Progress is Moving Forward

Today, I rode the 12.8 Mile bike ride again. I wanted to see if I could improve my time. I was quite positive I could make some improvements to it considering the 43 mile ride on Saturday. I was feeling quite well and I knew I could do it in less that 50 minutes.

I started out quite well and made my way to 3200 South. I got to Hyrum and I decide to do something a little different. I pushed my uphill movements by not shifting down to an easier gear until I got to the very base of the steep hill. Once I got to the base of the hill then I geared down. Towards the top of the hill my rear tire somehow dislodged from the frame jolting me forward with a sudden stop. I wasn't going very fast. I could see the chain was catching near the near the rear derailer. Upon a closer inspection, I could see the axle had slipped off the frame probably because the axle wasn't tightened down well enough to begin with. I have to be a bit more careful when reassembling the bike.

I still felt I was making good time and my entire trip was 51 minutes for 12.8 miles which is about 15 mph on average. This is an improvement over my ride on Saturday... plus I had no water. I tried a breathing technique to help relax my muscles, it seemed to help me but it will be interesting to see how a longer ride will take.

I've plotted a path to Black Smith's Fork Canyon and from there through Left hand Fork to Logan Canyon back to Nibley. It is about a 44 mile ride, it's about a 2700 ft gradual climb uphill. I really think I can do it. This would be my first uphill ride. Hopefully the weather will turn out all right on Saturday.

After the ride. I went on a relaxing bike ride with all my family. The two youngest Jake and Madison rode in the trailer that Marci was pulling. It was very relaxing as the sun was setting.

The days are definitely getting shorter and my evening rides will soon come to a close. I'm going to miss riding my bike. The winter time will soon be here and I have another sport that I love! Snowmobiling. It's a bit of work out but not nearly as tough as riding a bike. I'll have to supplement my training with weight lifting. I've been considering a stationary bike to keep the endurance factor up. It's a tough call though.