Tom Bender

Time and time again I find myself eyeing over Google maps looking for the next place.  A place I haven't ventured on 2 wheels.  With a vast backyard it tends to be sorta easy to just go out and find something new but its usually a hit or miss.  Sometimes the trail ends or sometimes its a hike a bike (I don't know about you dear reader but I'd prefer riding to walkin' any day... save that for 'cross!), but sometimes you find a spot that just makes you step back a minute.

50 minutes out my front door I found myself here.  Looking south towards Mt. Aire, Gobblers Knob, Mt. Raymond and the mountains that make up a small portion of interior Wasatch Front.  I surprised myself here, thinking I had seen a lot close to home...its now opened up a whole lot more of exploration of an area I thought I knew...

Next up a totally different view...

At times all I want to do is ride...A view from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail which runs the bench of Salt Lake City.  Miles of trail ride from the doorstep...

Must be!  After last night rain the trails were gripping like eagle talons.  The joys of 1 track!

Emigration Canyon, affectionately known as Emi, is the locals climb in Salt Lake City.  Its one of the simplest climbs, best grades, most comfortable roads and you can ride from downtown SLC to the mouth of the canyon in a smooth 20 minutes.  Its get you out of the city in a quick way and as far as climbs go, its a beauty. 

If you've seen my Strave profile I usually ride up Emi at least once a week, most times more.  ~1200ft of climbing and ~8miles is perfect for chasing other riders and getting in some "training" or just simply taking a mellow meander to awaken the day.

This morning it was a mellow one  One to loosen the legs and just get out.  With rain overnight it seemed to keep people off the bike (on any given afternoon you could count one hundred cyclists testing themselves up this climb) but all that did was allow my mind to wander and take in the views.  Spring has sprung in the valley but has been taking its time coming in up high.  Today the leaves were coming in and green was returning...except for the snow line which looked to be around 9000ft this morning.  Fine by me, keep it up high...

Its been long over due.  After finally getting back on the horse last week the first race back came fast.  No time to improve skillz or even get a long ride on the steed...it was on. 

Our series, Utah State Championship Series, or USCS for short, puts on some damn fine events now in their second year.  I'm stoked to be back racing, its been a while, but mostly happy to be back seeing all the folks as the races! 

I can recap in a few short sentences.  Gun went off, my lungs felt like coming out of my body all the while trying to keep up the the few in front of me.  We've got some talent in our races as witnessed by the spectators when young, just graduated from high school, Keegan Swenson, ripped the field apart 10 seconds into the race.  Its no wonder he races on the Cannondale Factory Team...and is off again to Europe for the upcoming World Cups.  Congrats on his success!  And also congrats to the 8 other fellas in front of me that rode faster than me up the climb.  I'll get there...9th ain't bad after not having strapped on a number plate in over a year! 

Whats next?  Learning how to ride 1 track fast again is top priority and then perhaps another race this weekend?  Or a trip to the desert...tbd.

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For the first time in 2 months myself and I visited the dirt trails that surround Salt Lake City.  My thumb didn't see to be too much of a bother but my mind was in ecstasy ripping trail.  Who would have thought it was missed so much!  Less road more dirt from now on!

I'm still around dear readers, just a moment of clarity and a break to recharge the batteries seems to have done a world of good.  Work and riding (although I've been on the snowboard recently too) seem to be the norm now, the weathers breaking trees/flowers are budding and the air is as fresh as it gets.

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A day on the bike never's the same...The snows melting, temps warming and trees budding.  Some of the local climbs are still closed but I'll take them as far as they'll go...and then do 'em again...

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more_of_the_same.zip (3.64 MB)

I might have slightly jinx'd it with a post from a bit ago...Saturday, 60F with intermittent sun and Sunday 30F and snow. The overnight snow didn't quite make it down to the valley floor, but as I rode up the snow decided to followed me down, down all the way to the valley floor.  Whatcha gonna do?  Ride...

New Pro6 ready for battle.  Snowy roads are still the norm but nothing some fatty road tires couldn't handle.  This is the bike for everything, road, 'cross and everything in between.  2 days and counting...more on the build once its settled.