JayP
Endurance Cyclist Jay Petervary, Jackson, WY
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Monday, November 26, 2007
Aloha!
Tracey and I usually take some time in November to enjoy a vacation. We typically incorporate a race, being we both agree what a great way to travel, and use our post race time being tourists and do the more typical things per that area. This year we choose Hawaii the big island, with the idea of giving cycling a rest for a change. Hawaii filled the gap of having never been there. We also like to go to a sunny, beach type of tropical place this time of year.
Living in Jackson certainly influences this with the winter being so long. November being very variable for anything. Dirt trails can be sloppy and shut down due to snow, snowmobile trails not yet established for snowriding, snows not deep and consistent enough to go backcountry skiing, and the nordic tracks in the valley aren’t established yet to go skating. Leave in November and hope the snow is far enough along when you come back to start making some snow tracks.
While in Hawaii we did much of a typical first time tourist things to do. Hiking, swimming, and visiting state parks, unique beaches, historical areas and we even got a ride in. We rented some high end road bikes in Kona and put the pedals on that we brought just in case.
A 50 mile ride from Waimea looping out to Waipio Valley returning back to Waimea. The ride started in land in some beautiful gently rolling farmland leading us out to the eastern jungle feeling coast then up to the lush green valley. This ride made us realize we like to travel by bike (tour).
Back in Jackson and excited for the winter although November did’nt bring us much precip. In the last two days since being back I was able to get in a short MTB ride each day, up the drainage around the corner from my house. With the temps hovering around freezing it reminded me of so much there is to pay attention to when riding for any length of time in the winter. It brought in the real feeling of what’s around the corner, Alaska Ultra Sport 1100.
