If Friday is anything like today I am going to ride somewhere. Too busy today!

Chevron Mile marker at the south end of Legacy

Update to Legacy final mile

Well it’s been a little over 3 weeks since I visited the last section of the Legacy trail. The progress is going along as expected, it looks like some of the trail in at least one of the low sections is going to be a plank bridge like those north of Parrish lane.

2011 for the completion may be optimistic with weather considerations and the fact asphalt is not readily available in the colder weather.

Thursday ride was nothing short of wonderful, nice breeze, warm and my wishing the weather could stay like this through the end of the year, Ok, all the time!

In reading the Tribune the other day I see that others wonder why the bike lanes in many areas are so full of debris that riding in them is dangerous and costly. Hand the keys of the sweeper to some riders, they will fix that in short order and I would bet the only cost would be fuel. I know that I am dreaming here but wouldn’t it be nice? 

Tires, tubes and technology, that how I ride and have a great time. Over 12 thousand miles with very few flats, I call that very good!

Remember that on the blog in the lower left is my email information, send me your posts and I will handle them, Oh and in the “Airport to Saltair” section take advantage of the link for weather information. There is a short summary of using this following the link.

Legacy, Jordan soon will join!

Kudos to Mayor Becker, recently I revisited the last section of the Legacy trail that runs south of the Davis county line.  The gate is closed and many pieces of equipment are operating along the path, the project has been scheduled for completion 2011 and right now that is looking to be on track.

 This section will connect the Jordan River Parkway north end to the Legacy. Walkers, joggers, and us bicyclists will now have a wonderful trail system that starts in the north at Farmington Station with a ending point just past Gardner Village at around 8400 south.

North of Farmington station you ride the Rail Trail, or that’s what I know as. This trail runs along one of the old railroad beds, there is a section that branches off the Legacy just south of the Parrish underpass and goes south into about 500 north.

The northern section goes up into Roy, I have ridden this section very far, could be a nice fall ride and I will update everything. As with everything this is changing with new roads crossing the trail. And the trail being paved.

Water levels along the Jordan River Parkway are still high, the section going under SR 201 is very near flooding every day. Farther south @ Gardner Village the underpass for 7800 South is still flooded, any updates that someone may want to offer or post please add them!

Goat Heads!!!  Yes they have done very well this summer; a bumper (tire) crop is all along the trail. These diabolical thorns are a rider’s nightmare. The plants when in bloom have a tiny yellow flower and the vine spreads out like tentacle’s, when they mature the cluster breaks apart, they grow in such a way that just about no matter how they land 1 thorn is point up into the air, waiting for that tire of ours.

Last ride from 1300 south to 200 south along the Jordan I picked up 5 in the front alone, a new personal best.  Slime, Tuffy liners and CO2 made the ride a 2 minute slow down then back to riding, being prepared for me is what it’s all about.

I know there are some new riders looking at this page, sign in and add your information. If you don’t want to sign in send the information to the email address found at the bottom of the blog under Trail information, conditions.

Still some water

Jordan River Parkway

Sunday I took a ride along the Parkway. You can now go under SR201, just as you exit the underpass going south there is a pump that is sending water over the trail, a lot of water and you will get wet when it hits the bike tires. Continuing south 3300 south underpass is still flooded. North of 3900 south is still flooded, enough that there are minnows swimming along the trail.

Just south of 3900 south the trail still is flooded, water flows are high and the river is outside of its banks in many places.

I diverted off the trail up into Murray Park and then back to the trail around 5300 south. From here to Midvale the trail is fine. A few blocks north 7800 south they have added a new access trail that goes west into a housing area, this is a switchback section and is a pretty good climb, and it does give you a nice view of the area east of the trail and the construction. Looking at my GPS files its slightly south of 7200 south.  Next time out I will explore just where it goes.

I try to make a lap around Willow pond in Murray, not many out today; pretty warm and I would bet that it’s been some time since they stocked it.

Good news was that I managed 36  miles without a Goathead, saw some new places and burned 2400 calories!

I have included a JPG of my tracks on this ride. 

Weekly information.

I have been riding when time and weather has allowed. I would like to have some other contributor’s, adding some variety with different levels of skill and ambitions. 

Trail conditions along the Jordan River going south from 1700 south are still flooding as in previous report. Many sections simply are too deep for safe travel along with hard on equipment and personal questions.

A quiet ride along Warm springs Road going north will give you many choices. The road is easily found by going north on 500 west and 600 North. The road winds its way west of the railroad tracks. You end up just south of the Chevron refinery; it turns west ending on Redwood Road, a short ride north your will see the Legacy trail, once you are on that its clear riding to Farmington Station.

