Tag: Adventure Cycling

Northern Rockies Tour – Summing Up

Posted on August 18, 2017June 22, 2018 by Rich

How does one sum up this Northern Rockies tour? Difficult, breathtaking (in more ways than one), stunning, magnificent. Words fail. The true highlights for me: Logan Pass, Sunwampta Pass and Columbia Icefields, Bow Lake, Lake Louise, riding through fires, the moose(!). I truly LOVED every bit of the camping – 12 nights in a tent at great campsites. My tent is now rolled up in my garage wondering why it’s not being used. The bike and gear really served me great. Each tour I think I realize this more. For the future, I need a new camp pillow (or maybe

UTCO3 – Escalante River

Posted on July 9, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Tropic UT to Calf’s Creek Campground UT Miles 57.5 Total Ascent 2,347 ft (ascent from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) Wonderful low sleeping temperature again last night, maybe down into the mid-50s. As it warmed up in the morning, we noticed the buzzards one by one flapping out onto a nearby bluff, landing on small trees, and spreading their wings in the morning sun. We rolled to Clarke’s again for breakfast, which they executed in much better fashion than dinner. Pancakes were bland, but the eggs were good and sausage tasty and peppery. Jack was still feeling poorly, but was hanging on trying

UTCO2 – Red Canyons

Posted on July 8, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Panguitch Lake UT to Tropic UT Miles 51.5 Total Ascent 1,461 ft (ascent from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) A late morning awakening to a full bladder. I can typically make it through the entire evening without leaving my tent, but it is always a delicate balancing act between proper hydration and over-doing it. Temps last night dropped beautifully, down into the 40s. It’s perfect sleeping weather when you can rest warm in your sleeping bag, but still breathe the cold crisp air. My tent site selection had not been ideal, since its surface had me constantly rolling into the side of my

UTCO1 – Cedar Breaks

Posted on July 7, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

From Cedar Creek UT to Panguitch Lake UT Miles 47.5 Total Ascent 5,273 ft (from www.bikeroutetoaster.com) My darling Linda stayed and joined us for breakfast at Main Street Grill. I use the word “darling” passionately, of course, but in this case I use it actively as well. To arrive at this starting point, Linda has driven us all the way up to Cedar City, and will drive herself back today. And then she’ll repeat the process some 18 days from today, to an even further finishing point in Colorado. A darling. After casting farewells, Jack and I were suddenly and

UTCO0 – Drive North

Posted on July 6, 2012December 16, 2015 by Rich

Today Linda, Jack and I drove up to Cedar City Utah, taking the route through Flagstaff and just missing Page. Once north of SR64 (which goes to the Grand Canyon), Linda and I were on new roads, mostly on the Navajo Reservation lands. We took 89A and 89 northward, crossing the Colorado River at the very impressive Navajo Bridge. In Utah, we took SR14 westward into Cedar City, and only then did we realize that tomorrow’s cycling route would roll eastward on this same road. I sort of disliked getting the preview. Today’s drive was the inaugural trip for our

Summer Tour: UTCO

Posted on June 25, 2012August 1, 2012 by Rich

Jesse and I have continued our Sunday Breakfast Club rides to Jim’s Coney Island Cafe in Tempe. Our regular Tuesday group has since moved there too. The food is decent, and the atmosphere and service are excellent. Any Sunday or Tuesday morning, you might catch one or more of us there – c’mon out and join us. I need to stay on the bike. Jack and I corresponded sporadically throughout the spring, talking about, but not getting serious about, a summer tour. Well, we’ve finally dared each other into it, although neither of us needed much prodding. The two of

preRA: Planning

Posted on March 19, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

If you’re wondering what that RA2011 is to the right, it stands for Ride Across. Seven of us plan to make an attempt to ride across the North American continent during the summer of 2011. I guess it’s something on the bucket list for each one of us in one form or another. My riding partners will be Jack, Jesse, Gary, Frank, Roger, and Bill. Name: Jack and I originated the ride back in September last year and eventually started referring to it as “RA.” We liked the idea that it didn’t focus on the USA exclusively, since our route