3 Canyons, 85 miles, 9,000 feet, in ONE DAY!

Yesterday's ride for the PCRs was a test of endurance as some crazy person thought it would be a good idea to ride BIG COTTONWOOD, MILLCREEK and EMIGRATION, all in one day. WHAT,  ARE YOU CRAZY!  The ride started for some at 5:30am, which required riding with a light. "Follow the light and it will guide you"..... NOT! Hale, the only one with a light decided to jump a curb to cut off Wood in Holladay, but forgot to JUMP. Let's just say the words that followed will not be something he will be using over the pulpit. After a few minor adjustments to a bent frame and derailer, the ride continued. (There should be some good color on Hale's body in a couple of days... OUCH)

The early morning PCRs were met at the mouth of the first climb by LIGHTNING LEGS, Mike Dunn, who gets the BEST DRESSED OUTFIT for the day. (Note, how he coordinates his outfit with his bike) We all met at the top for a quick pit stop, treats, and of course pictures.

The second canyon, Millcreek, was a true test for Wood as you will see below. "No man is an island, NO MAN SHOULD RIDE ALONE"  The ride down was a busy one with traffic and as riders came out of the canyon the constant POWER being exserted those far by Dr. J. was just too much for his bike chain and it BLEW UP. However, our shuttle service was ready to help. (Mary, you're the BEST!)

The last canyon proved to be a test for Craig Armstrong Burner, as we stopped at Mike's tennis camp to get some water and on his exit to get back on the road, stopped for a car and couldn't get the shoe out the pedal. Golfers, tennis players, drivers were all running to his rescue.... ARE YOU OK? ARE YOU OK?  While the PCRs were wondering "WHAT IS HE DOING??"  Professor Glauser, after helping Dr. J. get home safe, made a mad dash to catch the group and as he always does, passed them on the last switch back to the top of little mountain.  WHAT AN ANIMAL!

Bottom Line, let's wait a while before we do this ride again... MAYBE NEVER... :-)

Late editorial....... The new guest writer didn't know there was a deadline, but I think I have found my new ghost writer in LITTLE man!  Enjoy

It is only under duress that I contribute to this blog (since it not aligned with my personality or skill-set) however, Mr. Wood insisted and I have reluctantly acquiesced and provide this memorialization of the 3-canyons ride.  Perhaps the best way to contribute to this week’s blog is with a couple of riddles: 
 

#1 What is orange and red, with a bright light, extremely intelligent /articulate, and has memory equal to supercomputer, but doesn’t respect basic laws of physics. (Answer:  Bro. Hale)
 

The ride this week started with a little rain and much anxiety about the arduous task assigned to us for the day (by Mr Hale) which turned out to be approximately 85 miles and 9,000 ft of climbing (both numbers rounded up slightly to make us feel better about the soreness that we are currently feeling).  There were two different start times and the early group made their way thru the dark comforted in the wonderful glow of Bro Hale’s wonderful light.  Shortly however, it was clear that others on the ride were benefiting more from SH’s bright light (clue #1) than he was since,  he managed to run head first into a 8inch curb in the holiday area.  After seeing the distortion in headsets, wheels, and rear detailers, not to mention scraps, contusions, and damaged egos, we were quite amazed when Mr. Hale twisted bike parts back into shape, dusted himself off and got back on the bike and ended up coming out the other side of this most difficult day (Congrats SH – who definitely earned the strong man of the day award). 
 

For Steve et al., I provide a summary and reminder of Newton’s basic laws of physics:

First law:
This law is often simplified into the sentence "A particle will continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force."
Second law:
The net force on a particle is proportional to the time rate of change of its linear momentum: F = d (mv) / dt.[3][4][5][6][7] Momentum mv is the product of mass and velocity. Force and momentum are vector quantities and the resultant force is found from all the forces present by vector addition. This law is often stated as "F = ma: the net force on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration."
Third law:
Whenever a particle A exerts a force on another particle B, B simultaneously exerts a force on A with the same magnitude in the opposite direction. The strong form of the law further postulates that these two forces act along the same line. This law is often simplified into the sentence "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction."     

 

After this precarious start to the day, we settled into the normal routine of our Saturday rides with SW (aka – Big Man) telling stories.  However these stories were more frequent today because the 9000 feet of continual climbing and the resultant slower pace, kept many of us in closer proximity to one another than normal. 



