The Child in Us All

Every Time I am riding down a slope and I spot a small hill I get the urge to separate the earth from my tires. I am sure it stems from my childhood days building ramps with all the neighborhood kids. It was just the summer activity we did. Of coarse one-up-man-ship always lead us to the impossible ramp that only the most daring would even try.

Picture from: http://www.leftylimbo.com

 "Evil" Knievel was doing television stunts and neighborhood legends were made in every American town. We dreamed of flying and we built bicycles to accommodate the urge. It is sad to think that there will come a day when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. With 50 + years behind me I sometimes feel like that boy flying through the air with full confidence of my landing and sometimes feeling the pains of 50 + my landing is not so sure. I know what it means when the spirit will not yield to age and wisdom keeps your wheels on the floor a little more. My prayers go out to Jeff and his family. May miracles be a great part of his journey. 

Jeffs Journey (Click)

Help Jeff (Click)

Outlaws Hideaway on Bicycle.

Front row left to right: Harry A. Longabaugh, alias the Sundance Kid, Ben Kilpatrick, alias the Tall Texan, Robert Leroy Parker, alias Butch Cassidy; Standing: Will Carver, alias News Carver, & Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry; Fort Worth, Texas, 1900.

Before this picture was taken in their fully duded garb these roughnecks were rustling cattle and robbing the wealthy big takes of the American west. As a boy I remember pretending to be one or two of these old west folk outlaws. 

There is no doubt that the hollywood portrayals of these men had an influence on my outlaw infatuation.

Living in Utah, how could I pass up the opportunity to ride where they did, drink where they dipped their canteens and light a camp fire in some of these wonderful outlaw hide out territories. Perhaps cook some fish over an open fire and enjoy some amazing wilderness scenery. This trip however involved a whole different type of "Wild Bunch". 

Don't let the short distance fool you. A great deal of this nine mile loop is extremely technical. They call this area the boulders for a good reason. The trails are challenging and the area is full of wildlife.

 Blind Lake

Aspen Groves

Wild Flowers

Pear Lake

Camp Fires

Serious climbs and downhills make the scenery spectacular.

The fishing was great and cooked over the open fire they were delicious.

I couldn't resist riding my bike here. It left me some great video advantages on this trip.

The Video:

Wilderbiking

Bikehiking, Wilderbiking, Bikepaking or whatever you favorite label is it has been an amazing year so far out in the sticks breathing fresh air and drinking stream water. I am about to embark on a wilderness journey to an early American outlaw hideaway called The Boulders located in southern Utah. I hope my camera holds out and my batteries stay juiced for this trip so I can share the amazing beauty of this country. Until then I have put this together.

Empires are won and lost. Vast amounts of wealth and power are collected. In the end it is the simple things that make us happy.