Through the Canyon and Back Again

As my cycling tastes and goals evolve, I find myself becoming seriously interested in Randonneuring, or self-supported distance cycling. It's not a race. It's not easy. It's very original--literally--being the fountain of goodness from which the Tour de France sprang. With official randonneuring, the objective is completion within a given time frame (quite generous, I'm finding). I liken randonneuring in cycling to Ham Radio in modern-day communication (I'm an official Ham as well-N7MEX).

My first step was to join the organization Randonneurs USA, or RUSA, and next to register with Richard Stum, our local Brevet and Permanents organizer. My first ride was the "Knock 'em Dead Nebo" ride (we did the Santaquin start). Zac Whitmore and I started our day as early as feasibly possible, and starting pedaling just after 6 AM.

We headed West toward Goshen, and headed South just inside city limits to head toward Goshen Canyon and our first control (informational). Not much climbing, but quite a scenic area. Zac and I noted a few potentially creepy places along the way, the type where homicidal maniacs could hide their victims for months--most notably an old silo atop a hill. There was even a sort of abandoned barn that we were sure was inhabited by a cougar mom and her cubs. "Get out of my barn, Ute fans!" We didn't stop to visit them, or the homicidal maniacs for that matter.

I guess from the summit of the canyon to Mona is downhill, but there was just enough wind in our faces to keep us pedaling (this would be a common thread woven throughout the day). We cruised through Mona and Nephi, arriving at our next control at the South end of town. After forgetting to get a receipt for the pack of gum I purchased with cash (and receiving awkward looks from the truckers) we headed toward Fountain Green via the canyon.

The canyon was just the right type of climb where just as your exertion is getting uncomfortable, there's a flat spot (which would give me a glimpse of where Zac was beginning the next incline). We rode past a herd of sheep, families camping, and some road signs (no other cyclists). After reaching the modest summit of just over 6300 feet, we experienced another "downhill." We had to pedal to keep up our speed all the way down into Fountain Green. After a short break, we headed East to Moroni and Mt. Pleasant.

This section of the ride was filled with gorgeous farmland, deer in the fields, wildflowers, and FALSE FLATS! For some reason, I think the most difficult part of the entire day was the grind into Mt. Pleasant (at about 60 miles at this point). Here at the Maverik was our next control. A little stretching and eating refueled us a bit to continue onward.

My favorite small town on this journey was Spring City. For a town of about 1000, I was surprised to see 4 or 5 art galleries along the main street, historic Mormon architecture, some sort of Hacienda, and something that resembled a Weinerschnitzel shack. In fact, at the South end of town, our next control was at a Pet Salon. Gotta love it.

After another could-have-been-really-fun-downhill-without-a-headwind, we headed West then North again toward Chester. Yes, there were several Custom Vans in town, much like Uncle Rico's. Our next control was out in Wales, then a LONG stretch of various wind directions that led back to Fountain Green.

We needed real food at this point (about 90 miles), so of course we strolled into the Burger Bar in our lycra. There was a classic photo presumably of town members on some 1800's bikes. We wished we had the time to investigate inside some barns. For sure there are some Penny Farthings in the area, or at least some Safety Bicycles. With some basic meat and a cool Coke (yes, Coke) in our bellies, we were ready to head up to the summit of the canyon.

As we began the descent, we were literally being blown backwards up the canyon. What? Why? We pressed on and were granted the most amazing next 30 miles of the ride, and possibly the best of years worth of cycling. Partway down the canyon, a microburst struck and dumped, I mean DUMPED, rain on us. I could hardly see. I was in my highest gear cranking on the descents, through the flats, up the small rollers. My only goal was to not die, either by slipping on paint or being brushed off the road by a 1970's Bounder RV towing a Geo Tracker (oh wait, that was Zac's life that was in peril). At least the guy gave me about 12". At the bottom of the canyon, I realized that Zac could actually be dead, since I didn't see him, but he emerged unscathed and we headed back into Nephi.

The most blessed (pronounced bless-ed) South wind awaited us on Nephi's Main Street. This wind pushed us up to speeds of 38 mph on the flats! We were actually catching up to cars. We were able to keep 20mph on the 1-2% rollers into Mona. Riding through the Lavender at Young Living Farms, we made our way up and down, winding this way and that to our Green Jersey finish. I'm pretty sure Zac won.

At the finish, Zac's signature Chick-o-sticks awaited, really hitting the spot. Mmmmmm. No way I was going to try to stomach Taco Time. Not then, not never.

All in all, what an incredible ride and an incredible send-off to some of the beauty of Utah that has surrounded me my entire life. As I embark on new adventures, I will look on this ride as one of the classics of my lifetime, no matter how many bike lanes Madison has.