Guided Bicycle Tour

Even though I have now guided a bicycle tour I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. I try to put myself in the shoes of the guided. What could make this more adventurous for them? How can I provide a safe and yet Marco Polo like adventure in a guided tour?  I don't know all the answers but this is my experience. 

"Involvement"

Involvement is key. This may mean you have to carry a few extra items with you. For me that means I will be pulling the BOB trailer. I can usually tote a few more items in the BOB. In this case it was just some obsidian and some flint knapping tools in addition to some jewelry making items. With this were able to make some very nice obsidian arrowhead necklaces. This served as a perfect foreshadowing of what was to come in a few days when we would make atlatls and darts with what was provided by the mountain. 

"Exploring"

What is interesting and unique about the area you will be touring?

There is lots of speculation about this rock carving. Most people believe it is from the Escalante expedition when the Spanish first entered this area. Others believe it is a petroglyph from a local native american tribe and others believe it is much older. It is unique and therefore difficult to ascertain it's origin. 

Here I pored some water on it to make it pop out for the picture. In the spring this is in the middle of a waterfall.

Link to other interesting rock art near the area. Click

"Equipment"

To a committed bicycle tourist good equipment can make a more hassle free trip. As an inexpensive option that works really well is the rig above: $8.00 used kiddy trailer bought from a yard sale stripped down to a flatbed. On it is a strapped on $4.00 used back pack bought at a thrift store. I was surprised how well this rig preformed. Lighter than my BOB and it held up really well even on dirt roads.

One of my favorite pieces of equipment is this light weight tarp. It is made of a parachute material and so it folds up to nearly nothing. here we made it into a really nice canopy at a base camp that we stayed at for a few days. It is amazing what you can make with some sticks and a tarp. On long riding days I have used it to cover my bike and bags. At times I have used it for a shelter which works great in conjunction with my hammock.

The making of an atlatl dart.

Fishing was amazing and much instruction and technique was taught. 

Campfire art.

If video does not play...click here.

Bandits on the Bike Trail

"Do not approach wild animals they can be dangerous"

Ok I get this rule, however the animals are illiterate and must have different rules. Like the time I was ocean kayaking in Monterey and a sea otter comes out of the quiet ocean and lays on my kayak. $10,000 fine for approaching sea otters. "Go away little sea otter"! After he scared the jeebees out of me. Afterward I had to explain to a park ranger that the otter should be fined for approaching me. Luckily he saw it my way. I recently learned that approaching wild bison can be a frightening experience. You can read that in an earlier blog. Sometimes you happenstance a communion with nature. Like the time I was down-hilling over a ridge and came to a sliding stop in the middle of a large heard of deer. Funniest thing; they looked at me and must have realized I was no threat and so they went back to grazing like I was part of the natural terrain. Free climbing one time I was face to face with a coiled up rattle snake. our faces were about twelve inches apart but instead of biting me and sending me to a plummeting death he just slithered away. Yesterday I learned that raccoons do not see well in the day light. Spotting them 50 meters ahead on the bike trail I stopped to obey the non approach rule. OK not really I just didn't want to spook them so I can get a picture.  So, I held perfectly still and it was like I was invisible. They kept getting closer and closer and the next thing I know they are sniffing my leg. I laughed because it tickled and they then scurried off. I think it was a big surprise for them and didn't know what to do at first. Hilarious! 

Other wildlife sightings for this ride include: Swallows diving at me (I was a little to close to the nests), lots of magpies, snakes, and different varieties of ducks in the canal. Soon the sunflowers will be bursting with blooms.

The Thistle. Scotland's national flower. They always remind me of my days in the bonny land.

U.S. Highway 6 Stats

There were 519 fatal and serious injury crashes between Spanish Fork and Green River in Utah from 1996-2008. Of those:

117 were at night

280 were during the day

84 were in bad weather

260 were in clear weather

9 involved collisions with animals

32 were DUIs

46 involved driver fatigue

145 involved speeding

288 involved driving off the road or into traffic

Statistics found on:

http://www.npr.org/2009/11/29/120716625/the-deadliest-roads-are-rural

This section of highway has been called the most dangerous road in America. I live in Spanish Fork and I have been on this road more times then I care to count. As you can see in the stats, no bicycles! So I was trying to understand why there are so many fatal accidents on this road. I think the stats are somewhat revealing. First get rid of the time of day (day time or night time). Than get rid of weather factor (Bad weather does't seem to make it worse because people drive more careful in bad weather?). The big numbers you have left are: "288 involved driving off the road or into traffic" and "145 involved speeding". People drive this road fast, after all it is about 60 miles from the civilization of Spanish Fork to the civilization of Price, Utah. Between that section there is some beautiful scenery, mountain off road trails, hunting, rappelling, hot springs, fishing, hiking, youth camps, mining, rock hounding, exploring and some great mountain biking. This all adds up to people driving into and out of a highway of speeding vehicles. Utah drivers are the worst at this. It is like a disease here. I have even found myself doing this. My apologies to everyone I have cut off wile entering traffic. I think the case is solved (gavel comes down with a long echo). 

Bike ride up highway 6 was a great uphill workout. loved it, thanks to the Lance Armstrong philosophy of riding. In the way of serendipity I found on the highway: One spool of fishing line, one deer antler, two pairs of sun glasses, three bungee chords, one socket wrench and one roll of electrical tape. Good thing I brought at least one pannier. 

Old Technology

I was looking at a friends old steel cromoly frame yesterday and I was thinking how much I really liked it. Don't get me wrong. I have a full suspension mountain bike and there is no way I would want that to be steel.  However, take away the suspension and it is hard to beet the steel frame for the back roads. There is something to be said about simplicity. This inspired me to think about other things that I liked better the old school way. I really like my old 1980's Cannondale panniers. They are really solid and have held up well over the years.

Keep in mind, not everything old is better. Lighting has sure changed. My 1980's halogen light does not hold a candle (pun intended) to my 1600 lumen flashlight for under ten dollars. The mount cost me just a few dollars and the lighting is amazing and adjustable. Now back to the mount. It was not very expensive and I think we can categorize this one as "cheap". I am on my second one. They do not hold up well under stress. I suppose I could afford to buy several at that price however, I would rather pay more for one that would hold up to rougher riding.

This 300 lumen flashlight with mount holds up better. But I have to have the lighting. At this point I can't go backwards. 

300 lumen vs 1600 lumen is a no brainer.

Happy Trails! Rest in the shade.

Cotton on the Trail

The cottonwoods are so beautiful this time of the year but keep your fingers out of your eyes or they will swell shut. Enjoy your ride!

I love to stop and talk to other bicycle tourists. On our way back from our Catalina Island short tour we, by chance, ran into Dave and Cathy approaching there one year on the road mark. They were crossing the Nevada desert and loving it.

Click here for 

Dave and Cathy

Crazyguyonabike journal

The after work sunset rides are back. What a great opportunity to wind down. I have always found the sunset rides to be a source of time for reflection. It is so quiet up on the canal road with the exception of  nature and water sometimes breaking it's plain as it moves southward to surrounding farms. The sunsets and valley views are spectacular and inspiring. 

The one price of admission is the ride back in the dark. After all you can't have a sunset without a sundown. Personally I love the cool breeze. In case you were wondering what that feeling of eyes being on you when your out in the woods after dark I have learned that it really is eyes watching you. Those creepy nocturnal beasts are probably wondering when you are leaving. My new 1600 lumen flashlight is great for seeing those nocturnal peepers and is fantastic for lighting up the road. I love it.

"Are you leaving?"