Getting my legs and lungs back!

It's been rather frustrating the last few weeks here in Utah. I came here recovering from surgery that proved to set me back WAY further than I thought it would. My first three weeks of riding was pure physical hell for me, by far the most suffering on a bike I've experienced to date. The sad truth is that most of the riding I've done here has been somewhat tame compared to what is out there for me to soak up the rest of the summer. The altitude has been fairly low, anywhere from 4,200-8,500ft, compared to many 9,000ft+ trails that cover the western half of the US.
So anyways, yesterday Toby, his friend Bryce, and I took off up into the hills of Park City on my highest climb to date. Although we didn't have any accurate way of measuring the altitude, we were definitely above 8,000ft for a decent amount of our 5.5 mile climb.

Today I was feeling really good, so I decided I would head out for two bike rides. Yes, you heard me right, TWO bike rides in one day. Why you ask, because that is how I roll!!! Ok, so for real, I headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon this morning for a wake me up loosen the muscles ride. After 11 miles I headed back home for some fuel and took off again up Mill Creek Canyon to the Pipeline Trail. Today, since my legs were warmed up, I decided to head past our normal trail head and go to the top trail head which is another couple miles up the road and almost another 1,000ft higher. Total it was app 7 miles of climbing and I tell you what, it was almost the death of me. I told myself that I would not drop down into my small front chain ring (easiest to pedal), and I was able to do that but not without some serious burning in the ole legs. I made it back to the house after 15.7 miles of riding, and quickly through some recovery food into the stomach before I cleaned the bike up.

The best part of all this is that my legs feel really good right now. Not sore, stiff, tired, just the slightest feeling that I pushed them hard today. This is a great sign that my muscles are getting into shape along with my lungs getting used to the altitude. Another couple weeks and I'll be ready to hit the high trails once their dry and snow free. YEAH. And Nick, be prepared for a major butt whooping this fall when I come back home!!!