2011

Today I started out my morning on the rim of Bryce Canyon watching the sun slowly surmount the hoodoos and cliffs of Bryce in an amazing sunrise. After that we headed next door to Grand Staircase Escalante National Park for some amazing views and hikes. So we went outbacking in our lovely Outback. Our first hike of the day was at Willis Creek Trail, this turned out to be an amazing hike along a river that cuts through a slot like canyon. It was awe inspiring and I have never seen anything quite like it. ...

You thought our day was over? Nope, not even close. We then headed over to the next part of the national park to go try and see some more slot canyons called Peek-A-Boo Canyon and Spooky Canyon. From the top of the trail it was pretty unassuming. Little did we know that we had to climb far down to reach the bottom of a canyon in one hundred degree weather only then to reach the slot canyons. It was brutal sliding down the cliff knowing that later I would have to climb back up them with the sun beating down on my back. ...

Today was our first real day of adventure on our Utah road trip. Our very first destination was the upper section of Zion National Park called the Kolob Canyons. Sadly the lighting was terrible so I couldn’t get great photos of the terrific landscapes that were all around us. There were giant canyons with walls seemingly stretching to the skies and rivers that paved roads for giants. It was quite the sight and to enhance the experience we decided to take a hike up Taylor Creek. A nice six mile hike along a river that eventually ends at a double blind arch. ...

Today was a driving day. With each days goal in mind we have set out again on another road trip to try to grasp just one corner of nature’s beauty and try to hold onto it. AS always, our beautiful country has so many wonders it is near impossible to see them all. But that will never deter my attempts. The following week my mother and I will be doing a road trip around all of southern Utah, seeing national parks, hiking, running, photographing, and having a generally awesome time together in the desert sun. ...

This year’s Memorial Day Criterium is also the NCNCA Junior State Championships. It’s not a surprise to see Jack leading the pack in the 13-14 group. He eventually won it, but Adrien from Gabe’s SJBC team did an awesome job staying right on his tail and eventually getting second place. Now it’s time for the 15-16 age group to roll. Zeke, Tim, and Gabe will be working together to help Zeke lock in his Junior Points Series (JPS) win. Henry from Tieni Duro broke away early as he often does, but this time none of the other teams were willing to work together to chase him down. SJBC had their plan, Tieni Duro certainly wasn’t going to chase, and Matt from Specialized was on his own. I’m sure it was frustrating for a number of the riders, but big kudos to Henry for winning state. ...

The Mt Hamilton Classic road race is an epic ride, and Gabe has come to give it his best. It’s far and away the longest climb he’s ever done, more like 3 of the usual mountain climbs right in a row followed by lots more climbs on the other side of the mountain. We’ve got the lucky hat, the magical dog, and plenty of time to warm up. It’s a beautiful day for the climb out of San Jose, and there’s no shortage of climbing specialists ready for action. Charlotte and I head out to Livermore to hang out while Gabe is visiting the pain cave. ...

Yesterday’s stage of the Tour of California was a blast, so Charlotte and I are back on the road to watch the riders leave Seaside for the long ride out to Paso Robles today. Bob Roll is here too along with plenty of bikes. Gabe is in school, so unfortunately he’s not able to collect more autographs for his hat. Plenty of great riders getting ready to roll from Radio Shack, Garmin, Rabobank, and BMC. The start is so much quieter than in Livermore, almost a bit like rolling out on a small training ride. Livermore sure did a great job yesterday. ...

It’s the time of year again when the biggest road cycling race in the USA comes to our neck of the woods, the Amgen Tour of California. This year Gabe is working to get tons of autographs from some of his favorite riders on a cycling hat. Some of his favorites include: Jens Voigt, Johan Van Summeren, Laurens Ten Dam, Oscar Freire, Lars Boom, Bernhard Eisel, Taylor Phinney, and George Hincapie. ...

The dust is the shroud wrapped tightly around her shoulders A death shroud veiling her from the world she is simply passing through Transparent eyes look at nothing but the horizon of the world With feet that drag as her invisible chains burden her steps She moves on, deliberately, persistently with no goal in mind She must move, she must not stop or else she will be found You see, her shadow is chasing her but cannot find her in the dust storm She is the lost, she is the invisible left to wander when the storm is over Determination is her name But what good is determination when there is no objective Simply the will to keep going, keep moving when all has imploded around you She knows all about failure, pain, and the bottom of the hole The grave she has dug herself into yet seems to continually evade She dances around death with the practicality of a mathematician Life is a calculation to her, the only components that exist Are her obstacles and her ability to push onward So she finds herself walking down this road again Chased by her shadow and the inevitably of death But this time as it always has been Lady Luck has swept her away In the arms of a storm that is all consuming and all knowing Maybe Luck knows just how it feels to be out of luck So she took pity on a poor girl down on fortune who was betrayed by her shadow But in the end luck has nothing to do with it Her shadow will eclipse her in the end as all are and no storm can save her then But for now she continues her dance, her game of Cat and Mouse With those who cannot be tricked or avoided With bare feet she continues forward, pulling the cowl of a dust storm close To hide her face from eyes that can see all and know all How long she wonders, how much longer can this game continue For even now she grows weary, even now her soul Just as the soles of her feet grow bloodied and bruised From a fight she knows she cannot win Yet she continues to fight because it is simply who she is She is determination and does not know what it means to give up So she doesn’t

Gabe is racing today in the legendary Cat’s Hill Classic today. I suppose it’s a classic having been around for 38 years, rolling over rough pavement, and including a killer 23% grade hill. Gabe and I previewed the course a few days ago, but now it’s time to watch the Cat 3s (including quite a few juniors) enjoy the hill. The junior 15-16 pack comes racing around for their climb up the hill. ...