R.I.P Buckskin Morgan

     Yesterday Dean, Erin, Heather, Stephen Andersen, Jenna and I went up to Kelly's and began our mountain biking ride with Hawley Gulch, starting to the left. Then Heather took her truck back home to take a swim and we started Buckskin Morgan ridge to Little Kelly's. Started. Turns out they went into Buckskin Morgan ridge and started logging. Once you get a little ways into the trail you're dragging your bike over huge trees and through the brush with no way to go around.
     Eventually we gave up hope and pushed our bikes up to a dirt road that was near impossible to pedal on because of the way the dirt was packed. In the end we found our way back to the Little Kelly's trail and it was all good.
     We rode the road down a little ways and explored a trail that I had never been on before- Little Lower Kelly's? I don't think it has a set name yet. It's a sweet single track with only about a hundred feet of up uphill if that. I'm terrible at distances. A few creek crossings, and a lot of stiff sharp branches that jut out in the trail. It was like being out in the nowhere careening through the trees like a free person. Completely rad.
     We filled our empty stomachs with southwest pizza, frozen lemonade, and cheese sticks at Heise and ended our day with an after hours bouldering session with Chad, Stephen Elmer, Jenna, and Charly. I mainly just watched and talked to Kylee, Chad's wife.
     The feeling of water rushing down your dry throat beats any Cocoa bean cupcake or frappe in the world when you're hot and tired.

The beginning.

     For a while I've been thinking of starting an exercise blog. I'd say healthier living, but with my diet...yeah.

     Let's begin with my first long bike ride on my Trek Lexa. This year is the first year I've ever been on a bike with such skinny tires. Needless to say, the first time I got on it with my clipless pedals I was so wobbly and terrified of falling over that I didn't use it the first three months I had it. Eventually though, I gave in and soon after learned from the doctor that biking is on of the only cardio I'll be able to do because of the bone that was taken out of my foot- causing my nerve to act up and a cortisone shot to be needed. Eh. I'll stick to the road even though I do fall over every other time I ride. A little road rash never killed anyone though...right?

                                                                           My bike

It's for sale now, but don't worry I'll get another one. I'm already scouring the 2013 models.

So here is the lowdown on my first long bike ride. I took it by myself.

Where to: Dean and Heather's house up in Ririe. Yup, they got a surprise visit.
Dist: 28.71miles
Av Speed: 13.6
Max: 23.3
Time: 2:6:something

This was roughly a week ago. The next one I took was yesterday with Joe and Charly. They definitely push me harder. Highlights: I fell over standing still on my side that was clipped in right before the ride, and I dropped my best water bottle , running it over with my back tire half way through the ride.. Just glad I didn't wreck.

Where to: Near Dean and Heather's house.
Dist: 27.92
Av Speed: 15.7
Max: 21.7
Time: 1.46.28

Both rides were completely flat with just a tad bit more wind on the first one and I rarely drafted even though I rode in the back the whole time. I usually keep two to three bike lengths between me and the rider in front.