Vicious cold snap dropped temps into lower teens since Sat AM when it was 15 degrees @ 7:50 AM @ Deer Pass camp spot. The propane infrared heater was on full blast warming the van interior to 47 degrees. Sun it was 13 degrees, Mon it was 16, Tues it was 15. Today morning temp was 23 degrees and inside was 54. I kicked off a layer of the down blanket during the night as I was too warm. I chose not to ride Mon & Tues because of the cold high 30s ride temp and the forecast was for warming during the week. Sunday forecast calls for 61 degrees. I am able to wait for more pleasant conditions. I parked my Pisgah jersey in favor of my heavier wool sweater. The ski hat stayed on my bald head keeping me warm.
Yesterday I visited the Well Red Coyote bookstore in west Sedona where I let Joe, the owner, lead me thru a book choice. I gave him my read Hannah Coulter book and he discounted the price of Sudden Country. Local privilege.
Local touch granted to me: Sedona Memories sandwich shop & Fat Tire.
Same crowd @ Deer Pass.
Saw Quentin from OTE in Hurricane down for their group fest.
Liveable temp this AM. Clear blue skies, calm wind. I’m up for a ride. I drove to Cultural Center across from the high school. Plan is to ride 2 non system trails, last Frontier and Western Civ to Cockscomb to Aerie connecting w/ Cockscomb again, turning onto Dawa, then right on AZ Cypress to Girdner to climb back out of Dry Creek to the van. Solo ride and saw only 1 person. 15.58 miles in 2 hrs 16 min climbing 1882′. Just hard to beat.
Cats claw bushes justify their name:
First rule when brush against a branch: stop. Pulling only drives the hooks in deeper.
The scenery is so varied but the common color is red:
Warm day, I saw 57 degrees in the sun after my ride. I let the sun warm my van w/o the heater running. Pleasant. I still wear a light wool long underwear top under a short sleeve jersey, knickers w/ knee socks but summer weight long fingered gloves. My ride coursed thru sun and shade. I was slightly warm but relished the clothing when in the shade.
Drove into town to Snap for a shower and visit w/ Jason @ his water store. I buy his home raised chicken eggs. At Snap I said “Hello” to the ER DR who has treated me over the years.
Back out @ Deer Pass spot to same crowd.
On Mon the PT evaluated my shoulder pain: strained bursal from the over zealous effort during the fitness class exercises. She gave me a stretch band and 2 exercises to do. So far the pain is lessening.