Ah, Sedona in the winter.
Monday dilly dallied here @ camp. Not really a camp, just an unimproved flat spot just off rough gravel road. I pull in, park, & spend the night. Leave the next AM and possibly return the next night. So far the preferred spot I found has been free every night. I like to get out here b4 dark, I don’t like to drive around here in the dark looking for an open spot. For the most part i have had this entire camp spot all for myself. Sits up offering some skyscape views back into Sedona or west over Cottonwood to mtns above city. OK spot.
Parked @ MBH for ride. Goofed w/ Rama.
Headed out w/ a large ambition. Getting to know the bike better. I rode up the spot where I fell on last ride. Just got it done. Intended to add Ledge n’ airy to my route making the ride worthy of all day ride. The miles of trails that are on so little land boggles the orientated person. So many small sections of trails, all named. Rama says that I was in for a big day. Ledge n’ Airy is a tough trail. I refocused my efforts on getting back to shop while riding on S side of hwy.
Loaded up and headed down canyon and camped @ beaverhead flats S of oak Creek. Today’s schedule is for early ride from B & B and finish by 12:00, hit the Hilton for a shower, and then drive back to camp @ Deer Creek staging for Wed ride from MBH on west side of West Sedona.
Nice day for ride, short sleeves but knee warmers. Intended to retrace ride I did w/ Gonzo. Encountered a lone woman hiker going my way. I said hello to her and said something about scaring her. After passing her I picked up another piece of trail heading back the way i came. She came around the corner. We stopped. She is german. She told me I need to relax and smile and enjoy my ride instead of grimacing and being wound up. I told her that is who I am and I can not be a mellow johnie like her. Friendly banter. Dropped down steep hiking trail, again down the biggest drop that felt comfortable. Wandered up the wash, made a different turn, and rode on.
On the Highline trail I heard voices. I greeted whomever it was and was beset by 3 non threatening barking border collie type dogs. The voices were from a rock climber grunting over some climbing problems. he yelled @ his dogs but he had no control over them. One was blocking the trail and didn’t appear to be inclined to move off. I bumped it w/ my front wheel like I would have done to a dog of my own. The dog put on the good stage jump. The climber took me to task for hitting his dog. I chose not to get into a pissing contest about him having dogs off leash.
Rode on. Came to a nasty short piece of trail that crossed a dirt slope on just about a wheel width wide, loose dirt. Room only for 1 bike. I might have been going downhill which means that a rider coming the other way had the right of way. Darn, a woman rider came around the corner. I committed and apologized for not waiting. She said no problem. I received a Facebook from her husband. Somehow he tracked me down. They are from Wisconsin for a month, own a bike shop.
Bought propane: 5 gals, almost out. Thought about putting off fueling until tomorrow. I would have run out part way thru cooking today’s dinner probably.
Oh, the Hilton shower. Made the spa in time. At front desk learned that there was no hot h2o in the locker rooms. The desk guy learned that emails were sent from maintenance to management that didn’t share w/ their staff. Rats no shower. Plan B is to drive back up canyon and down to Cottonwood for a shower @ RV park and drive back 8 miles to camp thus staging a clean body for tomorrow’s MBH ride. Forecast is calling for showers for several days.
Really liking the bike. It is so mild mannered. I sit pedaling for all uphills unless it is a power grunt move. Rick taught me to sit centered, loosely grip the bars, and pedal. Randy, the front stays glued to the ground w/ the 5.9″ fork. I am using less than recommended positive air pressure (spring) which makes the shock more supple which helps keep the front end down on climbs. I haven’t bottomed out either end of suspension.
I saw a Pisgah Works stickie @ B & B. Gonzo said a guy gave it to shop and that this guy had ridden back in Pisgah. Need to track this guy down to learn of his connection w/ Bruce.