Time between posts and memories of experiences get muddled.
On Monday Randy installed new drawer latches to replace the wooden rods I used to hold them shut. Additionally he installed a piece of plywood on the wall covering up the spray on insulation behind the bed. He is happier now w/ my accommodations. Thanks Randy. I tested the drawer pull strength driving back from MT Spokane. Worked well until I pulled a G out turn and the cookware drawer sprung open. We now know that 7 pounds of pull is insufficient.
Earlier Monday I met Dennis, manager of my $, for a beer @ Fast Eddies in downtown. Great free ranging subjects on economy and socialization.
And earlier I had my first PT w/ body fixer Jeff helping my hip. He knows where and how hard to poke me for greatest pain and his enjoyment. I liked it so much I made more appointments. Jeff described his 3 day backpacking trip @ Glacier w/ 2 other guys. One was david pendergraft, aka Pendo, a past GU star B ball player. I admired him and would really like to meet him. To have spent 3 days backpacking might have been wonderful. They took the train from Spokane to West Glacier and back. Fun on the train.
Tuesday Rick & I rode MT Spokane the very hard way. The park road is being repaired after spring rains and traffic is managed to support construction. We pedaled up to entrance and were greeted by a flagman who told us we weren’t allowed to pedal into park because of lack of visibility. Our decision was to ride back down the road and ride up trail 115, aka the Secret trail that is a steep downhill. What fun. I witnessed a super human feat when Rick rode it all. Me? I pushed my bike more than I rode. Rick has a granny gear spin that allows him to climb steep and long climbs. I asked if the technique is teachable and he said yes but few follow. Like Tommy. I learned that he lets go of the handlebar and relaxes and goes to a Zen state. I was able to loosen my grip and drifted off for short time. Kind of steer my bike from my butt instead of arms. I just can’t make granny gear work for me as there is no meat under my pedal stroke. A bigger gear allows me to muscle a move using the pedal resistance. His granny has no resistance but he makes up for that w/ persistence. We did a less than summit ride. we rode out to Beauty Mtn to a sweeping vista of turning colors. the sky was clear blue, the light was fall angled. Just gorgeous. Rivals New England and stands on its own.
Later Tuesday was a gathering @ The Elk for TCS people to visit. Small core of die hard supporters showed. More people wished me goodbye than welcomed me back. 3 beer day and I was drinking h2o.
Ran into Tom Viegland who is part of the Rick shrinking cadre of riding buddies, those of us who say hello to a tough ride. Rick, Tom, & I have issues w/ knees that eliminate hiking as a sport, bikes we can pedal. Long live long exciting rides.
My fork had been spewing a ring of dirty oil on the left leg where the dampening oil resides. I took a picture and sent it to PUSH. Their answer was sent it in for repair. Wed I worked w/ Bicycle Butler, my former LBS, who loaned me a 3 ” travel fork and UPS’d my fork to PUSH. I have a bike to sort of ride. I might drag my road bike off the rack and make it work for road rides.
Jeff is making a bit of progress on making my hips work eliminating my pain. My knees hurt, my left elbow hurts, my back talks to me. I have some kind of constant pain and I still choose to buckle my helmet strap and pedal on.
This early AM I was awakened to gentle rain on the van roof. Another quick effort to cover the bikes. Several showers fell for much needed moisture.
I am just putzing around Spokane finishing up my 3rd week here.
Mel is setting up a Loppers Ball festival taking place of the real deal when we cut brush @ 49 degrees North, our ski hill. This year they all bought passes and I won’t be here to ski. Us guys w/ time on our hands and plenty of adult beverages in a remote location. Stories and goofs will run amuck. Good times predicted.
And that is it.