As the month of April was coming to an end, ironically it started to turn cold in Utah.  On Tuesday we had a nice 55 mile ride up Hobble Creek, but after that it has been cold going.  On Wednesday it was so cool and wet Anne decided to skip biking or even running.  I was thinking to do the same, until the late afternoon when I check the computer and it said the temperature in Orem was 45.  Anne said she was going to do some errands.  Since there was a stiff headwind coming down the canyon, I asked her to take me to the trail head in the car first.  I ran up the trail for 3 miles, then back home for a total of an 8 mile run.  As I was running up the trail it started to snow and the snow flurries increased as I was coming back down.  With the strong cold headwind coming back down the trail, I was feeling rather cold until on my iPod it started to play “Merry Christmas”.  It kind of got me in the mood, until the next song “Summer in the City” spoiled that.

On Thursday Anne went to Woman’s Conference at BYU.  I had intended to bike that day but it was just too cold.  Anne finished at 3 pm and the rain and snow flurries had stopped so we headed out for a nice 6 mile run.  We wore our rain jackets but running up the trail was a bit warm with those jackets, but I kept mine on anyway since I was feeling cool, while Anne took her jacket off since she had a long sleeved running shirt underneath.

On Friday we woke up to snow.  I don’t ever recall it snowing one month before May.

It seemed odd to see snow covering tulips in full bloom.

Anne headed off for the 2nd day of Woman’s conference.  It was only around 40 degrees outside by early afternoon, but I was anxious to get back on the bike.  I had brought some new booties, which I had bought last fall but never wore all winter.  I put them on and all the other clothes I could and went for a ride up the canyon.  I decided to push hard up the Alpine Road, to Sundance, and set a new PR for that section.

I was warm enough making the climb but coming back down was a chilling deal.

On Saturday morning our hopes of getting out for a bike ride didn’t materialize when we some some more snow.  An unusual way to welcome the month of May.  Anne’s computer battery was swelling (so I had removed it).  It seemed like a good day to take it to the Apple store in Salt Lake.  Even though the computer was out of warranty, they replaced the battery free of charge.  Nice to own a Mac.

On the drive back  home it was now clearing.   I suggested we might be able to get in a bike ride, but it was still cold and windy.  Anne opted for using the bike training so I set her bike up downstairs where she could watch a movie.  I don’t really like the bike trainer so I decided to brave the cold and headed up the canyon.  I again made the climb up the Alpine Loop, but decided to go all the way to Aspen Grove.  Again the climb was warm enough.  Just past Aspen Grove the road was closed and I saw some snowmobilers.  First time I had ever biked up to where that was happening.

Initially the descent was not too bad but after I went past Sundance, the road was wet and in the shade.  The temperature was dropping and I was starting to get snow flurries blowing in my face.  It was way too cold to enjoy.  I finally made it down to Vivian Park and was so cold I decided to climb up South Fork to warm up.  I finally was warming up again by the time I reached the end.  But then I had to head back down.  I was glad to get this ride, but it was much colder than I would prefer.  I was glad to finally get home.  Anne had just finished using the bike trainer, for over 2 hours, amazing.

Categories: Cycling, Running, Utah Home
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