Tired of Exercise - Ride to Adventure-cise!

Some people like to ride a bike for exercise and make sure they are posting to Strava so they can track miles, elevation, average MPH, etc. Then there are others that ride a bike to feel young again and feel the breeze on their face, stop to take a few pictures along the way and smell the roses. What kind of rider are you? Big Man, a true SQUIGGLE, introduced to the PCRs a quick test a year ago that described your personality based on the shape you most identify with. (Read More)  There was a debate on where the group should ride yesterday. One of the a SQUARES, wanted to ride a route that has been ridden several times and kind of boring, per Big Man. However, Big Man had Adventure-cise on his mind and was encouraging a ride that would start at 6:30 and have everyone home by 10:30, but the route would be determined as they ride. NO map, NO agenda. The SQUARE in the group couldn't handle the thought and so he said, "have fun, see you next week." One of the TRIANGLE/SQUARES in the group, at 5:00AM , sided with the SQUARE and Big Man was now faced with, do I  Adventure-cise alone or go with the SQUARES. He decided to ride with the group.

As the group showed up at the later time to ride with the head SQUARE, he was a NO SHOW. Had the SQUIGGLE pushed him to his breaking point? Where in the HALE was he? After making calls and texts, the group had no other choice but to Adventure-cise. 

As one SQUIGGLE rider expresses it:

I miss the trees whizzing by in my periphery. I miss the constant mental stimulation - the dozens of small, quick decisions necessary to keep moving forward uninterrupted. I long for the fresh air in my lungs. The breeze against my face. The sun on my skin. I want to smell the flowers, the trees, and the grass. I need to feel it all. I crave the adventure.

And each ride is an adventure.

Whether I'm riding the same old route or blazing a new trail, I never really know what I may encounter. I might spot a family of deer crossing the path or a wild turkey strutting in a clearing. I may discover a new place to eat or grab a tasty micro brew. I can explore forgotten little towns that haven't changed much since their railroad heydays. My mind might even be tricked into believing that I'm riding through unspoiled marshes, savannas, prairies, and woods when in reality, I'm never more than a mile from all too familiar suburbia.

I don't want to exercise - I want to adventure-cise!

I want to stimulate all my senses while I push my body to its physical limits. I want to relax my mind as I activate my imagination. I want to fuel my rides with adrenaline - the excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead, the uncertainty of what comes next. I want physical exercise to be a byproduct of fun - not its antithesis. I don't want to simulate - I want to experience.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 Where in the HALE are you?

 Don't you just love Mt. Olympus!

 If you look hard you can see TWO TEMPLES

 Land of Adventure-cise

 Say HELLO to OLD friends

 Say HELLO to NEW friends!

 Gunsite Canyon

 The Power of the Mountains

 There's a NEW Pro in Town

BEST DRESSED
Mr. GQ

Herding Cats

The phrase herding cats comes from the common saying that something involving coordination of many different groups or people is as difficult as herding cats. Yesterday's ride was definitely one that supports this saying. Discussion was had the night before about riding to Big Mtn, but when the 3 Amigos showed up for departure everyone had their own idea where they should ride. The decision was made to do the Suncrest Loop to avoid wind and possible rain and ride south along Wasatch Blvd. However, Prez. Hale had a different idea and wanted to ride a flatter, more congested route, full of cars and stop lights, which Big Man has a hard time obeying early in the morning. So they headed out 1300 East. A couple of shiny objects were spotted and yes, Big Man had to stop and take a few pics.

The ride up the south side of Suncrest was delightful as construction made it possible for the riders to enjoy two full lanes of NO cars. Once at the top, YES, Mr. MBA was once again KOM, a quick stop at the summit cafe for lattes, hot chocolate and Big Man singing to elderly couples, "Oh What A Beautiful Morning", and the riders were ready for the descent.

Once again, herding cats came into play as Big Man wanted to go one way and others wanted to ride a more boring route home. Where is Kim Briggs when you need a leader. (Sure miss that guy)  Let's just say they started together, but didn't finish together. As Big Man continues to study about leadership, he still is hopeful that someday he will be able to lead. The question is, will anyone follow???

