Friday was another recovery day. Drove down to Bike & Bean to hang for awhile. But first a last shower @ the Hilton and to say good bye & thanks to —— for his courtesy.
B & B has been busy lately keeping their rental fleet out on the trails. Hard to complete a story anymore because of customers.
I drove down to Beaverhead. A truck was parked @ my spot. Found another spot but closer & more exposed to road. decided I need to work my rib cage by deep breathing ie panting, climbing up a pinnacle. Hiked up thru prickly pear forest and over volcanic rocks. Made summit, just a small flat spot on top buttressed by 20′ cliff. Found a class 3 move and gained the mesa. Just a long stone throw from VOC.
As I climbed i looked back to camping spot. Saw what i believe is same reddish suv circling thru camp area. Saw another rig park on pavement and watched red suv advance thinking atlas the guy scores. I watched thru my binocs. No rendezvous occurred. I saw the truck in my spot leave. I moved back to my spot.
Today, Sat is test day for body and psyche. I plan on riding the loop I planned on last Sat and learn what caused my fall. I stopped by busy B & B. Richard & I had a discussion about women not in our lives.
Headed out slowly. I learned how painful and limited my range of motion was on the first 10″ lift over a tree followed w/i bike length a swerve to the left to avoid a rock face. Lofting the front wheel & getting the rear wheel up and then the sharp twist to handlebar told me how my body would respond. I figured I was not warmed up and proceeded to continue to challenge myself under controlled speed. Made all the tech features on Made in the Shade and slim shady. Turned on Templeton to ride to jnct of Cathedral and location of my fall. Getting more comfortable w/ judgement & handling skills. I rolled places to reacquaint myself w/ what the bike would handle. At the aforementioned junct I headed down. I rolled the first step, it is the second step I believe was the wheel stuffer. I set my bike on the rock and looked the step over. I saw between the acceptable lines a wheel suck. I rolled my bike down the step and sure enough the front wheel stuffed. Looking downslope from suck trap i saw stain on a rock. It was my blood. Broken rock like a rasp was my landing strip. Figured out where & what happened. How long i was out to when i remembered walking down trail is lost to recall. Finished up ride. I made some moves but I was tentative and retiring.
What, 3 weeks ago when i determined my departure day of this Monday, i just knew the date was out there in time and would arrive in time. It has hit home that I am leaving my home of 3 months, the friends & buddies I made & met, my routines, support network, and great riding. I plan on wintering here next winter and rekindle friendships. I learned bike skills to become a better rider. I still walk. I was not able to ride my 2 nemesis during my stay. I am riding a great bike in my Turner DW Spot.
Clean clothes, only 1 set of riding gear.
Today putting on my gloves prior to start, first time since fall. Both gloves had big patches of dried blood. Wore my Rudi glasses w/ amber lenses. I was able to read the computer display before the photo tint Oakleys cancelled out the leds.
Back out @ Deer pass. TH parking lot is filled w/ RVs, maybe 20. My camping spot has additional campers, even my choice B was occupied, Permanent campers have taken over my favorite spot. I joined a boondocker group where people posted requests for camp spots or shared spots they knew of. I hesitate to share because I like the privacy. Getting crowded. Maybe these are snowbirds that are working their way north? Guy in motorhome behind me has been here for maybe 2 weeks has WA plates.