Perfect corduroy

Today Bullet and I rode the perfect groomed snow. In fact, it was the first time this season we have ridden on a real groomed trail with that nice, firm grooved surface. Last week I rode very difficult, sloppy, wet, deep snow, and this week was the exact opposite. It was firm, fast, and so much easier than just about any other snow conditions I have ridden this season.

It doesn’t get much better than this.

We started at the Tibble Fork Reservoir parking lot and headed up to Mineral Basin. We were expecting warm temperatures, but were surprised that it was cold and windy. In fact, up higher at the turn off to Mineral Basin it was snowing pretty steadily. We both couldn’t believe how easy it was to ride this packed, groomed snow.

The turn off.

Heading up into Mineral Basin.

The creek coming out of Mineral Basin.

We turned around at the mining reclamation area, rode back down the road, then up the road toward Midway and Cascade Springs. No one had been up that road since it was groomed so we were making first tracks. We did see quite a few snowmobiles, but they all went up Mineral Basin.

Heading up the road to Midway.

The descent was fast and cold. Our top speed was 24 mph. For the descent I wore my light puffy coat, a warm hat, and my lobster mitts. I was glad I did, as it was very windy coming down. It was a great ride with over 1,500 feet of climbing and a nice fast, enjoyable descent.

Bullet’s wheel: where else can you ride desert slickrock one week and snow in the high mountains the next—Utah!

Next weekend I will be in Idaho riding the JayP’s Backyard Fat Pursuit 60K. I’ll probably take it easy this week and just put in a couple easy low mileage rides.