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.