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

Happy B-Day Utah!

Living in the great state of Utah provides two holidays in the month of July. We celebrate our country's birth on the 4th and our state's on the 24th. Yes, July 24th, 1847 is when the Pioneers, lead by Brigham Young came into the Salt Lake Valley.(Read More) Big Man's family and friends have tried to make it a tradition to ride the Pioneer Trail, which part of it is the original trail the Pioneers used to descend from Big Mountain to Little Mountain.

The Saturday before Pioneer Day a lively group headed to Kamas to ride one of the favorite routes of the season, "The Loop For Famous Fritters". Is it the beautiful ride through Francis, Woodland, along the South Fork of the Provo River, up to the summit of Wolfcreek Pass and back to Thousand Peaks Ranch that brings out the riders OR the Fritters?

As always, there was plenty of chatter, singing, meeting new friends and HEAD DUNKs. As you will see in the video below, the PCRs are excited to welcome into full fellowship, Mr. GQ and King of Tarts. Congratulations! Mr. MBA is still holding out on this important ritual in becoming a true disciple.

A special invitation from one of the younger PCRs, Mad Max, was also extended to encourage the "geezers" of the group to ride back to their roots and get to the mountains.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 "There's a bright golden haze on the meadow"

 It doesn't get any better

 Can you tell who the locals are?

 Let's go get FRITTERS!

 Can I join the PCRs?

 Man, this does beat the road....

 The Trek 7000 LIVES ON!

You fall behind, You get left behind!

God Bless America

July has arrived and so as the HEAT!  The last couple of weeks have been warm so where to do you  go... to the mountains. Salt Lake City is blessed with great canyons to ride and if you leave early, you can beat the heat and traffic. Last week the PCRs, decided to celebrate the 4th by riding to Deer Valley and back and Saturday it was a 100 miler round trip for the A Team, Morgan and back for Prez. Hale (which by THE WAY, does anyone know if he made it back without heat stroke), and Big Man and adrenaline junky Joey rode to Cherry Hill water park.

Prez. Hale was recently invited to share his adventure, mentioned in the previous blog post, with Big Man's YSA ward and here are the 7 note worthy take-aways:

1. Don't be so focused on the end of life's journey that you miss the joy that comes from the journey along THE WAY
2. Do it, Just Do it
3. Get and stay physically fit
4. Get and stay spiritually fit
5. Don't judge others harshly
6. Compare yourself with yourself, not Others
7. Be Grateful

Continue to enjoy your riding journeys, be safe and God Bless America!

YIPPY SKIPPY

Early morning cool temps and GREAT sunrises

 Always stop and talk to famous people

 Hate those flats...

You fall behind, you get left behind!

A Good Traveler Has No Fixed Plans

Where does time fly? Several viewers are asking, "where are the posts?" It's been a busy time for the PCR's editorial staff. Prez. Hale, as you will see spent some time with his sister and two boys walking The Way, a pilgrimage/journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. (Read More) Some asked if he returned a changed person and Mr. T was quick to reply, "Hale yes, he's now walking with a limp."

Big Man, aka Jed Clampett, and his cute wife flew on her brother's company jet back to NY to celebrate in a wedding of all weddings. Man those Jewish folks know how to PARTY!

Mr. T and his better half have been busy boxing for a move to a new palace. (Don't worry, he's not going far)

When Prez. Hale arrived at The Wall of Wisdom, he took pictures of several statement. Here are just a few:

• A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving - Lao Tse
• The journey of a thousand miles stars with a single step - Lao Tse
• It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that mattes, in the end - Ernes Hemingway
• Not all those who wander are lost - J.R.R. Tolkien
• The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - Saint Augustine

Be consistent in your efforts to ride, see new sites, meet new people and take care of blistered feet.

YIPPY SKIPPY

Useful Tip - When waking up early to ride, 5:00AM, don't lean on the car in the driveway to put your shoes on and start the car alarm and then realize the key to the car is in the house, door is locked and you are scrambling to get to the hide-a-key........... OH S - - - !  

 I'm really tired --- How far did you say this walk was??

 Keep smiling even when you have blisters

 Just one of the many cool buildings

Who ordered this??

 WOW! Love having a brother-in-law with a jet!

 John Lennon's memorial in Central Park

 If you walk the bridge you need a souvenir 

Are we done moving yet?

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Saturday was Cinco de Mayo, a day often mistaken in the United States for Mexico's Independence Day. In fact, the holiday had it origin more than 50 years after the date associated with the country's independence. So here's what you need to know about Cinco de Mayo (read more)

Some of the PCRs celebrated this day by riding to BIG MTN and beyond. Mr MBA, Prez. Hale and Mr. T were all absent and the Big Man was treated to finding new friends to listen to his stories and singing. (He sure had a GREAT ride, not sure what they thought??)  GQ brought a couple of new riders, which were happy to ride with him to little mtn, but left the two geezers in the dust on the climb to Big Mtn. Big Man, in riding with one young lady learned that behind every good man, is a BETTER woman.

YIPPY SKIPPY

 It's about time you two geezers got here

 Still a little snow on the backside..... 

Love that descent to East Canyon!

 Yea, riding with Big Man makes you little CRAZY!

"The PCRs really could use someone that knows how to lead

 and 

it's really nice to ride with someone that knows how to listen"