So many things have happened since the last blog post. I wont comment on all of them, just some.

I was persuaded to go to thunder mountain and ride which is in Bryce Canyon National Park and do some hiking after that. I had a hard time commiting as I didn't really want to go, as my back has been giving me more problems and I have been off the bike for over a month. When I got there, the attached rider my friend Mike brought was GREEN. Not like green, like pukeing green but like green in mountain biking experience. The other rider besides Mike was Nick which were more of seasoned riders and paces could be kept. I know, just cocky Matt speak. Well lesson learned, again, several times over. Cicily was an awesome sport. She rocked on the attitude and made the ride worth going slow. I tell ya, attitude in life or in problems is a key to solving them.

The other problem, in my head was that I invited the wife to tag along for the long drive. When we got to the trail head I mentioned to her that the ride was only a couple of hours long. After a couple of hours and the end not in sight, I was going to be in trouble for keeping her waiting at the car. What a sport, she was chill and having a blast. She went hiking and read a book and looking at all the wild life. I am blessed to have her in my life.

After we all got back to the car, we went to Bryce to do some driving and looking and hiking. Me, Kandice, and Mike did a trail called the peekaboo loop which was considered a strenuous hike but turned out to be pretty easy going.

It was a blast, all of it was except for the drive home. Thanks Mike for the invite!

I guess the last two things ill write about is health. For the last couple of years me and Kandice have done the Lemonade Cleanse(link is the book in pdf format). Its hard and is a huge test of will power but never in life has food tasted so good. Granted, certain foods. Funny story, we get done with the cleanse and give our selves a couple of days to adjust. We stop in at Five guys and fries on some what of a whim. Both order the veggie burger and a single order of fries. I think we both came away with the same feeling of blah.. lets get something healthy to eat. Its nice to feel that to feel not the addiction of grease.

Last is we have been doing the p90x thing. We are on day 9 and so far its working pretty well, I suppose. Its day 9 so really to early to tell. Restrictive, monitored diet with a early morning exercise regime is having a positive effect on both of us. This of course is after we have woken up and done with the exercise routines. Stretching has never been a fan of mine but I am feeling some good results from some of the stretches as well as the exercises. My goal is not to get like a monkey, but to build some upper body strength so hopefully it might help a bit on one of my back problems. I have always been a bit of a weakling so hopefully this might help. Once again, its grand to have the wife doing this with me. It is motivation to keep going.

Today I think many blog posts are going to be about Susan/Elden and family. I have read Fatty's posts for quite a while now, I think it started on a msn blog or something. Anyway,I learned of her passing about 8:30 p.m. last night from a FB post, while I was sitting with the wife watching a movie and sorting through our digital pictures. Ever since then I have been thinking of what life must be like, with your significant other/ loved one being terminally ill. Anyway, I cant imagine what his family must be going through right now. The nerves, pain, sadness and sorrow. I admire Elden for blogging about something so personal. Death seems to be a black hole for many reasons, mainly I suppose the unknown. Elden, shared his struggles and laughter in the way he does best. Thank you.

Today is Thursday and as always I got ready for my Thursday 6a.m. morning ride. I was hesitant when I woke up as I wanted more close time with the wife. I meandered around the house aimlessly and finally left the house. While driving I had been thinking deeply about the "Life" as sometimes I do and ended up taking a wrong turn. Finally got to the meeting place and turns out I was supposed to ride alone today. I put on my Team Fatty Fighting for Susan jersey and rode thinking about "Life".


MLK

I hope he is ok. This is Jens Voight and happend in stage 16 of the tour.


I don't know how people take pictures while riding. This is not a talent I have aquired just yet. case and point.

Anyway had the Thursday morning rec-paced ride today up to Salt lake overlook overlook. Very nice and very mellow.
Me and Oilcan and ChaddersF from work rolled out(not in pic)

Also here is an interesting read. MTB Nats: The death of traditional cross-country bikes? I personally have not been on a full squish for several reasons. Simplicity, durability, cost and probably the last real one is that the last time I rode a full squish bike (Specialized Cactus Cup in Scottsdale AZ)it was a pogo stick. I know none of them reasons are really valid at this point in time as technology has allowed for great improvements. Alas, I am considering a lighter full squish maybe next year. Say a reliable 25 poundish bike sounds like fun. My current bike is almost 27, so it should be a nice upgrade. With the back in constant pain, I think its time to expand the options a bit.


