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Show Volume XXV Issue XI The Ogden Valley news Page 13 July 1, 2019 Cycling the Wasatch By John Burrows We were all patient and monsoon season has gradually slipped behind us. It’s wonderful to see our valley with lush green grass and it’s a perfect time to get out and explore via our bike paths. Even though early morning can be a bit nippy, all signs say “It’s Bike Season.” As John Wayne so aptly stated, “Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.” But let’s start the year off with safety in mind; please buy a good quality tail light and headlight for your bike. My personal preference is the high-quality Bontrager Flare R (Tail Light) and Bontrager Ion Pro (headlight). Both are USB rechargeable and really light things up so you will be seen by motorists. They are available at our super LBS (Local Bike Shop). It’s Eden’s great one-stop-shop called Diamond Peak. They have excellent wrenches (mechanics) and carry just about everything you need to get rolling again. Mention this article to Corbin and get 10% off your purchase! Why light up, you ask? The roads in our valley have very little shoulder width. We are dangerously close to traffic moving at 50 to 60 mph... just feet away. Anecdotal stories from local cyclists indicate that cars seem to give you more room when you’re well lit up. Also, wear bright colors. Be seen! Don’t expect to be seen if you’re wearing green, blacks, dark blues, and grays, which blend in with our Ogden Valley background colors. Yellow and orange are my personal choices. And, please, use the bike paths. Also, when you pass another cyclist, correct protocol is to yell ahead. Be bold and let them know you are coming up behind them and plan to pass on the left. The much anticipated paving of the 1.7 mile Valley Market to Moose Hollow Bike Path is scheduled for July 15 or, alternatively, August 5. Safety Point - Always call out, “Two cyclists on your left” when passing another cyclist. Don’t assume they are going to ride a straight line. Pothole? Debris in the way? When two bike tires hit each other, they tend to lock up! Speak to any cyclist and you will hear stories of close encounters of the worst kind with automobiles, trucks and campers, trailers etc. If there is such a thing as a safe bike trip, today’s route would be it. It minimizes risk and exposure on roads with no shoulder. About 70% of this ride is on a paved bike path. Thank you R.A.M.P. (Recreation, Arts, Museums and Parks). The remainder of the route is on lowtraffic roads. (As an optional leg, there is a 1-mile hard dirt road, East 1900 N. It’s gradually uphill on the way out going east.) Today’s Route: Powder Mountain bus parking lot, just north of the log cabins at Eden Shops to Cemetery Point in Huntsville, and return. Distance: 23+ miles. If you add some legs (mentioned here), you can get 30 miles. Vertical Elevation Gain: About 400 feet. Pavement: A- on a mostly smoothly paved bike path. The road travel segment is also good. Best Time to Ride: Anytime, but avoid tourist rush-hours—Friday & Sunday after 3:00 p.m. Best time to ride on weekends? Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to noon. And remember . . . get the Bontrager Flare taillight, or one of similar quality/light output. Highlights: Beautiful views of Pineview Reservoir, surrounded by mountains, lots of ranch land, beautiful funky old barns, wildflowers in season, the town of Huntsville (reminds me of New England with its stately tall trees), and all the beachgoers at Cemetery Point. In the town of Huntsville, there are several good eating opportunities. The famous Shooting Star Saloon and the Blue Coyote buffet on Sunday should not be missed; it’s a deal for under $10. You can eat your way through this trip with great restaurants along the way. At the start, there are many opportunities, like really good pizza! The Ride: Starting at the Powder Mountain park-and-ride lot, head south towards Valley Market. Be really careful here! There’re cars coming from every direction. Cross over the four-way stop eastbound and immediately pick up the bike path at the wooden bridge. The path parallels Highway 166. After you pass the classic old red barn and corral on the left, take a hard left turn east on 2700 N. towards Mountain View Cemetery. This is a nice quiet leg heading north on 5600 E. then downhill to the northeast corner of Eden