"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike"

So I have been looking forward to this week end for YEARS! Okay, maybe not years but at least several days. It looked like at the beginning of the week that it would be crappy but when Saturday came it was party cloudy and I was ready to ride. Clearly we are SO lucky to live here next to the mountains. Nice riding, plenty of hills, and beautiful land. I can still remember the first time I made it to the top of American Fork Canyon last year, and then the first time we made the loop starting and ending in Highland going up American Fork Canyon and coming down Provo Canyon. Next on our "bucket list" was to attempt "Three Kings". Maybe it's known by other things but basically you climb American Fork Canyon, down to Cascade Springs and back, down through Sundance, up South Fork of Provo Canyon and then up to Squaw Peak and back and then back home. I saw a similar ride called Gauntlet Supreme which also included going up the North Forth of AF Canyon. Anyhow, I was a bit short on time so I wasn't able to go up Squaw Peak and I only went down a couple of miles towards Cascade Springs. I knew the leaves were starting to change so I thought I show all of you out there how pretty it is here. I was pretty prepared. I tied some long pants to my bike frame, I put my arm warmers and wind breaker in my back pockets, and I brought along plenty of food.

This is almost at the top of American Fork Canyon. I think it's about a 3000 foot climb from my house to the top (with grades around 6 or 7%). Maybe somebody out there that knows better can correct me but that pretty close. Traffic wasn't too bad and I even had a couple of cars stop and clap ("we don't know what else to do so we're clapping").

This is at the top of the Alpine Loop looking towards Mount Timpanogos. Very pretty.

This is looking down towards Provo Canyon. You can see Sundance (or as I call it Rockdance) ski resort in the background

This is my favorite picture that I took. This is the backside of Mt. Timp. I have NEVER climbed to the top (can you beleive that). Next year for sure. It's a pretty popular hike and I think it actually TOO popular. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't 1000+ hikers on Labor Day. I was really enjoying my ride. I was enjoying the solitude and the beauty.

This is a shot on the road to Cascade Springs. The aspen trees haven't started changing but the maples and oak trees are their bright orange and red. The road to Cascade Springs is pretty darn steep I would say 9 maybe 10%?

This is a shot going up South Fork of Provo Canyon. This side canyon is pretty short and not that steep but quite pretty.

When all was said and done, I had riden about 65 miles and 5000+ feet of climbing. Not bad for a nice Saturday ride. The weather held out nicely (except for some nasty wind at times). I was cruising down Provo Canyon and this much better cyclist (riding a sweet Seven bike) came up behind me and asked me if I was enjoying the wind. I don't think we'll have many more days where we can ride outside. Then it's back to the trainer (how fun). I hope everyone else out there takes advantage of the few times we have left before the snow flies (unless you live in Florida or somewhere like that.