Yesterday a hurkin 23 miles in 3 hours and today a 6 mile technical ride.
Dirtbagging in the parking lot behind beside OTE in Hurricane, UT. Right @ bottom of hill of rt 59 dropping into town. Exhaust brakes are banned. I am just visiting, imagine living at the bottom of a step downgrade coming into town & trucks using unmuffled exhaust brakes? Rattle the windows and scare the kids. A trail track would seem quiet. Dave lives right on the hwy, at least I am 1/2 small block away.
Problem is with freeze thaw mud. At night temps drop just below freezing and daytime highs are in mid 50s. Air is relatively dry which blots up free water. At night the capillary action stops and the water at surface freezes. When it thaws in the daylight until it dries out is pure slick snot. The thawed soil slips over the firm underneath – like shears away. Makes for counter steering and seat waggle to keep under control
With those conditions under consideration I left for trail head just after 9 AM in the chill. The climb up Hurricane hill right at the start is a lung toaster. The rim trail is for most part dry. The trail joins the JEM trail 7 miles out. I dropped down JEM which is muddy @ the washes & other low spots. At it’s end I rode back up Sheep Bridge road to JEM intersection then turned downhill back to rim junction. Up above the JEM is soft. Join back up w/ rim for 7 miles back to beer. 3 hours some 2700′ climb. Hardest day since crash. Felt it.
Schedule today is finish ride, drive 15 miles to Washington for a shower, drive back to Hurricane to sports bar to watch Zags / Duke game @ 3:00. Made the shower & 3:00 game start on CBS. Game started early & when half time report showed the score, like wow, what happened to the Zags? They went on to lose such big time, something like 71 to 39. Bummer.
Back @ new spot.
Today I drug my feet leaving planning on a slower day and wait out the sun. At the bike shop local rider, Jack, stopped in to say he was riding w/ several 60 yo men that really tear things up. I didn’t invite myself along, my ego would have troubles being out ridden by riders older than me. I am not interested in punishing myself that badly.
Back @ the van I had a message from Tae, another local, asking me if I wanted to share a ride. He is younger and I figured he would be stronger than me w/o much effort. We decided on a new trail for me, The Zen trail just outside ST George, like right on edge of residential development. Short ride w/ serious 1500′ climb. Wow. Short, technical, & grunt factor. Rick V, we were right there when we rode Stucci spring.
Stopped @ Barista in town for some scratch made ice cream. Mustache licking good.
Staying in new place again tonight. Upper JEM th rode is dry to drive into, I chose to stay here.
Rain forecast for Tuesday. Might do same long Hurricane rim ride tomorrow.
Plumbing appears to be fixed. Carpet needs to be cleaned. Need to find a car detailing shop that shampoos carpet down in ST George.
