Left Beaverhead flats early to make car service appointment. Van faltered up the hills. made the shop. The front brake rotors were replaced. The wrench took it for a test drive. He experienced the same events. He poured over the schematics and identified a intake box that might have a crack in it. It is flexible and he thinks that the faltering comes from the box expanding and contracting. Plus he has seen this effect on 5 other Sprinters he has worked on. He ordered the part and I have an install appointment on Fri. Back in March when the same garage changed the oil & filter they also changed the fuel filter. They didn’t say anything about the air filter. I will ask about that.
That done I drove over to MBH for a solo ride, to be my first real ride in 9 weeks. Before leaving I installed my new PUSH custom tuned Rock Shox Monarch shock. I rode a familiar route for tech familiarity. My heart rate was very high and my breathing gasping. I worked on spinning and riding slower but my heart told a different story. Shock is suburb. I picked some loose rocky lines and pedaled over them on uphills. The shock allows the rear wheel to smear on the rocks. I am happy for almost $400.
Tomorrow marks the 1000th day on my mtn biking the states odyssey. Dave Turner, owner of Turner Bicycles, maker of my Spot sent me an email congratulating me. My sister Lynn called tonight and wished me well.
One thousand days of doing what I want for the most part. Several days I was under hospital care lessening my choices. Ridden my bike in all 48 states. Met quite a lot of folks, made some friends, learned much, shared a bit. No exit plan planned; suppose my body will be the item to blow the whistle.
Tomorrow I ride w/ Mountain Bike Heaven (MBH) shop ride. Always good for learning new trails.