Just Riding - Provo Canyon 3.31.12

 Saturday was one of those days where we almost have to force ourselves to ride and it turns out amazing. Guthrie and I had been struggling with a stomach flu the week before, but with possible 80 degree temperatures (which we did hit and broke a long time record), we couldn't miss a day like that.

We began very slow and climbed and explored new trails, the following is a picture summary of the trip.

Due to the wind the night and day before, the air was clear and we could see for miles.

Hard to believe it is late March and such little snow in the mountains, this is the GWT climbing up from the altar to the pass at the top of Dry creek for a descent, alas the snow stopped us.

Gorgeous blue skies and bike (2011 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO).

We decide to take a few pictures descending Dragon's back...Guthrie pinning it.

This year we have explored these trails more than ever before, and we couldn't be more happy with them. They provide good training, variety and some technical portions (you can find them on this website Timp Foothill Trails).

Long live Utah biking...

The last/First ride?

Every year, when the first snow falls, I try to do one last ride. This year, or I should say season, was a little different however. Because the temperatures were so mild and there was a lack of snow, we continued to ride through November and December. Last week I even was able to do two night rides, wearing only a long sleeve jersey and long pants, that is crazy!!

This year the first snowfall, that stopped biking (maybe, as it was so minimal) , didn't happen until January 7, 2012. So I rode from Timpanogos park up racecourse to the "altar" (the pile of rocks in the first picture), Down crank to Beginning of Dragon's back then dropped into Johnson's Hole and back down to the parkway trail and my car, about 9 miles overall. Not long, but long for January 6th.

This picture is looking down into "Johnson's Hole" as it is called. This is a newer trail we just recently found and is a fantastic addition to the trail network at the mouth of Provo canyon.

Utah is such a fabulous place to live. Within one hour of our home there lies, Payson canyon (black hawk, Bennie), Spanish fork canyon (Three fork loop, Monk, Strawberry ridge), American Fork Canyon (Ridge, Ant's knoll, Tibble fork) Corner canyon, Lambert...Etc. Within two hours there is Price, The San Rafael Swell and  Salt lake valley. Within 3-4 hourse lies the world famous Moab with all it has to offer and St. George/Hurricane with what some regard as the best trail in the United States, Gooseberry Mesa and it's twin, little Creek, among many other greats (Guacamole, Slickrock swamp, Grafton, Zen, etc).

People travel around the world to ride these trails. Trails which grace the cover of multiple magazines regularly. Bike tests are done there. Outerbike is held in Moab. MBA action devotes entire photo sections just to Moab because they receive so many pictures from there.

And we can ride it almost any time we want.

Yes Utah is quite a place for the Mountain Biker or Outdoor adventurer.

I am glad to call it home. 



Horse tail Flat loop Hike

Hidden atop American Fork canyon is a short 3.5 mile beautiful loop that passes through three large meadows, a spring and a pond, not to mention a elk herd lives in the vicinity and can be heard frequently bugling in the trees. Last Saturday we took the kids on this hike and they loved it.

See how happy S Looks!!

R (the littlest) is so happy!

Is this the fam? Yes it is.

We make the outdoors look good! Or at least D'mom does.

The Hill we are descending are where the Elk Herd is frequently found.

Tall flowers, good picture of E.

The Foliage is so thick and tall you can't see S and R in front of D'mom.

It was a great hike, even the youngest were able to hike the entire way with minimal whining.

Beautiful country - close to home.

Night ride...

Sunset

Back to Blogging....Saturday morning I awoke with a little cold so I didn't go biking. Later that night I still wanted to go so I went on my first night ride of fall...alone. It was a little Creepy, but with some music on it wasn't too bad. I rode the pipe line road up to the corner canyon trails then to the Altar.

The City

The "Altar"

The City upon returning

The Highlight of the night, if you can call it that, or perhaps the most vivid memory was this; While riding up a small hill two sets of eyes came running over the hill towards me, they darted in the bushes then slunk back through the grass towards me. I was, well, very, very startled. Shortly after a very large animal came bounding over the hill behind them...I got off my bike very quickly. They turned out to be two dogs and a horse, followed soon after by a horseman.

I was relieved that is all it was.

The first real Utah Valley Ride

For those who are familiar with the movie "Seven Brides and Seven Brothers", there is a time when the men and women of the village have been waiting all year for the pass to open. It's a memorable scene when the man rides into the village shouting, "The pass is open, The pass is open". That scene illustrates how we feel when the trails, however few they may be, are open.

Guthrie heading up from the Racecourse trails to the water tank road

The trails begin at the Timpanogos Park near the mouth of Provo canyon. After climbing a short dirt road, the single track begins. The trails wander and switch back for a short distance until they become steep before reaching the road. However, most of the trails are rideable.

Guthrie goes up first because it give me a chance to rest and take pictures, mainly rest though.

After reaching the road we took a right and went up "Betty" to the "Altar".

The trails were all in amazing shape, dry enough to ride without leaving ruts or tracks, but still damp enough that normally loose sections were tacky.

The views from the top of the cliffs are actually quite cool.

After reaching the "altar" we descended "Frank" to the water tank road. We followed the road around to where the singletrack continues descending on a trail known as "Dragon's Back". After hitting the Provo parkway trail, we headed up and connected with the Bst heading away from Bridal veil falls. We rode this trail for about 1 mile until we hit snow and mud, then turned around.

Normally the parkway trail is just a smooth coast back to the park, however today the wind was blowing fiercely up the canyon so the coast was now a pedal. It was all peaceful until Guthrie saw two other bikers ahead of us. Whenever this happens, Guthrie puts his head down a little, shifts down and tries to catch and then pass then, sure enough; his head went down, shifted down and accelarated. After passing them, you can't be passed again, so we held the pace until the bottom.

It was amazing to get out on the trails for the first time. Other trails are also ready, (Lambert park, Corner canyon) but the Foothill trails (follow the link to find a map) seem to be steeper and we have ridden them less. Over all we did 14 miles.

A great day.