Outside temp dropped to 32. I slept w/ the down blanket doubled over just about right.
While camped out in desert on Beaverhead flat road I was feasted on by some biting insects that left itchy welts on my lower legs and arms because they were not covered. I even have several on my bald spot when my hat was off. Everyday they receded and itch less. Glad to be up in the colder climes where the mosquitoes have not appeared and perhaps won’t due to scarcity of standing h2o.
Drug my feet waiting for sun to warm things up. Replaced chain @ 360 miles hoping that the cluster gears had not stretched. During the hard steep climbs the chain did not skip, however, there is gear wear, perhaps the chain will wear to the gears before replacing both.. again. I have ridden 3200 miles & spent $4400 on bike stuff, more than a dollar spent per mile ridden. I have a great bike set up that is now a joy to ride.
Rode from camp later in AM. 2 guys caught me. Later we chatted and Matt, the local offered suggestions that modified my ride plan for the better shorter. The terrain reminds me of places in the WA Cascades. Mixed P-pine & Doug fir.
I will probably stay here a few more days here. the riding is good but is like most of the western mtn rides. Hiking trails, twisty, narrow, rocky, etc. I got to thinking about what keeps me in a place after several rides with the anticipation of something different the next ride? Here is a relief from constant tough technical @ Sedona, here I can spin and negotiate rocks where Sedona was mostly all movable rocks all the time. This is a brain vacation.
Misplaced my hat this afternoon. Perplexed as to where I left it, fear aquacenter shower room. Brain fart.
Met John where I am camped. He runs bike tours during the winter in S AZ. He is in the slow season and is camping back out of the way and riding thru the summer heat. Desert Storm disabled vet.
Gracie left a voice message that among other things she fixed the dinner I fixed for her for visiting friends and it was a success. I can fix it in my galley.
Off to other things