Yesterday I drove back down to town for resupply of water, food and propane. I slept in Reid’s driveway. Propane source is closed on Sunday. I haul free filtered water a gallon at a time from Gearhead. Across the street is City Market for chain store groceries.

At present I am parked in that grocery store lot with 3 bar 4g connection and sort of catching up.

Bill and Susan from Tomichi cycle in Gunnison visited me out at Horsethief area for 2 nights of friendly connection. They rode their rides and I pedaled my own. Can’t keep up with the kids as they are of age could  be progeny.

I rode 3 rides out there. The first one was riding Chisholm down and back. For me great trail as it rides well in each direction. Sunshine and chill enough to switch to long underwear 2 layers and knickers. Still holey summer gloves. Elevations are 5,xxx’. Bill and Susan arrived afterwards. I have heat in my van that I shared with them as their warmth comes from layers and sleeping bags.

The second was Rodeo from camp spot. Trail is suggested directional which avoids widening from riders coming the other way. 10.3 miles climbing 709′ in 1 hr 38 mins. There are 2 spots that exceed my engine’s capacity causing me to walk. Steve knows of one of them.

The 3rd was a reconciliation between can and won’t. I chose a route from Trailforks that said it was the most downhill in the system here. I had ridden it before so I was knowledgeable of tech features and distance so I was able to ride it. The won’t was because it was for me a long ride. Sunday morning I drove down to Middle Earth TH for ride start. I addressed the won’t to pedal away. I pedaled  18.5 miles climbing 1588′ for 2 hrs 48 mins.

The chilly temps thin out the crowds as I share the trails with not enough to field a baseball team, basketball yes.

Last Monday I paid for shuttle to ride the Raptor Route.

All this riding is desert open to the sky. Tread is slickrock intermixed with either firm rolled sand or a sand pit.

Forecast temps are low 50s during riding with 20s in the dark. Some days and nights wind velocity lowers air temp to chilly. One night Bill, Susan, and I sat outside visiting in a stiff breeze. We lasted until core temps lowered. Later we warmed up in my van. Next day almost still air with same temp.

So today has been rest day in town day.  Zags play at 8 tonight, I could stay in town to watch at a bar or go back into desert and listen on XM.

Data as of Nov 13, 2024 I have covered 46,670 miles over 3,292 rides.

 

Internet sparce and weak.

Still able to touch the thoughts on the keyboard.

Highlight was riding the Raptor route newest trail Kestrel. Eagle Eye was closed because of wet from same storm I weathered at Fruita. Paid $30 shuttle.

Now out past Horsethief, 5688feet. Cold after dark, freezing.

Wrote what I needed to say.

Internet too trying for more.

Fruita and Moab shared same weather forecast for Tues night/ Wed all day for cold and high winds that became reality. Rocking van and heater ran all day and night, chilly inside mid 50s. I decided to hang Wed to wait weather change then leave Fruita Thurs morn after doing laundry in sad Fruita laundromat. Thursday became sunny and calm yet chilly. I topped off propane and water. I increased tire pressures to closer to recommended values which I noticed an immediate improvement in suspension. I was told that the recommended values were for a fully loaded van and my contents were not that heavy and lower pressure would make for a smoother ride. Same idea for mountain bike tires also. Next I will inflate to full pressures at next opportunity.

Pleasant interstate drive to Moab exit. Made Klondike road just freshly graded that smoothed out stutter bumps, way more enjoyable. I scored the same camp site in the paid campground which had 1 other rig a ways away. I dressed for chill in knickers and mid weight long underwear top and wind shell. I rode out Dino Flow and returned on trails on other side of system. I have ridden these trails many times over the years, I do like these trails. This ride stayed away from the climbs on other trails. Enjoying lower saddle height. Dino has blue level challenges and the return trails are green. Setting sun shaded places on the return, noticed at 3:30 the sun is blocked by buttes(?). 11.9 miles climbing just 604′ pedaling for 1 hr 33 mins. Heart rate was 123 average so I kept after it. Quiet and chilly night.

Yesterday I set out for a more challenging ride to climb up Mega Steps to Alaska. I pedal what i can and push what I can’t. Nice day, still chilly. I started with an undershirt under the wool long underwear top and wind shell. Sunshine and exertion warmed me to doff layers. I encountered maybe 10 riders. Chilly weather is a filter for riders and certainly campers. I remained hunkered down inside watching the thermometer to rise to 40 degrees before setting out. 8.97 miles climbing 948′ pedaling for 1 hr 33 mins, heart rate was lower at 118 perhaps from all the pushing versus yesterday’s pedaling.

Mice do not need open side door to enter that I have not found that portal. Last one selected my garbage sack making small pieces of wax paper then seemed to have left.

Last night was warmer as the heater reached shut off temp several times eliminating the blower noise. Sunny skies to charge batteries. I will listen to start of Buckeye football before riding. Temp at 9:44 AM is 53 degrees. Saturday crowds not present.

Here at North Klondike the BLM established a developed paid campground and closed off all the dispersed spots and let the rancher graze cows to chew down the desert. Shoo the people away to favor the cows.