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Was going to tackle Emigration today, but the exercise-induced fat-and-out-of-shape asthma kicked in hard today … or the pollen, possibly, since my sinuses have been acting up as well.

So instead, tried to take it fairly easy on Wasatch from Hogle Zoo all the way down to 7200 South, before dropping down Big Cottonwood Canyon Road past the Old Mill and back into Holladay. This loop is essentially what the Cutthroat Racing team used to use for their Monday recovery rides, starting from Spin Cycle, in years past.

I was a little cross-eyed from oxygen-debt climbing up the bike path from the bottom of Parley’s back up to Wasatch, but I think I saw Fastgrrrl (nope, got confirmation it was not she, but a doppelganger) dropping down the path going the other direction; whomever it was got a nod, but I was gasping so hard, I’m surprised I didn’t fall over.

Now, the question is what movie do I want to watch after I get out of the shower?

Ushpizin? Be Kind, Rewind? Into the Wild? Empire of the Wolves? I’ve got time to think it over …

Whilst others are out there suffering/enjoying 206 miles in the saddle from Logan to Jackson, I feel quite pleased with myself for getting out there and accomplishing a whopping 13.95 miles (but twice up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road past the Old Mill.

I seriously think this has been more of a wasted season than last year … how depressing is that? But at least I haven’t given up on the bike completely. We’ll see what I can accomplish tomorrow. But starting next weekend, I’m about to be very busy … most of my Saturdays from now through December are going to be spoken for.

Climber’s Trophy next week. The First Annual (Not) The Season Opener Cyclocross at the Canyons on the 20th … possibly the Ogden Twilight on the 26th … and then the UTCX season starts in full swing on the

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A little more every day I ride … slowly but surely I’ll get it back.

Passed the shrimp and beau on their way down Big Cottonwood Canyon road into the Old Mill area, while I was gasping for breath climbing up towards the Porcupine Pub & Grill. Wish I had remembered my inhaler … perhaps I wouldn’t have spent so much time 2-3 beats away from my max HR.

One thing is for sure. I need to ride more.

Went out for a short ride yesterday afternoon, trying to beat the storm but didn’t quite make it out early enough … got sidetracked by my downstairs neighbor, who is apparently experiencing a little dripping from my apartment …

I’ve been delaying calling a plumber to fix the leaky/drippy faucet in my tub, but it looks like I also have a small leak from the pipe feeding water to the toilet’s tank as well. I tightened the valve up and it looks like I stopped the drip, but the pipe and shut-off valve are old, and could likely stand to be replaced.

I finally got out, and headed south through Holladay towards Cottom Bottom, then climbed up past the Old Mill to Wasatch to head back north. Was going to take Wasatch all the way up to Parley’s but it started raining; and more heavily than just a sprinkle … as I was heading north, I got held up by a Sheriff’s deputy blocking traffic so that a Lifeflight helicopter could airlift out an injured hiker on Mt. Olympus.

When it became obvious that the heli wouldn’t be lifting off anytime soon, and as I was standing there getting wetter and wetter, the deputy finally allowed me to scoot through; I cut the ride short, and dropped back down 4500 South to head home, rather than going all the way up to Parley’s.

Did stop and take a few pix over the valley on the way.