I love where I live

Took another swig of AF Canyon this morning w/ Brandon and Kyle. We caught a ride up w/ Russ almost to the summit. I feel like I cheated, but it allowed us to get in more riding. We rode horse flat again, dropped down towards cascade springs (Brandon calls it the whoops), climbed Joy and then descended Mud Spring.

Kyle is heading off to law school in Arizona in a few weeks--I'll restrain from making lawyer jokes or comments about litigators. I think he is trying to absorb as much of this incredible terrain as he can before he heads south to the furnace.

Horse Flat / Mud Spring Loop

Tuesday morning, Brandon and I rode a sweet loop. We climbed the pavement for a while, but it was the quickest way to the summit. We started at the tibble fork turnoff and climbed to the summit. We then rode the horse flat loop, and the ridge trail over to mud spring. This was my first ride on Mud. It didn't disappoint. Tibble is fun, but I give the nod to Mud.

Doing it again Thursday morning. 5:30 am at the tibble turnoff if you want some.

AF Canyon - Horse Flat, Mud Spring Loop 7-13-10 from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Three Forks Loop

Another sweet ride on a new trail. The Smith Bros. (not really brothers, but they could be since they coordinate their jerseys) took me on the three forks loop in Spanish Fork Canyon.

At the top of cottonwood, we were pounded by rain. It rained enough that we couldn't ride the center trail as we wanted--We had to stick to the paved road for a bit. It was still an awesome ride.

Short video shot w/ my iphone. No helmet cam today.

Thanks for the ride SouthCountyCiclista, and Shammytime. Time for a nap--these guys like riding early.

Three Forks Loop 7-10-10 from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Tour de Payson Canyon

I had never ridden any of the mtb trails in Payson Canyon. Saturday, Jesse and Brandon gave me the grand tour. (These guys like to ride early....)

• Schram Creek
• Lizard Lake
• Rock Spring
• Jones Ranch
• Blackhawk
• Frank Young
• Bennie Creek

I'm sure I couldn't find my way around again, but what a bunch of awesome trails. The scenery was incredible.

Almost 30 miles of riding, 4600+ elevation gain. Perma-grin for the next 24 hours after descending Jones Ranch and Bennie Creek.

Tour de Payson Canyon from atomicmiles on Vimeo.

Deliverance

Remember the dueling banjos from the movie deliverance? My brother and his family are visiting from Tennessee where he is 22 months away from finishing orthodontic school. We took the afternoon to get up to the mountains and ride deer creek south fork. Coming from 200 ft elevation to 8000 ft took a toll on him during the climbs. We had a great time even though he had a bee sneak into his jersey and sting him multiple times.

Some observation about people from Tennessee (you're not there yet bro, but maybe in a couple of years)
You’ve ever had to switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.
You use “fix” as a verb. Example: “I’m fixing to go to the store
All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.
You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
You know what a “VOL” is.
You carry jumper cables in your car…for your OWN car.
You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday
You find 100 degrees fahrenheit “a little warm”.
You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas.
You know whether another Tennessean is from east, west or middle Tennessee as soon as they open their mouth.
Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as”goin’ Wal-martin” or off to “Wally World”.
You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good pinto-bean weather.
A carbonated soft drink isn’t a soda, cola or pop…it’s a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: “What kinda coke you want?”
Fried catfish is the other white meat.

Garmin and Crank Brothers Customer Service

If you are on the mailing list for the icup email list, a few weeks ago you may have seen an email announcing that a garmin 705 had been found after the Draper race. Oh, and it had been run over by a car.

Well, that was my garmin. I must have left it on top of my car when I drove away. BRILLIANT!!!!

As it turns out, I was lucky to retrieve it. Garmin was very cool when I called them. Even though it was out of warranty, for a very small fee, they replaced my Garmin.

In the same week, I broke a wing coming down dry canyon on my Crank Brothers Candy 4ti pedals. Crank Brothers repaired the pedals at no charge--even without a sales receipt.

Credit where credit is due. Impressive customer service.

Farewell Brad....Hello Brats!

Although you may think I only talk about food, I do ride my bike.

Brad's farewell ride was held last night. Good sized group to say adios to Mr. Carborocket before he moves to Chicago.

The ride was a blast, but the food afterwords was perfect. Aside from being strong cyclists, these guys can make some awesome food.

• Homemade Guacamole by Elden
• Brats by Elden
• Homemade bread by Kenny
• Homemade cookies from Mark's wife Rachel

Thanks to Elden for hosting the party at his house. Video forthcoming.