Having Fun

Life's been pretty good lately. I'm finally feeling good enough to get in some quality training. Here's actually hope for the cross season. I did Clark's a couple of times with Mark the other day and bettered my time from last year both times up. It's a great time of the year to ride a bike.

Made to the TOU opening TT yesterday. Those guys are fast. The local fast Cat 1's held their own, but it puts its in perspective how fast the pro really are. Got to see a Kelly guy take dismount at about 35 mph right in front of us. Did not look like fun. Today, Chase Pinkam was very impressive making it in with the second group. Should be lots of fun this weekend at the races.




I figured I put in a picture of JoAnn, the most tolerant wife in the world.

We made it up Logan Canyon for some Camping last Friday. A fire is always a good thing.

Tanner looking all Lumber-Jacky.

We got rained on all night. Fortunately, we were in the new super-cool Easton XI2 tent. The production version will be available at retail next spring. Chris has done a great job with these and our new trekking poles.

Saturday, Tanner will be riding the Snowbird Hill Climb. The boy could do some serious damage.

4.5

I made it out with the GC Connection crew yesterday for the first time in a while. It was a good time with Doug, Kim, Adam, Mindi, Russell, Tanner and Kim's friend Rick. We did Emigration and Big Mountain from Centerville. Just under 4.5 hours in total and 5,800 vertical on the Garmin. Here's the sad part, it was the longest ride of the year for me, by a wide margin. And I've been struggling to go fast in races, go figure.

The weather was October like. A vest and arm warmers were required on the way down off Big Mountain. I like it. If only if would stay this way for the next two months.

With no local racing, there were lots of racers in the canyons. We saw the Canyon Crew, a big group from the South end of the valley including Bryson, a bunch of Contender guys, Mike and the Porcupine Club Crew and also Fox motorpacing Norm. Lots of smiles and unusual friendliness, riders were almost MTB-like. Must have been the lack of oppressive heat.

Susan's Battle Over

I just read Fatty's wife Susan died tonight. Like many others, she fought a long, valiant battle with cancer. She and Elden were able to inspire many to help fight cancer by donating to cancer research. Elden's willingness to share their very personal battle caused many, including me, to be a little more grateful for the blessings in our lives. I've never officially met Fatty, but we have many friends in common and in the odd world of blogs, I feel like I know him. My heart goes out to him and his family tonight.

Like Fatty, so many people deal with extremely difficult challenges with resolve and dignity. It makes my constant whining about not riding a bike as fast as I would like sound pretty weak. I am truly lucky in my life and resolve to show more gratitude and kindness. Life's to short and uncertain to do otherwise.