Dateline: Gallup, NM
Jack wasn’t able to ride w/ me.
Plan B is to ride & route find Quasimoto from Qauking Aspen TH where I am camped. At first I thought about riding 2.5 miles on road each way to zero out route description. decided to make the route work starting part way thru ride. Almost all 25.57 miles & 2470′ climb in riding time of 3 hours 40 mins was desert ST. Like just about no tracks until I rode back onto the signed trails from quaking aspen. Ride description was about OK. In places there were no bike tracks. i missed 1 junction & rode inner loop 3 times, outer 2x and reroad main trail. Well laid out ST. After i crossed hwy 400 the trails got interesting and my body started showing signs of excertion & high elevation. Lost track of guide book descriotion. I beleived that if I stayed on trail I would end out @ sheet rock lake and then pick up signed trails back to TH. It worked. tread is mostly soft soil that sucks speed away. Ride beat me. Didn’t run out of h2o but probably should have carried the 100 oz bag vs the 70 ozs. I will for future rides.
Called PO and pedals are not here but PO is open tomorrow.
Called Red Rock SP to inquire about a shower. Was told = $3.00. OK and the XG is close in to gallup for internet access. XG host greats me: gray haired pulled back ponytail & missing some teeth, of indescriminate age greets me. I say i want a shower, He asked if I am staying I say no, just a shower. he gives me the key for free. Washed sweat, sunscreen, & grit off. Getting biker sunburn.
Forecast is for showers & t-storms tomorrow which will rain out ride if rain falls. This clay soaks up h2o & turns into gumbo and hardens casting the bike track in which takes beaucoup days to ride out if ever.
Quick posting to drive back to Quaking Aspen free camping @ 7200′
Ponderosa pine & alligator tree so named because of its bark. Needles are scale like.