My body has so far survived what my brain has asked, no demanded, of it. My abdominal discomfort appears to be the same resting today and pushing it yesterday. I know I can make my legs pedal, my brain needs to allow its host to rest. Brain over brawn. Just enjoying Wood River Valley.
On Wed I rode Steve’s trade route solo. It has a lot of up and a lot of down broken up by adventurous crossing of Fox Creek. Starts at Oregon Gulch a short distance to connect with Saddle Trail which will be ridden in each direction, the return is a downhill reward, best ride finishes on a downhill. Saddle joins Fox creek climb to a washed out bridge crossing, a log is across the creek upstream which requires balance while carrying my bike. Then a hump a bike back to trail. Trails are a good test for my using the 46T granny. I still run out of steam but perhaps further along so I do receive a benefit which is only as good as my choice to use it. The FS and Chris from BCRD keep trails clear of blow down. Long descent on Fox down to the river climbing MF (yes, that’s what it means), my gearing did not help extend my record distance. Climbing some more to rejoin Saddle then the zoom back to a proper temp adult recovery drink. 12.6 miles climbing 2198′ pedaling 1 hr 54 mins.
I stopped quite a lot, more than I do when I ride with Steve who usually leads the uphills. He either is my rabbit or governor as I do not stop as often.
Wildflowers are going off. Lupine fragrance permeates. Yellow arrow balsamroot have a brief flower time. Green and water.
Steve grilled elk burger for dinner.
Yesterday started with drive to Hailey to do laundry then a drive up to Galena lodge to ride trails there. Said Hi to manager Don. Lodge season opening is this weekend. I joined Steve and Kurt. Several years ago new trails were completed, Steve spared us the Grinder climb. New trails are a mix of rake and ride and mini ex created. Bermed corners mixing in kickers and table tops. Weather was exhibiting signals of a pending t’storm. As we were being pulled by gravity tot eh TH sprinkles started. Intensity increased as we sowed our bikes, shortly full blown downpour descended.
A long length white Sprinter with NC plates had parked nearby. Upon our return and the 2 women arriving at same time. I started conversation about their hometown of Asheville and home of I9. They asked if I was in the green van. Yes. They said they rode my tail reading stickers. They are on a long road trip.
Drove back down to Ketchum passing thru micro climates of rain and dry pavement.
Thursday evening was a volunteer trail work project up Forbidden Fruit which is a downhill flow trail. Threatening weather. We pedaled up to start of trail work. I rode in work clothes wearing hiking shoes, the soles of which are not grippy to the Catalyst pedals, sort of like being on ice. Our effort was to clear out rocks that gravity pulled down the back slope. I made several drains using a Maccloud(sp). Local dirt determines local treatment. Water is number 1 enemy. There were just a few places that water puddled or erosion washed tread. Area is in Beaver fire burn. See pics for previous blog. Standing dead white trunk trees potential falling. Several wind gusts rose up which knocked down several of those just waiting to return to earth. Chris blew the whistle calling off our work for safety reason. Hiked back to bikes. Downhill finish. We rode Shadyslope which parallels the Adam’s gulch uphill. This trail is a hoot to ride as it is a narrow woods dirt tread with trees edging the trail to keep a rider honest. Fast and faster. Back at the TH Cameron was manly grilling tubular meat objects, one hand on the tongs with the other surrounding a Coors. Socializing. I left while still light making it back to Steve’s as alpinglow finally went away.
Spent night at Steve’s. Today being a rest day time must be consumed. I visited with Chip. I installed my new Minnion DHF 2.5WT tire on the front wheel. A floor pump pressure was sufficient to seat the tubeless tire. The WT designates a tire optimized for 3.5mm interior rim width which I ride. New sharp edged knobs for greater carving traction.
I plan on leaving here on Sunday heading to Oregon.