Out of there you can take the first overpass south, cross over and into Farmington. I ride the Highway that goes east past the old court house a sweeping right turn and your going south, this will take you into Bountiful and with some zigzagging end up on old Val Verde Drive. That drops down onto #89. Staying on the east side of 89 going south just a few hundred feet you pick up the bike trail. This section of trail is shared at times with the trucks coming out of the Staker/Parsons plant.  First time you take this pay attention as it tends to wander at the south end where it ends on Beck Street, traffic here is busy weekdays, I only do this on Sundays mornings. I work my way south and west as traffic and roads allow, once on 400 west I either head west on one of streets north of the new bridge construction or continue to 100 south and then west towards home.

Gateway has a Jazz series on the plaza that is free each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30, great time and some cardio each way.  

Upper valley loop

The weather is killing my enthusiasm, just when I think there is a chance to ride for a few days it rains. Saturday’s ride was nice, headed out from Salt Lake to the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon. I Zigzag my way up into the Holiday area to Highland Drive and then south to Walker lane where I make my way to Holliday Blvd.

Traveling south to 6200 passing by the Cotton Bottom and onto the trail which winds its way into the Old Mill area.  The river is very fast and full, some distance up there is a retention pond and its not too far from being full.  Just past here the trail crosses to the north side of the road for a bit and then you  are on the road, it’s here that the road steepens for  the final push to 7200 below the Porcupine Bar.

From here I head north to Parleys Canyon, water is on so I fill my bottles.  Across the gulley there is another drinking fountain just before joining Foothill Blvd, you will see it on your right.  It’s a short distance on the Blvd. before you turn right going up to the next street. Signs point the way and tell you this is part of the shoreline trail. After several stop signs you arrive at 1300 south which you cross and continue north up and around the golf course and past the upper parking lots for Hogle Zoo. A left at the top here short downhill and yet another water stop if needed, there is a fountain just west of pavilion.

I don’t risk the Emigration Canyon along with the fact I am getting tired, I head west to Waikura way turn north and go to north end of the road. Short climb 1 block east, north again, east past the U of U equipment building to the parking lot for the Medical Center.  Past the center I head west past the Old Fort Douglas Club and turn right on the first road west.  A few stop signs, a climb up and over to to 11^th Ave and west again. Finally  some rest from the climbing and the wind.

At the “B” street I turn north and make the loop past City Creek to the Capitol. From here it is a fast downhill and busy streets. The remaining ride is all surface roads I keep a reasonable pace when possible and try to take different roads sightseeing a little, total ride 40-43 miles 2900 calories that’s what its all about!

Jordan River Parkway

The parkway is flooded in many locations; I started at 1700 south by Raging waters and went south. SR201 underpass is flooded, it’s passable if you don’t mind wet feet, farther south in the Oxbow area more flooding has occurred. This section was dry on the trail but water was right at the edge on both sides, any increase in stream flow will flood this.

3300 south under pass is flooded, deeper than SR201 so I crossed the road. More evidence of flooding just south of the park and you may as well stop here as the water level just before 3900 south is deep and not passable by my standards.

I did ride the loop off the trail following the new Trax line to Decker Lake, nice diversion that on most weekends a model power boat group gets together in the mornings.

Goat heads are going to plentiful this year with all the rain, they are all along the trail, if you plan to ride the Jordan River Parkway prepare your bike for those, Slime tubes, Liners, patch kit, spare tube and some way to fill the tire. I carry a pump and CO2. Oh and self-sticking Park patches don’t like Slime so don’t carry those.

Salt Lake Century 5-21-2011

What a great day for the ride, 49F leaving the house and light winds. Running a little late I made the choice to join the ride at 700 North and Redwood road. That proved to be a good decision placing me about 1/3 back from the front.  All the hard chargers out of view so no chance of thinking I could  catch them.

The ride had 36, 67 and 100 mile routes; I chose the 67 mile knowing that I would end up just short of 80 miles by riding to and from the event start/finish from home. 

The Salt Lake sections had good intersection management, after that you were pretty much on your own. Most everyone did a great job of passing and crossing major road intersections.  The section along Redwood Road by the Skypark Airport  was kept short, north bound does not have a real bike lane, south does have wide section that helps keep some distance between cars and bicyclists. 

Crossing over to the east side of I-15 the route headed north eventually arriving at South Park for the first rest stop and the turnaround for the 36 mile route.  Lots of food items and liquids to replenish whatever needs you might have.

Leaving there you headed north to Glover lane, crossing over I-15  and starting the journey zigzagging finally going west on Gentile street connecting to Bluff going North West. Turning left on Gordon Ave and then a right on 3000 west to the lunch rest stop.  This was a welcome stop with a great choice for lunch, snacks and drinks.

