I've been sooo busy it's hard to keep up. So as I make this post it's already a bit outdated.
So my journey across the Big Muddy was okay. The drive to Kentuckee and back is over 19 hours solid! After all the hype about the hills and dogs of Kentucky I was expecting more. Yes, the horse farms were beautiful and it was amazing how many backroads Kentucky has paved. But the dogs and hills didn't live up to the hype. The cycling days were short and easy; and the dogs were downright lazy! All the history was exciting though. Like Fort Boonesbourg, Constitution Square, the Wilderness Road, Berea College, and the first stomach operation and amputation at the hip; just to name a few. I did get in a great ride after the day into Versailles. I went off route and found an old river road, run down bourbon operation, and got to the outskirts of Frankfurt, Kentucky's capital. I also got to make a suprise visit to my cousin who goes to UK in Lexington, which was awesome.
After returning to Denver on Sunday afternoon I hurridly repacked my bags and the next morning left for a solo cycling trip in Utah. More about that later...
So the news EVERYONE has been asking about....my plans for the future...drumroll please!!
thru Oct 25- continue solo cycling trip in Utah and AZ
Oct 26-31 Guide Grand Canyon/Sedona hike
Nov 1-4 Downtime in AZ/NM/TX
Nov 5-10 Guide cycling trip in Texas hill country
Nov 12-15 Back in Colorado
Nov 15-27 TBD
Nov 28-Jan 8 Back in Michigan-working at the Biv
Jan 10-March Groovy good cycling tour with the bros (itinerary TBD)
April-June More cycling and hiking adventures
July-Oct Guiding cycling/hiking tours for Timberline for a third season
Nov- EVERYONE continues to ask me about my plans... gosh dern
So there ya have it! It took me a while, but ya'll should be amazed about how long this plan stretches into next year. Based on my planning skills, or lack thereof, this is incredible! I hope this answers some questions, BUT I'm sure there will be more ;-0
Cheers ya'll
Welcome ya'll, This site is dedicated to sharing my stories and photos with family and friends. I hope you enjoy it and leave a comment, marking your passing. Now it's time to get out and ride!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Canyon Country Cycling
I've been to southern Utah about half a dozen times, but its incredible scenery never ceases to astound me. One of the reasons for living in Colorado is so I can travel to Utah easily. This state has got everything! Mountains, canyons, few people, and at the right places you can buy beer above 3.2%. So naturally I have looking forward to this 10 day tour ever since it appeared on my schedule.
We picked up the guests in Las Vegas; my first time there. This tour had two Brits, one Kiwi, and two Michiganders. It's amazing how people adopt British mannerisms when there are Brits around! Wasn't that impressed, especially because like most of Arizona they are draining the nation's aquifers. The cycling began in St. George the next morning, heading for Zion National Park. Cycling into the canyon with only a few cars to contend with was mystical. The colors of southern Utah are just unbelievable! We stayed in Zion Lodge that night and the next morning climbed the switchbacks and chains to the top of Angels Landing. Some people are really petrified of the exposure, but for a Colorado boy, it really ain't that bad. I would really love to do the narrows of Zion sometime, maybe next Spring. Following our hiking excursion, the group cycled up the climb out of Zion along the eastern entrance. Had some great views loading the bikes on top of the van near the rim of the canyon (bikes aren't allowed in the mile-long tunnel). I really would have loved to do the steep 3-mile climb, but I can't ride everyday.
After a night in Mt. Carmel Junction (2 hotels, 2 restaurants, 2 gas stations) we headed for Bryce. After a long gradual climb we picked up an awesome tailwind and gradual downhill and simply flew into Hatch. That afternoon we cycled thru one of my favorite places, Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest. It has the colors and scenery of Bryce Canyon, but on a smaller scale and without all the tour buses. It's a darn charming place! Rudy's Inn and Restaurant was a huge complex. The food was good, but the place has the appeal of a busy truck stop. All was forgotten as we arose early and droved to Sunrise Point in the Park for the sunrise over the canyon. It was crowded, but beautiful! After breakfast some of the group hiked Fairyland Loop, which descends into the canyon and then returns along the rim. It's a scenic hike and not too crowded. The following day we road into Escalante, Utah. This is a really groovy town with great pizza and Mexican food. I really dig this place and really need to explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument a whole lot more! We did squeeze in a short hike in the beautiful Escalante Canyon. The trail criss-crossed the river so many times, but with my Chacos all was good, until I sprained my big toe. Thus began my kick on Ibuprofen.
The ride to Boulder was thru the heart of canyon country and included a mile of 13% grade. This area is so incredible! I need my mountain bike for Hell's Backbone and the Burr Trail backcountry byways. After a great lunch to lull us all into nap mode Boulder Mountain began with a vengeance, and kept going and going ;-) We all made it to Torrey; I decided to take a side trip to Teasdale (not much there). That night at Cafe Diablo we experienced some wonderful southwest cuisine. The next day we explored the Grand Wash in Capital Reef National Park and toured other sites of interest. Returning to the bikes after a 'rest' day, the guests road from Loa to Panguitch. This 90 mile stretch has beautiful sagebrush valleys and canyons. Crossed paths with a Colorado couple touring for a week on recumbents and got some good route info. We also began our roulette game with rain and some hail. We lost today and the next two days, but each started out beautifully.
After a night in the small, but quaint town of Panguitch, I was happy to be cycling to Brian Head ski resort along UT-143. This scenic byway has incredible falls Aspen colors and 4,000 feet in elevation gain, topping off at 10,430 feet. I climbed with the strongest rider and my toe hurt pretty bad. More Ibuprofen please! It also dropped 30 degrees in an hour and a half; loved the climbing though. The descent into Brian Head was fast and steep and after cleaning the guests' bikes I descended to Parowan. On the way back the last two miles were 10-13%, simply brutal! We enjoyed our final dinner together and after 70 miles and 8,000 feet in elevation gain I need it. I finally managed to stress my climbing legs. The next morning we cycled thru Cedar Breaks National Monument and got some great views. Then the cold rainy descent into Cedar City began (I was dry in the van). Everyone was chilled from the descent and I hurriedly loaded bikes on the van and we all head for Sullivan's Cafe. Next was the three hour drive to Vegas (the Arizona strip thru the canyon is short, but incredible). After dropping them all off, repacking the van, we headed back to St. George and the next morning on to Denver.
So after two days off, including a great time with an awesome friend in Fort Collins I have somewhat managed to catch up with my life. I'm actually getting close to deciding on my Fall and Winter plans, but what's the hurry, I still have a week or so left ;-)
We picked up the guests in Las Vegas; my first time there. This tour had two Brits, one Kiwi, and two Michiganders. It's amazing how people adopt British mannerisms when there are Brits around! Wasn't that impressed, especially because like most of Arizona they are draining the nation's aquifers. The cycling began in St. George the next morning, heading for Zion National Park. Cycling into the canyon with only a few cars to contend with was mystical. The colors of southern Utah are just unbelievable! We stayed in Zion Lodge that night and the next morning climbed the switchbacks and chains to the top of Angels Landing. Some people are really petrified of the exposure, but for a Colorado boy, it really ain't that bad. I would really love to do the narrows of Zion sometime, maybe next Spring. Following our hiking excursion, the group cycled up the climb out of Zion along the eastern entrance. Had some great views loading the bikes on top of the van near the rim of the canyon (bikes aren't allowed in the mile-long tunnel). I really would have loved to do the steep 3-mile climb, but I can't ride everyday.
After a night in Mt. Carmel Junction (2 hotels, 2 restaurants, 2 gas stations) we headed for Bryce. After a long gradual climb we picked up an awesome tailwind and gradual downhill and simply flew into Hatch. That afternoon we cycled thru one of my favorite places, Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest. It has the colors and scenery of Bryce Canyon, but on a smaller scale and without all the tour buses. It's a darn charming place! Rudy's Inn and Restaurant was a huge complex. The food was good, but the place has the appeal of a busy truck stop. All was forgotten as we arose early and droved to Sunrise Point in the Park for the sunrise over the canyon. It was crowded, but beautiful! After breakfast some of the group hiked Fairyland Loop, which descends into the canyon and then returns along the rim. It's a scenic hike and not too crowded. The following day we road into Escalante, Utah. This is a really groovy town with great pizza and Mexican food. I really dig this place and really need to explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument a whole lot more! We did squeeze in a short hike in the beautiful Escalante Canyon. The trail criss-crossed the river so many times, but with my Chacos all was good, until I sprained my big toe. Thus began my kick on Ibuprofen.
The ride to Boulder was thru the heart of canyon country and included a mile of 13% grade. This area is so incredible! I need my mountain bike for Hell's Backbone and the Burr Trail backcountry byways. After a great lunch to lull us all into nap mode Boulder Mountain began with a vengeance, and kept going and going ;-) We all made it to Torrey; I decided to take a side trip to Teasdale (not much there). That night at Cafe Diablo we experienced some wonderful southwest cuisine. The next day we explored the Grand Wash in Capital Reef National Park and toured other sites of interest. Returning to the bikes after a 'rest' day, the guests road from Loa to Panguitch. This 90 mile stretch has beautiful sagebrush valleys and canyons. Crossed paths with a Colorado couple touring for a week on recumbents and got some good route info. We also began our roulette game with rain and some hail. We lost today and the next two days, but each started out beautifully.
After a night in the small, but quaint town of Panguitch, I was happy to be cycling to Brian Head ski resort along UT-143. This scenic byway has incredible falls Aspen colors and 4,000 feet in elevation gain, topping off at 10,430 feet. I climbed with the strongest rider and my toe hurt pretty bad. More Ibuprofen please! It also dropped 30 degrees in an hour and a half; loved the climbing though. The descent into Brian Head was fast and steep and after cleaning the guests' bikes I descended to Parowan. On the way back the last two miles were 10-13%, simply brutal! We enjoyed our final dinner together and after 70 miles and 8,000 feet in elevation gain I need it. I finally managed to stress my climbing legs. The next morning we cycled thru Cedar Breaks National Monument and got some great views. Then the cold rainy descent into Cedar City began (I was dry in the van). Everyone was chilled from the descent and I hurriedly loaded bikes on the van and we all head for Sullivan's Cafe. Next was the three hour drive to Vegas (the Arizona strip thru the canyon is short, but incredible). After dropping them all off, repacking the van, we headed back to St. George and the next morning on to Denver.
So after two days off, including a great time with an awesome friend in Fort Collins I have somewhat managed to catch up with my life. I'm actually getting close to deciding on my Fall and Winter plans, but what's the hurry, I still have a week or so left ;-)
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