A Matter of Some Urgency

09.17.2009 | 3:50 pm

A Note from Fatty: A couple days ago I wrote a post called “How to Help a Loved One Starting Cancer Treatment ,” and got phenomenally helpful and insightful response. Thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts. Based on this discussion, the blog 100 Pounds Ago did a post called “What to Do When You Have to Call 911 For a Loved One.” It’s very useful advice, and something that every caretaker should read.

A Matter of Some Urgency

Technically, it is not yet Autumn. But the mountains here — foolish, non-calendar-watching mountains! — seem to think it is. The colors are changing, and they’re changing fast.

And the air is different. Even when it’s hot outside — and it’s still hot outside during the day — you don’t feel like the sun is trying to wring every last drop of water out of you.

And today, for example, the temperature was not hot. Nor was it cold. It was perfect. For four hours, as I rode Pole Line Pass — a remarkable stretch of singletrack at 9,000 feet that has to be earned with about two hours of climbing — I never thought about the temperature.

You see, it rained two days ago, so the trail was perfect today. And the sky was blue. And there was just a hint of a breeze. And the temperature felt like it stayed at about 70 (fahrenheit, thankfully) the whole time.

Today was, in short, a perfect day for riding. I have photos:

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The trailhead is at Tibble Fork reservoir. This is about a fifteen minute drive from my house. You think I picked Alpine, Utah to live at random? Ha.

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After dirt road climbing for several miles, you turn off onto the singletrack, and are immediately rewarded with this view. The leaves haven’t really started changing in earnest up this high.

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And then, from high mountain meadow, suddenly — wham — you’re in forest singletrack. The transition is sudden, astonishing, and wonderful. I hereby proclaim that forest singletrack is my favorite kind of trail.

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And then the trail takes you through a tunnel of aspen, just starting to turn yellow at the edges.

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From time to time, the trail takes you around a corner, opening up to a vista that just stuns you into saying the obvious. “Wow,” you say to yourself. “Those mountains are big.”

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As the descent brings you back down toward the reservoir, the trees and undergrowth get thicker, and the red leaves start showing up in earnest.

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I love when the mountain is in the middle of the transition from green to red.

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And I love even more seeing when an individual tree is in the middle of that transition.

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By the time you get back down to the reservoir, the color changes are really starting to ramp up. They’ll be at their best in a week or two.

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Then, after the ride, you get to feel smug about where you’ve just ridden and what you’ve just seen.

My point is this: If you live near or in the mountains, you probably have a trail not too different from Pole Line Pass — one that takes you through lots of different kinds of trails and trees. Now is the time to go ride that trail. Cancel appointments, take a vacation day, scramble the jets. There is no better time than early Autumn to be a mountain biker. You know this is true.

It is urgent you go ride, before it is too late.

And for those of you who don’t live near the mountains, this is a really great time of year for you to envy those of us who do.

92 Comments

  1. Comment by aussie kev | 09.17.2009 | 3:53 pm

    i get to see the ocean and ospreys every day i ride its awesome

    k

  2. Comment by Dan O | 09.17.2009 | 3:55 pm

    Luckily, I live in Colorado for an equal view.
    Life is good

  3. Comment by Andy | 09.17.2009 | 4:00 pm

    Please don’t do this again ….. I miss the mountains, my company moved me to Toronto. So flat 1000ft is considered really high and I used to have a 3000ft climb right out of my back door! I will have to make do with the pictures.

    And worse still I get a week in Santiago, Chile next week but no free time and no bike.

    I am beginning to think a major life change is in order!

  4. Comment by mark | 09.17.2009 | 4:06 pm

    Is that a phallic logo on your right leg? Or are you just that happy to be riding Pole Line while I’m at work?

  5. Comment by Bill Martin | 09.17.2009 | 4:11 pm

    Right on brother Fatty. Nice kit :) …o/o

  6. Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 09.17.2009 | 4:15 pm

    I don’t live in the mountains but I do live in the forest and plan on riding tomorrow. Great suggestion. By the way, in that last picture it looks like you have either lost a ton of weight or you’re sucking your gut in so hard you’re about to pull a muscle. Either way, looking you’re looking fast.

