What I didn't realize was how beautiful Utah is. Wow. It is stunning here in Park City. I've got to get back here to snowboard in the future too. I even saw the Olympic ski jump area.
On Friday afternoon we had 'activity time." I picked mountain biking but didn't realize I'd be going with 4 expert mountain bikers within the company. They based their trail decision on the fact that I told them I do triathlons and marathons, but I was not prepared for the 6.8 mile climb up the mountain to start the journey. I had to stop a few times on the way up. I made the excuse that I wanted pictures, but really I was just dying. The three guys in their 40's/50's and the one woman in her 40's were kicking my butt. It was a very humbling experience, and they kept saying I was doing great considering the altitude (but I beg to differ...i was just putting on a brave face). They only took one rest break on the way up, and I think it was just to let me catch up. Haha. Once at the top the views were amazing. We rode along the tips of the mountains for a bit and then it was time to head downhill.
The downhill....where I almost died...twice! The terrain was crazy. There were drops of a few feet that you had to go fast into. Adrenaline was pumping the whole way. The switchbacks...oh the switchbacks. This is where I was almost injured seriously twice. I almost went over two embankments; apparently I didn't bank hard enough. Needless to say I didn't get any pictures on the way down since I was just trying to survive. At points I was seriously considering if there was some reason the company was trying to do away with me as an employee???
Fact: very little road biking expertise translates over to mountain biking!
But overall it was awesome and I lived to tell the tale. I completely underestimated what true mountain biking is now. Wow. Hopefully you can see some of the pictures below.
I'm at the Salt Lake City airport now. Next stop: NKY!
Mahalo for visiting. See the pictures below (in no particular order).
Very cool, Toph-Toph!! So are you going to take up mountain biking as your next thing to conquer? :o) PS...It was great seeing youwhile you were home and I can't wait to see you next time...b/c I'll be there...only...(I'm thinking and need to use my fingers to count :o)...16 1/2 weeks (I was going to put 4 months, but then I thought it took me too long to count 4, so I decided to do weeks instead :o) hehe
ReplyDeleteI got to see SLC and Park City this summer and LOVED it! Of course it was beautiful weather all week while I was working, and as soon as I got to the top of the mountains on the weekend, it started to rain (I should have gotten a medal for ending their drought!) I would definitely go back. Sorry I was traveling again when you were in town. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteTBOB