Training Log Archive: igoup

Couldn't get up in the morning and almost bagged doing anything in the evening. However, I got myself out and did-not-enjoy the first serious day of hot (95F+) and humid weather. Stopped briefly at the boathouse to chat with Ed. Then did a bunch of hills up in the old hood. Ran into Chuck Hodges down by the spillway and chatted with him for a bit too. Legs could use more rest.

I left the room with a plan to go shorter today. However, once out I decided to go longer. Nice morning. Headed up the dirt road at Alta a bit before hopping on the snow and getting to the top of the Sunnyside Lift. Stayed in the snow on the way down. Very nice but my legs are going to be sore.

A helicopter landed at the Powderhorn building just as I was approaching. I was a little higher on the road and so it was interesting to look straight out and see the copter still in the air. I was close enough when it touched down that I was in the wash from the blades, which blew up a lot of dust. Nifty.

At Snowbird for SIAM ADS meeting. Out at 0630 -- sun hadn't made it into the canyon yet. Up to Alta, onto the dirt road, up to the houses overlooking Alta, shortcut through the snow on an old snow cat track, shortcut through the snow below all the Alta lodges, back to the road, where I finally saw my shadow.

Quick session of dumbbells and core. Ate too much pizza for dinner.

Woke up to 45F and rain, which fortunately stopped by the time I ate breakfast and got to Kamas. Parked in front of the Forest Service Office and started riding. It was 45 and overcast so felt pretty cool. The weather report had a chance for rain and t-storms so I packed a camelbak (w/o bladder) with extras. I had a little sun climbing so I eventually stripped off my jacket and gloves.

The climb was mostly steady and I doubt ever steeper than 7% (maybe a some brief stretches of 8%). It was work but I could manage with the 36-25.

After about 15k I passed the boundary to the national forest -- very nice scenery. Eventually passed some road side snow, which become more snow and then more snow. I had a loose goal to make it to 25mi and Lake Provo. However, there wasn't a nice landmark to commemorate the turn around point so I just kept going. Then it started snowing! Passed 3 or 4 groups of snowmobilers on the way. Many cars passed me on the way to somewhere I didn't know where. When I got to Lost Lake I was about to turn around but a car stopped to say hi and then let me know I only had about 2mi to go. "To go to what?" I asked. "To where the road ends." Dang it! Now I had to keep going.

I stuck it out and made it to the bulldozer blocking the road. Some other tourists were there and took my photo. I put on another shirt, my jacket, my lobster gloves and a hat underneath my helmet.

Down I go and its snowing a lot and it is stinging my eyes so I pulled out my sunglasses. Down again and my hands are freezing even in the lobster so I had to stop a couple of times to warm them up. I have to say that it was a very unenjoyable 12k until the snow eased. The cold and wet roads did not make for a relaxing downhill flight.

It was dry for a bit, then it rained a bit, then it started sleeting and stinging a bit again, then rain again. I just kept the pressure on to get down to where I could see clearer skies. I could feel the temp coming up and the final 15k were nice and dry.

Went to Oakley and the Road Island Diner for lunch and to warm up.

Really bizarre coincidence that my ride time is only 2sec different than yesterday.

On Strava this is listed as "High Uintas Climb" categorized as HC. The ave grade is only 3% (peeks above 8.5% a few times) but is long. The KOM is 1hr 30min. My time is roughly mid pack. I don't have a "premium" subscription to filter and see how I stack up against other guys around 51yrs old, who weigh 84kg, and are from low altitude flat lands.

Up late then up early = low sleep. DFW to SLC to Park City to Park City Bike Demos.

A very nice Argon 18 Gallium. Nice Ultegra components with electronic shifting. Average wheelset. Seat turned out to be a little too firm after 4 hours. Stretched out a little farther than on my own bike -- not sure if that is good or bad. A little firmer ride than my own but that could be due to wheels and tire pressure. All and all, a great bike to spend the day on.

Perfect day for riding. Temps swung between 55ish and 65ish depending on whether the clouds cover the sun. Sometimes the downhills got a little chilly. My vest came on and off as needed.

Did a decent job of climbing. Didn't stress or press -- just tried to keep it steady. If Brown Canyon got much steeper heading west I might have been wishing for better than 36-25.

Fueled with a big fat burrito just before leaving and so I didn't need more than a few Clif Blocks. Post ride refueling was a Davanza's with a decent Uinita ale.

Finished tired but still moving well.

I'm a lucky guy to be able to spend such a day.