  7. Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 09.17.2009 | 4:15 pm

    Envy is at 110% and climbing, Fatty. Kinda like you climbing on singletrack through the middle of those beautifully fall colored trees. Dang it. 120%.

  8. Comment by jen | 09.17.2009 | 4:16 pm

    I love forest trails!!!

  9. Comment by pipebaum | 09.17.2009 | 4:17 pm

    Jealous of the kit and the bike…

  10. Comment by El_Animal | 09.17.2009 | 4:21 pm

    How about riding year round? I can do that, how about you Fatty? South Texas doesn’t have anything to envy to your $^^$%$^%& mountains…….yes I am full of envy.

  11. Comment by Bill | 09.17.2009 | 4:31 pm

    I envy…the best I can do is this..DSC_0432.JPG

  12. Comment by Jennebelle | 09.17.2009 | 4:33 pm

    Amazing pictures! You live in a beautiful place! The only view out here is of farmer’s fields! I currently hate you! :o)

  13. Comment by Jeff L. | 09.17.2009 | 4:34 pm

    In Southern California, the mountain foliage (scrub brush) starts off brown and dead and turns off-brown with hints of green (if we get rain) as winter approaches. Not quite as neat. But we don’t get snow and can ride throughout the winter in shorts…but I’d trade those few months for the scenery you get. Hands down.

  14. Comment by Randall Smith | 09.17.2009 | 4:40 pm

    Amen! Thanks for that poignant reminder. I am a roadie and spent a couple of hours on Skyline Drive last Saturday. Skyline traverses a chunk of Shenandoah National Park. A paved road through the trees, up and down some pretty steep hills, etc. And the best part is that the cars have to pay $15 to go on that road, so there aren’t that many of them. I think I might go back again next Saturday…

  15. Comment by Boz | 09.17.2009 | 4:48 pm

    The change is hitting us here in northern Mn. Skyline Drive in Duluth will be in full fall foliage in about a week. I can’t wait!!

  16. Comment by Dan in Sac | 09.17.2009 | 4:55 pm

    Simply gorgeous. I can’t think of a prettier place and time than the Utah mountains in the fall. I can almost smell that crisp, fresh mountain air. Oh, my heart aches.

    Thanks….. really….

  17. Comment by Andrea | 09.17.2009 | 5:05 pm

    Being mountainless sucks, especially when you just took your first vacation to the mountains a few weeks ago and have been pining away for it since you got back.

  18. Comment by ToddBS | 09.17.2009 | 5:11 pm

    Oh yeah, well… the gnarly single track here in Florida has alligators. Large, angry reptiles beats beautiful mountain scenery any day. Okay… I’m jealous.

    Last week a buddy of mine fell in to some murky water alongside one of the local trails. Fortunately his bike somehow stayed on dry land, but I’ve never seen anyone get up and jump out of water that fast. Maybe it had to do with the 5 foot alligator (really not that big in the grand scheme of large, angry reptiles) we had to avoid on an earlier trail.

  19. Comment by Doug | 09.17.2009 | 5:18 pm

    Comments on the Mt. Borah bibs? Noticed them in your GF bromance pics – was wondering if you would wear them ever again. Look nice, but the quality?

    P.S. A photo in a matching kit the day after the Assos (well not really Assos) critique? That takes balls.

    The Mt. Borah bibs were comfortable for a four-hour ride, and they fit me well. I have nothing more to say about them beyond that, yet. To tell the truth, I hadn’t checked to see what brand of clothing they were — I just liked the way the whole thing matched my bike…while I was simultaneously embarrassed about the fact that I wore something because it matches my bike.

    As far as the thing about me shamelessly wearing free clothes right after I took a swipe at the journalistic standards of VeloNews goes, that is an extra-good point. My defense is as follows: I look very sexy in this outfit. – FC

  20. Comment by Derek | 09.17.2009 | 5:36 pm

    My favorite is a slight variant on this. Instead of turning off to Pole Line, continue up the road. Turn off on road 186? That intersects with Ridge 157. You then have a nasty hike a bike, but its so worth it. It puts you right above Ant Knolls. Drop through Ant Knolls which has the most amazing aspen stands in the Wasatch on nice, buff trail to Pole Line. Continue your same ride from there. I volunteer to do it with you once the cast is off in a couple of weeks.

