This AM I had an appointment @ N Division at first to tear my rear hub apart thinking that is where i had a skritch coming from. However, I changed out my drive train thus eliminating the hub sound. Barry checked my bike over and discovered the derailleur hanger screws were loose. I checked them during the skritch and found them tight. He tightened them and cleaned up the headset. I rode Beacon and Sekani today and the bike was stealth quiet.

I parked @ Esmeralda golf course parking lot right @ the start of the Esmeralda climb up to Beacon: 1.56 miles in 18 mins climbed 553′ on old purpose built trail. Hump right from the start. Several people said that new trails were being built @ county owned Camp Sekani which is on the other side of the gulf. The news was correct and I was not prepared for the excellent design and execution of these new trails. Climbing turns up and bermed on the way down. Sustainable. Even the knapweed is drought affected. Loose sand dirt. Down low is a section of fearsome ramps made of dirt that would shoot an experienced rider way up in the air w/ enough velocity to return to earth on the back side of the adjoining ramp. Different kind of riding… and skill and commitment.

This is a collective map of trails ridden over time: ( left click on the image and it enlarges)

Lots of riding in a small area.

Dinner again out behind Yokes grocery store. Laundry tomorrow then a big ride @ Riverside attempting to connect all these new trails I have ridden into the old known ones.

Hot and dry w/ smoke in the air. 80%+ relative humidity @ 7:00AM, by noon it is less than 20%. My skin is drying out.

This AM I received word from the heart DR nurse that 24 hrs of heart function data gathering revealed only a lower than expected heart rate that has to be caused by my strenuous mtn biking and not a health issue. Great news. However, sometimes something else is going on that has not been identified. Cross off the heart as its source, maybe flat feet?

I made Mon a rest day. Jeff, my former PT treated me to lunch.

I slept @ Liberty Lake horse TH and shared it w/ stink bugs like I used to get at my old house. The insect, hence its name, squirts a noxious stream when threatened and the odor lingers long after the threat. Several flew inside my van. Don’t squish them inside. At my house I had a dust buster like vacuum that I sucked them into. I stepped on several outside the van to no harm. I am still removing them parked here on South Hill as they itched a ride from this morning.

This evening friend Tom will lead me on a High Drive ride then fix dinner. Tom is storing my mementos in his basement. Tonight I search for a book that has a house design I am intrigued by as a possible house to build. Search of my stuff did not turn up my book. However our dinner and evening was great connecting.

High Drive is a steep hillside on the west end of Spokane created by the flood waters of the Missoula ice dam. Slope angle has to be in excess of 40 degrees. There is a myriad of trails crossing the side slope. Keep your eyes on where you are going to avoid a tumble down slope.

I plan on leaving Spokane on Monday for Echo, OR. However, smoke is a very real concern. No rain is forecast this week for anywhere West. Even the coast is dry. My skin needs moisturizing.

Riverside State Park rides:

Yesterday evening Randy and Lisa treated me to randy’s fresh caught salmon & halibut. Lisa made plum desert w/ real whipped cream. I made my classic Craig Waldorf salad and treated w/ moonshine. More salad was consumed that the later sipped. I have known Randy and Lisa for years as we have back country skied and biked. I slept in their driveway in preparation for a ride @ Riverside. City sleeping. A short sprinkle hit the van roof that sat me up in bed. I stumbled out and put the cover over the bikes. Unfortunately the sprinkle remained just that.

This AM our ride was Riverside from Bowl and Pitcher. Joining were Mars, and Tom and Kelly. Again history mates. I am the oldest by not much, we are all age affected. Yet still get after it. I learned more new trails. The park is riddled w/ social trails creating a spaghetti gps ride tracks. Rake and ride or better yet, scratch out the trail then get several horses to step it in. 2 hours of chasing each other. There is a large rock on the side of the trail. Going downstream like we did it presents a diving board launch. Tom was right in front of me. he chose the rock but oversteered his landing and wiped out almost under my front wheel. I made the jump cleanly and reflexively steered away from his prostate body. He picked himself and finished the ride. Good spin ride in the park w/ long time old friends.

I took a shower in the XG then joined the others @ another crazy pizza place.

I bid adieu and drove to N Div to drop off my bike only the shop is closed on Sunday. I replaced my chain, cassette, and chain rings in the parking lot. I still have the same skritch on pedaling.

Pic above is a test to verify that the image can be enlarged.

Back to Bill’s for the night.