Happy Father's Day Dad!!

This was my 2nd Father's Day without my Dad. It's funny how they're never that far away, really. His influence is all over in my life...my priorities, work ethic, ADHD...yep, they all came from him. I'm glad I have this summer of riding to keep him in my thoughts more often. Here's to a great Dad!

Darlene and Dick Gardner: My aunt Darlene is actually come be one of my support crew at LOTOJA. I'm sooo excited!! I put in some great miles for them. One epic Saturday I headed south, up and over Suncrest (ouch...very steep!), and over towards American Fork Canyon hoping that the road still had snow on it (but deep down hoping it was clear). It was May 31st and it was the last day the gate was closed for the upper road. I kept expecting to hit snow (because Millcreek still has snow at the top), but I never hit it, so I just HAD to down the other side to Sundance...I couldn't help myself. I took Provo Canyon to Orem then headed straight home for a super 106-miler. (Note to self, never just take a Discover card on rides...all I wanted was a Subway after I got out of the canyon and I now know they only take Visa and Mastercard...big bummer.). I just finished up their last 19 miles the other day (6/18). I decided I'd try to get up REALLY early before work and ride. I made it most of the way up Emigration before I had to turn around. It was so nice and cool, ahhh. Thanks again Darlene and Dick!

Tiffany Hall, Jolena Hagen, Kathi Hansen: These are some of the fabulous ladies I work with at the Redwood Clinic. Jolena even started riding her bike to work. Way to go! I did a round trip to work June 9th (10 miles for Tiffany, plus 4 towards Jolena's), plus another trip June 10th to work that sent me out to Millcreek Canyon after my shift was over. Her remaining 21 miles ALMOST got me to the top (rather, the big pile of snow about 1/4 mile from the top). I rode the last few miles for Kathi and all the way back home (25 miles) for a 46-miler with lots of climbing. Thanks for your support!

Ruth and Wallace Gatrell: This is my grandma and grandpa, and I actually rode their miles for them today (6/19). I rode out to my mom's house by Big Cottonwood Canyon and met my little sister, Allison (she's getting married in 2 months!). We rode along Wasatch out to the base of South Mountain in Draper. We felt the burn all of the way up to Suncrest (where we stopped and had some yummy ice cream :) then we headed back to my Mom's because Allison is actually sane and 40 miles is a plenty good ride for her. I had an itch to ride up Emigration, past Little Dell, and to the top of Big Mountain. Just to make sure I'd complete a century I rode down I-80 (Parley's) and back up to the backside of Emigration. It turns out I probably didn't have to add that climb because I had gone almost 103 miles by the time I got home. It was a hot one (luckily it was breezy.) A complete stranger did the nicest thing for me. I asked him at Little Dell if he knew where the nearest water was-it turns out there isn't any water near. I saw him again maybe 10 minutes later up the road and he had gotten some bottled water for me from some campers. How unexpectedly kind! It was a very fun day of riding!

Clorinda and Jim Fontano: So, I have to borrow the extra 3 miles from today's ride and add it to the 47 mile ride I did out to Provo. This was a unique ride because I actually had to go get Allison's car (she accidentally left it down there and needed it when I picked her up from the airport that night, long story), so it was a one-way trip. I think Clorinda spent her share of time in Provo, so I'm sure she won't mind that the ride ended there!

Tammy and Gene Van Tassell: Tammy is my Dad's sister, and to thank them for their donation, I rode from my apartment downtown to Little Cottonwood Canyon. I stopped at Entry 2 (and hung out at our family time share up there for a few hours ;), then rode home. If you would believe it, that is a 50-mile trip (with a lot of climbing...in the middle of a hot June day, big mistake, but that's okay because it's all worth it!).