  21. Comment by Sandbagger | 09.17.2009 | 5:44 pm

    Fatty, I love you and I hate you…thanks for making me green with envy as I drive my desk for another day! Yet salvation is around the corner….1 week until vacation.

  22. Comment by Joel P. | 09.17.2009 | 5:54 pm

    Can I come live with you? I’ll do the dishes and take out the garbage. We don’t have scenery like that in the Southern Tier of NY.
    Joel P.

  23. Comment by russ | 09.17.2009 | 5:54 pm

    “My defense is as follows: I look very sexy in this outfit.”

    What better defence is there ?

    I shall be out in the hills doing ‘Little Elbow’ on Sunday. I can’t wait.

  24. Comment by mom2bjm | 09.17.2009 | 5:58 pm

    I ride canal paths at 5 am… so there’s not much to see… I do love the Superstition Mountains (at a distance) highlighted by the sun coming up… but its too darn hot to be riding during the day here in AZ… but that’ll be changing soon. I envy your autumn.

  25. Comment by Jessica @ How Sweet It Is | 09.17.2009 | 6:08 pm

    Gorgeous scenery. I live in PA so we do have some mountains. I have already seen some signs of Fall on trees near my house. I love this time of year.

  26. Comment by Liberty on Bikes!/bob | 09.17.2009 | 6:32 pm

    or if you ride road,
    and especially if you can be in the northeast,
    it feels like a short fall season.
    and bring a camera.

  27. Comment by Brandon | 09.17.2009 | 6:40 pm

    Awesome!! These kind of pictures/stories are what make me glad of my move next week from Ohio to Colorado. I can’t wait.

  28. Comment by justrun | 09.17.2009 | 7:58 pm

    I should have a more intelligent response, but all I’ve got is that was friggin’ great!

  29. Comment by Marilyn | 09.17.2009 | 8:01 pm

    I am not a mountain bike person but you are making me thinking about trying it. I talked about it with some of my cycling buddies the other day as I have a ski resort in my back yard so there are mountains that need to be climbed.

    Anyone doing the seagull on october 10? It would be great to have a bunch of team fatty there for this great flat ride.

  30. Comment by becky | 09.17.2009 | 8:13 pm

    I don’t live in the mountains, but my soul does.I do, however, live in Michigan, glacier carved land of lakes. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a lake, and there are some REALLY BIG ONES! But my favorite ride is in a place called Irish Hills, which is not called that for no reason. I am a road biker by the way. This ride I like is hilly, and only about 33 miles, but it cooks my legs every time. There is eye candy at the end of the hardest hills. I love to get to the top of these hills and see the beautiful rolling hills panorama and farmland and lakes.

  31. Comment by Tcluff | 09.17.2009 | 9:01 pm

    It IS the best time to be a mountain biker. Riding singletrack in Aspen patches below Tahoe, individual leaves on otherwise green trees have gone gold!

    And now the grand finale after the dog days is upon us! Time to get out and ride!

  32. Comment by wil | 09.17.2009 | 9:46 pm

    Elden, as of right now I am in Cabo San Lucas, enjoying everything they have to offer. And all they have is extreme heat and high humidity! I cannot wait to get back home to the mountains and ride!

  33. Comment by Brandy | 09.17.2009 | 10:07 pm

    I need to move to Utah!

  34. Comment by AngieG | 09.17.2009 | 10:33 pm

    Fatty, we are seeing the fall color in Northern California too. Took a ride this morning and what was more amazing than the color, were the smells of the neighbors freshly cut hay field and the fermenting smells of the grape harvest. I love where I live

    Side note, I would agree the kit is quite sexy. Not as sexy as the FC kit, but a close second. :-)

  35. Comment by Clydesteve | 09.17.2009 | 11:28 pm

    You are right! I need to get up to Oakridge. Man! I wish I didn’t have Oregon State vs Cinncinatti football tickets this Saturday with family and friends. So I could MTB ride instead.

