Nothing Beats an Impromptu Ride in a Faraway Place

I was making my way from Park City to Salida, CO. I had stopped in Beaver, UT to check out parts of the route of the Tushar Crusher, thinking I might attempt it someday. I had planned to ride from Beaver up to the ski area, but highway construction, no shoulder, and heavy truck traffic nixed that idea.

So I turned east and rolled into the tiny town of Sevier Utah. Over a burger and beer dinner, I did some scouting. Check out time at Moore's Old Pine Inn was 11, but I figured I only needed 2 hours. I arose at 8, had a few energy bars, and mounted the carbon fiber horse. The view above was my first taste of grave after leaving Center St on the east side of town.

It was a pleasant and scenic climb to the summit of the unnamed pass on Monroe Mountain Road. The first mile of the descent was a bit sketchy, but the gradient soon mellowed, the road smoothed, and the gravel ground. A lengthy but rapid descent into the hamlet of Joseph had me back on pavement, but the Candy Mountain Express bike trail back up Sevier Canyon lent a sense of adventure.

2 hours. About 30 miles. A lifetime memory.