Thanks to Nate and Chris I had a great birthday ride. Julian let me take out a Cannondale Jekyll so I could see what a bike with crazy travel felt like. Well, dragging 31 pounds UP 2,411 feet wasn't awesome, I was drenched in sweat, as if I had jumped in a swimming pool. However, the reward on the downhill was more than worth the effort. It was like driving a Cadillac. It made the new cut section of mid-mountain feel like I was rolling on clouds rather than glass shards. Amazing. If I could get the $10K version of the bike so it was closer to 25 lbs, I'd be into it for sure.

After we'd gotten most of the climbing out of the way, we stopped at a little bench on Iron Mountain and behold, the guys had a birthday present for me. They bought gourmet cookies for me at Windy Ridge Bakery, only THE very best bakery in Utah! It was such a sweet, unexpected surprise. We devoured them and hung out in the sun. Then launched back into more amazing single track through the trees. I think I can declare it the best birthday ride I've had. Last year I remember doing road intervals by myself up Emigration, LAME! This was way better! Thanks friends!