  36. Comment by Little1 | 09.18.2009 | 12:49 am

    total onslaught of scenic beauty!

    We have the opposite… everything is going from brown dull and dead to bright spring green!

  37. Comment by stu | 09.18.2009 | 2:46 am

    Hi Fatty

    Great pics! You live in a wonderful part of the world!

    Enjoy…..

  38. Comment by ChefJT | 09.18.2009 | 3:30 am

    All I can say is “Sweet!”

  39. Comment by Mike E | 09.18.2009 | 4:50 am

    How long does it take to cycle to Utah from England?

    If anyone knows i’d be interested to see that in real life.

    Plus those trails looks sooooo smooth and fast :)

  40. Comment by Mike Roadie | 09.18.2009 | 5:23 am

    Leaves turn colors????

    And, what are those huge pointy things touching the sky in the distance???

    I need to get out more!

    FLS

  41. Comment by Ginger | 09.18.2009 | 6:54 am

    You didn’t ride for four hours! You took pictures for three and turned around after thirty minutes!

    ;)

    Sometimes I think I’m living in the wrong part of the country…

  42. Comment by Joe Camp | 09.18.2009 | 7:10 am

    Well said…time to ride! Hooah!! Leave early!!! Go ride!!!! There’s nothing that motivates power to the pedals than a perfect Fall day.

    To the poor chap in England: It must suck to live on an island, come join us in the Colonies! We, in my family, left some time ago for better cycling. And the freedom to distill our own whiskey.

  43. Comment by Jouni Ranta | 09.18.2009 | 7:43 am

    That’s a great post, thanks Fatty.

    I moved from Canmore, Alberta to Ottawa, Ontario last year (work move). I miss the mountains every day but don’t regret the move.

    Sadly, when I lived out west, I didn’t get to play in them as much as I should have. I was a road warrior for work and was only home on weekends. I sold my mountain bike while I was out there; ironically, now that I’m back east, I’ve got the bug again and am looking for a new off-road ride.

    At least I have Gatineau park as a playground for both road and mountain biking.

    Please keep the envy-worthy posts and images coming.

  44. Comment by Tom F | 09.18.2009 | 7:46 am

    I believe there’s a mountain bike in my future if I keep reading about Fatty’s rides. Very envious!

  45. Comment by Brian Sherry | 09.18.2009 | 7:47 am

    You are giving Jill a run for her money with that post – awesome pics

    I thought to myself as I put this together, “This is a very Jill-esque entry.” The difference is that she is very talented and skilled as a photographer; I’m strictly point-n-shoot.

    We each live in beautiful places, tho, that’s for sure. – FC

  46. Comment by Lorie | 09.18.2009 | 8:15 am

    Man, I’m homesick now…REALLY homesick. Spent most of my “early” life in Idaho, first part in Southeast Idaho, then Northern Idaho and Colorado. While I love the Ozarks, I miss REAL mountains…I miss them like mad! Good thing I have one of the best husbands in the world – I wouldn’t be able to live here without him. Besides, he’s my main biking buddy!

    Okay, I’m going to go ride just because I can.

  47. Comment by Joel J | 09.18.2009 | 8:17 am

    Thanks man! I needed that. I’ll be heading to the hills above Denver this weekend thanks to you.

  48. Comment by Dawn | 09.18.2009 | 8:28 am

    Thank you for sharing those beautiful picture. I lived in Utah for 22 years and desperately miss the mountains. I would love to have one of those pictures hanging in my office!

  49. Comment by Jeff Sebolt | 09.18.2009 | 8:33 am

    Jets are in position and awaiting target confirmation. 30 minutes and it’s wheels up!

  50. Comment by bradk | 09.18.2009 | 8:38 am

    Dude, Did you forget that Pole Line is on the mandatory DO email Brad list? Sheesh!

  51. Comment by kenny | 09.18.2009 | 8:46 am

    Brad, don’t feel bad. I didn’t get the call either.

  52. Comment by Carl | 09.18.2009 | 8:56 am

    Maybe a LIVESTRONG Challenge Alpine someday?

