Labor Day is not a day of rest

Cami and I had a goal to ride the Alpine Loop by the end of the summer on our pretty bicycles. Of course Cami hasn't touched her road bike since labor day (due to busy schedules, and the lack of sunlight at 6 am in the morning), but I can't say that I've had much time since then to put some good miles on my bike as well.

Cami and I have had so much fun riding our bikes this summer. Our first big bike trip was down to St. George earlier this spring, and it seems like we've been everywhere a few times in north Utah County, even Eagle Mountain: A shout-out to John and Cosette and kids.

There was some awesome views along our path (see map of our Alpine Loop Trip) but we didn't have time to take them because we didn't want to lose momentum.

Actually, those that know me well wouldn't allow me to post something to my blog without a picture. So here are a few.

This is where we pulled the bikes out of the truck and took a picture at the summit.

 I know that's what some of you are thinking. But I have to give props to Cami who was probably not as prepared as we should have been to do this ride. Cami is tougher than she thinks, though. Nice work, Cami.

Go AF Lacrosse

The backside of Mt.Timpanogos.

We hurried and jumped off our bikes and hiked to the saddle of Mt. Timpanogos. But I forgot to take pictures of us at the top. Whoops.

The day couldn't have been better. We left at 7 am, and returned home about 4 hours later. It was thankfully a bit overcast, because the heat probably would have made it much more difficult with us being inexperienced bikers. But we did it, and lived to tell the story!

Freedom Cows

I looked at these cows and they looked back at me. I couldn't tell if they were looking at me because I was wearing my bike gear or if they were looking at me because I was simply looking at them and they are a curious animal by nature...

It had been over three weeks since I played in the Timpanogos HS Alumni game and sprained my MCL. One of my teammates decided to push one of the opposing players into my knee. I could tell it was sprained immediately from my vast experience in spraining and breaking other parts of my body. This was first time I sprained my MCL.

Cami and I planned to go to Arches National Park early in June, but we had to postpone this trip because my knee was not ready. We've tentatively re-scheduled for some time this fall after it's cooled down a bit. Moab is such a hot place we want to make sure we enjoy hiking there.

I've tried swimming again but my strength is not strong enough in the knee to do real swimming (just pretend swimming). I hobbled around in Cash Valley on one good knee during Cami's Red Riding Hood bike ride.

Finally my knee felt good enough to ride my bike in mid-June. My plan was to ride to squaw peak from my house. A fine feat for a beginner biker especially after almost a month of not riding. I made my way through Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Orem and Provo Canyon. I missed my road to turn off from the Provo River Park Trail. So I kept going on the trail. As I approached the South Fork Park I was passed by 5 real road bikers all dressed in the same gear. I couldn't help but admire how fast and smooth they were on their bikes. Someday I thought, someday.... I saw them head up South Fork Canyon so I decided to follow.

My knee was starting to ache and it was dictating how far I traveled that fine Saturday morning. But because I made it this far I knew my knee could handle the wear and tear, even though it's still sore. I was free again from the pains of my knee, at least to ride my bike again and visit cows in South Fork. I take a deep breath of clean mountain air and think, "Freedom".

Little Red Riding Hood

So at the beginning of June I was able to do a woman's bike ride called Little Red Riding Hood. I was really excited to experience a woman's ride. The ride was held in Cache County Utah close to Logan, UT. There were different options for lengths that I could ride and I was able to do 80 miles!!! That is to date the longest bike ride that I have done.

The ride had stops where there were treats and a staff to help out with any accomadations that would be needed. It was really awesome and Paul was the best supporter of all. He came to all of the stops that I asked him to. It was awesome to have him there rooting me on.

Having a road bike has been an awesome experience this summer! Paul and I have been able to spend more time time together and it is something that we can do together to be healthy. It has been so much fun and I am looking forward to doing more rides!!