What. A. Trip.

Utah was amazing, what am I talking about? Utah is always amazing. Yes the scenery and the landscape have a lot to do with it, but it's the people who really make my trips out West special. The trip surpassed the expectations that I had set for it. I had planned to do nothing but ride my bike, spend time with friends, and relax.

I rode in Park City and Moab, places that have been on my "I Must Ride There" List for awhile. I hung out and spent time with some of my best friends. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. As I look back on it (a whole 5 days ago) I can't wait to go back! Let the training begin, because September is gonna be a race and another weekend to remember.

My trip in pictures...

Kris, Chris, & I riding at Snowbasin

Amy & Jared's Girls

Dessert at The Porcupine

Cupcakes Harper & I made for the Tri BBQ

Happy Jack Trailhead; Riding in WY

Barry & I riding in Park City

Park City

Tri Family 'Welcome Back' Dinner for Curry & I
Also celebrating Wes' bday.

The view from Steiner Aquatic Center in SLC.

The infamous SlickRock bike trail in Moab.

Floating the Weber River.

Moab Adventures

So I decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Moab, in one day to visit this mountain biking mecca and what I found was breath-taking. Canyons, boulders, and rock formations unlike anything that I have ever seen, let alone ridden a bike on.

No wonder people call it a mountain biking mecca, there are trails for everyone, of every skill level, and of almost any terrain that you could think of. I decided to try the infamous Slickrock trail. What a trip. Some of the weirdest riding EVER. Riding along the side of a boulder while trying to keep a bike upright is rather creepy. The tires stick to the rocks without a problem, but it is kind of eerie that way that they do.

I do have to admit, I was not a fan of Slickrock. It was a weird technical, probably one that I wasn't used to and shouldn't have ridden alone, but it is one that I can say that I have ridden. What a beauty it was.

Slickrock Trail

After riding around on Slickrock for awhile and exploring some other trails I got to explore the city of Moab. Neat little town with a vibe all its own. I heard about this little bike shop so I had to go check it out, Poison Spider Bike Shop (visit them HERE). It was one of the coolest shops I have ever been in, great inventory, and an even nicer owner. After lunch and a town exploration it was back to the trails for more riding.

For my second ride of the day I hit up the M.O.A.B. Trails. They are fun, little less technical than Slickrock and allow for a solo rider to have a little more fun. Less climbing and a lot of fun flowing

sections with great views to boot.

Bar-M Loop

After a few hours of riding it was back in the car and back to Amy's for the night. 8 hours of driving was worth it. I finally got to visit Moab! But boy I am beat today. This weekend it is off to Park City again to ride with the boys and then floating with the tri peeps then home. 

Park City / XTERRA Nationals Invite / SKIN STRONG

If you have never had the opportunity to experience riding in Park City, you should. It is gorgeous!

I have never been there to ride or ski, I have only gone for the vast amount of outlet malls that they have...yes I like to shop, sometimes. The city is beautiful and quaint, but just wait until you get up into the mountains.

The trails were unlike any that I have ever ridden, always changing but always interesting. There would be once section of a dirt climb and then a section of twisting technical root section through aspen forests. It constantly left me guessing, but never left me bored.

The base of the city sits at 7,200 ft which means that there is no way but up! The highest elevation that we climbed to was around 8,600 ft. Being up that high was painful, my teeth were aching, lungs were burning, and head was spinning. I felt like I was riding no where. But it was so fun regardless!

Barry had flown all the way out from AR for business so it was his idea that we put this ride together. I went with him and a few of his co-workers. Our guide was great. He even snapped a chain in the first half-mile. I crashed a few times and hit a tree or two (head was not harmed in debacles, ha). Barry endo-ed off the side of the mountain. Funniest thing to watch, I can only say that because he was okay and laughing about it. Glad I got it on camera. We all had a great ride/day and celebrated with a post-ride beer, well the boys did. I celebrated with my water bottle.

I received my invitation to the XTERRA National Championships yesterday. I definitely did not expect or see that coming. I was planning on ending my race season early this year and focusing on the weaknesses for next year. I hope everything works out so that I can go. That would be so great! Looks like I better get back to a rigid training plan. I've been a little lax in sessions and in eating...eek now that's a topic that needs some work, especially since I've been on vacation. Starting over today. T- 65 days until race day. Plenty of time to get ready to avenge that scar!

