Gunnison

Visited w/ grace & Ted @ Benson’s in Salida into bedtime. Bid adieu to both and went to sleep.

Today a 6:30 get up got me thru bfast, clean up, h2o shop, quick visit w/ guy I met in AR last spring and get on road to arrive in Gunnison just after 9:00 to meet @ Bill’s house.

Remeeting former Army Sergent vet of 2 Iraqi tours living in his converted Sprinter. (Need to research posts to learn his name). He is in Salida driving a raft bus to earn him free time for mtn biking & kayaking. I remembered him right away, I just failed to connect w/ Bill.

Bill & Susan own Tomichi cycles in Gunnison. Bill volunteered to guide me on Hartman Rocks ride. We rode 4 flat miles to TH. Great to be back on technical trails that weren’t hammered by dirt bikes or they were not allowed on the trail. We chatted during most of the ride w/ him leading riding slower for me to hear. Lot of decomposed granite w/ round features to ride w/ some sharp edge rock mixed in. Multiuse trails. Math average ride to 100′ of elevation per mile we rode.  Dave Wiens is the trail advocate here. Mixture of rock & gravel mixed w/ sand trails. Rideable, challenging, & rewarding as I rode features that i previously walked. I moved my saddle forward, I do not know how far is too far. It puts me more on front wheel making it stick better when steered. Also I stand up faster when i need to grunt a move. Much better and I am riding better. I still walked some things because I had never ridden them b4 or botched the approach. I might ride it again b4 traveling west t. Big sky in the desert. Mars, I kept rubber side down.

Bill restores 30s, 40, Fords and had 3 on display in his garage. To me they were very pretty & well done. Enjoyed his company.

Again, the paradox of revisiting friends and riding familiar trails vs seeking new trails and whatever the new people will become.

50% humidity, 72 degrees @ 8,000′ @  Gunnison airport where Boeing single isle jets land. Back in maybe Christmas of 1986 I flew into town from Denver on like a Dehavelland to visit w/ Mark & Brenda and ski Crested Butte. The airline lost my luggage which was al my ski gear. They delivered it to Mark’s door the next day.

Tomorrow is Canyon Creek w/ Susan & 2 friends. He is my age. Forecast is for rain & T-storms like last week. Got to start early to get off exposed ridge b4 storms hit.

Spending night back in BLM land in Hartman Rocks area.

Shower @ Bill & Susan’s. They will be visiting Sedona this Nov. Bill is a back country free heeler. They have a Sprinter w/ seats.

Life on the road. It’s a way of life ( how profound, have another). Traveling by myself mountain biking. Again, my subculture is mtn biking, subset: mountain bike riders as opposed to racers. I seek out bike shops for social contact. I like the ones who engage in constructive conversation w/ some wit. Most are degreed. Living is good and fulfilling w/ a mix of public time and some for myself.