I spent the last 4 nights up at Horsethief XG in an assigned site w/ space and short sight lines. $7.50 per night w/ a CXT outhouse nearby, no water no internet. I have an XM receiver for radio wave entertainment and stimulation.
Rode 3 rides up on mesa.
Friday I rode Horsethief trails from the XG. Newer trails that I have yet to share w/ another rider. Chisholm from the XG crosses the hwy and continues on Gemini Bridges side of the road. More purpose built trails. Just fun to ride, all seem to be 100′ of vertical climb per mile ridden. The undulations up and down and left and right never allow a set pedal. Trails use slick rock as a tread choice and sand only as there was no rock to incorporate into the trail. Fri I was almost first tracks on hero dirt: the sand was wet and firm. I turned back uphill when I joined 7UP climbing some old jeep road and some single track. Joined Getaway where Bull canyon spur leaves. Lots of riders today, Very few downhill riders yielded to me climbing up Getaway. 10.61 miles climbing 1135′.
Nasty outdoors but snug indoors. I have created a comfortable living environment that I have adjusted to and being able to spend all day inside while being completely amused.
Sat I rode from camp to ride the big Mag 7 ride I call. Chisholm over to Mustang to Getaway to Bull run, to Great Escape to Little Canyon, the low spot which has taken about 1 hr 7 mins of riding to here. Now after robbing Paul to pay Peter riding gravity mostly down it was time to pay Paul back by humping against former friend gravity. I leap frogged a group of 8 riders, I let them go ahead at a stop then pedal after them, they would stop but I pedaled on, sometimes they caught me but I pedaled thru their rest stops. A rider called my name. It was Ted who is a trail builder and above now in Aspen (?) valley. During a visit to Salida I slept in his back yard. Trail building connections. We spent awhile visiting. That group of riders pedaled by. We bid adieu. Ted went first then disappeared from view as he is way stronger than me. Today there was little trail conflict in spite of the sheer quantity of riders out. Parking lots were overflowed. Shuttles dropped off their loads. Lots of riders. All chunky riding, no easy stuff. Amazing to see so many riders. Pedaled back to camp. 25.15 miles climbing 2129′ taking 3 hrs 9 mins. I feel the effort. Of that time I was anaerobic for 1 hr 20 mins, mostly during the climb out. Again, at the end of the day I did climb back out doing those short burst climb followed by maybe a flat piece or real joy was a slight downhill. Just so well built trails.
Spent the night inside again, this morn the temp was 35.
Today I will leave Horsethief assured camp spot for the wilds of Willow springs. First I drove to Middle Earth trail trailhead. This is pretty close to the middle of Navajo rocks system. It is possible to make 1 great big loop or 2 smaller ones. Purpose built trails using mostly slick rock interspersed w/ now dry sand. Follow the faded paint marks on the rock and stay between the trail borders when present. Elements fade the paint and move the edge markers. Just pay attention and the dots will connect. I dallied in the warmth of the van allowing solar gain to make the long underwear top and long sleeve jersey fell comfortable. Rigs started rolling in. Today I rode down Ramblin to lower end, crossed the road and headed up Rocky Tops. Middle earth trail was at the end of this trail segment. I could make a short loop and call it good or continue for the whole loop. I have ridden these trails seveal times which creates some familiarity that leads to comfort as I know what I can ride and how to reward myself for working uphill. I only pedal because I can’t pump the up. Pay attention to the paint mark to stay on track and better yet to avoid front wheel trap fling over the bars chasm. Weather was overcast and cruddy. My long underwear top kept me toasty especially when the trail exposed me to the wind.
I like riding these trails many times. I am challenged still. Biking is a balance sport much like Telemark skiing is. There is always the question of remaining in balance and staying on top of 2 skittish points of earthly contact. Here there are several punch in the gut climbs up long pitches of slick rock. Because that was the trail solution. I remember when I come to them and just deal with the effort to climb. I am becoming more aggressive in my pedaling up hill as I mix in power mashing. I am mostly successful.
I haven’t retrieved the ride data or pics from today.
After the ride I drove back to town. Mesa elevation is 6,000′, Moab is around 4500′. Getting after it for completing tasks timely then drive out to crowded Willow Springs. Shower at the Aquatic center using my Silver Sneakers benefit. Filled drinking water jug and a stand alone filter ice stand as I believe that the treatment equipment is more effective than the in store ones. I drink this. At Gearheads I fill the water tank for kitchen use. Walk across the street to City Market and grocery shop. All items checked off the list I headed uphill. Crowded Willow Springs in spite of it being Sunday night.
Weather this week is improving with sunshine and warmth. Moab seems to enjoy the same weather dependent Sedona. The place is packed. Lots on mountain bikes on rigs and being ridden. The high country is still under snow. Leaving here heading north will restrict ride choices below snow melt out line. The trails are not crowded or boring, what is hard is the camping spot finding. The paid XG assures my spot but Horsethief is like 20 miles away and no internet. I’ll prolly stay this week.