I have learned riding the MS 150 to not spend too much down time, enjoy the break but get rolling after eating and extra hydration.  I took 1 large water bottle and that was barely enough, any warmer and it would have been too little.

The return was going to be the challenge as forecast winds should have been 8 mph SW, they felt less and at times felt NW along the section south of Glover Lane east of I-15. One more time stopping  at South Park for more water, couple of bars and back on the road.

Don’t let rides of this kind scare you off, they are great way to challenge your abilities, plus most everyone has been at the same point of getting into condition. Ride at what you are comfortable with, these are not races, there are some that would like to make them races, it’s your personal goals that are important.  Getting fit and having a good time, that’s says it all.

Airport to Saltair

5-12-2011

Out to Saltair and back, Thursday evening and what a nice ride, well other than the bugs. Huge columns along the route in the water areas, of which there are many. 

39 miles for me from home and back, I took the long way out and short back, this changes the ride length about 4 miles. Some construction debris along the road in a couple of sections and the concrete section that runs for 1.5 miles, this ends at just south of the transmitter tower, KSL I believe.

Gates on the airport having conflicting times, one side says open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, others say 5:30 am to 10:00 pm, should not really affect many. 

You can park just east of the gate for the airport on the old North Temple and head out from there, this makes a 21 mile ride round trip that is flat and if the winds are mild its easy in both directions.

I generally ride into the wind I determine this by using the following site,  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/wxtables/index.php?lat=40.80861223601287&lon=-111.96441650390625&table=custom&duration=1&interval=1

You will want to change settings for your needs, things like interval and duration in days and the actual location.  You can enter different information in the window for personalizing the map. I use this map all the time and it has been very good information, just knowing expected conditions in those early and late season rides can make a big difference.

Legacy 5-6-2011

The Legacy Parkway out and back is in great condition other than a section north of I215. It appears that some construction is going on just prior to the wood decked bridge there, as a result a lot of mud/rocks and other debris is scattered about.

Bugs, yes they are out, I rode around 4:00 pm along the path and they were plentiful. Lucky for me my helmet has a bill that if I tuck down it helps send them around the side. I have seen many riding with bandanas over their nose and mouth, problem also exists along the Jordan River. Middle of the day is better if you’re fortunate enough to have time then.

No matter what get out and ride, Often!

Jordan River Parkway

Thursday April 28th.
Starting at Raging Waters made the loop out around Decker Lake and back up to the Parkway. Headed south from there, no water in the low spots until the underpass at Gardner Village. This will be that way for some time looking at all the snow and latest storms.
I took a lap around the Dog park  just north of 5300 South, went around Willow pond on the return, there were a few fishing at both locations. River is up from the previous ride, speed is about the same and the diversion at 2100 south is mostly going out the Surplus Canal, Jordan section low north of the diversion to at least 1300 south. 
Goat heads thorns not out yet but a crop from 1700 to 1300 starting to come alive.

Ogden parkway

quick update.  Talking with a fellow worker who runs on this. Many sections where flooding has been occuring have very uneven pavement.  He thought even cycling could be an adventure.

Jordan River parkway

Just back from a ride along the parkway, hitting the trail going south @ Raging Waters. Took the loop down into Decker Lake once around and back up to the trail. Decker Lake is about 1.2 miles around.
Really nice out 53F along the most of the trail, turned around at Gardner Village and as expected the underpass for the trail is flooded, over 3+ feet.

I took a couple of river readings, average was 5.4 MPH.  I looked for a sign in the section where the scouts went through and did not see anything, there is a sign out in Murray that tells you to get out I did not see any others where you expect them.

On the return I took the eastern side of the river just north of Ox Bow jail, this section has some gravel and the maintenance is pretty bad, South Salt Lake has that side of the river to 21st south. As a result the goat head vines are still in place. South of John Workmen park on the west side is flowering new goat head plants FYI.
Had great cardio, burned up 1900+ calories and feel good.

Last mile of Legacy

If you have goverment pull it would be terrific having the last mile going south on Legacy paved. You could then travel from Jordan River to Legacy completing  one section throughout .
Chevron deserves a thank you for the One Mile they completed from the 215 to the county line, not having to ride on Redwood Road is wonderful, the lack a real bike lane in that area is pretty dangerous.

River conditons

After last weeks Scout mishap on the Jordan river everyone should be well aware of the fast, cold water in creeks and rivers.
Most of the underpasses along the Jordan are good, the one exception is the Midvale underpass going under just east of Gardner Village. If you want to go farther south the only option is crossing the highway, can be busy, use caution.  Much of the trail north of here has been changed, the good thing at this time are Goatheads, they are farther north starting from 3900 South going north to 2100 South. Using Slime and liners have made my mountain bike resistant to most of those.