YIPPY SKIPPY

 Follow The Light

 Man, I must be gaining weight

 Love the booties

Always stop to celebrate a Utah-victory-bike/run workout with a fellow former co-worker. 

GO UTEs!

A Glass .... Half Full or Half Empty?

The beauty of getting on a bicycle and going to ride with friends, is it tends to give you the opportunity to enhance your perspective…

Yesterday's ride was one of those moments. The ETD, route and agenda were discussed the day before, but like many of the Saturday rides, Big Man saw several squirrels and turned what was going to be a routine route into a EPIC journey. Mr. T, also a very adventuresome soul encouraged Big Man to chase the squirrels. The two of them saw things and met people that have changed their lives. 

How often do you get to see a swan, eating breakfast or Mr. T, truly in his element visiting with the grounds people of La Caille. Riding a bike is much more than climbing hills and putting in miles. It's making sure to have good conversation and taking in the elements and people around you. 

The highlight of the ride was a visit with one Brent Farr and his beautiful wife Colleen.  Brent has completed LOTAJA three times. Brent and Colleen are sharing Brent’s story with students in schools and others, attempting to help them avoid the mistakes of drug usage and the potential life altering consequences, resulting there from.  We all have busy schedules. Take a moment to review the following link to see how this life story might help somebody who you love dearly. (Read More)

In the meantime, keep the rubber side down...

YIPPY SKIPPY

 How many pictures are you going to take?

Moab 6 to 6 - Dead Horse Point

This weekend the tattered remains of the PCRs took the roadway to Moab and rode to Dead Horse Point lookout.  Like a mother lecturing her children before they leave for a trip, Big Man went through the check list of items everyone was supposed to bring: helmet, gloves, windbreakers, sun glasses, and, yes, cleats—the last was the one thing most people would think Big Man could never forget after putting both of them in his mouth at the same time during the LOTOJA race (see prologue entitled: “I have an Announcement to Make”).   

            

The trip started out with the usual snags.  For example, after traveling two blocks Coach Craig realized that the small band of brothers forgot their PRP (pre-ride prayer) and suggested they pull over into the parking lot of the local tire store.  During his thoughtful long winded supplication, Coach Craig petitioned for divine intervention on behalf of Prez. that he would not receive a ticket.  Prez. was not sure whether that was a hint that he drives slow or that the highway patrol would not be able to detect him.  By the time Coach Craig was done the sun finally rose and they were pretty sure that a police squad car was summoned to find out why a bunch of guys in tights were parked in the parking lot.  Then, not more than 15 minutes later Big Man remembered he forgot to put his cleats in the car and they were still on the floor of Prez's garage.  REALLY!

Big Man felt a slight cold coming on and there was not nearly as much chatter as usual.  In fact, there was so little chatter the group had to suffer listening to Prez.’s 60s and 70s music.  And worse yet, the occupants of the vehicle felt so awkward without the “white noise” they began to sing along with the stereo from AC/DC to The Who.  

With a 39 minute delay, Prez. actually drove the speed limit and was exceeding it as they followed a black sports car turning off of 70 to 191, towards Moab. The music and singing continued to get louder as the boys started getting closer to the trail head in an effort to get physced. Big Man relegated to the back seat after his "idiot" move of forgetting his cleats, all of sudden heard the Prez. shout out, "OH SH***!", as the flashing red and blue lights started to illuminate the interior of the car. The music was turned off, the singing stopped, the car slowly pulled over, Prez. started to prepare his case for speeding as the officer sped past them and pulled over the black sports car. Prez. hugged Coach Craig for his inspirational PRP.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 Good Morning

 Craig, have you seen Steve?  Sure hope he makes the right turn.

 I'm King Of The World

 Prez. and Big Man visiting with their NBFF from TX

 Go UTEs!

