Pacing and doing yardwork….

My career choices have for the most part been pretty good. I have traveled the world, gone Scuba Diving in most of the oceans on the planet, jumped out of airplanes and raced down mountains on Skis. HOWEVER that means bupkis since all I want to do now is throw my leg over the bike and put in some miles.

I am attaching a photo of my bike packed and ready to go to remind me of what it was like to be free enough to go at will…..

Saddled up and ready to ride!

Now I find myself in a place where I don’t have the TIME or the MONEY to ride like I want. I found myself last weekend taking a short 2 hour ride over the Alpine Loop. Starting in Provo canyon and crossing over to American Fork canyon it has to be one of the Premier rides in UTAH  in my own back yard. I have made the ride 3 times this year as that is all the time I can get away. The rest of the weekend was working in the yard and spending time with the wife and the kids.

Seems like my business and family commitments are putting riding on the back burner for the first time in a long while. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and they are worth the sacrifice but I feel for MY SANITY its time for some “Me Time”.

Little rides around town are not cutting it. My sleeping bag and tent are screaming at me from the closet “set us free take us out!”.

I find myself wanting to ride over to the Harley Store to hang out like all the other “booger eaters” that don’t ride but feel that if they hang out around bikers and touch a new t-shirt dreaming and wishing they could or will ride. After I slap myself silly for even thinking such a thing, I find myself cleaning my bike in such detail that I know every square inch and it doesn’t help. I am a biker and want to ride.

Its getting bad.

We do have a great ride with some friends planned for mid August but I get the feeling that  it wont be enough.

I need some miles and 4 days to myself. The season in Utah is too short.

Stay tuned for an ill-fated poorly planned escape adventure documented on the road…………I’m fixin to blow out of here soon…..

The MS 150 Ride

It is a ride that we have missed every year but were committed to go this year and I am glad we did.

Our Friends Rick and Linda Christensen sponsor the a support team that rides the bike route to offer assistance for distressed or lost bikers. We went Kickstands up on Friday afternoon to meet Rick and Linda and some of  his Co workers at Qwest Steve Isaac and his wife  in downtown Salt Lake City to ride up to Logan. It was fun as Staci got to ride her bike to work so she was “all that” with her friends.

It was a hot ride up and most of it was freeway but still good to get out on the bike with the first good weather in weeks.

We took a new route through Brigham city that I have never done  and it was a blast. Small town Utah all the way.

We arrived in the late afternoon and had time to pick up some supplies and grab a bite before we gathered for the night to chat.

We were joined by Ricks brother Mike and his wife and Greg and Laura Norfelt who were also Harley riding buddies but had chosen to ride their road bikes in the rally.

The night before chilling.

Sometimes its the quiet evening gatherings that are the best part of the day. Have a few drinks and catch up stories with old friends. this one was no different and we stayed up late having great conversations.

The next morning the bikers were off at 7 AM and we left a few hours later.

Z Team (Zions Bank 8th year in riding the MS 150)

Joined by a few more of Ricks friends.

The ride is Cache Valley this time of year is breathtakingly beautiful and today was the perfect day to ride. Sun was out and the weather clear. With all the rains the valleys were green and lush. The smells of fresh-cut hay and springtime were our constant companions.

It’s always great to ride with Staci. She is a great Rider and my best friend.

Taking a photo break

We decided to take the top end of the course to get in the most miles. It took us up into Idaho and was not disappointing. One thing that we did learn is that the people who decide to do the 100 mile leg are not in need of much assistance. They are pretty determined and self-sufficient. Those that did have problems, brought what they needed to take care of it. Not much to do but enjoy the ride.

We did notice that a team from Wells Fargo Band was stopped by this semi and we took their picture and sent it to them. (sorry Greg we still like ZIONS BANK Better!)

We rode until late afternoon and then had to shove off.

I WILL do this again. It feels good to serve and be able to support a worthy cause. Great friends , great country, great ride.

Thanks Rick and Linda!

View Larger Map