Summer Cycling

After the Crusher I took a nice break to recharge and relax then, for August, I focused on volume with several great adventure rides.

I visited my mom down in Altadena and got in a terrific ride in the mountains there.

I rode up the Mt. Lowe fire road on my gravel bike.

A view down to Crescenta Valley.

Higher up looking south over Inspiration Point to the marine layer that had settled in the San Gabriel Valley.

Bear Canyon. A rugged, seldom visited drainage.

I got to ride through this picturesque tunnel as I neared the Mt Wilson Road.

Mt Markham

The distinct inversion looking east.  As I descended the Angeles Forest Highway a bit later the air was cooler and cooler!

The next day I went for an urban ride with Mary and our friend Saja.
Along the L.A. River.

Through Chinatown, Griffith Park and Silver Lake. Totally different kind of fun!

Happy to be home I did several sweet rides from the house. Just south.

Accidental photo!

Just north of town in Round Valley.

I also did a big ride north of Bridgeport. Up 395 early morning.

Then Birchim Flat Road paralleling the Walker River Canyon.

A quiet pavement stretch on Eastside Road just east of Colevillle.

Then up into the Sweetwater Range on Risue Road. Took a nice splash here in Desert Creek.

The high point of the day looking south to the high peaks of the Sweetwaters.

Finally popping out on Highway 338 near the Sweetwater Summit.  Super nice ride!

Topped if off with a soak at the Buckeye Hot Springs. The best pools are down by the creek.

Then a cold water soak in the creek below our camp.

A little smoke rolled in giving some extra color to the sunset.

Twilight view from our camp. So nice.

Now for a little rest and the transition to cyclocross season!

Crusher in the Tushar

For the fifth consecutive year we trucked out to the Tushar Mountains for the Crusher in the Tushar. 

After a lengthy drive we arrived at serene Kents Lake Campground.

Wonderful to be back!

The next day Mary took a spin on the paddleboard and later rode with my friend Bob and I.

At the start Chris and I were all smiles. It was already warm unlike past years.

Feeling confident!

Mary headed up to the campground and took these pictures of us passing by.

Rolling through the high meadows and forest. So beautiful. 

After enduring the searing heat in the valley around Junction City and Circleville the high country greeted us with lightning, thunder, hail and heavy rain. Drama! 

The scene at the finish line.

After the hail and rain let up I felt good and was able to ride hard to the finish. Joy!

Only slightly dazed!

Chris finished strong.

Brent got the best greeting from his family.

Bob was all smiles after finishing. He was 3rd place in the 60+ division. Fist bump!

Four finishers.

I have never felt better at the Crusher, but my time was slower and my placing lower than my previous efforts. Maybe I was having too much fun! I finished 29th of 96 in the 50-59 age group with a time of 6:01.


Bob, Mary and I took a pleasant recovery hike the next day. The lupine were amazing.

Good views here and there.

The body was pretty tired but it felt great to stroll through the woods.

Our destination. Rocky Lake. Lots of Elk signs here but no sightings.

The moon rising on our last night.

A fantastic trip!

JRA

For those of you not into bike shop lingo, JRA stands for Just Riding Along. As in "I was just riding along and my frame broke!" which should be interpreted "I crashed really hard and my frame broke."

Just riding along is truly what I've been doing lately - with one somewhat hard crash.

After the Lost & Found race I took several days off/easy and then got on the mountain bike in preparation for the Carson City Off Road 50 mile race. I am blessed to have fun single track riding very close to home.

Speaking of home... our ranchito.

The trail to our ranchito.

After a few solid training rides I headed up to Carson City for the race stopping at the Sweetwater Summit for a warm up ride. The stark Sweetwater Range is ever pleasing.

Fun ride in a remote area.

Biker camping was most pleasant at Mills Park in Carson City. The camaraderie among the riders was great. Insta-friends!

The race started off pretty well. I felt strong. Paced myself nicely and stayed well fueled and hydrated.

Unfortunately I did crash hard while passing a slow rider on narrow singletrack. Tumbled down a steep bank and bruised some ribs. Managed to get up and finish the lap but was in no shape to complete another loop. That's bike racing!

I recuperated for a few days then eased back into training for the Crusher in the Tushar coming up 7/9. With a heat wave in effect I enjoyed a nice ride up in the cooler air.

Flooding on Crowley Lake Drive just west of Tom's Place.

Beautiful McGee Creek.

McGee Creek raging!

I also enjoyed a pleasant ride out Highway 120 to Sagehen Summit with my wonderful wife.

Near the beginning looking back at the Sierra.

Happy rider!

Quiet roads, smooth pavement, wonderful scenery... road riding bliss!

Always appreciate the views of Mono Lake out this way too.

On more week until the Crusher! The ribs are still a little achy but I am feeling good and strong and am looking forward to a lot of fun out there in Utah.