Randomness: the JakPak is an all in one ultralight setup; Rain Coat, Tent, and Sleeping Bag with Mosquito Net

Here is a new layout. I am going to "tweak" it a bit.

This morning was a good morning. Did a group ride with Cory, Dw, and Orangepeel. Headed up to Kaysville on the skinny tires and then back to the airport and back down town. Good ride,still figuring out how to ride with people.

Thursday early am ride was the Wasatch Crest. I normally try and organize a rec-paced ride at 6 a.m. Thursday morning that last about an hour and then some. Some one suggested to do the Crest again as we just did it last Sunday and I was down for it. The Wasatch Crest is one sweet ride. We car pooled it unlike last Sunday and it still took a long time.

This weekend will be all about Brock. Who is this, its my nephew. Hes pretty cool for being a youngster. Oh yeah his so called two brothers tagged along. Mufasa (130lb rottie) and Havoc (15 lb minipin). It will be interesting.

Well here are some retro items I pulled from the closet and drawer. Love them.





Just in case you were hungry.

Here is the beginnings of a veggie pot pie.

Good times

47 miles 3:55 hrs.
Not pinned but hard. I need to work on the endurance factor. Started at Millcreek park and rode Wasatch blvd, Big Cottonwood, Guardsman, Crest, Great Western, Pipeline. Lots of upward traffic towards crest from Millcreek canyon. Started out with Brandon on the road bike, DWood, Gary legs from energizer bunny and me.

The plan was to eventually meet Mike and Tim and his out of town company either at Mill d or up above. We picked them up at Mill D. We were supposed to also hookup with Mikeryders friends at the S turn on Guardsman, but decided to move on rather than wait for his buddies. Sorry I'm getting old and cramp. I'm a wussy. On other news, I cleaned the spine. Ive only done it one other time. Id say I normally am too much of a chicken but all thought process was gone and down I went.




It was a good time.

I need a chiropractor though. Suggestions?

Thursday morning goodness

Yes. Goodness before most people were out of bed. Did the weekly Thursday 6 am rec-riding mountain bike ride. Today's ride was awesome. Started from the parking lot of Solitude and rode up to Brighton and rode some trail that connected the two resorts. This lead us up by Mary and Twin lakes. Then road some of the Wednesdays night race course with some Icup course as well. It was sweet. Reminded me a bit of the early years of mountain biking where there was times that hike-a-bike was almost required on a ride.

Anyway here are some pictures.

The last two weeks seemed impossible to get a group ride together with some buddies. My early morning rides have been struck down with mother natures decision of raining. That is totally cool though as its nice to see the green. Mike, threw the option of getting a small epic ride out. Well RecRiderRod, Oilcan, and my self agreed to go and the weather said no. Last minute, Mike having the connections to the high altitude weather man called in the A.M. and said LETS ROLL. An hour later we are at mill d trail head. Starts of sprinkles and fresh smells encouraged us to move on. The goal was the go for a mtb ride and spend some time in the boonies. Goal accomplished. Rod showed us the proper method or riding upside down, Oilcan showed us that chains are important to our movement forward, rain showed us that it can get cold, mud is not good for the eyes.







Great time and details are roughly as following; mill d to crest, down ridge connector, mid mountain to acg, forget the name trail, Thaynes road to Scotts pass(puke hill) then back to mill d trail head. Totals are roughly 30 miles of blissful cold single track with almost 9000 vertical. Great day. Only lesson was to eat more for breakfast. I almost bonked and thanks to some hard tack it helped with a quick recovery while some more natural foods set in. Also, I should have brought some sort of a drink like carborocket. All in all it was a fantastic way to spend part of a Saturday. The weather was questionable at times, and we finished right in time for the rain down pour as I was heading down the canyon. Needless to say I was not the cleanest but the trails we rode held the water well. Crest will soon be completely snow free and ready to rock. One cool thing was a brief meeting with a local mtb rider MR.Rico coming up and over a snow drift. It would be cool to hook up with him and try and keep up.