Yesterday was another big blow day and hot.
I mosied down to Chile pepper to pick up my bike. Dave was finishing it up. He talked to me about rerouting the hydraulic hose of my Reverb seat post. I accepted his suggestion.
New plan was to drive out of valley to Sovereign trail and ride. However, when I cleared the valley the wind was just too strong to ride in. Too many technical moves that wind would have an adverse affect on. Parked my van partially broadside to the wind. A strong gust of wind carrying dust blew into my van thru open driver’s door window and side windows. Dust bowl. Sand all over. Went for a walk in the desert dealing w/ the wind.
Called Coyote Shuttle to reserve a seat on a shuttle ride today to Kokopelli TH way up on Porcupine rim route, part of the Whole Enchilada. Christine answered my call, she is from Spokane. Need to be @ Chile Pepper ready to go @ 9:00 AM.
Wind abated early in the evening. Still a hot sleep night.
Today overcast skies and calm. made the shop in time.
Yesterday I stopped @ matrimony springs to check if it was opened. A rider rode up on a Turner. He told me we met in Sedona this last winter. I told him I was going to ride Whole enchilada tomorrow, he said he would also, his 4th time this week. He rides a Turner RFX. Learned that he is an engineer who worked for McD before Boeing bought them. I seem to pick out the engineers, which is better than lawyers(?).
At the shop the shuttle pulls in. Check it out @ the get out point:
Carried 13 bikes and 14 riders all w/ standard 2.1 VW engine and we flew up the mountain roads. Guy scabbed a second VW Vanagon. Ride up was almost as exciting as the downhill. person on the corner is a woman. I met her and her husband last year in Sun Valley, they were on dirt bikes.
trail dropped and dropped for 4938′, obviously a big downhill. Lots of tech stuff. I rode some stuff and walked less than what I had in the past. Kent did a good job guiding me to lines and telling me what was coming up.
Trail spends many feet right along the rim w/ hellacious exposure.
I don’t do drops or roll overs very well as I have fear of stuffing the front wheel and going over the bars. Kent has a better handle on it. Following him allowed me to ride things I would have walked.
On a short uphill w/ a step up I got too close to Kent as he got off to walk it. I stopped then rolled back onto a dead tree stob that scraped against my left calf and blood poured forth. Good cut. I stopped and first aided it.
Finally navigated the remaining trail to drop down onto river highway. Alas a spin on smooth surface. Rode back into town. Checked out new aquatics center for shower. Did laundry, bought groceries, took a shower, then drove back to Sovereign TH area, same place as last night. Calm winds.
Plan is to ride the Mag 7 tomorrow if a shuttle ride can be pulled together.
Cooling off tonight for a great sleep night on clean flannel sheets and body.
Hardly an appetite. Breathing is still a big issue.