Chilly night. I woke up w/ light skies and a cold body. I checked the outside temp @ 6:00AM read 27 degrees. Crawled back into bed & doubled over the down blanket and put on a cap it was that cold. Finally the sun crested the ridge and the van warmed up enough for me to leave the warm bed.
Decided to drink a free tall cup of Starbucks then head up to Ketchum for socializing and a ride there. The coffee even w/ the acid reducer made me queezy so I made the day a rest day. Visited Elephant’s Perch where I was remembered. Kyle whom I palled w/ last year is out of town. Then I walked to all the bike shops and library & book store seeking the new issue of Dirtrag. Empty.
Drove back down to Hailey & visited Chip because I had the time and he is captive. No, we both smile at the other’s stories. I learned that there is to be a short track race out Croy canyon after work. Made that a destination as much as I don’t make a good spectator.
I ran into Steve from yesterday and watched several classes race. India, wife of Mark Driver from NC and instigator for MudHoneys woman bike club(?). Purpose is to get women on bikes and be active in the biking scene. A familiar face grabbed me, it was Sean from last year. I had stopped in Bellevue to do my laundry. He saw me and stopped and invited me to ride w/ him later that day. Cool. Chopper raced in the expert class. He competed in the 96 Olympics. After the race I congratulated him and he remembered me. Cool.
So I have friendly places throughout the US to visit & feel comfortable. My places.
Back to camp spot up Democrat gulch for night. Tomorrow is shop ride from Chip’s shop. I will get horribly dropped. Sat is an epic ride organized by Chopper. This week is some kind of local festival.
From where I am camping looking south where there are no trails but the terrain is typical of what is behind me.