Monday night I slept thru the traffic noise on N Division. Fixed bfast and set out on day’s missions.
First was RV store for help on the heater and spitter valve. Struck out on both but git ideas. Second was shoe replacement, the store tried to give me 2 year old model. I refused so they ordered the new pair. They also contacted Specialized to verify if my material tear is a legitimate warranty issue. New shoes said Yes.
Drove to Liberty Lake for ride up shoulder of Mica peak WA. I believe 2007 was last i rode the route. There is a maze of wheelchair trails mixing it up w/ trails I remembered. I managed to put the correct trails in proper sequence and rode an impressive ride. The climb up from Round mtn was loose broken rock like always. The DW link sucked it up and my body pedaled very strongly. In 2 hr 14 min ride I spent 49 mins in O2 debt, max hr was 153. Breathing is still an issue. performance has to be attributed to lower elevation. Learned that park does not charge entry fee sometimes. I checked out a restroom @ XG in park and found a free shower w/ hot h2o. I passed on it because Mike @ North Div offered a shower in the office trailer.
I drove back thru Spokane to bike shop. Mike showed me the shower. I closed the dor, stripped, and turned on the hot h2o which stayed public h2o system temp cold. I heard Mike call my name and say Whoops, the heater needed to be started. I dressed and joined Mike outside going thru the lighting process. Pilot light lit but went out when the valve was turned to Run. Mike called Avista to report a gas leak w/ intent of gas company trouble shooting the burner problem.
Still needing a shower.
Mean time I reported to Kevin, the wrench who worked on my rear hub, that the wheel still wobbled after his work. He tore it apart verifying proper parts orientation and quality of parts. Still wobbled. He said he will call King in AM to figure what’s up.
I drove to Yokes out @ MT Spokane road for diner groceries and a quick dinner in a field behind the store.
My plan for the day had been errands, ride, shower @ shop, dinner grocery shop and fix dinner, then spend night @ former neighbors Bill & Jennifer. I rushed thru dinner then made neighbors towards 8:00. Lindgren road is .6 miles long gravel that gets stutter bumped between fall & spring gradings. Road had just been grated and the summer dust palliative application held up. Drove thru the dark. Bill was working on a car in the outside garage and their female lab was in the drive. Kelly immediately recognized the van and hobbled up to greet me. We had a lot of catching up to do and I finally made the garage. Toeless, their black male cat greeted me. Big cat, he is clear cutting the neighborhood of small mammals. I gave him his name as he is missing one of his toes. My old cat, Lefty, a much smaller female cat would chase him off our property then go over to his house eat his food. Ah, the memories.
Caught up w/ Bill & Jennifer and got a shower b4 bed then slept in their driveway.
Today I pursued the leads for propane repair. Took 3rd referral to find service and they needed to order the valve.
back @ N Division Kevin had already learned from King what he needed to know. He identified 1 bearing that was frozen and another that had pits. These were the bearings the shop in Ohio gave me. He found a retainer plate that was damaged. I said replace the bunch. King will UPS the parts to arrive on Fri. I will have my rear end back on bike for time to dash to Leavenworth for weekend IMBA trail care visit.
Bought a new mouse which makes computer work more enjoyable.
Les from Boeing is hosting me tonight w/ dinner, a shower, and his driveway for my knowledge of ST George trails where he and his wife Gloria will be riding next week.
That’s where I am right now: parked in the restaurant parking lot up on South Hill Spokane.
I learned that Spokane endured a cold wet summer. Summer because the calendar said so but conditions were closer to spring: no tomatoes.
Last Sat when i hit Sandpoint, which is on Lake Pend Oreile, I heard a familiar sound: sky rats cruising the grocery store parking lot searching for food. Sky rats are another name for seagulls. Yesterday @ Liberty Lake when i returned to my van i was air bombarded by another local flavor: stink bugs. Their defensive weapon is a foul smelling gas expelled in direction of threat. Almost like a Mayfly hatch. If they are squashed they squirt. Next to find are black widows and brown recluse spiders.
Mtn bike riding is such a big part of my day that when i can’t or don’t ride I have idle time. people I want to visit are working. I’m bored and Spokane just doesn’t hold my attention.
Thurs i have my pulmonary test.