There is a HUGE rock on the the hill and I have ALWAYS wanted to go see it. However I used to be to heavy to hike it and then when I lost weight never took the time to see it! Well tonight that changed......
I loaded up the mountain bike and took off for The ROCK!!!
SUCH a beautiful ride! This is a popular trail for hikers and bikers. I did a 7 mile out and back. As I was climbing the hill I was breathing so hard! It freaked me out actually a little bit, this was harder then my road bike!!!! I thought I was going to be able to own this ride and climb it like a champ!!!
I did own it but I climbed it like a struggling champ :)
Totally clipped myself with the pedal!!!
Maybe one day I'll dare clip in on a Mountain bike, for now that scares me WAY to much!
I was SO proud that I MADE it!!!! It was something I have ALWAYS wanted to do. The rock is special to me too because my husband proposed to me at the trail head in the winter :)
Off the bikes to enjoy the......
AMAZING!!!!
However the sun setting at the top of the hill is also a BAD sign when your still on top of the mountain!!!! That meant we would be riding DOWN the trail without much daylight left.
So I rode white knuckled the WHOLE way down!!! I really had a hard time seeing! I kept thinking this is crazy, who rides in the dark???? Oh ya me duh!!!! I was the one who started out late.... It wasn't going to stop me from enjoying the down hill! I took it sloooooow #1 because I was scared and #2 because I honestly could not see.
Just to give you an idea of how dark it was....... I am looking forward to doing this ride again, I will start earlier and I think doing things the second time is always easier because you know what to expect!
I get to do 3, 3 mile training runs tonight for my Red Rock Relay! I will be sure to take lots of pictures of 12 crazy ladies running around town in the dark!!!! I hope my body can handle it after The ROCK!!!
What an inspirational sight that sunset is! Thanks for risking life and limb to bring it to us. :-)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! MTBing is harder, if I have a week on my MTB I'm always more knackered at the end of the week than if I spend a week on my road bike.
ReplyDeleteHarder = doing you more good!
Plus MTBing is more fun...
Cheers
Clive
Nice job on the climb and dark descent (!!).
ReplyDeleteRunning clipless pedals on the mountain bike is not a big deal. If you're running clipless on the road, an easy transition. Set the tension really low and you'll click right out.
Having said that, no real need to go clipless. Lots of dirt riders run platform pedals as well. Whatever works for you.
That looks absolutely gorgeous! And congrats :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a crazy determined bike rider! Be careful for goodness sake! Another injury..
ReplyDeleteOn another note, yay for making it to The Rock!
WOW that is beautiful - way to go. Bet your quad's will feel that - in a good way.
ReplyDeleteWay to go! The view was beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou owned the Rock and have the pictures to prove it... congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! The sunset is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dan O. - switching to clipless on the MTB won't be that hard for you since you're used to it on the road bike. And I personally think it will be SO much better. My MTB skills really improved once I went clipless. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! Utah really is so pretty! You are doing so many amazing things!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. What an achievement. I like that you are aggressively challenging yourself, yet still having fun.
ReplyDeleteYou have such great country to ride in. jealous!!
ReplyDeleteOk....congrats on checking off something you've always wanted to do. But I have to admit when I saw the rock I was kinda like that's it? That's the rock? ha!
ReplyDeleteDownhill, dark MTB? You are waaaaay braver than I am!
Night riding on a mountain bike - sounds wonderfully scary!
ReplyDeleteonce again...you are a bad ash!
ReplyDeleteNice job!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are not only brave but you rocks! I love that it was more than just a ride for you - that it was significant.
ReplyDeleteoh my there is nothing so wonderful as conquering something you have long wanted to!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! You did such a great job! And what a beautiful view.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you over at my blog:
http://hgr8scot.blogspot.com/
when you come down from that high, head on over and pick it up! lol
Beautiful!! Congrats for finally seeing the rock!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm sure you feel so good for finally making it to the rock. Now, be brave and clip into those mountain bike pedals. It will make your ride much easier. ;)
ReplyDeleteRae
xo
Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great view!!
Great job!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it home okay ;)
Wow! That is dark. Glad you got down safely.
ReplyDeleteCheck out that view! Breathtaking to say the least.
ReplyDeleteWhat a view!! I know trail-running is hard, and I just imagine mountain biking is even harder. Not to mention riding back down as it gets dark?!? Oh Lord I'd be so scared :)
ReplyDeleteYOU are a rock too..for so many people..now quit hurting yourself would ya?? :)
ReplyDeletenice work on the mountain bike ride!
ReplyDeleteand the view along the way and top seems worth the ride! including the death grip down
It looks beautiful, I would love to run that trail!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm doing red rock relay too! You'll have to let me know what team you're on and what leg you have.
Yay!! Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on tackling the rock!
ReplyDeleteYou have such beautiful blog posts!
You are one brave girl! lol Love the pics! ( :
ReplyDeleteThe view was worth it, right? Congrats on getting to THE ROCK. I'd get a headlamp to keep in your bike bag for emergencies. We were stuck climbing down Tuckerman's Ravine without light and it was SCARY. Of course, you have to remember to bring fresh batteries too ;)
ReplyDelete