  53. Comment by NYC_Los | 09.18.2009 | 8:59 am

    wow… Jealous. NYC definitely doesn’t have that kind of foliage to ride through. I wish I lived in Utah.

    On a totally different note… would you (or anyone else looking at the comments for that matter!) be interested in starting a Movember team? I’ll lead the charge out in NYC if you get the team started.

    If you have no idea what I’m talking about… go to http://us.movember.com – it’s a cancer foundation with an awesome sense of humor that is specifically targeted at men’s cancers. They give to both the LAF and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

    Oh, I am SO IN. We’ll be done with the LiveStrong challenges by then and this looks like a fun followup. Email me. – FC

  54. Comment by bikemike | 09.18.2009 | 9:23 am

    bee-u-ti-ful

  55. Comment by GeorgeM | 09.18.2009 | 9:30 am

    Wow it does sound like the perfect ride!!! Love it!!!

  56. Comment by BurkeInTheOzarks | 09.18.2009 | 9:44 am

    The mountains around me may not be as tall but they are quite beautiful, especially this time of year. Yes, its good to live near elevation changes.

  57. Comment by frilly | 09.18.2009 | 10:30 am

    You must be telepathic Fatty. Just yesterday I was at the lbs looking at mountain bikes. The group I ride road with during the summer switches to MTB’s in the Fall. I might become a convert & those pictures could just seal the deal.

  58. Comment by MattC | 09.18.2009 | 10:58 am

    Nice pics, sounds like a slice of heaven. This time of year is always hard for me…my motivation to get on the bike(s) seems to be slipping, and work is out of control busy right now (and for the next several months minimmum), making easy excuses not to ride (or just do short rides) very convenient. I am afraid my hard-gained fitness from spring is slipping fast. LiveStrong Austin will be some serious pain, thats for sure. Right now my focus is on pulling off my final 2 big fundraisers in the coming weeks. Who knew how stressful fundraising was…sheesh. (but I’m a worrier from way-back…everything has to be perfect or I’m a wreck). Keep the pics coming…your neck of the woods is very scenic for sure. Just hoping I can slip in a long road ride this weekend…need it REAL BAD!

  59. Comment by tcrdave | 09.18.2009 | 11:47 am

    Speaking of matching kits, your mug is on the twinsix homepage. Fatty is everywhere.

    dave

  60. Comment by Rich | 09.18.2009 | 11:56 am

    I see now why you ride rigid single… I think I counted one rock and two roots in those pictures :) That Rumblefish you rode was designed for New Englanders. Pictures we take look considerably more like minefields :)

  61. Comment by wendy | 09.18.2009 | 11:58 am

    I’m a hoosier, and I’m envious.

  62. Comment by Charisa | 09.18.2009 | 12:08 pm

    I LOVE fall! I do not own a mountain bike, but those trails make me want to trail run!!! BEAUTIFUL!! Enjoy Fatty!

  63. Comment by Chubby | 09.18.2009 | 12:43 pm

    I’m fat and don’t actively ride a bike. However, the views are pretty much the same from the car. :-)

    Okay, I’m working on the “move more” thing. I thought that 50 mph was pretty fast through the mountains.

    Elden, I live as the south end of Utah Valley with mountains literally across the street. If you want to save the time getting to the mountains from Alpine, I can hook you up!

    Chubby

  64. Comment by MattC | 09.18.2009 | 12:47 pm

    And hey…just keep gloating Fatty…but come Jan/Feb, please go ahead and post some pics of your rides so I can compare them to mine THEN! My rides here in central CA might not be quite as scenic, but other than during an actual rain storm (happens in the winter only) we ride year-round. Of course, after spring things turn pretty brown and dreary, hoping we don’t get fires…seems everyplace you go has plusses and minuses. Thats why it’s good to travel with a bike…see all, ride all. Thats my motto and what I want to do! Just not doing a very good job of it at the moment.

    Oh, I guarantee I’ll post some pictures in January / February. But you won’t stop being jealous…. – FC

  65. Comment by Linda | 09.18.2009 | 1:24 pm

    Great pics and trails! I’m a fall person too. Lots of long country roads with a lot of trees here in South Jersey too except the pine barrens are filled with pines that stay green. Whoda thunk it? I have got to get to Utah one day.

