Sundance Ski Day

Spring Skiing

I'd been back in Utah only a few weekends and my family insisted on going skiing. My little sister worked for Sundance as an instructor over the winter so we got some killer discounts for the resort. So my dad and I got our ski stuff, packed the car (I taught them the joys of tailgate grilling) and went for the day. We ended up being tired after a great half day so we headed home leaving Mariah to teach.

 Once we got home, rested an hour or so, we went for bike ride! I think we probably only rode 15 miles, but it took it out of me. But, that is what is so great about the spring. You can ski and cycle all on the same day and not even feel bad about it. Can't wait to do some snowboarding next winter!

Top of the resort at Sundance

After some awesome Nachos at the top of the Resort; Me, Mariah and my Dad

Wish 100 of North Texas

Wish 100

I rode the Wish 100 benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas this year. The day of the race came, my bike was tuned and I was ready. I got there bright and early. It was the coldest day of the year up until late November. I rode 63 miles in forty degree weather and raised nearly $300. Thanks to everyone who donated.

Before the ride - Downtown McKinney

Bear Lake 2012

Bear Lake 2012

We threw our bikes on the car and headed to Bear Lake to do an afternoon ride. We stopped at the lookout to show off the blue lake and enjoy the scenery.

Then we parked the car and got on our bikes to do a 20 mile jaunt around (some of) the lake. Once we got back we enjoyed some cold drinks on the beach and each other's company. My favorite date thus far.

On the beach near the south end of the lake

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood 2012

I can't say how excited (and nervous) I was to do this ride. Little Red Riding Hood is in it's 25th year and supports women cancer research through Huntsman Cancer.  It's the largest all women's ride in the country. I barely got registered. There were 3,600 riders registered back in February in just under 2 hours - it's a very popular ride. My friend Steph came from Seattle to ride and volunteer. It was the perfect weekend. Mariah and Jose came up to volunteer and cheer me on. We spent Friday night handing out clothes that women ordered and wandering around. We had free food and got lots of luna bars. Not a bad haul. I had sprained my ankle just a few days before and had a hard time walking around and standing so I watched the festivities as they happened around me.

Watching the costume contest while volunteering

Jake, me, Jose and Mariah in line to get Cafe Rio dinner

Morning of the ride. I'm stoked to get going  and  Steph and I before the ride

Lunchtime. It was a bicycle graveyard and a estrogen party

The first 50 miles went smoothly. I plugged in some music and rode. I kept a pretty good pace until lunch. I took about 20 mins to devour a subway sandwich, chips and cookie and take a quick bathroom break. I skipped a couple rest stops before lunch and that helped me keep a good pace. After lunch I was feeling a little lonely and down so my pace slowed. Looking back I think that I was probably climbing a little more than I had been so my pace could have also been slower because of that. Those next 25 miles (mile 50-75) were awful. I was cursing and feeling down and couldn't get to the next stop fast enough. Once I got there, I decided to take a longer break, and that's when my cheering section showed up. It was perfect timing. Seeing them made the last leg all that much better and really cheered me up. They watched as my ankle got re-taped and while I down gu's and they gave great words of encouragement. I worked hard that last 25 miles - climbing and into the wind but saw them again about 10 miles out and they cheered as they passed me to go to the finish line. I was so stoked to almost be done, but tiring quickly. So to keep my spirits and energy up I cheered for everyone that I saw riding on the other side of the road. It really helped me through to the end. The finish line was awesome! My grandma, her husband, Jake and Mariah and Jose were there! It was the best finish line so far. Even though it's hard to ride 100 miles, I don't think this will even be close to my last! Next time Mariah might even be there along side me!

Hitting 1000 miles on my bike computer and the final count 98.86 (I didn't want to do another mile) and burned 5584 calories while in the saddle for 6.5 hours.

I couldn't be happier to have accomplished my third century ride in a year!

My support team. I don't think I could have done the last 25 miles without seeing them at the final rest stop.


Grandma and Gary came to the finish line (they also took us to dinner). My grandma is the best. She brought flowers!

My amazing boyfriend - what a great sport and support.

