Escape to California

Wile reaching sometimes below zero weather, far to early in the season, it became expedient for me to take an early trip to California. Visiting with family members and a 30 mile coastal bike ride would do the trick. It doesn't take long for me to get cabin fever, so after pulling out the two middle seats of the minivan we tossed in the bikes and a small bag of necessities and drove for 10 hours to southern California. The beach bike paths are often crowded with walkers, joggers, bikers, skateboarders, rollerbladers and anything else the imagination can conjure. Don't expect a fast ride. However, the views are amazing and the winter breezes have cleared out the smog. Catalina Island can be seen from every beach. The day ended with a sunset photo shoot on Laguna Beach. It was breathtaking!

Tower 68 Huntington Beach

Laguna Beach

Growing up in California makes spring fever come early for me even though I have lived here in Utah for 17 years. Wile those around me are prepping there snow boards and can hardly wait for the next snow storm, I am doing the opposite. I am always looking for the break in the storm so I can take a ride on the awesomely lonely trails this time of the year. Soon The west desert will be the last frontier for biking in the frozen state for a season. But not today: Even with the days growing shorter, quiet trails leading to peaceful sunsets are all mine.

 Gratitude Trail

Naked trees on a quiet road

leaning west from your golden field abode

as shadow grows from small to great

delicious your apples yielded I ate

Jumping wild beasts from your meadow below

and feathery flowers from beneath your snow

Mountains in the distance as the weary legs rest

behind us we distant the violet glow crest

Sandy Beach Bike Ride

What an awesome break in the weather we are having. So why not go to the beach. Sandy Beach is a little tucked away place of Utah county. The water this day was low so I was riding where I sometimes catch White Bass hanging out near the river inlet. Sandy Beach is at the Spanish Fork River inlet of Utah Lake. In the past I have kayaked out of the Provo River, across Provo Bay and up the Spanish Fork River and stayed the night in a barn with a group of other kayakers. Fishing is prohibited at certain times in the spring in this area of the Spanish Fork River to protect the walleye spawn. Life here is abounding including: mule deer, muskrats, raccoon, owls and many other fowl and more. It is all farmland between Spanish Fork and Sandy Beach which make up a very peaceful ride.

Ode to the Bicycle Tourist:

Anxious to know the sphere on wich we stand
with every downward stroke exploring the glorious land
A thin barrier to thwart the tempest steady onward go
thorns, thistles, and demon dogs present as his foe
Arise and gaze at what the sunrise will bring
starting the day with the birds that sing
Ten miles behind or ten clicks ahead
the amber glow of dusk to find a spot for a bed
Endowed with a soft breeze to cool the brow
a few miles more to journey for now
As the blanket of darkness reveals it's celestial veil
a pause for reflection, and time to sing the tale

Mark Greenwood

First storms fading into snow tipped mountains makes for cold however beautiful riding. From here on i will be looking for storm breaks to ride in.
I hope I will get a chance for an over-niter before those breaks get fewer and further between.. I don't mind camping in the cold and I wouldn't mind waking up near an icy stream and pulling out some trout to serve with some minute rice. It  is all about dressing warm and staying dry.

I tried some of these Russian olives today. They are mostly seed with a gritty texture and sweet taste to the flesh. I would much rather eat a mango, but if you needed carbs these will work in a pinch.The fall colors

 are amazing. A photographers dream.






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