I sacrificed my body to the bushes and trees… Day two on the road was almost as amazing, except I hit a tree on the first single track off the top of Park City and I almost hit a guy climbing the switch backs we were descending on the last trail out for the day. Instead, I sacrificed my body to the mountain, steering into the bushes and trees so I would not hit my mountain riding friend. Only, to walk away with cuts and bruises. My shin looked like it was growing a golf ball out of it from slamming into my pedal on my ugly dismount over the bars.

Here is a tip to all mountain bikers and hikers. If you are climbing and you hear people coming downhill, you can see them before they see you, and they definitely will not hear you unless you shout your presence, unlike my grumpy friend who I almost hit. Sir, your welcome and thanks for asking if I was alright!

The day was awesome again. We started off working in Starbuck’s well rested from the night before, after staying at one of senor Lihou’s past client’s house, rode a lot of fun single track, saw some crazy ladders in trees, and finally began adjusting to the altitude.

-DSheek
Loving Life Outside!

It was 3:30am after driving since 9pm the previous night. Dave was dosing on and off in the passenger seat from his “hectic” schedule the days before. You know, working his magic getting us sponsors like Fiberwise Pasta, SixSixOne, Motortabs, Evomo and boxes of Bonk Breaker bars for our Summer of Fun MTB Tour. I pulled into a gas station in Cedar City UT, which is just 26 miles from our first stop, The Virgin River Rim Trail. I had previously bought six 40oz’s Trader Joes Green Teas to have for breakfast throughout the trip. Well, I needed some Caffeine to keep me awake, since I was doing all the driving, thanks again Dave! I thought I would go ahead and drink one. The result was pretty much like smoking crack. When we pulled into the station, at 3:30am, Dave says to me in his half asleep, hasn’t driven at all, tired voice, “Where are we? How did we get here so fast?” I am so cracked out I say in my manly Italian voice “Because! I am the best driver!” So for the rest of our trip Trader Joe’s Green Tea is the “Best Driver Juice.” And yes. I AM the best driver!

-DSheek (Written by DLihou, the self proclaimed best driver)

With a set itenerary and dreams of singletrack. I am on the road with one of the “Outside ARMY’S” riders, Lieutenant Lihou (Dean Lihou). His Audi is in the shop because someone hit it, again, but we have an awesome purple, KIA Sorento. The car is a sticker filled off-road machine.


We left Saturday night about 9pm and arrived in Cedar City, Utah at about 4am. We found an amazing campground next Navajo Lake and set up the tent as the sun was coming up so we could catch some sleep for a few hours before we rode.

Waking up in the morning was amazing starring out over the pristine blue mountain lake.After a light breakfast we set out on the trail… Singletrack for miles wait for more to come.

-DSheek

About a week ago I received my first order of Bonk Breaker bars, YUM! Check out these wholesome little Peanut butter and Jelly (PBJ) bars, which contain no dairy or wheat. They are tasty and will remind you of the little PBJ sandwiches mom made when growing up with the crust cut off.

Click here for more info.

-DSheek
Outsideallday Sergent

It was not HOT because I was riding with Brazel, but because it is about 2000 F at his local trail, O’Neil Park. I was happy to have a couple bottles with my favorite fluid replacement fuel, MOTOR TABS. These little circular tablets, that look like you should drop them in the back of the toilet bowl, rule! Drop one tablet, of your favorite flavor (orange, lemon-lime, or fruit-punch), in a bottle and the effervescents work their magic, without leaving a cruddy residue in your bottle or hydration pack. The tablet dissolves in four minutes and leaves a tasty, sodium and potassium infused, drink.

For more info on Motor Tabs click here.

-DSheek
Outsideallday ARMY

After reading the most recent issue of Outside magazine, June 2007. I was inspired, once again, to be an active outdoors enthusiast by the old guys that dominate in the activities/sports they are involved with. Basically, the magazine has athletes such as Laird Hamilton (Big Wave Surfer/Nut) and Ned Overend (Mountain Bike Badass) speaking on the benefits of cross training. Always remember, one cannot go without injury without balancing out the muscle groups that we do not use in the sports which we are most active in. With this said, it is great to read the words of such masters as they talk about their involvment in so many other sports to keep their bodies active, strong, and most of all balanced…

“You have to go and try different stuff. The thing is, when we reach a certain level in any sport, you become so efficient at it that the effort level really is diminished. Your body has adapted. So what are you getting? Snowboarding has helped my surfing. Windsurfing has helped my surfing. Biking, for sure, has helped my surfing.”
Laird Hamilton – Outside June, 2007

http://outside.away.com/outside/toc/200706.html