Memorial Day: Moab

Memorial Day in Moab

Again, we packed up and headed down south for a weekend of adventure. We met up with Jack, Lori, Dusty, Forrest, Christine, and then Nick, Elle, Little Nicki, Nate and his girlfriend for some fabulous times. I got to the campsite Jake and Jack had staked out late Friday night after a lot of weekend traffic and a slight detour. The drive was exhausting. We slept hard, even though the wind was insane.

Setting up camp

All the toys!

The next day all we could do was drive - we dropped Jack and Dusty off at the top of a mountain to bike down. The wind was just out of control. We (Lori, Jake and I) were planning on an Arches National Park ride but we postponed and instead spent some time facing the wind on a little hike in the park and in an outdoor gear store in Moab and then wasted time that night until the wind calmed down. I was in charge of food for the weekend and people couldn't get enough of the chili that I made in the dutch oven.

Cycling in Arches National Park

Lori, me and Jake

The next day we hopped on our ride bikes for our 12 mile tour. Again we headed into the park, this time there was no wind, but the climbs were deceiving. We didn't' go far, but I felt like I got a great workout in. After that we tore down camp, and headed to the put in for the Colorado (Moab Daily) River. We packed the oar rig and the kayakers jumped in their boats as we floated/rafted down the river.

Boat captain Forrest, and Lori and I as passengers

We just spent one night on a riverside beach, but it reminded me of how much I like being on the river and spending time in such a unique and special place.

Lori, Dusty, me, Jake and Jack after packing up the car ready to get home.

I ended up getting a ride home in Jack's Subaru. That thing was PACKED TO THE HILT. I was amazed at how much stuff it takes for a fun filled weekend to actually happen. But hey, it was worth it. I'd recommend Moab to anyway. Just try to avoid it during long weekends!

Pole, Pedal, Paddle

Pole, Pedal, Paddle in Jackson Hole, WY

We headed to Jackson Hole late Friday night, crashed at a cheap motel and got up bright and early for the race. Pole, Pedal, Paddle is a race put on by the Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard Club. Learn more about it here (I'd recommend doing it, it was a blast. Next year I'm going to be dressed up like mad!). Forrest did the first leg, the downhill skiing at Teton Village. Christine was off second to do that skate-ski on the 10k route. Next it was my turn. I grabbed the bib, jumped on my bike and got on the road to do a 20 mile ride. My wheel was on backward so I had to stop and get it fixed but I was soon on my way. The ride was really pretty, even though it rained almost the whole time and I had that delightful dirt track up my butt and back. I handed the bib to Forrest and he was off in the kayak to do a 9 mile stretch on the Snake River. We jumped in the 4-runner and went to the finish line to cheer him on. Our team, The Frozen Beavers, (fondly named after our beloved ski resort) took last place in the co-ed section. Maybe we'll do better next year....

Needless to say, we had a blast. Later that night we spent time wandering around Teton Village, scarfing pizza, and listening to the live jams of G Love and Special Sauce with a billion other people. We headed home Sunday morning, tired but happy!

Between the downhill and crosscountry legs.

Doing my portion

Post ride, tired, but happy.

look how cool we are!

Jake and I at the finish line. He was supposed to kayak, but because of the knee (it really put a damper on things. And how about that stache?) he was there as moral support and photographer.

The team celebrating after the big 'win'. ;)

March 31

January Trip to Southern Utah

It has been an unusually warm winter, and by unusually, I mean basically no snow. So we decided to take a long weekend and head to the Cedar City/Virgin/Zion area and take advantage of the 60* weather. We rolled into town late Friday night, got up and ran some errands for the weekend camping and ended up in Virgin in the early afternoon.  Jake's friends have a camping/mountain biking spot that they love to go to so we stayed there. I went for a road bike ride up the Kolob Terrace Road and holy crap it was hard.

We camped in Virgin that night and hung out with friends and had a great time.  The mountain bikers got some sweet biking in as you can see. 

Lori, Jake's Mom took us shooting and out to dinner while we were there as well. 

On Sunday we went into Zion National Park and rode around the emerald pools and up to the top.  It was great weather and Zion was as beautiful as usual. 

 

 This was a great trip for a mid winter lull.  I was so stoked to get on my bike twice in one weekend in the middle of January! I hope I can get down to Southern Utah again soon!