Sat. OTE led a shop ride down in Green Valley. Jeff from SLC was down here escaping the inversion back home and maybe shopping for a bike. He rented from OTE a large Turner DW- Spot. He was jumping from his 2003 bike and Quentin led us on testing trails. Tae joined meeting him the first time this year. Kevin is a design engineer for Pivot bikes. Our ride left little unridden trails. Towards the end Cale on a hardtail 29er joined us. He flew in from WI to ride for a week; he knew none of us. Rode Zen again and walked the same stuff. Because it means walking for me. Quentin & I got to ride together for the first time. We each learned how the other rides thus a base line for ride descriptions. Oh, Quentin was way off the front. Desert riding w/ lots of tech challenges, mostly my level w/ a few stretchers that I make as I get better, and the ones I lack the skill and courage to tackle.
Stopped @ WA Rec center for shower. Driving to Hurkin my cell phone rings. Some guy rider from FL tracked me down and congratulated me on my living his dream and doing it right.
Watched part of first half of Zags game @ Rec center. I dashed for sports bar in Hurkin for 2nd half. Bummer, they didn’t buy that package. Found the game on a web site giving 30 sec updates. GU didn’t fair well.
Dinner @ Durnago mex restaurant which shares the same wall as Baristas. I walked by front window of Baristas and Steve & family were inside. I said Hi and said that I have to eat cheaper and less quality @ Durango’s but will be back for ice cream. OK Tex Mex dinner for affordability and quantity.
Back & Baristas for 14% butterfat vanilla ice cream. Jeff joined me and he anguished over buying the Turner. We made a plan to ride Hurricane rim tomorrow.
Spent night back @ upper JEM TH. Forecast is for above freezing temp. Desert out here is drying up and snow patches are almost gone. Invited Dan. I think I bummed him out because I said I would not drive 15 miles of gravel road out to his place. I want to go out there but I just won’t drive those gravel road miles. Dan drove into town Sunday AM and stopped @ 2 places the JEM trail crosses road and reported that mud still abounds so we can’t ride the Hurricane loop.
Meeting place was Hurricane Rim TH just above town @ 10:00. I Invited Jason from Thurs to join. Dan said the smoke was too strong for him causing him to bail. Cale showed up as we were getting ready. 28 yo stud. Plan was to ride the Rim to Virgin river or until mud turned us back. Trail was in dry shape. We hit some wetness @ junction of Hurricane rim and JEM . Cool. We rode rest of way to Virgin river then turned uphill on Sheepbridge road where we would find a faint trail down Chinatown wash a few hundred yards to connect w/ the JEM trail where hopefully it was not muddy. Scored, missed the wash and rode around a cattle tank and picked up JEM down to junction then back to TH. Watched a bald eagle overhead being attacked by a hawk.
Seat dropper is still a Hoot. The Ergon grips cause my hands to fall asleep mostly in my fingers that numbs my right index finger for my rear brake which lessens my finite speed control. Not ready to give up on the grips.
Back @ TH i set up a round of beers. Bottoms were raised as well as tales.
Forecast is 50% rain tonight and till 11:00 tomorrow. Saw a sundog indicating moisture in the air but the diameter was pretty large. Maybe rain. Camped @ Upper JEM TH again and rain could make the road out greasey. Cover is over bikes. I must be vigilant to amount of rain in case I need to evacuate. The road crosses 2 small washes that have run recently.
Made plans to ride w/ Cale on Gooseberry on Tues if road is dry. Tomorrow is a rest day.
My saddle is the lowest I have ever ridden as a result of fit evaluation. More bent knee means more power to pedals and I notice it. However, I feel pain in front of my knee which means saddle is too low. Power vs pain?
Upper JEM TH is 4310′ elevation. Bought a 15 oz package of Mint Oreos. Will be gone in two days. I did have a packaged Caesars salad for dinner to which I added smoked salmon. grocery stores sell 4% beer, not many choices. regular beer from state store costs like $12 for what in CO might have been $8.00. Trail work on new trail is to start this week. Interest in naming it after me. DJ asked if I had a nickname, I said in Sedona they call me “Talkin Dude”.