Fri AM @ 7:33 was 14 degrees outside behind the Elephants Perch store and 46 inside. Plan Fri was to drive to a gravel parking lot to fix Bfast then drive to Adams Gulch for a ride. Then soak in a hot spring on Warm Springs rd then drive to Hailey to watch a cyclocross time trial and spend the night down here.
The combination of water vapor, as a by product of heater, meets the inside of a cold windshield it forms frost. The colder the outside air the further up the frost line is on the windshield.
I ran the engine and defrost many minutes before diving over to a skiers’ parking lot. The area was making snow.
About 10: I was geared up for riding Adams Gulch. Van thermometer read 20 degrees. I dressed for very cold weather: neoprene overbooties, insulated gloves, heavier wool underwear top, cap, insulated leg warmers, and knickers. I rode up creek on hiker packed frozen snow. The traction was good but pedaling it extracted more energy. The hikers’ tracks turned uphill onto south face where the snow was all but melted off, except for on the back sides of the bench cut tread. The outslope was more exposed to the solar heat thus melted out and already becoming greasy from freeze thaw mud. Plus the sun was heating things up, now I am over dressed and not able to adjust my coverings. I just rode slowly. Trail heavily used by women hikers walking their dogs off leash.
Back at the heated van. I headed out for Warm Springs road. Road is right along the flowing creek. The pavement ends @ edge of town. From there it was gravel w/ stutter bumps in both the frozen gravel or compact snow and ice. These conditions just stress the cabinet joints so I minimize the miles I drive on these roads. 6.5 miles to spring. Slow driving over the bumps. Whoa! The road was being reconstructed, the bed was large Idaho spud sized rocks sort of packed. Speed was all ahead 1/16 steam. Turning around would have meant 8 point turn around where it was possible that the outside road edges could be soft sinking me. I drove maybe 300 yards until I found a slightly wider spot where a berm deflected water off the road. Maybe 8 points to carefully jockey myself around. No hot spring soak.
Took a shower @ Y. Bought propane.
Drove to Elephants Perch for the shop to evaluate bushing wear in my fork. My front hub was sending signals to call service. Jason dealt w/ the seals and retaining rings. I flushed the hub w/ WD 40. Jason put it back together and I on the bike. Jason wiggled the fork and declared that the bushings were worn. Now I know. Jason is calling in a warranty claim for new lowers that will be shipped to Fruita, my next long stop.
I drove down to cyclocross venue in Hailey. Course uses a failed prepared housing development. 4:00PM and chilly enhanced by wind chill. This is a combination bike and beer event w/ many local brewers pouring their wares. I watched Mark complete his time trial. Very cold. I dressed in my heavy wool sweater and thick pile jacket under my rain parka. Biting cold. And people were drinking chilled beer.
I ate a Hailey Burrito @ a Mexican restaurant then walked 3 blocks to Power House for a beer and bar conversation. Tasty porter but no chatting. I parked @ the race venue.
Sat AM it was 22 degrees. I have been hanging inside waiting for 1:00 start of main race.
The weather is so much better back @ Indian Springs than here. I will drive back down there Sun then drive back Mon for eye appointment. I will be able to ride in just chilly clothes.
Thursday i drove up to Ketchum in front of Elephants Perch store. Kyle and Roger work there. Jason was there. I did lots of visiting. I called Mark D and we created a visit to Sun River brewery tap room. Mark and his wife Inia have personal mugs. Mark’s is number 3. They invited me to dinner.
Gotta go watch the race.