Which gets me to riddle #2 What happens if there is a dog barking at your back door, and your wife is yelling at you to come to the front door.  After many minutes and miles of climbing, one extremely wise biking companion who will remain anonymous suggested the following:  (Answer:  Attend to your wife, your dog will love you unconditionally)
 

We continued on and summited Big Cottonwood, Millcreek, and Emigration (8,900 feet – wow).   We had one accident and one mechanical (sorry Bruce), but overall it was an extremely long but enjoyable day in the saddle with friends, who enjoyed sweating, comparing aches and pains, talking, and in the end solving some of life’s more perplexing questions (e.g. riddle #2).  Our Saturday rides continue to highlight how unique we are, but how these individual talents / differences make us collectively much better than we would ever be alone.    In the end, there were multiple “3 peaks” merit badges awarded, but somehow this accomplishment seems less important than the laughs, stories, and time spent with wonderful friends.
 

Little man

Anyone DEAD yet?

 Little Mountain - For some, TOO tired and in TOO much PAIN to SMILE

 

 

 

 

Happy July 4th

This holiday weekend provided a couple of days to get out and do some fun riding. It's getting HOT. 6-7 days, in a row in the 100s. Therefore, requiring an earlier department or ride to the mountains as you will see from this week's post.

Romney & Wood, both bachelors this week, went on a ride that Mr. T. had NOT been on and as YOUNG MEN do, had TOO much fun.

Some of the PCRs continued their LOTOJA training and rode 96 miles. (a few had to ride an extra 4 miles to get to the 100 mark). The Black Knight, after rescuing the bonking rider, had a major break away as he ROCKETED to the Wyoming border. WOW!.... and there was an ALL OUT sprint to the final stage finish line, which displayed the powerful burst of speed that is still available in some of these OLD GUYS!  (Oxygen and IVs were administered to the winner)

 

 96-100 miles, NOT BAD for a bunch of OLD GUYS... :-)

 

Our shuttle service SAVED THE DAY..... THANKS 

 

Alpine Loop with the Bandits

This morning's ride was by far the MOST scenic ride this blog master has been on. It just happened to be the same morning of the Timpanogos Gran Fondo... :-)  Over 200 riders enjoyed the beauty of these canyons and the pictures below don't even come close to the awe-inspiring, breathtaking views.

The morning, as typical when Wood is hosting a ride, started a little rough with Mr. T not being very excited about the route taken to get to the starting point and Mr. Hale was riding with great consternation when Wood took a little side road that put them behind schedule in making sure he would be done in time to host a company party at Lagoon.

But in the end, as always, the group LOVED the ride and will give Wood another chance to be a host. PS - I think his singing was exceptionally inspiring this morning..... :-0

 "Hurry and take the picture, I need to go to the bathroom BAD!"

 

 

 The Happy Fritos Banditos 

 

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

 

"Ride em Cowboy"

  

 

Sometimes it's just YOU & THE ROAD

After listening to Hale complain that he hasn't been given blog authorship, I acquiesced and told him I would post the following. (I hope you all will continue to support me in my decision of non-authorship to some and to others, keep the video out of their hands)

The PCR bike ride this week is telling of the new low to which this supposed band of brothers has sunk.  Dunn was a no show, without excuse. (Dunn, most of us knew where you were)  Wood peeled off after summiting Big Mountain and long before everyone else had planned to ride (Wood, old age is a bummer).  Lloyd and Bruner broke away from the group claiming that they wanted a ‘big ride” to Henefer (not Hinifer; Ludlow, since when did Webster allow cowboys to come up with spelling words?), proclaiming (but as you will see later, not showing) their biking prowess.  Briggs turned back early when faced with Mary’s Nightmare, leaving Hale and Trabert to fend for themselves.  But before Briggs, Bruner and Lloyd parted company with Hale and Trabert, the former group of riders knew that Hale’s rear tire had maybe 1 mile left in it, and that Hale could be left stranded alone in the East Canyon wilderness area after Trabert left him at the East Canyon dam.  But that was a chance they were willing to take (Wood, thanks for fostering that attitude). (I resemble that remark) Because Trabert is closet endorphin junkie, and had to ride 100 miles, he said good bye to Hale at the dam, leaving him to fend for himself against the blazing hot sun, with many miles of ascent left before he would possibly arrive home safely on the eve of Father’s Day.

