New Section of the Rail Trail in Farmington

A new section of the Rail Trail in Farmington is open!

The new section starts at the north end by the Davis County fair grounds.  Before this section was open, when you arrived at the fair grounds you had to take the Farmington Creek trail over to the Legacy Parkway trail.  Now you can continue to the south on a long, straight, newly paved trail.

Here is a picture of where the rail trail connected into the creek trail.  The image on google maps has not been updated, but now it is paved to the south.

Here is a picture of the beginning of the new section.  (Looking south)

On the south end, the trail drops you out on to the Legacy Parkway trail.  It is at the location where you have to make two 90 degree turns.  Now it is a straight shot to the North.  Yes, you can still go over to the Legacy Parkway trail if you don't like riding in a straight line for several miles.

Here is a picture of the new trail.  This is taken from the existing trail looking to the North.

The good news is that if you get out and ride this new, long straight, section, can set some records on Strava.  http://www.strava.com/dashboard.  For a while I held the title of the 5th fastest rider on one section of the new trail.  It didn't take long to be bumped down to my rightful place at the bottom once everyone else started riding the new section of trail.

Get out and ride.

Single Speed

The main stream bike industry continues to go down the lighter, faster, and more aero path.  However, my fascination with bikes likes outside the latest carbon frame.  My latest quest has been to get back to the basics, and consider what is really essential in a bike.  For that reason, I have been looking at single speeds.  No, I'm not a fixie guy (although I'm intrigued that anyone could ride a fixie) I'm talking a basic single speed.

Last spring I turned an old commuter bike I had in the garage into a single speed.   My son took the bike with him to college and got around on it fine.  The only trouble I have had with it is the chain tensioner.  It just doesn't want to hold the chain tight enough and if you really crank on it going up a hill you occasionally get a surprise chain jump.  It is not very comfortable.

I found this interesting web site that sells custom single speeds.  It is called Big Shot Bikes.  For $389 you can get a single speed with all custom colors.  If I were to buy one, I would go with something like this:

If you have a single speed, I would welcome your comments on your experience with it.  

LP