A FANTASTIC Alpine Loop Bike Ride!

It was a beautiful day for riding the Alpine Loop.  The weather ended up being in the low-80's and just a few fluffy clouds that came out towards the end of the ride.  About 20 fellow cyclist came out to join me for the climb fest and it was a climb.  From the start to the summit and over to Cascade Springs and back, it ended up being about 4300 feet of climbing within 40 cycling miles.  It was a work out but the views all made it worth it~!  Here's some pictures I took along the way...

The view at the first hair pin turn about 2/3 of the way up.





About 1/4 mile before the Summit of the Alpine Loop.

 

The Summit with the elevation-- 8060 ft!

A pair of fellow cyclists almost to Summit; talk about sharing the road.  These are narrow!

The view of the road going towards Cascade Springs.

Having Lunch at the overlook point near Cascade Springs.

The AMAZING view while having lunch at the overlook point!

Electronics & A Phoenix Vacation...

My alarm clock did not go off this morning as it should have; either that or I REALLY slept through it. So I missed my early morning run this morning which is probably a good thing since I’m still a little saddle sore from my Tuesday night Emigration Canyon ride.

My other electronic device that I’ve been having problems with is my phone. It’s been sometimes freezing up when I try to text. Could I have worn out the numbers on the phone? The phone is three years old and I’m overdue for getting a new one but I kind of like not being on a contract. Oh, there are my commitment issues coming up! Oh no! My other concern is that I may get hooked on a new fangled type of phone and end up paying more than what I should have. Though, I will admit that I would like to get one where I could check my email. (Other wise I just mainly have access to internet at the office during weekdays.) But I’ll probably give in and get a new phone the next time I’m at the Mall. (The last time was 4 months ago… The big shopper that I am!)

But on the good side, my NOOK has been working wonderfully!  I have now read 6 books on it and have downloaded another 35 on to it.  I will admit that it has been rather addicting.  I find quite often I will turn it on in any of my spare moments and be reading right along.  It was wonderful to have it on my recent short vacation, and I had no problems taking it through the airport security.

This last week I splurged and went on a short vacation to Phoenix. Yep! Phoenix during August--- a REAL HOT spot! Not the most ideal for a vacation.  But I met my friend Sal down there. He was attending a Plastic Models Convention. It was fun. We caught a couple of Diamondback games and just kind of hung out. I tell you I thought that cyclists were geeks but these people that do smaller scale models~ WOW! They are TOTAL geeks! Here are a few pictures from my Phoenix trip.

( A little siteseeing in downtown Phoenix-- notice no one else is out in the heat!)

(We- Myself & Sal, took a morning tour of Chase Field.   NOTE: Usually that roof is closed during games and it's air conditioned during the game. Below, I'm in the Dug Out!)

( Other Photos from the Tour of Chase Field- The front case where trophies are & yes, a tire in the wall- So those players can take out their frustration with their bat!)

(Above: For $3900 You TOO can watch the game from inside this pool!  Below: After the game on Friday night, there were fire works!  It only took 4 minutes to open the roof.)

(Above: Sal looking over some model tanks that are entered into a contest. Below: Some of the models that were also entered into the contest.)

Good News & A Good Weekend!

The Good News... I went to see the doctor on Friday afternoon and I just need to do stretches before and after a run.  I've over stressed the connective tissue where the top of my thigh muscles connect to my hip area.  The doctor gave me a series of stretching exercises that I need to do before and after a run.  He also suggested to use Advil before I go on a run too.  He also laughed and just shook his head at me when I asked if I was okay to run a 5K on Saturday morning,"You push it to the limit, don't you?

Saturday a 5K Run....

Friday night was pouring and pouring rain...I was getting concerned about being able to enjoy a run on Saturday morning.  On Saturday morning, it was still raining a bit.  I showed up with the intent of just picking up the bag of goodies, but it started to clear up as the run/walk was supposed to start.  The were over 250 participants for the Utah Diabetes FUN Run & Walk 2010.  The course wove through the research park area of the University of Utah Campus.  It ended up being a wonderful course that I kind of "wogged" (walk-jog) my way through.  It felt good to be running again without pain and I rushed to get in line for a free massage afterwards.  Then I waited around for the raffle.  They had some REALLY good prizes, and they also did medal awards for the first three in each sex/age categories.  I was fifth in my category... out of 9!  It was a very FUN event and I'm putting it on the list for next year.

Saturday night...
I had a fun and entertaining dinner with the "Widow's" group: Laura, the Popette, Em, Not-So-Good, and myself.  Here's some photos of us...

Sunday morning...

It was a sunny but very chilly ride up Emigration Canyon with my friends, Diane and Kym.  Here's some more photos...

A BEAU-ti-ful Sunday Bike Ride!!

This last Sunday was a gorgeous day, and Chalk Creek is a beautiful area to ride a bike. I went out on a BCC (Bonneville Cycling Club) Ride. I rode with a couple of my Tri-buds and a new friend. Diane, Sofia, (the Tri-buds), Kim (new to cycling), and myself took it at a nice easy pace. Chalk Creek is a dead-end box canyon that has rolling hills. A couple of the hills are large and combined with the rollers can be a challenge to new cyclists but both Sofia, and Kim did very well. It took some doing but we even managed to get Kim to admit that she's "AWESOME!" towards the end of the ride. I was enjoying the easier pace--- in fact, we were bringing up the rear of the group of riders. But it gave me plenty of time to take plenty of pictures. But anyway, here's some pictures for you to enjoy....

(Photos: At top-Kim~alias~Ms.AWESOME,--Next-The Three-Sofia, Kim, & Diane,
Next 2 Below-A couple of scenery shots, More Shots- us with more scenery, Below that- At turn around point with Geo-Cache Box, Then- Another scenery with us.)