 Love The Downhill

I Have Announcement To Make

(Words uttered by Little Indian to his tribal members after a long day riding his bike)

                Did we tell you we rode our bikes 206 miles through 3 states in one day?  (Don’t ask how long it took.)  After long spring and summer hours of training (sort of) the big day arrived on September 9^th.  The remnants of the PCRs participated in the 35^th annual LOTOJA.  Jodi and Kathy were good sports and supported the team.  They discovered on their fifth time that they can follow the biking route without being busted, instead of following the rules and traveling the off-the-beaten-trail that is long way around to support their men.  Jodi, Big Man is rubbing off on you.  Don’t be fooled by Messrs. MBA and Big Man’s times, they were bandits (big surprise) and started early so their reported times are actually better than their actual times (which aren’t anything to write home about and why they started early is a whole other story)

                This was Mr. MBA’s first time attempting the race.  His attempt to break the LOTOJA land speed record was frustrated by—you guessed it--Big Man’s delays due to chasing shinny objects.  Eventually Mr. MBA learned to leave Big Man behind and Big Man learned to reduce the amount of time spent gawking at distractions.  This was the fifth time Prez. and Big Man rode 206 miles through three states in one day. (Are you getting tired of hearing that phrase?)  

They will pick up their awards next year.

Dr. Ludlow managed to arrive in Logan with a few hours to spare.  While he claims to have ridden in the race no one saw him do it, and it is not recorded on Strava--so it did not happen.  Better luck next year Dr. Ludlow.  Little Indian and his tribe decided they weren’t up to 206 miles in one day through three states, so they participated in the relay.  Man up next year boys and do the whole thing, even if the youngsters have to pay. (Little Indian, you know what we are talkin’ about.) Mr. Morgan Daines had his bike hand delivered to the race and taken home, but not sure if he either rode the race. There were rumors some saw him on the Snake River, fishing.

                Big Man continues to suffer from cleat-in mouth-disease.  Now image you are the organizer of the enormous event with thousands of riders cycling—you guessed it— 206 miles through three states in one day.  You set up a station 3 miles from the finish line to encourage the cyclists to “hang in there”.  The race has been going for nearly 12 hours.  You are cooking brats, offering soft drinks and other goodies to exhausted, smelly riders as they prepare to finish the race.  You have spent thousands of hours coordinating with many governmental agencies, listened to endless complaints, but the event is nearly in the books.  A cyclist, let’s say its Big Man, takes advantage of the kind offering of the organizer.  Now bear in mind Big Man has a philosophy that a “complaint” is actually a gift.  So, not knowing the kind person Big Man was talking to was the organizer, Big Man approaches him and says: “This is the celebration of the 35^th LOTOJA.  I LOVE THIS RACE!  However,  I would like to make a suggestion. With such a significant occasion, I would have thought the organizers would have given better T shirts.”  The organizer revealed that he was the one who selected the material and that it was finer than any used before.  The author of the prologue did not stick around to hear what happened next, so you will have to get Big Man’s side of the story.  Suffice it to say his mouth is now the shape of his cleat!

                The PCRs finished together.  At the finish line Prez. had a surprise of his parenthood.  He was majorly depressed the entire ride because none of his children called, texted or emailed him words of encouragement and Big Man sprinted past him to beat him to the top of the KOM climb.  It turns out they surprised him by being at the finish line!  He was a HAPPY Dad!

                Mr. MBA made it to the airport just in the nick of time to catch his flight after realizing that UBER in Jackson Hole at 5;30AM is NO where to be found. And none of the finishers vowed NOT to do it again next year.  We will have to see what time and weight does to them.

YIPPY SKIPPY 

 The gang is all smiles before the race!

"Why do you make me do this?"

I've been up since 4:00 AM, how about you?

 HEY you two in the U of U kits, get out you're in the wrong group

 2nd State

3rd State

 The BEST part of the Race

 How you feeling men, are we almost there???

 I think I've died and look who's leading me to heaven

 Has anyone seen Prez.??

 We LOVE our support TEAMS..... 

THANKS!

"What are you going to do now?

I'm going to Disneyland!"

 Riding with the BOYS is the BEST!

206 miles / 3 states / 1 day