This is where it gets interesting.  As Hale was approaching the back side of Big Mountain, an ominous task, he came across Lloyd and Bruner at the East Canyon store.  Obviously they did not go all the way to Henefer.  Sheepishly they greeted their forgotten brother, and feigned interest in accompanying him on the grueling ride back home.  But after reflecting for less than a minute they announced they had to get home, so they said adios and went on their way.  Hale faced the task of summiting the back side of Big Mountain alone, with his nearly crippled bike.  Long after the dust settled on the road from his brothers(?) who went before him, Hale, with much trepidation made off on this daunting task—ALONE!  About a third of the way up the mountain his tire gave way, leaving him stranded without cell phone reception to call for help from his family (on whom he knew he could rely for help) or shade for comfort from the blazing hot sun--left to rely on the kindness of strangers (Wood, you should know of play from which that line originates).  In the end, the kindness of strangers did pay off.  Hale was taken home by a couple of kind young strangers who took him home to Kathy.  Upon arrival Kathy explained to these kind people how she used to put Hale’s name and address on his helmet so if it was lost the person who found it would know where to return it, but because his biking buddies mocked him when they saw it saying “why would Kathy want you returned to her”, she no longer engaged in that custom.  She was relieved that somehow they were able to bring him home in spite of the absence of his address on his helmet. 

I do not know why I bothered to write this story of woe; it will no doubt not even be read by any of my supposed biking buddies, and even if it were, it certainly will have no effect on their behavior.  For anyone reading this who wants to join this group I give you this caution: keep the rubber side down and full because there isn’t anyone in this group who is going to stay behind to save you!  

 

 

These Fathers are having a GREAT DAY!

 

Trabert's TATS - "Never charge a machine gun nest with a rubber knife"

 

 

The Smoking Gun.... 

 

Peoa Loop & Has Anyone Seen My Tool Thingy?

Yesterday's ride is always a highlight of early summer as we left the valley at 6am to drive to Peoa to beat the heat and traffic. The ride is a loop to through Francis, up to the Wolfcreek Chevron and back to the Kamas Chevron for refueling and pastries. We then ride past a favorite head dunking spot, where those who are TRUE PCRs do a 10 sec. dunk to freeze their brains and ride up Weber canyon to Thousand Pikes Ranch. As you will see from the video clips, riding with the PCRs is never a dull moment.

LOWS
- lack of a tool thingy
- lack of participation from other PCRs in the head dunk
- loosing the downhill stage to the smallest guy on the team... :'(

HIGHS
- lack of a tool thingy
- letting the others finally have their turn pulling (the Lloyd brothers were animals)
- winning the 2nd stage to the Kamas Chevron when the Black Knight looked left and was passed on the right... :-)

Morgan & Back

Yesterday's ride, once again, proved the challenge that all Hosts face in keeping the team together. There was an early break away as three mavericks left early to help the team, so the faster riders would not have to wait at the Big Mtn. summit. A note was left to express their love and motivation.

We left early so you won't have to wait.

Our goal is to beat you to the Little Dell gate.

 

On the climb to Big Mtn. summit, if we get passed,

Just know on the downhill, we'll be riding your ASS!

 

PS - Don't forget to pick-up Mike Dunn at the zoo..... 6:25ish

 

 

One of the faster rider was very upset with this kind gesture and on the way home, back up the other side of Big Mtn, where everyone needs the strength of the team he said, "Sorry, I have to hurry to meet a painter"...... and left us all to die, a lonely death. 

Memorial Day Ride

Memorial day's ride was a flat ride past the home of those who have lost their freedom, the prison, and to the Utah Veteran's Memorial Park, commemorating those who fought for our freedom. We ended the ride going through the cemetery and visiting the grave site of Marilyn P. Wood, mother of the Blog Master. I'm sure she would be proud of the many memories captured on this blog site..... :-)

 "I look to the sky and give thanks that I can ride with the PCRs"

 

 Always STOP and smell the ROSES

 

 LOVING - UNDERSTANDING - HELPFUL