Alpine Loop - Brings Out The New & Old

Yesterday's annual Alpine Loop ride was BEAUTIFUL as always. The word got out early that the PCRs were headed to American Fork Canyon to start their ride and an all time high showed up for the adventure. BIG MAN invited a few COUGAR fans to join the group, knowing they would need a little therapy after losing to the JV team up north. (It's going to be a LONG season) Enough though it was an early start for one, little man could NOT stay away any longer and made a surprise visit. However, he did drive his own car to make sure his bike was not exposed to the freeway elements. Mr. T, also had to drive his own car, wanting a little head start to make sure he was KOM.

BIG MAN, as always had to stop several times for pictures, one which I'm sure you will all enjoy. He asked the young man to show the PCRs how great it is to be in the mountains and you be the judge. The group was inspired by a TATS from Dave "Thunder Thighs" Norton, where he encouraged us to "Be the Best you can, where you currently are." BIG MAN was happy that he convinced Mr. T if you are KOM you can't ride back the same way, but must complete the LOOP and ride down the Provo side, which is always the BEST part of the ride as you serpentine through quakies and come out and are met by the majestic Timpanogos Mountain in its full glory.

The gang stopped at Bob's place for a little pick-me-up and sang Happy B-Day to little man to welcome him into the new 40s. With a quick descent to Provo canyon highway, the gang was excited to ride the Provo trail and jump on the Murdock trail for a little flat cycling. The youngster of the group, Josh "Chic Magnet" Hicks, got a flat and thank goodness Dad was there to help him fix it or he still might be stuck in Happy Valley.

In true form, BIG MAN attempts a break away to get back to the cars first and plots with Josh to help him. The signal was given and the two of them left the pace-line like they were shot out of a cannon. (well kinda) BIG MAN was coaching Josh that they should switch often so the rest of the OLD DUDES wouldn't have a chance to catch them and they were successful in their efforts. Let's just say that being young does have its advantages, but staying out late with the women the night before an EPIC ride takes its toll.....

YIPPY SKIPPY

The PCRs are ALIVE and WELL!

How Happy are you to be in the Mtns with the PCRs today?

 WE MADE IT!

 I forgot how FUN it is to ride with the PCRs

Waiting for the OLD DUDES, again!

 GO UTEs!

 I'm cold, can you take our picture?

Anyone seen Mr. MBA?

 Welcome to the NEW 40s!

If you're in a hurry to get home, you might want to get a ride with someone else. He has to change his clothes, comb his hair, put down beach towels and drive the area 2-3 times to make sure nothing has been left behind before he starts the drive home.... REALLY????

Greatest Ride On Earth??

Big Man is slowing down in his way advanced age, so he is not able to produce the blog as often as he once did.  His readers are likely grateful. (NOT TRUE)  This week’s blog is a combination of the adventurers of the tattered remains of the PCR’s for the past two weeks.

                Last week, for the second week in a row, the PCRs rode to Antelope Island.  While they did not see a single antelope, they did witness a herd of buffalos.  The park ranger reminded the PCRs that the official name of the lumbering beasts is “bison”, but who ever heard of “Bison Bill”, a “bison nickel” or listened to the phrase from the classic western American song “Home on the Range” sung “where the deer and the bison roam”?  It is just as un-American to refer to them “bison” as it is to use the metric system as a unit of measurement!  On the trip home Bruner tried to demonstrate his bicycling mechanic prowess by repairing a flat in less than 30 minutes.  He failed miserably!  It was a great ride, except Big Man was not there.  In his absence Prez Hale attempted to assume command.  Mr. MBA immediately took over Prez Hale’s role as chief complainer.  Prez Hale has since abdicated any responsibility for attempting to herd the PCRs and reassumed his role as chief complainer.

                This week was the final long ride for the PCRs.  Mr. MBA brought to bear all of his business acumen to plan and promote the event.  He told us it would be the “greatest ride on earth”.  He planned a route from Coalville, to Kamas, up Mirror Lake highway, across a long dirt road from Wyoming to Chalk Creek back to Coalville.  In accountant like fashion he plotted the path on Strava and calculated the distance and ascent.  Then he promoted the ride with the deftness of a Steve Jobs.   Like a commanding CEO he wrote a page of rules for the PCRs to follow so that everyone would maximize their ride enjoyment.  But in a  Bernie Madoff like manner he duped the poor PCRs to follow his directives like sheep, only to ditch them at the last minute and ride what he referred to as the “greatest ride”--from Salt Lake to Deer Valley.  The PCRs have retained Prez Hale to investigate a fraudulent inducement class action against Mr. MBA.

