A Better Day.

Well after yesterdays disappointments on Green Mountain we set off for a more aces sable and perhaps more complete adventure.
Sam was not too keen to go out in the trailer today but after we got back from the mundane tasks of grocery shopping he was more easily persuaded to come out again. He didn't want to drive anywhere (he can be so bossy) but was excited to put his helmet and get into the buggy.

We set out straight up the road this time and turned south on the road the runs around the valley. Nice paved roads made for a fast and comfortable ride for both of us. At the main intersection we turned onto the bike trail we have been on before and runs through South Valley Park. This is down hill for a lot of it's length. Now not long after I got the Diamondback I clipped a rock with the back of the bike. The stacked gears on the back of any derailleur gear system is called a cassette. I knocked about four teeth and the the ring they sit on off the cog that is the smallest ring in the cassette. I didn't do any other damage and I have been riding it this way for a year or so. The only disadvantage is I don't have a high-speed cruising gear. I have 27 and not the 28 the bike came with. This is a disadvantage going down hill at speed with a squealing 3 year old. I can't go any faster!

We turned off the end of the trail and rode down towards Deer Creek Canyon Road. Now I had thought using this road might not be a good idea with Sam in back, There has been issues on this road between cyclists and drivers. I have had lots of experience of this when I was in the Fire Department. This road is in the District we served. I bit the bullet and turned to the east. As we rode along I hugged the white line. Much to my amazement all cars gave us a wide berth. All the way through the canyon cars and their drivers were courteous. We emerged from the canyon and found perhaps the reason for the courtesy, a sheriffs cruiser sitting watching traffic.

The hill from where the road emerges through the Dakota Hogback is punishing if you have 40 pounds or so of small child hooked to the back of your bike. About half way up I pulled off the road to allow my heart rate to drop a little. A lady on a road bike passed me and shouted a hello. She was kind enough to note it's much harder with a trailer. Once the road turns to the east again, it flattens out. We finally made it to where Kippling crosses C-470. We crossed under the highway and joined the bike path that runs the length of the road. We finally made it to the Valley again and crossed back through into familiar Open Space.

The stats for today are much improved over yesterday. 10.2 miles in 49:34 at an average pace of 6.06. Not bad for a bike with one gear short. The Cals were good too 1013. I did remember to check my BGL both before and after the ride. Pre was 100 and post was 114. Such a good ride.