07/31/2010 Emigration and Little Cottonwood in Salt Lake City, UT

Date: July 31, 2010 (Happy Birthday Robbie!)
Miles: 73
July Miles: 1006

MapMyRide - 07/31/2010 Emigration and Little Cottonwood in Salt Lake City, UT

Well, I made it. 1,006 miles in 31 days. Four days off for Sunday, 3 "missed" days and 24 days of riding. 24 days does not seem like a lot of days now that it is over. But this may be the longest July I have every endured. I rode for a total of 60 hours, 43,834 calories. I am the shadow of the man I used to be.... (don't know if that even makes sense, but I thought it was a cool picture).


At the summit of Emigration Canyon. Very comfortable ride (38:15, saving legs for jaunt to Alta later) On my way down the canyon I counted over 100 bikes coming up. I was tempted to turn around and ride again just to see how many I could pass, but no... off to Little Cottonwood.

Little Cottonwood Canyon is a hard climb. There is no respite. Somewhere between 6 and 12% for 10 miles. I was 90 seconds slower than my PR last hear at the Snowbird Hill climb with 50 miles in my legs on the day and 970 miles on my legs for the month. I hope to crush my PR on August 21st. If you go to the very top at Alta you climb about 4000 feet. Topping out at:

And get to see this. Awesome. I love Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Albion Basin has a fountain of life. Thanks Alta. Needed it.


High Rustler. Best powder run in the United States.


Snowbird.



So a few reflections on what I learned from my goal.
1) I don't need to watch TV ever again. Inane and mind-sucking. I even gave up on the Tour. That sound you hear is Comcast crying as they downgrade our service.
2) You need a very supportive wife to ride 1,000 miles in a month. Melissa, thanks! I love you for many reasons, none the least is that you support me and my crazy adventures.
3) I will try and make this sound kind. I never want to hear anybody tell me "they don't have time to exercise." I think I have a sound "Phooey" coming their way.
4) I don't think you can ride much more than 1,000 miles, be a husband, father, Young Mens President, work full time and play in a band. Just don't think you can.
5) My reason for this goal was to avoid a puke bomb at LOTOJA and to build strength and power in the flats and winds. I am feeling pretty good on the bike. If you see me remind me to eat and drink often.

August is for climbing. If you want to ride with me, it will probably be uphill. Hey Rob, 50,000 feet vertical in August? Let me know.

Ride on.......

07/30/2010 Work in Salt Lake City, UT

Date: July 30, 2010
Distance: 13
July Distance: 933

MapMyRide - 07/30/2010 Work in Salt Lake City, UT

Nothing too fancy here. Just to work and back. A day of good intentions. Was hoping to go longer before and after work. Yeah, that didn't happen. But, I did get a lot done. Have to make it up, grind it out tomorrow. Because, well, tomorrow is the last day of July.

Had a productive day at work and the annual Peter Breinholt concert. Which, the kids love.


We have a lot of cute girls in our circle of friends. I am afraid for the next 5-10 years. Wow.

We have a lot of cute girls in our circle of friends. I am afraid for the next 5-10 years. Wow.

Plus if you wondered if Pete has his groove on. He does. (Our Pete. It seems Mr. Breinholt always has his groove on.)

07/29/2010 Capitol/NSL Loop in Salt Lake City, UT

July 29, 2010
Distance: 34
July Distance: 920

MapMyRide - 07/29/2010 Capitol/NSL Loop in Salt Lake City, UT

Broke into the last 10% over 900 miles. I can see the finish line. A classic route with a twist at the end. Instead of heading up S. Temple or 2nd Ave I went out to 45th S. on 5th/9th east. Nice way to get a few extra miles.

After work, took the family boating. Thursday night is boat night this year for the Stringham Family. Good stuff. Anybody want to come?



Jonas may have found his boating passion. The Dunfords unearthed an old knee board. Couldn't keep Jonas off it. Was in the water for 40 mins with a smile the whole time.

No riding today. Fail.

Date: July 28, 2010
Distance: 0
July Distance: 886

Getting a little mentally weary I have to admit. Fought with myself from 5:15 til about 7:15am. Get up. Stay in bed. Get up. Stay in bed. Stay in bed won. And I took the Priests water skiing after work. Hopefully what I lack in training benefit I make up for in service benefit. Plus it is always fun to take guys who fight over who is going in the water next, even when it is crappy water. Love the enthusiasm. Stayed till it was almost pitch dark.

07/27/2010 Work/Lil Cottonwood/Home in Salt Lake City, UT

July 27, 2010
Distance: 36
July Distance: 886

MapMyRide - 07/27/2010 Work/Lil Cottonwood/Home in Salt Lake City, UT

I really like riding my bike to work. It is a great way to build miles without a) getting up very early, b) spending an additional amount of time from the family. If I go the "long way" there and home and I can get about 30-40 miles depending on the route. I couldn't do this without short hair and baby wipes. Baby wipes is what I use to "freshen up" when I get to work. It is nice that I work for a wellness company, they get what I am trying to do.

Speaking of work, here is the progress on our new office.


We have walls now. Progress is coming along quickly. Move in date set for Sept 10th. The day before LOTOJA. That will be interesting.

On the way home from work, went by Little Cottonwood and thought this was a cool sign. I am easily entertained.