  66. Comment by Patty | 09.18.2009 | 1:54 pm

    Just phoned the boss, taking a “mental health” day next week, just so I can get in some mid week bike time!

    YES! – FC

  67. Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 09.18.2009 | 1:55 pm

    I’m in full envy mode mtn bike wise…but the road bike ride we did this morning was AWESOME!

  68. Comment by Jenn | 09.18.2009 | 1:56 pm

    Looks like a great ride, Fatty. I’ve been loving fall and mountain rides in my neck of the woods too. For anyone who thinks coming north to the Yukon is too far – I give you this:
    3921295381

  69. Comment by Jenn | 09.18.2009 | 1:58 pm

    Can’t…make….photo appear…..you’ll just have to trust me that it’s beautiful :)

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/benandjenn/3921295381/imghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/benandjenn/3921295381//img

  70. Comment by tcrdave | 09.18.2009 | 2:57 pm

    I just went to the twinsix site and your mug is on their homepage. Dude, you’re everywhere.

    dave

  71. Comment by Jo | 09.18.2009 | 2:58 pm

    Yay Utah! It was another beautiful day to mountain bike in AF Canyon today.

  72. Comment by Brandy | 09.18.2009 | 3:47 pm

    I think I have figured out what the guy in the blue jacket is doing in that photo.
    He is doing the “fat guy in a little coat” pose from Tommy Boy. =)

  73. Comment by Dan O | 09.18.2009 | 3:54 pm

    Nice post – great pictures. Utah looks awesome.

    Here in the Seattle area, we have some awe inspiring mountains as well. Having mountains nearby is damn nice, though I enjoyed mountain biking just as much back in New Jersey – my home state. When it comes down to it, the trails themselves are the things of beauty.

    As for taking a vacation day to escape for a ride – I did just that on Wednesday. I suggest everyone do the same.

    Great blog – enjoy it as always.

  74. Comment by Niall | 09.18.2009 | 7:52 pm

    This post is just another excuse to show everyone that you have a flash bike and they don’t. And that you have a pair of Oakley Livestrong Jawbones. That you got for free because Oakley would know how much you like posing in front of a camera showing off. Keep up the good work.

  75. Comment by Corey | 09.18.2009 | 10:43 pm

    That trail for me is Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass. I’m sure there others, but that one is exactly what you describe, except less road and more singletrack. :D

    I miss the ocean, but I LOVE the mountains!

  76. Comment by AngieG | 09.18.2009 | 11:56 pm

    Brandy- OMG that is so classic!! You hit it on the head. :-)

  77. Comment by Kevens64 | 09.19.2009 | 3:44 am

    Beautiful scenery, nice kit….I’m very jealous! Hope to travel out that way some day.

  78. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 09.19.2009 | 4:33 am

    I can’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s all dirt and trees and hills. It doesn’t even vaguely resemble a velodrome.

    And when you suck your gut in like that, get the picture taken quicker next time… before you start to wince*.

    *that last bit may have been a bit of jealousy creeping in. I’m just crawling out of the southern winter at 260lb.

  79. Comment by Powerful Pete | 09.19.2009 | 11:32 am

    1. I am jealous re: where you ride.

    2. You are in awesome shape.

    3. I am indeed, very jealous. Rides in Rome do not look like that.

  80. Pingback by Maybe, just Maybe, it’s Not Meant to Be « Circa42 | 09.19.2009 | 6:25 pm

    [...] 3-4 weeks the trail will likely be dusted in snow—or at least plenty muddy. Like Fatty says, autumn mountain biking is a matter of some urgency. And now my season is pretty much [...]

  81. Comment by Onan the Barbarian | 09.19.2009 | 6:44 pm

    VERY nice views my friend.

    And now to let you know how much I want to be like Fatty and HIS MTB races, a short summary of MY LiveStrong Challenge ( The Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 – I couldn’t get to Philly).

    The Good: I finished, raised $500 for Team Fatty and LiveStrong.org, and didn’t break any bones.

