Bike Season Is Here!

After months of spin classes, Ronelle and I were ready for some time in the sun on our bikes. We looked to see what rides Spin Geeks had on the horizon and found the Mesquite Madness 83-mile ride on March 24th. Having done other Spin Geeks rides we jumped on this one. This was the first year they have done the Mesquite Madness ride. It proved to be a great addition to their line - making 8 rides/races they sponsor each year.

There are a number of reasons we keep going back to Spin Geeks rides/races.

1. A lot of their rides are in the warm sun of the St. George area when the weather in Utah Co. is; should we say, "less desirable" for biking. Who doesn't like to take a road trip to find some fun in the sun.
2. They do an incredible job in both the organization in the months before the event, as well as the day of. The course is very well marked with both- standing signs on the sides of the road as well as arrows on the road pointing the way. You are given a map with turn by turn directions. Their staff at all the aid stations are all up beat, friendly and extremely helpful. Their website answers most of the riders questions, gives a good description of the event and has registration info.and forms. I love looking at the street map and the elevation map because of how they work together - hold your cursor over the starting point on the elevation map drag it to the right and simultaneously watch the street map.
3. Safety is a top priority with Spin Geeks! They have police blocking intersections as well a escorts to
   start each race.
4. The feed stops are well stocked and well placed a long the course.
5. All of the rides we have done have had a nice meal at the finish line.
6. They have sag wagons all over the course to assist you with anything you might need help with.

The Mesquite Madness was everything we had hoped for in our first long ride of the season. With plenty of sunshine, the temps started out in the mid 60s and climbed into low 80s by the end of the dayIt came as no surprise that thiscourse was challenging physically and mentally, just like the other Spin Geeks rides we have done. They always have plenty of hills to climb to wear down the legs, then they seem to find a way tease you a little with some mind games. The course leads close to the finish line, building up your hope that you are about done, then it takes a turn and you realize you still have miles to go before you find that elusive finish line. This is one of the the biggest reasons I love their rides. My wife and I are looking forward to both the Spring (April 14) and Fall (October 20) Tour de St. George rides.

Of their 8 rides, most are set up to challenge riders of every level, including shorter distances for the newer rider. Go to spingeeks.com to check out their season, find one that will work for you and sign up. You won't be sorry.

We Found the Cure!

Tuacahn Ampitheatre

Each year by the first week of March, my cabin fever is off the charts. The cure, a trip to St. George, Utah to enjoy some of my favorite outdoor activities in the sun.

Snow Canyon State Park (Utah)

This year we chose to road bike and rock climb. We started out on the bikes. It was almost a 30 mile ride from the Courtyard Marriott where we were staying; out to the Tuacahn and then up through Snow Canyon to Highway 18 and back to our hotel. The flowers are up and the trees are starting to blossom. Spring has arrived in Utah's Dixie.

Trevor

This loop is now my favorite short ride in St. George; just enough climbing to get a good workout, with one of the best downhill rewards I have ridden.

We took the bike path that runs along the west side of Highway 18. It has steeper drops than the road does; seven miles of a rollercoaster-style descent with no cars to dodge and no sharp corners; just tuck and go. This was just what my wife and I needed to help prepare us for the 80 mile Mesquite Madness bike ride on March 24th.

Todd

This was my first time climbing up Snow Canyon on my bike. It gave me the opportunity to look around and enjoy its beauty. The red rock and black lava are stunning. This canyon has something for almost anyone who loves the outdoors; sand dunes for the young and the young at heart, a walking/bike path for those looking for a quiet stroll, mountains and slot canyons to conquer for hikers as well as multi-pitch climbs for the ones who like hanging from a rope. I look forward to spending more time in here with my grandkids.

Ronelle

Phil

After our ride we headed to the cliffs on the north side of St. George above the painted "DIXIE" to try our hand at rock climbing. My 16-year old son is avid in this sport, and is hoping to get my wife and I to follow. We found about a 35 foot rock wall that didn't look too challenging, so we pulled out the climbing harness and rope. This proved to be not much of a problem for my son, he went right up like he had been doing it his whole life and not just a couple of years. The same cannot be said for Todd (a friend), my wife and I. We all had a hard time making it to the top, and we would not have made it without a little "hang dogging". This is a term I just learned the meaning of. Its when the one on the the bottom of the rope (the belayer) uses all his weight and strength to pull the climber up when they just can't get any higher without help. The 4 of us all had fun laughing and taking pics.

I'm sure we'll find ourselves wearing climbing gear, staring up at many more rock walls as the weather warms up.