Attempted snowy Hurricane rim ride

Slept in parking lot between the 2 highways leaving Hurricane. Some traffic noise but was left alone. Cold again, 19 degs.

Last night I invited Dave in for a beer and then we went dinner shopping in town @ Mexican spot for $6.00 meal.

Today back @ bike shop. Hung in the warm shop. Around noon Dave made a comment about riding Hurricane rim trail just above town as out & back that I would be free of mud. Its lower down & I thought a bit in the sun that would make for warm riding and that the snow would have meltedĀ  and any wet spots would have dried. Well, it was 22 degs just 300′ above town. Long underwear tops & bottoms, booties, warmer gloves & hat, tights, & long sleeve jersey, and wind shell. Trail was still snow covered in spots. Huffed & puffed up the starting hill. Plenty warm. I had pretty good traction up & down. Around 2 miles out and back around a ridge I accepted that the trail was never going to be snow free. I needed to turn around and get off the slippery because I couldn’t afford to fall.

Looking out to Zion
Looking out to Zion

I drove out past the upper Jem th where I had been staying to see what the road back in looked like and if I would have gotten stuck. Ground was surface soft & wet in places, frozen snow & ground in others. I know I was and am safer dirtbagging in town. Tonight it will be same parking lot.

Had a wiggle in my bike’s rear end. Dave diagnosed it as loose adjustment in free hub. He tore the rear hub apart. He also replaced the bushings on the chain stays that were original still.

Watched Zags win parked on street in front of shop sucking their wireless internet.

Got invited on Dave & Monte’s ride up @ Church rocks tomorrow @ high noon. May the snow be melted out & no mud.