Mixed Weather of Emotion!

The weather is changing here in SLC. This weekend has been rainy, cold, and windy. All 3 combinations don't add up to very good riding weather. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings to the change in the weather. Yes, on one hand, I'm excited for the change because it means skiing is right around the corner. No, on the other hand, I'm not excited about it because it has made for a long weekend of being inside and NOT on the bike. The next few days do not look very promising either.

Early this year I made it a goal to ride at least 4 days per week until the fall when the weather change makes it difficult to ride. I'm proud to say I kept my goal. Between road and mountain, I did it. Some days I'd get home from work and would not want to ride because I was tired, bored, or something else. However, I stayed motivated by the goal which I set early in the year. For every ride I left the house feeling not up to it, I returned with fantastic feelings of accomplishment and was ALWAYS happy that I got a ride in.

This is the data from the year thus far for both road and mountain combined.....so those of you that are roadies that read this can think I'm slow; and the mountain bikers will think I'm pretty fast; regardless of what you like to ride, it makes little difference to me. Fast, slow, crash, jump, downhill, XC, dirt jumps, lift served......it's all good to me! I just like the feeling of riding regardless of what discipline.

When I'm not able to ride, I find myself scrambling for things to do. Of course there is always something to do, but I find myself feeling a bit out of place if the weather beats me to the punch and keeps the wheels from rolling. The weather this particular weekend has been a challenge. I've caught up on some sleep, done needed things around the house, caught up on errands, and a few other things which is good. However, I caught site of my mountain bike this afternoon and felt really bummed out that I haven't been riding since this past Friday. Yes, some might think that is silly because it has only been a couple of days but if you are one of these, then you just do not understand.

Riding is my way of dealing with life's challenges. I hope that I will always be able to ride my bike....it keeps me young in several ways! Some friendships are surrounded by the sport, others have been failed by it, but regardless it's something that I love!

Park City Dirt Jam-"It's gonna happen"!

Today was the Park City Dirt Jam. The weather this past week was a bit rainy and cold in Park City. However, with the help of a committed team of people the event was able take place.

I went up last night and helped Tate, Derick, & Bryce pump out standing water, push dirt around, and mash in the mud. My first thought last night upon arriving at the jumps was: "There is no way this is going to happen.". In fact, I said this to Tate, who had been working for his 3rd consecutive night and had already been working for 3 hours before I arrived. He simply replied without lifting the rake off the ground, "It's gonna happen".

I arrived at the dirt jumps early this morning. Tate & I started setting things up, hanging banners, & placing tarps along the entry way (still too muddy). A short time later, Derick and Bryce showed up with some plywood to place in the transition zones between the jumps. Shortly after that, several other friends, parents, pros, PC Employees, kids, and riders appeared.

It was amazing how many people grabbed shovels, rakes, brooms, plywood, and voluntarily helped prepare the jumps after the wet conditions. It was really cool to see how a free community event brings out the best in people. The feeling of determination was in the air! The weather wasn't going to prevent this event from taking place; "It's gonna happen".

The sponsors were in full force: Red Bull, Brother's Bikes, Bern, Park City Municiple Corp., Skullcandy, White Pine Touring, Mountain Trails, Haro Bikes, and several other businesses (sorry, I can't remember all of them because there were so many). Their generosity in providing SWAG to accomodate nearly all of the 200+ that were in attendance was impressive.

Local Pro who rides for Haro Bikes, Eric Porter, was there in full support of the effort just like the past several years.



Chris Van Dine, a Cannondale Factory Rider, was also on site. He was recovering from the participation at the Red Bull Rampage held last week. Check out the video's of him at: http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Chris-Van-Dine-at-Rampage-2010,3984/bturman,109

Thanks to the sponsers, employees, and everyone else who helped make this happen! "It happened", Tate, and it was awesome!