Rick & I in SW Utah… so far.

Warm night @ JEM TH. Forecast was for weather change around 10:00AM. Sure enough almost to the minute. I was installing slime tubes in my tires after my rear flatted, desert riding you know, and I was watching the sun warm the peaks to the west. One moment I looked up the peaks were clear, 1 tube change later and the peaks are occluded in precipitation clouds and the winds picked up.

Rick showed up shortly. Decided that weather was too inhospitable and Rick, after 6 straight days of riding, said that he could use a day off, said today is good day to rest. We drove into Hurricane to bike shop. Dave, whom I met yesterday was working. I introduced him to Rick. Dave volunteered to guide us on new riding area at Little Creek, across the valley from Gooseberry. Cool. 3 of the girls from yesterday showed up and we chatted. They were camping until tonight for X number of days and w/o showers. And the shop displayed a Turner Spot DW only in a large frame. Just as good.

I did my wash. In the laundromat there was a car w/ WA plates and Spokane license plate carrier. i said hello, they didn’t get into a conversation.

Drove to Springdale to the bike shop for a shower. About a 40 mile round trip for a shower.

Plan was to meet Rick @ his campsite @ Little Creek. I set off. He was back 8 miles on a washboard road. Took me 30 mins to get to his camp. It is windy and chilly. I invited Rick into the warmth of my van from his pickup truck canopy. i treated us to Haagen Daaz butter pecan ice cream. He said he didn’t want any because he has already had his ice cream for the week. He accepted a small bowl.

Temp dropped more during the night and the wind picked up rocking the van. It is still dark @ 7:00AM. Temp was 22 & blowing snow shower. I was snug. I stepped into the weather to visit Rick in his truck. He was snug and packing stuff . We planned our day in the warmth of my van. Nice having internet access as we read the forecast. Weather was better down @ ST  George were Rick wanted to ride anyway.

We drove S to ST George. Very windy but temp is in 40s & no snow. Rick arrived @ TH before me and was searching out the TH. We conversed by cell phone. Very windy. Tights, long underwear top, & long finger gloves. I was toasty. Very windy, getting blown around on my bike. I missed a turn getting back onto trail. Many trails out in desert, lots of motorized trails & damage. We head off up hill enjoying pleasant technical challenges. Ride wandered trying to find the spice route over to the Santa Clara trails for a long ride. Missing trail signs to map the way. Ended it as an out & back for 18.93 miles in 2 hrs 35 min for 2542′.

Make plan for tomorrow that is to ride guacamole mesa near Zion NP entrance. Drove back & past Hurricane to primitive camping alongside the bank of Virgin River. Parked in very sandy spot. Hope I can drive out.

Phillies smoked Yankees in 1st game of series.

Still cold & windy along Virgin.