OH! I can't believe I forgot to mention in my previous post (sometimes I forget to put my FB posts into my blog posts). I wanna give a shout-out to SKIN STRONG. It is the coolest company headed up by some even cooler people. They sent me a care package while in Utah (because I ran out of shammy cream on my way here), not only did they send me slather, but they included their new sunscreen line and a new t-shirt. How awesome is that! Their product saves me everyday and every time I get on that beloved bike of mine. I don't know what I'd do out here if they hadn't have sent me that package. Thanks SKIN STRONG for lookin' out! Check out their website HERE.

Once Upon a Mountain Top

Once upon a mountain top is where I first discovered the beauty of this place, discovered my love for the mountains, and discovered my love for being out West. If you would have told me two years ago that a trip to Ironman camp and a first-time visit to Utah would change my life forever I probably would’ve scoffed at you then laughed it off.

It never ceases to amaze me the beauty in which I am encapsulated by. I have mentioned it time and time again in previous posts, in conversations, in picture form, but the mountains with their beauty and magnitude never seem to get old or lose their allure. I love to ride in the mountains, the fresh breeze, the climbs, the descents, and the breathtaking views.

Utah has become a magical place for me. It’s the landscape, the people, the feeling of freedom that I have when I am here. No matter what is going on in my life, it just disappears when I am here. Perhaps it’s the lower oxygen content. Ha.

The people, what an awesome group of friends that I have here. Friends of different backgrounds, religions, and beliefs, but out here it does not matter. I am accepted as one of the group, that girl from AR (which I love); no matter what my world or religious views may be. These friendships are real, picked up right where we left them months prior, like a beat was never skipped. I fall right back into my routine here, right alongside my Utah family.

This place is where I am at my happiest.

This trip so far has been amazing (I wish I had a better word, I feel as if amazing just doesn’t quite fit the bill). I came here with no intentions, no plans, and no aspirations other than to ride my bike. Boy, has this trip totally lived up to the dream.

The first day I drove to Laramie, Wyoming where I stayed the night and then got up and rode the next morning. Absolutely. Gorgeous. It was the most beautiful place that I have ever ridden, aspens and pine trees lining the trail, 8,500 ft. It was a great way to start the morning. After my ride I loaded up the car and continued onward to Utah. What an awesome welcome I received when I got here. Lizz’s family, and then Monday morning at the gym. It was so great to see everyone again!

I have been doing GPP (General Physical Preparedness; HERE) while I have been here, if you have never tried it you should. It is the coolest thing since sliced bread. Kick-butt, hardcore workouts that will have your body on FIRE in five minutes or less. I love GPP. I have been doing their workouts for almost two years (off and on; I kind of get a little lazy sometimes ha) but whenever I get back into the swing of things it doesn’t take long for me to start seeing subtle changes in my physique.

My riding has been right on par. I’ve been riding up at Snowbasin, doing mountain repeats, fun-riding, and just enjoying life. The altitude definitely hasn’t had as profound of an effect on me as it did when I was living out here last summer, thank goodness.

Curry flew up to visit from LA this week. How great it was to see her! I can’t believe we let a year and a half slip by. Our days were filled with swimming, training, eating, and much talking. The group had a “Welcome Back” dinner for the both of us. It was so fun and the food was fantastic. Thank goodness I’m training a lot because I sure have been eating a lot too. Ha.

Today was spent up at Echo Reservoir at an open water swim clinic. It’s crazy what going up just another thousand feet or so will do to you. My ears were aching, my lungs felt like they were bleeding, and I couldn’t stop coughing. Besides that it was fun. While the others were out biking and running the course I hung out with Kenzie and her kids and talked life. I love getting to catch up on the day-to-day lives of people.

Tonight was spent with Amy and her three beautiful girls. Movie and then acrobatics in the park was the perfect way to end the day. I love that family. I love all my Utah friends. I feel so at home here, so alive, and so free.

Tomorrow is a fun-ride up at Snowbasin with Kris & Chris. Tuesday, Barry is coming out from AR for work so we are going to ride (EXPERT LEVEL) in Park City. There will be another blog post after that, granted if I don’t die on this ride.

I’ve had a great trip so far and can’t wait to see what great things are in store for the upcoming days. Perhaps a trip to ride in Moab. Maybe a spur of the moment trip to LA. I have no plans, just enjoying the ride, literally.