The skies cleared last night revealing a waxing moon and stars. The moon cycle seems to pass very quickly, for several days the light is bright enough to walk on roads w/o a light. Then it gets dark but get light after I have gone to bed. 29 degrees when I awoke this morning. Heater on low kept me toasty.
Got up and stowed the sleeping gear. My bed is hinged from the sidewall of the van that I lift up then secure w/ holding straps and then block up the bed to take the load off the hinges. The bed frame is like 36″ wide and 72″ long and made from oak planks making it a heavy lift. Sleeping stuff stowed then I bring out the breakfast stuff, fix bfast, eat, then clean up and put everything away. Then gear up for a ride. Everything is put away, when something is needed it is retrieved, used, then put away. Lots of set up and tear down. Truly a pull production system.
I waited till the sun cleared the peaks to the east and warmed the van. Today I needed to clear off the dried mud from yesterday using a brush and stick breaking clumps away. I left the mud on the tires to let the dirt abrade it away. Just a drop dead gorgeous day: chilly, blue skies, tacky tread, and I pedaled off to enjoy it. Be surrounded more like it. I rode from Democrat Gulch up Lambs Gulch then up 2 Dog, split off on Bulldog up and then finally down to Bulldog Connector over to 2 Dog down to gravel road back to to the van. 14.75 miles, 1946′ climbed in 2 hours. I rode everything but a switchback that I ran out of steam to make. Trails are mostly all hand built, purpose built, sustainable, all with rideable grades. Nothing technical. Seat dropper is cool by lowering the saddle allowing unencumbered movement swooping on downhills then raising the seat for the pedal uphill.
I didn’t encounter another rider until just before the end of my ride and then i ran into maybe 10. Just such a good day to be out riding.
My front wheel squeaked like a dry bearing. I fretted any damage I might be doing yet i pedaled on for my full ride. After I put the riding gear away I headed into Powerhouse to catch Josh, the wrench, to let him try his hand on seating the dust seals in the hub. He used a pick and seated the seal all around, Well done. Still there was a grating sound. Examination revealed worn interfaces on axle, possibly a warranty issue. Repair was on the house.
I missed the sheep festivities. I walked Main street down to S end of town thinking that was were the festival was. Wrong. Pleasant sidewalk. State law requires vehicular traffic to yield to pedestrians in a cross walk. Main st is 2 lanes each direction state highway . I made eye contact w/ the drivers b4 stepping off curb. A bit of a sport.
Such a beautiful day. Drove back out to camp spot then hiked out 4 miles of trail i rode this AM. Too beautiful to be inside and too full of energy to sit and read in the sun.
I heard a couple talk about how crowded greenhorn Gulch parking lot was which is where I rode yesterday. They left because of the full parking lot. I plan on riding there tomorrow meaning I need to be there mid morning. Forecast is for another nice day. Shower probability increases again on Monday.
Area around Kimberly and Indian Springs BLM land has a freeze forecast. Don’t want to ride there w/ freeze thaw mud. I don’t have a departure plan or a next ride. Snow has fallen but might melt out b4 real winter snow lands. Place is really pretty:
