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Without permanent access to a gas-powered vehicle here in Utah, I have had to rely upon my road bike as my primary means of transportation. I could have driven my truck across the country and had a car here, but then I would not have this “free” training every day and I would be filling the atmosphere with pollutants and carbon dioxide that would seriously contribute to the decline of skiing on real snow in the temperate world.
So I begin my morning commute by checking my tires, filling a water bottle, and slinging my rifle and equipment onto my back. Then I start pedaling the few miles to Soldier Hollow, which is the facility where I train almost every day.
 I am living in Heber City, so I first have to get through the city streets. (Click on the small images to see the larger ones, or visit the gallery for all of the images.)
 I meander past the power station and then the historic Heber Valley Railroad. HVRR is a spur line that connects from Provo to Heber City by way of the Provo Canyon. The train runs just about everyday for tourists. It's highly recommended during the fall.
 I upshift gears for the decline of about one hundred feet towards Charleston from Heber City. In the distance, to the west, is the Wasatch Range. Roads in Utah were aligned on a grid when the Mormon pioneers arrived here more than 125 years ago. It is amazing how accurate they were.
 Though it is transitioning into becoming a bedroom community, the Heber Valley is still primarily an agricultural society. Whereas in the past the dominant animals were cows and sheep, these pastures are now more for horses. Still, there are many cows along my commute.
 A testament to days gone by, a plethora of old farming equipment stands idle in a front yard in Charleston. Because the West is, well, the West, there is little rainfall during the summer. Large reservoirs now collect the spring meltwater, releasing it during the growing season through a very intricate series of irrigation canals that were dug during early settlement times. Flood irrigation is quickly giving way to pressurized sprinkler systems.
 Blocked by the Provo River and the Deer Creek Reservoir, I now have to travel due north towards Midway. In the distance are the mountains that stand over Midway. To the left is Guardsman's Pass, through which there is access to Alta and Brighton, two popular ski resorts with the best snow in the world.
 Deer Creek reservoir is the final high reservoir before the water falls through the Provo Canyon to Provo and Utah Lake. It is held back by the Deer Creek Dam, over which Highway 189 snakes back and forth. The Heber Valley Railroad drops about halfway through the canyon. Access to Sundance Resort and Mount Timpanogos is by way of the highway through the canyon.
 In the distance is Mount Timpanogos, one of the highest mountains in Utah, and certainly one of its most majestic. It dominates the Heber Valley to the east and Provo to the west. Since it is a hollow, Soldier Hollow is surrounded by a ridge that blocks view of the mountain.
 The final road I ride along is the access road to Soldier Hollow. Since the Olympic Games were held here in February 2002, a golf course has been added to the north of the sport facility. It remains one of the most advanced biathlon facilities in the world with full snow-making capabilities, electronic targets, and paved rollerski loop.
About thirty minutes later, I arrive at Soldier Hollow, set up the shooting range, and begin my training. After training, I have to ride another thirty minutes back to Heber City. On hard training days, those thirty minutes on the way back can lengthen and my legs beg for rest.
Try using alternative transportation in your community, whether that's a half mile walk to work, or parking in one space in town and doing all of your errands without driving from store to store. Not only will you be sparing the environment and saving money on fuel, but you will also get some free exercise.
Peace,
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