Park. Go left for two football fields and then take a right on 5700 E. It’s going to bring you right back to the main road. Carefully crossover and pick up the bike path on the left—just before Valley Elementary School. Here’s a fun leg to add. If you like to sprint, take a right after the elementary school on Stringtown Road. Pick up your cadence and go for it to the dead end (about 1 mile). Then, turn around and come back out to the school and get on the bike path immediately to your right and follow it to where there’s water on both sides of the pathway. You’ll come to a 90° right turn (still next to highway 166). But, if you want to add another mile, a slightly uphill sprint on hard dirt, go straight at that 90° corner, east onto 1900 N. This segment is one of my favorite parts of the ride; it’s deserted. At the end of the dirt, go right. It is mostly downhill all the way back to the bike path and the views are spectacular; you’ll feel rejuvenated. You will then be on 7800 E. as you approach the highway again. Crossover and pick up the bike path. This dirt road and eventual paved downhill segment can be avoided entirely by simply staying on the bike path. Note: if you think I’m overstating the safety thing, remember these cars are going 50 to 60 miles an hour. Even if they try to avoid you, they may not see you in time. Good cyclists using the tail lights unanimously tell me that cars seem to give them more clearance when they have that light flashing. It’s powerful and it is visible a mile away! Back on the path: Just after the funky sheep ranch, paint horses in the field, and the crumbling barn set way back in the field, the bike path ends. Take your immediate right and head towards the center of Huntsville Town. You’ll see the town sign on the left. I like to get off the main road here and take the first left. Then take your first right onto 200 S. this will take you to the restaurants mentioned above. (Stop and smell the coffee at the beautiful area behind Huntsville Barbecue and Blue Coyote Café. ) Stay on 200 S. until it takes a hard right turn and eventually brings you back to Huntsville’s main road. Take a left and follow it all the way to the cemetery. Turn around and retrace your route. Hint: When you get to the cemetery, go to the left of it. The road continues right to the western point of land. Caution: Do not get on Highway 39 leading towards Causey Reservoir, which is the next road to the north. On the road up to Causey, traffic can be very high density with many vehicles towing trailers wider than the vehicle. If you want lots of vertical with a lot less traffic, maybe you want to start at Red Rocks Grill, a fine restaurant right at the Causey Reservoir turn. Head uphill from there. Restrooms, Water & Pit Stops: You can find restrooms, water & pit stops at the beginning of this ride and in Huntsville. Also, there is Carlos and Harleys by Eden Park, a fine Mexican restaurant with some very interesting decor. The Shooting Star in Huntsville also has facilities. Weekend mornings until 1:00 p.m., The Blue Cayote serves a great breakfast buffet. Next Route: The wonderfully pastoral Morgan Valley Loop. Enjoy and be safe out there! Ogden Valley Boys End Their Winning Season with a Bang: 14U team clinches division championship The Ogden Valley Boys’ AYSO 14U Extra As they go their separate ways, the parents team pulled off a wild 2-1 victory against Brigham City on May 29 for an exciting end to their winning 2018 - 2019 season. It was more than just another soccer game. Many of the older boys have been playing together for several years, cheering each other on through injuries, growth spurts, wins, and losses. and players would like to thank all those who have put so much time and energy into the program and the teams. Playing on these teams has given the boys priceless opportunities to sharpen their skills, strengthen friendships, and develop some serious Ogden Valley pride along the way! Top row: Josh Irvine (assistant coach), Bridger Wilcox, Kaden Banks, Mason Lowe, Isaac Davenport, Will Southwick, Ian Shields, and Brandon Andersen (head coach) Bottom row: Sam Phipps, Dylan Watts, Lucas Otay, Casey Andersen, Bridger Wilcox, and Nicholas Hanson Left to right: Will Southwick, Isaac Davenport, Kaden Banks, Bridger Wilcox, Ian Shields, Nicholas Hanson, and Casey Andersen August 16, 17, 18 2019 - Free Admission A BIG THANKS TO OUR 2019 SPONSORS |
