For race #2, the Utah Cyclocross Series returns to the Wasatch County Fairgrounds, in Heber City, Utah … home of mud (either dried, lumpy and hard, or soupy, sticky, and deep) and grass and horse poop!

Jon is promising that there will be a run-up this year, and twisty turns leading into the finish area … and remember, there are new starting times!

Categories/Times:

1:30 PM (60 Minutes)

• Men A (Pro, Semi-pro, Expert, Cat 1, Cat 2,)
• Masters Men A 35+ (Fast Old Guys [as opposed to Fat Old Guys, like Flahute]. You know who you are, and so do we. You have been racing your bike for years!)

12:30 PM (45 Minutes)

• Women A
• Masters Men B 35+
• Single Speed (do we need to explain?)

11:45 AM (20 minutes) - ONLY $8.00!!!

• Women C (First Season Cross Racers)
• Junior Men 10-14 *
• Junior Women 10-14 *
• Junior 9 & under

* We found that Junior riders aged 15-18 would rather try and beat up on Mom and Dad!!!

10:45 AM (45 Minutes)

• Men B
• Master Men 45+ Open

9:30 AM (40 Minutes)

• Men C (First Timers, Entry Level Racers, Cat 5, Beginner)
• Master 55+ Open
• Women B (Beginner, Cat 4, Cat 5)

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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 …

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As soon as I got out on the road today, my tooth (the one under the temporary crown) started hurting … higher blood pressure, perhaps, causing it to throb? In any case, since the air actually seemed fairly clear of particulate matter today, I decided to push on.

Definitely didn’t have the legs to attempt any real climbs, so once I got to the zoo, I headed back along Wasatch to 21st South, then dropped back into Millcreek, instead of taking Wasatch all the way back down. When I hit 45th South, didn’t feel like I had done quite enough, so pushed on down Holladay Blvd a bit further towards Cotton Bottom; flipping around and heading for home when I got to Cottonwood Elementary.

Legs and lungs felt okay, but my tooth was definitely bothering me a bit … 11 more days until the permanent crown.

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Now that the Tour is over, it’s time to get off the couch and back on the bike … of course, 3 weeks off, when you’re already not fit, can be painful when you do get back on.

The Garmin didn’t record yesterday’s ride properly, but here’s today’s …

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It looks the same as so many others, but it’s not … I swear! I did the loop BACKWARDS today. So there. Nyah nyah nyah.

It was freakin’ hot, too. Saw Fastgrrrl and Dr. Clay (I think) out there coming south on 20th East as I was headed north. Good thing we were going opposite directions. Wouldn’t wanna get chicked, or grrrled, or bitched.

Stopped and refilled bottles at the new Christine Brimley Memorial water fountain at the south end of Foothill, by the YESCO building just before crossing Parley’s/I-80 to get back to Wasatch. Good, cool water … yum.

Now, for a Mexi-Coke and some squeaky cheese curds.

And then a shower.

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… another pair of dead legs.

One of these days, I’ll remember to pull my camera out of my jersey pocket and take a few pics while I’m out for a ride.

No legs today … turned around near the mouth of Emigration Canyon just past the golf course behind Hogle Zoo. Still put in about 24 miles, and 1400+ feet of vert, though … I can definitely feel myself getting a little bit stronger; now all I need is some consistency and better endurance.

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