The Ultimate Challenge

As the summer season draws to an end and a few of the PCRs prepare for the LOTOJA, 206/3/1. Let's hope that all the training, riding, chatting, picture taking, meeting new friends, helps them finish this EPIC ride without too many flats and bonking. One of the training rides was held early this month, The Ultimate Challenge, Stage 5 of the Tour of Utah. As some of you know, this summer was the third hottest on record for Salt Lake City and why would anyone want to ride approximately 100 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing in the heat? (Who's dumb idea was this?)

The Pros gave them a four hour head start, knowing that some of them might die and getting their bodies off the route might cause some traffic issues. Nobody died, but some of them wish they had. The group started with all smiles and finished 20 minutes ahead of the pros. (Taking a nap after 60 miles kinda hurt them)  Joey, Adrenaline Junkie Wood, brought a friend, Logan, to ride with the geezers and he wanted to show these old guys how it’s done.  On the way home to pick-up his car, he rode through the Country Club gully and couldn’t ride another foot.  Can you say, BONK! (Thanks Joey for picking him up in your car to get him home)

Prez Hale's better half reminds us all of why we do this with a little note for her man at dinner. 

The Joy of the Journey is Best Measured by the Friends 

Not the Miles!  

Continue to ride strong and ENJOY the Journey.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 It's going to be a GREAT DAY!

 Best UBER driver EVER!

Don't forget to set your STRAVA!

 Let the Games Begin

 Riding with your Boy is the BEST!

 Can You Say, "BONK!"

Who's Dumb Idea Was This Ride?

THE BIG LOOP

First off, have you ever noticed that the name of the club is called the Parley’s Canyon Riders (PCRs) but we NEVER ride Parley’s canyon??

Anyway, THE BIG LOOP lived up to its name. (Woody is calling it the THE DAM BIG LOOP) We laughed, we cried (well almost), it was a roller coaster of emotions. We left the base of Big Cottonwood at the crack of 5:50 despite the scheduled time of 5:30 as three members got lost getting to the start line. Hummmmmm.  Not a great omen that played out in the first 30 minutes as Prez Hale flatted twice, or was it three times - the story seems to change by the day. (Remedial lessons in changing a tire will be offered by yours truly for a nominal fee) Regardless, we all met up at the top of Guardsman Pass, what a relief it is to finally get to the top of that climb!  One person who does not need to be called-out (Woody) grabbed a lift from a passing truck part way up Guardsman so he was feeling pretty good at the top.

We then pointed the bikes downhill and the group splintered with 6 of 7 getting to the Maverick Station - where the crap Hale went I have no idea. The group stayed splintered in non-warring factions until Coalville where mass quantities (say it like a Cone Head) of breakfast food was consumed.   I, for one had a great meal, and then regretted it for the next hour or two.  Kim the Tow Truck then pulled the group to Henefer at a constant 22 mph, kinda like a human metronome- it was awesome. Woody, of course, stopped for a picture, and was never able to hook back on until we got into town. 

At this point legs were starting to feel fatigued as the temperature rose into the 90’s during the climb up the Hogback and then the drop into East Canyon Resort. Ice, cold drinks and food were bought and quickly consumed before the last push up the back side of Big Mountain. Never an easy climb, and certainly not with 90 miles in your legs and the temp at 95 degrees.  Now as I was last up the climb, I have to recount the rest of this from the whispering of others. First, it seems that WOODY and Joey called for rides home and were met at the top of Little Mountain.  Putz's.  Second, GQ called an audible and instead of going over Little Mtn dropped down to I-15 and rode the freeway (mad man) to the Millcreek area.

It was billed as an epic ride and it was. At the end my Garmin read 108.4 Mies with 9,035' of climbing.  Now say it with me in the voice of Gladiator - ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!!!

What a great day, thank you all.

Best 

King of Tarts

 How many flats can you have in one ride? 
Can you say, "3" and where are the garbage cans?

 Dam 1 of 4 and why to they call it 

Wanship Dam and Rockport Reservoir?

 Let's eat I'm starved!

 Dam 2 of 4 - Echo 

and if you take a picture, good luck catching the Peloton

Man they grow these BIG in Henefer