07/26/2010 Work/TC/Home in Salt Lake City, UT

Date: July 26, 2010
Distance: 19
July Distance: 850

MapMyRide - A ride mapped on 07/26/2010 in Salt Lake City, UT

A nice simple recovery day today. A little less motivated becuase I know I only have 150 miles to go. I never thought 150 miles in a week would make me think "Easy." I feel pretty confident that I am going to hit 1000. Just need to "stay the course" and "focus on the fundamentals" two of my favorite post game sports quotes. Best part of today is I bumped up into a guy named "Bill" on my way to work as I was dropping down 45th South. He hooked onto my wheel and I pulled a mile or two at about 22-23 mph. He was probably early 60's. As I turned right on 900 East he yelled out to me and said "Let me take a turn," Heck why not, some one wants to block the wind for me. Can do. As he pulled past he said "You are dragging that big back pack, I can help" (When I ride to work on Mondays, I take all my work clothes, computer, lunch, etc... My bag weighs about 25 lbs) Bill pulled in front and proceeded at about 14mph. He was working hard and I thought what he did was cool. As I turned down my street to work, I said thanks he reached out and shook my hand like we had just finished a Tour stage. When I grow up I want to be that guy. It was pretty cool.

07/24/2010 Happy Pioneer Day! in Salt Lake City, UT

Date: July 24, 2010
Distance: 101
July Distance: 831
Partner: Robert Backman Marsh

MapMyRide - 07/24/2010 Happy Pioneer Day! in Salt Lake City, UT

I kind of had a feeling this was going to be a great ride and a great blog post. We will see if I can do both of them justice. So I was behind 30 miles on the quota and needed to pull a century, no problem, throw in a couple of Cat 2 climbs, a marathon, parade, hot and cold and of course some clowns a bagpipe band and you have yourself a good day. I am not making this up.

The day started at 5:30am, Rob Marsh knocking on my door (there is a song in there somewhere). We head for our favorite warm-up, Emigration Canyon knowing that the marathon will be coming down hoping to check out the action. Didn't quite make it to the top before we saw the leaders. There were 3 Kenyans, oh, about 25 minutes in front of the rest at mile 10. My thought "Run faster people of Utah!" When we got to the elbow, we started to see the rest of the field and had a great time cheering people on as we were going up and they were going down. I think the runners thought it was cool also. At 9 miles into a marathon, most runners are still pretty happy. Made it to the summit to see most of the runners and the sunrise. Very cool combination. Here is a photo:

We cheered for lots of folk and I planned a couple of photos on the way down.

Dude running in a kilt. This may not be a bad idea, less chaffing if done authentically.
Spoke to our Scottish heritage. We decided to wear kilts in LOTOJA this year. We do look good in kilts after all.



Dude running with an American Flag. Cool.
I did not take a photo of the newest running fashion. Women with the bottom 2-3 inches of the buttocks hanging out, Rob and I decided, that we knew what we were getting Melissa and Michelle for Mother's Day next year.

Eventually we got out of the canyon, cold and shivering, because it was the slowest descent of the canyon ever. It was fun and I saw my friends Laurel Alder and Julie Wray on the way up. Apparently their tradition also. Have to hook up together next year. Headed for the Capitol along 11th Ave, knowing that we were going to South Mountain, snapped this photo thinking, that is a long way to go.
Cruised through City Creek, past the Capitol, down Victory Road to 2200 West. Found out where SunRiver bill boards go to die. Funny. They cover hay.
Realized that there is still real farm land in the Salt Lake Valley.
Then headed into downtown to check out the parade. Boy Scouts, I was going to march with them, but, bike shoes not great for walking. ....
And now, as proclaimed by Rob "Photo of the Year" What is unique about this photo? A) 2 grown men dressed in Lycra standing in the middle of downtown, B) 2 grown individuals in make-up C) Rob spotted the clowns and suggested the photo, D) Have you ever seen Rob smile that much in any photo, thus making it rare E) The conversation overheard right before the photo. Rob "Can we get a photo with you?" Red head clown "Have you seen our friend, he looks like a clown." Rob "Ummmmm, no, Do you mind if we take a photo?" Green hair clown "Yes, that would be great."
Bag pipe band, ready for piping. I think they are looking for Kilt Running Man. Seems he was late.
Rob and I decided to ride right down the middle of the parade route. My FB post of this photo said "I'd like to thank everyone for coming out for our ride today." I thought that was funny. Got a hook up from the Jimmy John dude. Thanks for the free sandwiches. I was already getting pretty hungry. 50 miles in.
Always nice to know and be related to a Police Officers. Melissa and Rob's cousin David Knaub. He let us cross the line and he didn't taser us. Thanks.
This is really the best way to see the parade. Looking forward to the same ride next year. Plus lots of folks cheered for us as we rode. They were delirious from sleeping on the pavement overnight.

So this is a photo you don't see very often. Mostly because, it has never happened to me before. Hit a pot hole, knocked my bottle out, which then wedged between my crank and frame. Worst news is I put a hole in my LOTOJA trophy bottle. Bummer.
From here rode out 9th East to the end of the world, then around point of the mountain to Highland, up the back side of South Mountain, here is the view from the other direction. It is a big valley.

What a great place to live. Overall the 101 felt good, the climbs felt good also. Best news is I am now up 33 miles and only have 169 miles to 1000. Whew. Thanks for reading..... The day wrapped up with a nap, a shaved ice, some swimming, and some great food at Michelle and Rob's. Thanks!