Bob in Zion National Park, Utah

Cooler Tour enjoying sunset at Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Every few years we gather with friends to bicycle together for a week somewhere. This year we explored some beautiful areas of Utah. Ellen and her husband Tim usually do the planning and logistics to coordinate bike routes, motels, restaurants, U-Haul trailer rental, support vehicles, and more. Who did the trek this year? Tim and Ellen, Brick and Nena, Chuck and Lisa, Jerry, and Sherry and me. Friends Mike and Kristy hosted an opening night BBQ and overnight lodging for everyone as we gathered together to head into Utah.

Sunrise in Zion National Park, Utah

The first morning bicycling was in southwest Utah at Zion National Park. We normally start by 9:00, but this morning I needed to finish early to help Sherry move our trailer to the next location. I arose at 6:00 to start bicycling by sunrise at 7:30. Temperature 62 degrees, and breezy. Glad I wore a windbreaker. Riding with almost no one else around at this early hour, I sang songs to God, prayed, expressed my awe and wonder at what a mighty God we serve that creates such amazing beauty, and provides us with eyes to see it, ears to hear it, skin to feel it. An absolutely fabulous start to a wonderful week.

Chuck, Ellen, Lisa, Bob

Sherry in Zion National Park, Utah

Ellen and Bob at Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Point, Utah

Sherry and Bob overlooking Canyonlands National Parks, Utah

The beauty continued as we bicycled our way northeast thru Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, backroads toward Moab, and along the Colorado River beyond Moab.

How far do we ride each day? Some ride 70 to 75 miles nearly every day. I tend to ride 30 to 35 miles most days. The group agrees everybody rides at their own pace, on the days they want to ride, stop when they want, and primarily just have a good time.

Louie and his new buddy Lil Bear had a great time together

One day we drove the U-Haul containing the bicycles to the starting point, then decided it was far too windy to ride. Wanting to enjoy the scenery, we continued driving up the mountain, not realizing the trailer door wasn’t latched securely and had come open. Gear rolled out the back of the trailer for miles before anyone noticed. We immediately started a scavenger hunt, finding almost all the stuff except for 2 coolers and 1 bicycle shoe. Found one of the bicycle pumps being used by a cyclist to inflate his tire. An answer to prayer?

A wonderful week with friends coming to an end.

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The final evening we all enjoyed a wonderful spread of cheese, crackers, and wine overlooking a sunset of gorgeous Canyonlands. A wonderful week with friends and fun comes to an end.

Thank you for again joining us … On Our Adventure!

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