Grand Canyon 2010

As always we had a blast riding the Grand Canyon this year. We didn't take as many pictures this year, but it was a lot of fun. We did the same ride as before - the full Rainbow Rim day one, Arizona Trail day two.

Brad's younger brother Ben joined us this year, as did my brother-in-law Alan. Brad, Ben, and Alan all left the rest of us in the dust for most of the two days of riding, and just stormed up the trail both days.

The Arizona Trail was a lot tougher this year than I remembered it - it seemed like it was mostly uphill, and that every downhill was too short and delivered you right back into an uphill. There was one hill I seemed to forget about from previous years that I think claimed the title of toughest hill climb this year.

One of my favorite moments from this year's ride came when my cousin Brad wrecked, then I wrecked, and in the process Alan passed both of us, and next thing we knew Alan was racing out of sight ahead of us. When we finally started catching up he was working his way up that monster hill, and Dad turned to me and said, "What got into Alan?!"

Grand Canyon 2009: The Arizona Trail

I don't think we needed much motivation this year to quickly eat breakfast, pack up camp, and get back on the trail. It was freezing that morning when we woke up, and getting back on the trail, getting the blood pumping again, was refreshing and provided a lot more heat.

I love this trail for the wide variety that you get from it - lots of hill climbs, lots of fast, sometimes technical downhill sprints, weaving in and out of the woods, and lots of flat cruising through meadows.

I particularly remember this year that after you have about the first half mile or so just cruising through flat meadows, nothing too challenging, the trail plays a cruel trick on you by having a brutal uphill that requires good bike handling skills and an extra set of lungs. This year it seems like only a couple of us made it up this first hill without either needing to stop and look for our lungs or losing traction.

After this point there is more up and downs, followed by a fairly steep grade up into the woods, some weaving back and forth in those woods, and then popping out to the view of the East Rim.As we near the end of the trail there is a portion that has become more or less memorable in our memories - there is this nasty hill pictured here. When first approaching, it looks fairly formidable, but you realize just how tough it is when you're already out of breath getting to the bad part. The last portion is a stiff grade on loose trail, that generally just about saps whatever I have left of me on the ride.

When we finally reach the end the sandwiches that are waiting for us at the parking lot seem so inviting! This particular year it took a bit longer getting there as one bike kept getting a flat that required pumping, cousin Brad shot past the stopping point and we went on to find him, and then Cade and I went back to find the group the second half of the group that we had lost earlier.

It was an absolute blast, and the extra rides to prep were worth it in how much better I felt on the ride. Also, photos courtesy of Brock's picasa album.

Grand Canyon: 2008 Day 2 - The Arizona Trail

One of my favorite opportunities of the trip is getting to take the time to walk out to the rim of the Grand Canyon and read scriptures while overlooking it early in the morning before our second ride. For myself, the opportunity to study God's words while sitting in the midst of one of His beautiful creations has a certain spiritual depth to it, that allows me to find a rejuvenation spiritually.

The second day, after a delicious breakfast burrito, we pack up camp and drive out to the Arizona Trail. This is a long ride through gorgeous meadows, popping in and out of the woods, with several brute climbs, quickly followed by fun and fast downhills.After one particular up hill, then some winding through the woods, you come out to an incredible view on the East Rim View. It is absolutely gorgeous and we stop here every year to take some pictures.There's a few intense climbs on the way to this view, but it is worth it! Sometime after this point there is a real fun downhill, with a few switchbacks that you can just fly down, followed by a long slightly uphill meadow - this particular year there was a nasty headwind in that meadow that made for some tough going.

All in all a great ride, and we all get to go home absolutely exhausted.