"Hazards of the Ride"

Long hot ride today. I even ran out of water and had to take an alternate route to get more. It makes you think about all the water sources out there. Naturally anywhere there is a human occupied dwelling there is usually potable water. In a desperate situation I wouldn't hesitate to knock on a  residential door to ask for some water. Most people are happy to oblige even if it is from the hose. I personally would rather hit a business for some fine quality h2o than a residential any day. Thank you to Wendys fast food chain for the ice water today. It was Gooooooood!

Today a bee flew in my mouth wile I was riding. I could feel the fuzzy body and the stinger as well on the roof of my mouth. Surprisingly it wasn't as bad as sniffing up a fire ant, I don't recommend that for anyone. Luckily nobody was around to hear me spitting and hocking in an attempt to rid of the perpetrator. After all was said and done I did a heap better than the bee who was spewn all over the trail. Sorry there will be a honey shortage and it is my fault. 

Low hanging Russian Olive trees everywhere today. They will wreck your world. The thorns are needle-like and are about 1 1/2 inches long. You metric folks can do the math, I am too tired. I have been punctured by them to many times to count. They are easy to recognize because they have very light colored (almost gray) leaves. It looked like they were all bearing young fruit today so I decided to do a quick research that I will share:

 Russian-Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

The fruit of the Russian Olive resembles the olive and the leaf of the chaste tree. Russian Olive is the most commonly accepted name in the United States, though occasionally it is called the oleaster. Notice that since it is not a true olive the common name is hyphenated. The fruit is white colored and is fragrant. It has a sweat tasting flesh that matures in the late summer, but may persist on the tree throughout the winter. Young twigs are silver and often have thorns. 

Despite the small hazards, in all it was a beautiful day! 

Change of Season

Don't worry it is not over yet. There are still plenty of good riding days left in the summer and fall season. You just may have to bring some rain gear with you. The days are starting to be less predictable so it is time to hone those old boy scout skills and just "be prepared" for anything. I recall a time when I was snowed on at a southern California beach area (Palos Verdes) in August. Weird! With rain gear you always stay warm as long as you are riding.

Another change in the season is the passing of my brother Fred. He is the big guy. I did my first bicycle touring with these guys. They are my inspiration. These young lads were making leather paniers for there bicycles and taking many journeys in southern California in the 1970's. I think we road on every flood controlled system in the San Gabriel Valley. We knew every shortcut and every dirt trail that there was in our area. We even made a few. We would ride early in the morning when it was still dark and arrive at our destination just as the sun was peaking over the horizon. We cooked our breakfast on an open fire at the lake because we didn't have fancy backpacking stoves. Memories to last an eternity. Love you Fred. (picture came from Renee Souleret's facebook page).

Picture from Lucy Souleret

Bicycle Touring

Bucket List:

"The Great Divide" is a bike touring route that goes from Canada to Mexico through the central portion of the United States. It is a self contained bike tour on mostly dirt roads and bike trails. Skinny tires would be out of this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Divide_Mountain_Bike_Route

"The Katy Trail"
Bike trail without automobile traffic that partially follows the Missouri River.
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/

The best ones are not yet publicized:
Utah to Adam-Ondi-Ahman following at best the old Zions trail.

What is on your bucket list?

Adventures of Bicycle Touring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxhBqnx5v8w&feature=c4-overview&list=UUNGXB2JLxOs-0df6k46u8pw

Have you ever had a day when you had to work and you kept looking out the window daydreaming about the trail. For me that was Saturday. I am lucky enough to only work an occasional Saturday and it was a beautiful day.....until I was off. The rain began to come down. This might detour some from a ride but not me, my handy rain gear was in the back of the car in my 72 hour emergency kit. It was in good shape and it was a great day to test it out. I wouldn't want to be in an emergency with faulty gear. By the time I hit the apex of the trail the lightning was beginning to get scary. The lighting was hitting right and left of me. I started to wonder if my rubber tires would work as a ground just like I have heard about cars. (If you know then give me a holler). I can't deny that I was thinking about waking up in a ditch barbecued with curlier hair.  Anyway I learned just staying positive was the key. I got out of there just fine and the rain gear worked perfect. Another memory for the books.

Local Trail: Spanish Fork Wild Life and Scenery

 

Valley Trails and Irrigation Roads

 One of the most enjoying things about riding a bicycle are the amazing sights that you would otherwise miss zipping by in a car. It is truly baffling to see all the surrounding beauty from a saddle just five minutes from your own home. The trick is to find the roads less traveled away from the noise pollution and exhaust of automobile traffic. Surely as a child you knew every bicycle shortcut in a 10 mile radius from your home and beyond. To often as adults we get caught up in commercialized gear, lightweight bicycles and publicized trails. Sometimes the real enjoyment is in our own back yard. With this

 approach to bicycling suddenly the "I just don't have time" excuse disappears. The after work ride now is your time to clear the mind, get the exercise that you desperately need and still have time for whatever else you do with family and friends. You will find yourself craving the beauty the earth has to offer; every smell and every blade of grass you will begin to miss as you are away from the ride in your daily tasks. Everyday becomes a new day instead of all the days running together.
Most people work a day shift but it doesn't matter because a sunrise or a sunset will do just fine. I find

these times are some of the best to enjoy. Not that I would turn down a middle of the day ride. Whatever your preference is enjoy the ride, always bring a spare tube, patches or both and be smart.

Overnight self contained bicycle tour. Often spring in the valleys is winter in the mountains so be prepared for snow and cold. I call this trip the "Diamond Loop". Starting in Spanish Fork up hwy 6, through Diamond Fork to Springville crossing and into Hobble creek canyon. If you like you can stop at the hot springs on the way.

Heber Creeper Trail

This trail follows the route of the Heber Creepers. No motorized vehicles are allowed on this trail. With no traffic and beautiful lake views it makes an amazing sunset or sunrise ride. Enjoy!

5th Water Trail

This trail starts at the three forks trail head. the halfway point is the bridge crossing over 6th water and leading to some incredible hot springs. Primitive camp sites are available and are free. Bring water or a good way to purify water as there are no facilities available. There are bathrooms at the trail head with no running water. Don't forget to close the gate.