I foolishly uttered that I might cover 2000 miles on a bicycle this year and of course somebody overheard me. In 2009 I only made 330 or so and have almost certainly never done more than that in my life. So an early start was needed, temperatures in the low 40s were promised, balmy after the last few weeks so down to the supposedly warmer park I went.

The ride started out in the shade which was a little cool but once into the sun it was fine, until the road turned white...

Never try to turn on rotten ice.

I struggled up the hills and managed to reach the summit without falling again.

Going down wasn't going to be so easy...

Ooh, 10mph, I can do that.

Then again...

I slid diagonally across the ice patch with both feet down and absolutely no grip at all

I fell four times on the way down but stopped to pay my respects to the Capitol Reef Dragon anyway

The barn looked good in the lowering light and soon my ride was done

11.5 miles, 1hr 19 minutes, 8.7mph, 787 calories used, 922 feet ascent