Yesterday I drove from Hailey to Vernal, UT. Many interstate miles driving @ 60 in 75mph zones. everybody was able to pass. Nice clear day w/ some wind affected corrections. These new tires don’t seem to play well w/ the fronts or there are suspension issues. It seems as if on set of tires has more flexible sidewalls. I turn almost like my bike flopping into a turn because of the wide bars and short stem. The Maxxis Ardents have side lugs that hook up when I lean the bike over. The van I just control the intensity of the turn. Will find a tire store to eliminate concern over tires. After dark on US RT40 an oncoming semi dropped or flipped a hard object that smashed into my windshield which stopped it b4 hitting my left cheek. This AM I discovered what looks like a bullet hole. Next on the fix it list. Insurance claim $0 deductible unless there is a frequency limit.
Last night my destination was McCoy corral just west of Vernal. Dark w/ confusing headlights and never having approached from the west I drove past the road and into the outskirts of Vernal. I parked then queried the GPS to find the road. I marked it. I drove out of town and the GPS was counting down the distance to the turn. I missed it again for the same above reasons. I waited till clear then pulled a Uey and headed back. This time I made the turn. 3 miles back on a lane and 1/2 fractured asphalt road lead me to the corral. I turned into the old corral parking lot and found a level spot. Flies are still my only companions. Almost full moon made the desert light up. Slept w/ the heater on low for fly comfort.
Woke up to sights of SW desert in the rock color, topography, and tree cover. Great vistas only blocked when down in the washes. I parked facing the west. I finally looked east and saw the BLM trail head facility w/ fenced in parking and a CXT outhouse. Back during my 2010 visit to Altitude Cycles I listened to owner and trail builder Troy converse w/ a local BLM guy who is also a rider. BLM is to install an outhouse at the corral because of the toilet paper flags from ill mannered visitors. It’s in and no flags.
For the second time here my bike GPS battery was played out in spite of my recharging it. The 7 mile ride on jackalope trail was not captured. Rideable hump up. Down was over loose babyhead rocks dislodged by back brake draggers. I returned to the van for the partially charged gps then headed across the road and rode Retail Sale and Slippery When Wet. Wonderful desert hand built single track flow. Gotta love the desert at this time. SO warm I removed my long underwear top. Upper 60s under cloudless skies.
Next stop is Fruita tomorrow. I debated about driving today and camping above the pass. This would allow me to visit Altitude. Troy went home sick. The remaining healthy employee told me there would be snow at the pass. My camp spot would have been back aways on a resource extraction road. Plan now is to return to McCoy for the night then leave for Fruita tomorrow.
Can’t get internet access out @ the corral. I am in the library w/o my camera to post pics.
Oil extraction.
Craig, back from downunder. Had a good time. Boeing paid extra money to seat me for 14 hours next to an Apple Exec/surfer with a bad cold. Picked up his cold and home sick. Yesterday thought I would die. Today doing better. Have fun in the desert. (no trick or treaters knocking on the Sprinter door?)