Pedal – PedalPaddleRod

2023.12.28 – Year End Update

Matt — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:51:02 +0000

Blogs suck, they are too hard to keep updated. I’ve done a piss poor job of it. I’d blame the kids for keeping me busy, but in truth I’ve just been lazy.

2023 was filled with adventure for the kids and I. We had a gentleman in Lehi named Shaun Nimtz build us a custom camping trailer. With that purchase I decided to swap out the vehicle we used with a Ford Maverick so we had the towing capability we needed to get things to the camp site without issue. We spent just about every weekend this year out camping with that little trailer. The kids and I sure enjoyed the time together on those adventures and we are looking forward to more camping in 2024.

The bikes didn’t sit around, but also didn’t see a lot of dirt. Most of the time spent was on the road with the kids. Maxwell has moved up to a Commencal Ramones 20″ wheel bike and he is doing so well on it. He was happy to have something with gears. Clair is rocking the Strider for the most part, but she can ride the little 16″ Scott we have if I help her start and stop. I think by next spring she will be in a better position to make the transition.

Here are some random pictures from the adventures this year.

The outlook for 2024 looks to be clear. We will continue to grow and search out new adventures. We have the idea of making it to Texas for the solar eclipse. Hoping to take the truck and trailer on a road trip down there for that. Dad just needs to get off his ass and make the plans before it is too late. Father seeking motivation!

2023.05.17 Random Night

Matt — Thu, 18 May 2023 04:05:08 +0000

It was an off night from the kids so I took advantage of it to do some things on my own. I took the Mach6 into Grail Cycle and Skate to try and get the Fox seat post dropper serviced by Josh and his crew. I don’t have many miles on this bike, but it already has issues with getting stuck. Josh said Fox had a bad run on them and he hopes Fox will warranty it. With that bike in the shop I pulled out the Ripley and lubed it up for some adventures. The seat post on that bike worked without issue! Surprised by that.

With the Ripley dusted off I used it as an opportunity to take it out for a spin tonight. I landed at the Ballard trail, I hate this trail, I always get lost on it. This time was no exception. It is poorly marked with little blue dots on the ground that you have to follow. I hate it! Yet I’ll continue to try and follow them until I master it. Damn blue dots!

On the way home from the ride I decided to take some time and hit Montes for some fishing. Or I guess what turned out to me just practicing how to cast. I caught nothing, not even a bite. It has been like this for the last two weeks. All in all I still had a good time.

Here are a few random shots from the night.

I realized when taking these pictures tonight that I never posted about having my Northshore rack stripped down and powder coated last year. I love the orange I picked!

2022.03.26 Pedaling the JRT with the sidekicks in tow

Matt — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 03:44:47 +0000

I’ve been lazy this winter! Or maybe I can say I was just lazy as posting content. We have done the park and Hogle Zoo adventures with swimming lessons on Sundays now, but it hasn’t been as active as I’d like. Trying to change that now with spring here. I’ve been out a few weekends now with either one or both little sidekicks either on the Shotgun seat or in the trailer. This trip we rolled the recumbent trike with the double trailer on the JRT. I think the kids had just as much fun in the trailer as they did screaming and dancing in the tunnel.

If the weather keeps up like it is I think you can expect some trail ride from us soon!

2021.07.15 It has been a while.

Matt — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 03:02:00 +0000

It has been a while since I’ve posted an update. I didn’t have much going on over the winter of 2020-2021 and then life changed directions in the spring. I’m going to do my best to get back on the wagon here. It keeps me accountable. Lately I’ve been doing a bit more mountain biking than I have over the last few years. Trying to get out there again and enjoy the activity I love.

I had a set back with activies in early June. Some ass-hat broke into my garage in the middle of the night and took the three mountain bikes I had in it. Thousands of dollars gone in minutes. With the desire for bikes over the last year or so, the supplies are very limited. I wasn’t able to get the bike I really wanted. Ended up settling for second best. I guess I can’t complain about that. The more I ride the two bikes I did get, the more I enjoy them. I don’t think the bike really matters as much as the joy just getting out brings me right now. I’m back at it and I will continue!

My go to trail right now is Mueller. Haven’t pushed it beyond Elephant rock yet. I’m still trying to get my legs and lungs back. With my schedule right now I’m stuck to riding it after work during the week. That helps with the heat some anyways so it works out.

Fishing might be on hold for a while. I’ve moved back to SLC, so I need to find some new places to fish. Same with they kayaking. I’m thinking Little Dell might be the next place I try to get out on the kayak. I just need to find the time and some cooler weather.

I present to you the Ibis Ripley and Pivot Mach 6. Like I said before, I can’t complain with these two bikes. Happy to have something to replace the ones I lost. Both pictures are taken at the same spot on the trail. I rode them each a day apart to see how both did on the same trail. Both did great going up and down. The Mach took a bit more effort to get it up the mountain, but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I need to still do some adjustments on the Ripley. I keep taking it out and forgetting I need to slide the seat back and up some.