked up for good a few months ago, which is really too bad because Celisse and I were having an awesome time riding together.
     Working at the bike shop has been great therapy for me but it's also inspired me to get a little bit more serious. I dusted off the Madone and TT bike and put a good chunk of miles on them in the last few weeks. My brother Matthew and I took the opportunity before he left on his mission to embark on a one hundred mile high elevation road ride before he left on his two year mission for the church. We managed to make it 46 miles before we were hit by a massive rain/hail/freezing storm and 55 miles before we managed to find shelter and call for a ride. It was a little scary but it was a ton of fun and a ride that we will never forget.
     My TT bike has never gotten very much use and even though I absolutely loved getting out on it every now and again I also knew I needed a new mountain bike, which has proven to get a lot of seat time. It turned out that entry level suspension fork was completely toast and a new fork was crazy expensive. It made more sense to buy a new bike especially considering that Matthew needed a bike on his mission in DC. My old mountain bike was still reliable and functional for city riding, so I boxed it up and sent it off. In the mean time I posted my TT bike on Craigslist for a steal and it was gone by the end of the day. Losing the Trinity was hard but I believe it will be worth it.
   
   

  I ordered my new Trek Superfly a couple of days ago and am just itching to hit the trail. I find it ironic that working at the bike shop would soon lead to me temporarily having only one bike, but here we are. The new Superfly is supposed to be completely awesome and a huge upgrade over my old Giant. It will be my first 29er and I'm excited to go on some awesome adventures.
     Mud has been an issue with crazy amounts of rainfall this season and sections of my favorite trail, Los Burros, are still avoided due to mud. As things dry up though I plan to ride the following trails by the end of the year.
Los Burros 13
Land of the Pioneer 8
Panorama 9
Willow Springs Loop Trail (with Celisse) ?
FR 237 and possibly below Larson Ridge 14+

And of course the forest road between Clay Springs and my Parents house in Taylor (26 miles round trip),


     There are a ton of other trails in the area though and I plan to hit up a bunch of them. Celisse and I rode about three quarters of Los Burros early in our marriage and I hiked all of it with my family when I was pursuing my hiking merit badge. I've hiked Land of the Pioneer as well but never ridden it. Both are incredibly beautiful but I think that Los Burros is the best in the area. I've ridden Panorama a few times, once with Celisse even. I've hiked part of the Willow Springs Loop Trail which is closed off to motor vehicles and the lake is our favorite spot. I've driven 237 in our Jeep and we hiked to the bottom but it looks like a great place to ride and the trail in the canyon could lead further, we don't know. I've spent a ton of time on the route between me and my parents and ridden it fully once.

     I finally discovered Strava a couple weeks ago and have been trying to compete on the various segments near me. I'll have to remind myself to relax and take in the view sometimes, even when the competitive side tries to get the better of me.

     I'm really loving the new cycling kit I got from the bike shop. Not only is it local, and put me and my bro on the same team but the Hincapie kit is top notch in quality. Also my first set of bib shorts, different but awesome. This was my last ride on the Trinity, I didn't know it at the time but I'm really glad we got a picture. I don't know if you can tell but I'm really counting on the new Superfly to make up for it.