Tri-State Fixed Gear Stomp

And- It was cold!!

It seemed that Cache Valley was holding in the bad weather and from reports of friends that like to walk on water [white fluffy water] the snow fell all day on the mountain. The first 40miles[Logan to Garden City] of the ride were through fog and falling snow. YET a 15 minute stop in Garden City produced clear weather 'almost' all the way into Wyoming.

Of special note-The descents on both the passes were snow covered and/or icy but I managed not to have a 'yard sale' or end up 'ass over tea kettle'[See Mooseknukler Cycling Alliance! for further details on asses and teakettles].Actually, it was the first time that I've noticed that the descending lane is more treacherous regardless of the side of the mountain that you are on. YET, the observation of this simple but plainly obvious fact could all be a factor of low oxygen and descent induced brain freeze on a failing mind. Please, Please let me know if you think I'm full of shit on this or not.

Anyway once over the pass just east of Laketown, it was smooth spinning.... for about another 40 miles. AND! most importantly, soon after Laketown I deposited the jacket, wind pants, arm warmers and leg warmers into the fanny pack[the gloves I kept on...and beanie and the beanie- brain freeze bad; bad bad bad]. It was time for sun and blue sky . Much like the juniper trees in the Desert during the peak of day, the road had a soothing effect on the eyes. The beauty of the mountains and snow covered hills was a harsh and blinding beauty. Today[that day] the road was my princess regardless of the surroundings.

The Descent after Laketown made me think of similar descents in NV along hwy50 where you could see the road disappear into the next ascent, horizon, dried up town,... The spin continued nicely up until the storm kicked up and started blowing into me...

Oh, and on that note- Wyoming Drivers- You rock. Utah Drivers I'm not sure if you saw me there. Sorry for chipping your side view mirror with my head...ok, no that didn't happen but I've got stories to curl your toenails. Emphasis here is on the plural.

No - I didn't make it to Soda Springs which was my first "final destination". Lauren ended up picking me up at around mile 90something for a wonderful "thaw" and Thai dinner at Lava Hot Springs, ID.

Given an earlier start [I left at 8:30] and a few more hours of day this trip could be made into the perfect bicycling weekend. A 150 mile ride over to two beautiful passes, a night at Lava Hot Springs,ID; a big breakfast the following morning, and a nice easy rolling 80 miles home. A fixed gear rider couldn't hope for a better ascent and descent when riding form Laketown, Ut to Wyoming. It's a hard churn up hill followed by a nice even slope out into Wyoming - it seemed like miles and miles of just about the same rpm's. I couldn't have hope for anything better! Oh,,, I did flip the dingle cog over at the top of the pass but I like to remeber it as having a good day.