SLC

Paula and I drove up to Salt Lake for my sister’s wedding. We enjoyed the shorter drive, from Flagstaff, rather than the semi-epic of the usual Tucson->SLC trip.

It was mostly a family affair, and a good one at that (it was great to get everyone together). But we managed to squeeze in a bit of riding too. First was with Paula and my older brother up at Millcreek canyon.

Dog lake, with dog in lake.

We headed out on the Great Western Trail a bit to one of my mom’s favorite spots. This pic of us on ‘the rock’ is for her.

I have been reminded many times how smooth and steep the riding is in Salt Lake, but there’s no substitute for actually experiencing it, tires to the ground and heart rate through the roof.

I got up early on Sunday, before anyone was awake and recovered from the festivities. I was even up before my dad, which I think is a first. The goal was to test myself on Hero Hill, a true classic climb and one I always try to ‘clean’ on any SLC trip. I know that if I can still clean it, I’ve still got ‘it’, whatever ‘it’ is.

On the way over, through shoreline and such I was having trouble keeping my eyes open and legs spinning. I thought the attempt doomed to failure.

But scorching legs and hard determination have a way of arousing the senses.

Those are the final two pitches on Hero Hill. If I saw that ahead on a bikepack or perhaps even an exploratory day ride my reaction might be ‘ugh’, or worse. But here they inspire… and actually once you are to where I took that pic (on the way down, not up!) you have a 99% chance of success. A bit of focus is required at the top, but I haven’t dabbed there in decades.

Curiously, the limiting factor on the crux sections were my lat/shoulder muscles. Usually it is my lungs or aerobic capacity begging me to stop or slow down (not an option), but perhaps living at 7000′ makes 5000′ feel low.

Contemplation at the top.

Coming back down… no idea what the handcart is doing up there.

A great trip. I can catch up on sleep when I’m old, or dead, or maybe both.