Mostly dried trails

Frost on the inside of the windshield indicating that the temp dropped below 32 degrees. Forecast for today’s high was 51, reality was low 60s actually. Freeze thaw mud capturing whatever moisture that failed to evaporate by freezing time.

I took my road atlas into RIOT where we post ride activitied in case rides were brought up we could all use the map. I showed a MN woman where I rode in her home state. Then I forgot to take it w/ me leaving it I believe on the edge of the bar closest to the door. Last night, as I was in the camping mode,  i realized the map was not on the passenger’s seat. I called the bar and learned from the staff  that they had the atlas and would put a note on it and put it in the boss’ office who usually gets in around 10AM. I drove down to the bar in Cottonwood arriving just b4 10. I knocked on the detached office door that was unanswered. Long story was I stayed until 11:00 waiting for her arrival. I left @ 11 because a staff member I had been talking to previously walked out to my van parked in the back parking lot and handed to me my atlas. Seems the guy last night didn’t get it into the office and the day person missed it in his search.

Plan now is to ride Dry Creek. Beautiful cool day. Air is so pure as there is no air pollution because nothing is made here that would pollute. No wind. Cloudless. I parked on the side of the road. I geared up and headed out. I am still wearing a light wool long underwear top under a short sleeve jersey and knickers. Big loop in Dry Creek drainage. Chuck Wagon out. Today I successfully climbed the step up @ the end of a wash and grunted out a steep short loose tread. I still credit improvement to riding in middle chain ring and muscling up. Passed 1 less skilled rider wearing head phones. Exit onto Gunslinger and pieces of reroute to Mescal. Steve took this picture of me on Mescal:

Around Mescal dropping down to Deadmans. Slippery mud on downhill which meant steering methodology change: I could not count on traction so I counter steered. Next i rode Arie out to Cockscomb. Arie had some slippery mud. Cockscomb to Rupp down to Dry Creek. Rupp is an old road mostly w/ lost of loose cobble. I am gaining confidence that allows me to ride faster. I lowered my seat that freed my legs to move around on the bike. Look ahead and judiciously use the brakes. I crossed dry Dry Creek several times till I hit AZ Cypress over to Anaconda. I consulted my map down in the creek to figure out a confusing trail. I climbed up Anaconda that ends in Girdner and a short distance later Chuch Wagon took off bringing me back to my van. 16.48 miles, all single track in 2 hrs 12 mins. I rode almost non stop. I saw more hikers than bikers.

I drove back into town to Snap for a shower. The Sedona film festival is underway in the movie theater in this parking lot now open for non theater parking. Armed security to chase drivers aware. My idea was for like a Walmart greeter telling them they couldn’t park there. If the driver ignored the greeter and parked, the greeter would summon the on site tow truck and tow the offending vehicle away. Instead semiautos on the waist.

I stayed in town to attend the Parks and recreation meeting in city hall chambers in support of an agenda item of creating a bike park. I was one of 5 riders including Jennifer from the FS. Proposal is to use city property of 12 acres to make a bike park. One premise is it could siphon off thrill seekers than might make a trail to ride a feature to ride in a controlled environment in the park.

Drove out to Deer Pass for the night. Tomorrow I have a PT appointment. Next week it is an ortho appointment. Today I called Kody’s office back in Spokane to ask for the records of my previously performed right shoulder repair.