Last night I started out w/ the heater on low and sleeping under a single layer of my down blanket. Around 1:30 I awoke too hot to sleep and heard scattered rain drops on the roof. Forecast was for 10% probability of showers. I laid snug and dry rationalizing the rain away. Finally i decided that the bikes deserve to be treated being covered. I put on my wool poncho and put on my headlamp then slipped into my Sperry canoe shoes and stepped outside to face the elements. Not too cold but very windy spitting rain. I wrestled with the wind to put the rain cover over the bikes. I turned off the heater and crawled under the single layer again. Sometime b4 dawn I awoke a bit cold but lack the drive to leave the present warmth to pull the doubled blanket over me. I tossed and turned until after day break down in the canyon. Snow was on my windshield. That’s why I was cold. The snow is the dry cold temp kind, not Sedona wet flakes. Turned the heater back on.
This AM b4 bfast I going in for a blood draw. Packed up w/o bfast for the blood tests. Just a skiff of snow on the road which dampened the dust. Used gps to find the lab location. In, stuck, and out in less than 20 mins. Traded a Starbucks empty coffee bag for a tall cup of coffee to which I added the Javacid to nuetralize the coffee acid. Enjoyed the cup.
A MBA article about Flag riding said have bfast @ Macy’s. I took up their suggestion. I had lunch there several days ago. Bfast was another social scene.
Satiated I headed out into storming conditions in town. Windy w/ occasional graupel squalls. Walked to a Verizon store seeking info on smart phone. I decided to buy insurance on the phone. Just down the street is Absolute Bikes, a Specialized dealer, maker of my one size too large shoes. Previously I called Specialized to appeal for help getting me back into a smaller size. I was told that I needed to work thru the LBS for recourse. A helpful store employee called Specialized on the secret phone line. She explained my issue so well that Specialized is shipping me my smaller size @ no charge. Way better solution for me. I didn’t expect this outcome as I was partially to blame.
I walked the streets when i found a used bookstore. Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel book had rattled around in my brain. back in Spokane I bought the book and read a bit of it but didn’t finish. I bought this used copy w/ intent of finishing it. If only I didn’t self medicate so early in the afternoon.
Sedona gang bailed because of cold weather forecast. It would have been a cold ride but the trails would have been primo.
Tomorrow I have my nerves tested.
I loaded my past Sunday’s ride w/ Joe into my EDGE 305 to route find the same ride. I plan on riding it tomorrow. Joe says he will ride w/ me on Wed. He is a geologist and I am a biologist. We complimented each others knowledge.
Need to buy propane tomorrow as I have been running the heater, may i be warm tonight.
Drove back to same camp spot. I went for a hike walking up the road until a cut over trail joined Schultz creek trail proper. Road up, trail back. Parts of the trail have been rerouted resulting in some really sweet flowy lines. Look forward to riding it. Quite a noticeable difference between newly built trail and the original. New trail design spilled h2o resulting in a more fun trail to ride. Met a rider going up. Tony, from CO. He and his gf are on a 2 month road trip. I told him I am a resource if he wants it.
Windy and blustery in downtown Flag. Hunkered down in my van warmed by the sun.