    The Bad: I crashed….HARD. I apparently caught a large rock with my pedal and big ring which are now destroyed and need to be replaced. I was traveling at LEAST 25 mph downhill through a small rock field when it happened.

    The Ugly: I’ll post photos when they become available. Both knees, left elbow, shoulder, and hip are gored up pretty good. Thank God for my helmet…I am pretty sure it saved my noggin from some serious damage. Actually, just take a look at the damage to Fatty during Leadville and you pretty much have the picture. I also had a bracelet Susan made for me ripped off my wrist during said crash. I can’t think of a more fitting place to lose it.

    The Surreal: I was helped by a couple guys riding a tandem MTB wearing sports jackets (think Johnny Carson) and VERY large afro wigs. My thanks to those guys.

    I think my time was about 3:30. After the crash, my race turned into “survival mode” as I could only nurse my rig along due to the damage to the chain rings.

    And yes, I was in Team Fatty gear.

    I’m off to Europe tomorrow to spread my father’s ashes in an undisclosed location in France – He died of brain cancer 1 1/2 years ago and left his body to science.

  82. Comment by Onan the Barbarian | 09.19.2009 | 6:46 pm

    Oh, yeah, it’s now beer-thirty.

  83. Comment by stirling | 09.19.2009 | 9:14 pm

    So true, so true. Mother Nature has begun to make her quilt!!

  84. Comment by Paulscarlett | 09.19.2009 | 11:46 pm

    Hey fatty yet another great post with beautiful pics.
    down under we are in spring and things are starting to warm up. Flowers are out and birds are singing. Perfect time to throw a leg over and get dusty
    FLS

  85. Comment by Amy Hoover | 09.20.2009 | 4:46 pm

    Wore my Fat Cyclist jersey at Babes in Bikeland III in Minneapolis yesterday. Thought I might share a pic and a link to my blog post about the event.3938189293

  86. Comment by Amy Hoover | 09.20.2009 | 4:48 pm

    Ok…I’m obviously not smart enough to figure out the image adding feature on here, but if you click my name I think it links you to my blog post. Sorry.

  87. Comment by leon | 09.20.2009 | 10:30 pm

    “And for those of you who don’t live near the mountains, this is a really great time of year for you to envy those of us who do.”

    That’s just mean. I hate you.

    The nearest trails from where I live is a 2-hour drive, And they don’t even look half as good as the ones you’ve got. Through rice paddies and the only trees you’ll see are bananas and coconuts( I live in the tropics). And at this time of the year with the rains coming in those trails are lovingly covered in six inches of mud.

  88. Comment by Richard Irvine | 09.21.2009 | 7:21 am

    I live in Liverpool, England and am a long way from scenery like that.
    Sooo if you’re looking for an inexpensive house boy to cook and clean, as long as he gets the afternoon off for a bike ride, then I’m free.
    I can move at any time

  89. Comment by Fuzzy | 09.21.2009 | 8:02 am

    Quote Fatty- And for those of you who don’t live near the mountains, this is a really great time of year for you to envy those of us who do. Unquote Fatty.

    I’ve said it before and i’ll say it againg Fatty. You Sir are a First Order Git!

    Luv ‘n Stuff
    Fuzzy from the UK

  90. Comment by orangekathy | 09.22.2009 | 9:50 pm

    Interestingly I was on a car trip in CO, UT and Wy last week. I can attest that the view was tremendous. September is my favorite time for a car trip in the mountains. I can also say the snow in Laramie, WY caught me completely by surprise.

    Happy to be back in Nebraska,
    Kath…

  91. Comment by the inadvertent farmer | 09.26.2009 | 5:02 pm

    That Aspen tunnel made me want to move…I thought our Douglas Firs were great but those are just plain cool! Kim

  92. Pingback by Maybe, just Maybe, it’s Not Meant to Be | 05.27.2011 | 6:35 pm

    [...] 3-4 weeks the trail will likely be dusted in snow—or at least plenty muddy. Like Fatty says, autumn mountain biking is a matter of some urgency. And now my season is pretty much [...]

 

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