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.
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