Mountain Bike for Her Issue 4 - Dec/Jan 2015 | Page 24

THE “CHURCH OF DIRT”. BUILT AS A TEMPORARY
ALTAR FOR A WEDDING, IT STILL STANDS AND HAS
BEEN USED FOR A FEW MORE WEDDINGS SINCE.

Photo: Teresa Edgar

GUIDE SHAUN RASKIN-DEUTSCHLANDER RIPPING IT
UP ON LOWER FIRE SWAMP IN DEER VALLEY.
Photo: Teresa Edgar
Mountain Bike for Her | P. 24

for an absolutely stunning backdrop.
It was time to get our wheels rolling.
The ride started with a downhill section,
which was followed by a 300m (984 feet)
climb, and then it was all downhill for the
rest of the ride! The cross-country sections
were smooth and flowy and everything on
the downhill sections was rollable, perfect
for the Juliana Joplin I was riding, and a
nice break from the rooty and rocky trails
I typically ride.
Our afternoon was spent playing in the
Trailside Bike Park. With dirt jumps and
North Shore-style ramps and wall rides, we
were able to hone our skills in preparation
for the Canyons Bike Park, our planned
ride for the next day.
Canyons Bike Park isn’t a large bike
park but it’s worth checking out if you’re
looking for a fun way to break yourself in
gently to the elevation. Most of the trails
could easily be ridden on an all-mountain
bike if you wanted to save yourself the
expense of a rental.
However, the best riding was saved for
last. It was the day with the most elevation
gained, as well as the longest day in the
saddle. We shuttled up to Empire Pass,
elevation 3,051 meters (10,010 feet). This
is also the entrance to the legendary
Wasatch Crest Trail, but we had something
else in mind. Our goal for the day was to
ride from Empire Pass, over to Park City
Resort - where we would take the chair to
the top - and end up at White Pine Touring.
The plan Y