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?"

Short Tour of Catalina Island

10 hours of driving and 90 minutes on the ferry and we were on Catalina Island. The ferry ride was amazing. Not to much rocking and swaying on the trip over and we passed by two schools of dolphins. The yellow tail are thick right now and I am sure the dolphins are feasting on chicken of the sea. It is quite a beautiful site.  You definitely earn your downhill on the island. Hot desert terrain accompanied by a sea breeze makes for good riding conditions. Little Harbor was our first camp site and we were greeted by the local fox. We made sure everything was secured at all times. He would wait for campers to leave for just a minute and go for the prize. Our new friends Ron and Heather found out how quick you can loose a granola bar from a sly fox. We tied every thing up high at night and had no problems at all. 

Growing up in California has given me a life time longing for the ocean sunsets. I picked Little Harbor and Parson's Landing so I would catch the sunsets there and I was right. Absolutely amazing! The perfect back drop for some quality time with my son. Here he is in the sunset picture. We had a good time just sitting on the cliff, talking and enjoying the sunset after a fantastic ride over the island. In the distance we could see a big bull buffalo grazing on some green grass and a few rays down below exposed by the crystal clear ocean. 

The "Liveforever" plant is a species only found on Catalina Island.

"Fire flies be free"

I learned that the animal warning signs are not exaggerated. My own confidence got the best of me when I approached this bull a little to close. At about 5 to 7 yards away he turned tword me, snorted, and lowered his head to charge. I held completely still and when he gave the ok to move and I moved back slowly. When I was out of his personal space he went back to grazing. We had to go over this hill because he would not let us pass on the road. I now have a greater respect for these beasts then I had previously. They are truly magnificent animals. 

There is no camping outside of the designated areas. I recommend a large group to save cost on the camp sites. Also I brought in all my food from the main land. Expect at least twice the cost for living expenses on the island.

Santa Catalina Island Tour

When someone has been to Catalina Island their usual experience is the island town of Avalon. There you can find all the shopping, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and activities this beautiful island has to offer. Personally I have been there for all of the above, including some employment services offered to the island locals as an umpire officiating a girls softball tournament. I have always enjoyed my stay there and one time I went there on a short stay during a luxury cruise to Mexico. The Kayaks you can rent there are very sound and I enjoyed a short excursion to Frog Rock experiencing harbor seals swimming below me in the kelp beds, a bald eagle and many of Catalina's protected Geribaldi fish.  I believe that is the most distance I have been out of Avalon combining all my Catalina Island experiences. You can see by this map that Avalon is just a small part of the island:

Growing up in the USA I have been thoroughly indoctrinated to the history of the Bison (The American Buffalo). As I have grown older and slightly wiser and have traveled the world I realize now that the Bison is as unique to north America as the kangaroo is to Australia. They are a sight to see and Catalina Island is home to an estimated 200 to 300 count herd of Bison. They were introduced there in the 1920's by Hollywood film makers in the making of a motion picture. They have been there ever sense then and the population is controlled by the conservancy. I understand that you can enjoy a buffalo burger wile you are visiting the island. Other terrestrial mammalia on the island include deer, foxes, squirrels, and at one time the island was used as a pig hunters paradise. I wouldn't count out the elusiveness of the pig. They may still exist on the island.


photo taken from: http://ayounghare.wordpress.com/category/uncanny/


Planning this bike tour has been different for me than other bike tours. I really wanted to see the more rural parts of the island and mostly parts I have not experience before. I have decided to use two base camps as I explore the islands hilly terrain. I started with the choice of Little Harbor sense I have never been on that side of the island. Parsons Landing is my other choice because of it's primitive camping appeal. I have ordered a few gallons of water to be left there for us even though it looks like there is a small freshwater stream there that I can filter from if I need to. You can order the water as you make your camp reservations online.
Link:
Two Harbors to Little Harbor
Little Harbor to Parsons Landing
As you can see from these links distance is not going to be an issue however the uphills may be a challenge. The trip starts with a ferry ride from San Pedro to Two Harbors. My greatest enjoyment will be reuniting with my son with a bike tour after his two year absence in my life wile he was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Awesome!