                Nevertheless the PCRs made the best of ride, which was plagued with mishaps. The first sign of the ill-fated journey was Morgan had a flat, it was not his bike tire, but his car.  So he had a late start.  Then Queen of Wraps had a piece of glass slice his tire and had to use his ingenuity to repair the tire using an empty gel container.  Later, after passing Mirror Lake the sidewall of Big Man’s tire was worn away caused by a spoke failure.  The tire was beyond repair.  He was thirty nine miles from Kamas.  The remaining PCRs were confronted with a Sophie’s Choice:  complete Mr. MBA’s “greatest ride on earth” and leave Big Man behind and let him use his thumb, good looks and boyish charm to see if he could hitch a ride back to Kamas, or stay with their biking brother, knowing it would be far less likely that someone would pick up three stinky bikers instead of one.  Taking their que from Big Man (Craig you will appreciate this) Big Man was left alone to his own devices.  He pulled it off and found someone with a soft heart who drove him all the way back to Coalville where he was joined with by the others after they completed the ride.  The others journey on to discover that the route wasn’t what Mr. MBA touted it to be.  Nevertheless, they saw many beautiful vistas and met many friendly people.

                Thank goodness the long rides are over--except the big one.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 

 It's still a little early 

Where are the Buffalo?

 Cool, Quiet, No Traffic and a GREAT Sunrise

One was SAD the Ranch was closed, the others

 THANK GOODNESS!

 Big Man left on his own, took pictures so you might find him if he turned up missing

 Sitting under the shade waiting for his buddies

 MAN, GLAD THAT RIDE IS OVER!

           

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Diversity makes life interesting, as in Prez. Hale goes golfing.....WHAT??? This phrase comes from William Cowper's poem, "The Task" (1785), "Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor"  With this in mind, the PCRs decided to change things up this week and from the pictures below you will see they did a few things different.

So the question should be asked, What are you doing to spice up your life? Are you riding the same routes each week or looking for new vistas? Are you meeting new people and making new friends? Are you sharing pictures of new rides and places you've been? (Dr. J and little man)  Life is short, make the best of it each day. And most important, if you get a couple of wasps in your jersey on the downhill, STOP and get them out.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 Let's go Long & Flat 

(new pavement on this trail... SWEET)

 ... and you thought riding LOTOJA was tough

As always, PB (Pretty Boy) is always wearing the right colors

 After a long ride, relaxing and refueling is KEY!

 Make sure to spend time with BABES 

and GO TO THE MOUNTAINS...

.... and Enjoy a GREAT Sunset

OUCH!

Summer Is Almost Most Over

"Time flies whether you're riding or not. The choice is yours." 

~ unknown ~

The summer is almost over so make sure you get as many rides in as you can. Many of the rides the last couple of weeks have been in the mountains, some on roads and some on trails.  The valley heat has encouraged the PCRs to spend time in the beautiful Utah mountains, among flowers, moose and deer. However, with mountains come hills and for some, a little whining. (You know who you are)

On July 24th, a group headed up the "original" pioneer trail on mountain bikes and Tow Truck Hawke found out what a moose looks like, "CLOSE UP".... HOLY @#~!  Coach Craig and BIG MAN joined the youth to see if they could still handle a mountain bike without getting bucked off, which they did, but enjoyed riding part of road back to the car. The following week, Prez Hale and BIG MAN wanted to see where the Pony Express rode and ventured on a new route behind Jeremy Ranch and up the backside of Big Mtn.  They ran into several new vistas and met a couple of new friends....

The Tour of Utah was held last week and Stage 6 was an invitation for amateurs to get a feel for how good these riders really are. The spirits were high and smiles large early on, but many experienced what happens to the body when it dehydrates.......... CRAMPS... (How you feeling BIG MAN?)  Dr. J and little man headed to OR to ride on uncharted roads. (Eager to see your pics)

So the BIG questions:

• Are you thinner?
• Are you faster?
• Are you more fit?
• Are you KOM?
• Are you a Stravaholic?

No matter how you answer the above questions, did you ENJOY your summer on a bike?

YIPPY SKIPPY

 Yes, they are all smiles for NOW!

BIG MAN begs for a little water while he waits for his wife to pick him up....

GO UTEs!