Date line: Sedona, AZ
Hunkered down in van on bluff listening to persistent rain pelt the roof. Occasional flashes of lightning brighten the alpenglow sunset. Thunder rattles over American Roots show on XM NPR. Jack Kerouac. On the Road 1 of 3 greatest American fiction books, Tom Sawyer, & Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Slept in enjoyably so. Looking forward to riding Black canyon w/ new bike set up. Sprinkled a bit during bfast. Hoping that further South the rain quit and trails are drying out. 50 miles South down I-17. As I got closer there was standing h2o in the rubble groves. Bad sign. Concern about h2o is that it makes the clay sticky.
Made TH, 3 rigs only. Took off. New handle bar & stem raise my hands to just above seat level and way wide. Sit more upright. Pedaled off w/ anticipation. Bike rides so much differently. Les always asks me if I am still having fun. Previously my rides were not all that enjoyable. In the 3 1/2 hours in 85 degree desert sun no shade 2819′ vert climb out & back ride I was all about smiles & happiness. I finished w/ energy to spare and I pedaled almost everything. I rode a river rock boulder field pedaling over or around round rocks to river shore. I have snap under my legs for short bursts of power to climb something. I am having fun riding now. High heart rate and lungs appear to be keeping up. Lowered seat was trick.
Only saw 3 riders on 21 mile ride. Well built narrow technical ST, some places of great exposure on rocky narrow trail. No shade as in Sedona. Saguaro cactus.
Found KOA nearby for $5.00 shower and then drive back to Sedona. Black canyon is @ 2200′, Sedona is 4000′. Outskirts on Sedona caught tail end of rain squall. Stopped @ Bike & Bean to fill Gonzo on ride. Thunderstorm moved in, ran back to van getting wet.
Drove back to place I have been camping. Stuff still @ empty site. Thunderstorm moved S of town and on drive out I saw cloud to cloud lightning. At campsite the clouds let loose another storm and more rain to 8:30 PM. Finally quit. Lots of rain has fallen. Bike shop rented bikes today and they commented that they are cleaner than they thought possible w/ rain.
Mtn Bike Heaven shop ride Sunday @ 8:00AM and I am there.
Brushed against several cactus on ride, drew blood in several places on legs & arms. Have like a nettle itch on my left arm from an unknown cacti.
Wish I was there to ride the trail with you, Craig, sounds like fun. Amazing what a difference a few changes to the bike can make. I took Jim Mundy down for a loop through Riverside last night. Only put on about 9 miles. Did the regular Trail 25 loop by the river through Little Siagon then climbed up onto the highest plateau and came back via the “new trail” that I think you worked on that bypasses the perenially significantly eroded downhill section. Trails in great shape. New section of trail has been created around a section that was particularily low and prone to flooding. Fun, more technical trail that cuts left up the hill. Going to ride Mt Couer d a’lene this weekend. Looking forward to seeing and riding with you when you get back in the NW.