Woke up, crawled out of bed, fixed a cup of coffee then drove to Wildflower for bfast w/ Danny. Parked @
Dave’s shop hoping that my bike would be first to fix this AM. Went back to his shop after bfast. Dave was great in that he got on my bike first thing. I broke off the metal fitting that joins the hydraulic hose and the seat post. I gave him my seldom used Camelback MULE as a gift to use for his good will.
At festival I drove my van into the exhibition area. I was plugged in the web site for events for the festival. It was a meet and greet but nobody greeted me. Hung around ready to ride but not finding a group to join or lead. Traildoc drove his short body sprinter pulling a 9 bike trailer into the site. Someone hatched a ride of Chuckwagon, like I have been riding lately. John drove us out to dry creek rd the and dumped us off. 9 of us, 3 were local, other 6 were tourons. One, Grant, works for Boeing in SLC. We shared boeing experiences. Diverse group, lost 1st touron very shortly to lack of fitness. Jeff guided him back and I took over the lead. Previously I printed a TOPO gps track of rides I had done in the area which was used once we shortened our ride. I got ’em back. Turner bikes had a demo booth. I did not ride a bike.
Dashed off to spa for shower to make party down in VOC @ 4. Hustled arriving after 4 yet being the first arrival. Jeff, one of the 3 owners of the Red Agave, flew in for the party which he created. Others joined later, almost everyone is a mtn biker and I knew most of them. OK, small crowd maybe 30(?). Beer & fajita bar. A cake completed the dinner. It was decorated by an edible picture of my Bike mag centerfold picture. I displayed my map that provided a visual image of my rides. Several people asked about their home state rides. Cool. Where did you ride in Delaware? Michigan? Other than family birthday parties I remember my ex- wife throwing a birthday party for me once, before I celebrated on a solo week long backpack trips. Last night the focus was me. I remained sober and responsive to peoples’ comments and questions.
Well after dark I drove out to beaverhead flats and scored my favorite spot.
My shoulder is hurting from pushups and wrestling my bike around on the tech stuff. Hurt last night and was still sore this AM. I decided to rest it today. My tingling feet are really worrisome. I ahve a nuerologist number to call on Mon.
Brief visit to BnB. Scott attended the party and took many pictures. Today he greeted me w/ let the photo shopping begin. Drove up to festival to hang. Nobody wanted to visit w/ me. I continued a conversation w/ several USFS recreation dept employees. They are very much aware of proper trail construction. Evey Friday they coach volunteers performing trail work. They have constraints placed upon them for trail rerouting. Their effort appears to be dealing w/ fall line trail pieces. They can only reroute a trail 30 feet from trail center line. Fall line trails were created years ago. Kevin is a new rec guy.
Finally drove out to Deer pass. Very windy, forecast winds in the 20s gusts into the 30s . Hung inside.
Started researching rides in NM and planning a schedule. Newness and some of the same: Gallup, Los Alamos (new), Aztec (new) Santa Fe (old). Figure next hang spot is Durango.
Shoulder really cracks & pops. Night temps are just cool enough to continue using my down blanket. I like sleeping under a down layer.