Moab: Abby's Last Race, Tylers 21st Birthday

 Abby had a race in Moab, her last race in middle school.  Loading up 6 bikes is quite the feat!  We went down a day early with Jane.  We simul climbed Looking Glass arch and then rappelled down.  Abby and Jane did great.  

While they did the preride, I took my friend Shalene and her son Palmer to Cluster (Entrajo) canyon.  It was full of water!  They were new to rappelling and did amazing.  Even when we had a full-on swim at the end.  

Tyler and Ella drove down after college classes on Friday.  Saturday was Tyler's 21st birthday. We headed into Elephant Butte, the tallest peak in Arches.  It is so fun to canyoneer with them because we can do anything.  Great teamwork to get up some class 5 climbing.  Tyler had his camera and took lots of pictures.  Ella didn't have shoes, and I will chalk it up to "God's Hand in my Life" and not a coincidence...that we got her shoes and were able to do this canyon.  We made it to Abby's race, and she was amazing.  She is racing Advanced Girls and moved from 8th place to 7th place.  Tough competition.  She was amazing. 

That night, we hiked to Delicate Arch in the dark.  I asked everyone around us to sing Happy Birthday to my son, Tyler.  It was lovely.  A great end to a great day.  We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and got Ben and Jerry's to celebrate.  

Our last day in Moab was spent on a family bike ride.  Soren came.  It was amazing.  We rode a great downhill (with plenty of small uphills) trail: Eagle Eye, Falcon Flow, Kestral Run, and then back to our campsite downtown.  It was a great weekend, and one we all went home tired. 

DPMS Mnt Bike Team 2026

 Darren and I both get to enjoy riding with Abby's team.  He gets to ride with her group, Navy 1.  I mostly ride with Navy 3 and 4.  It is so fun to get to know these kids and chat with them.  Then to see them on race day and cheer for them is amazing.  After preriding at Soldier Hollow, they stopped and swam (in their kits) at Deer Creek.  They rode in the summer in the mornings, and now that school is in session, we ride in the evenings.  Alien Tower, 7-11, Jamba Juice. 

Racing at Soldier Hollow.  What a lovely day.  Tyler and Ella were there to cheer her on. 

Navy 1 chasing a paraglider on their bikes... with Darren.  And Navy 3 riding to Peakview and 7-11 with Amy. 

UCI World Series at Soldier Hollow

 The UCI World Series came to Utah.  Abby and Jane went up to meet some of the famous riders before the race.  Then we spent Saturday and Sunday watching them race.  What a crowd.  Lots of fun people and some even had chainsaw motors like they do in Europe.  Tyler kept saying how awesome it was.  He and Darren ran around everywhere trying to see it all.