Yesterday I visited w/ Dave and Rebecca luxuriating in warming sun @ Dead Horse SP. Steve from Sun Valley is in town. We tried to pull a ride schedule together meeting each riders needs. No luck.

I drove into Sedona to meet Steve. He and I created our own schedule to ride the Soldiers wash trails. We rode N on Adobe jack and encountered freeze thaw mud and just straight mud in shady spots and sun warmed spots. Ick. Trails that faced south were for the most part dry. Steve is riding a Niner 29″ wheel. I’m on the tiny 26″. Nice day for ride. Steve hadn’t ridden since early Nov but XC skied so he had cardio but not spinning chops.

At ride’s end he drove down to VOC and his lodging and a shower. I hung in Sedona taking a shower @ Snap and a salad bar dinner @ New Frontiers. Later I went over to Danny’s to spend the night in his side yard. I visited inside for awhile. I returned to my van where I attempted to start my heater. No energy flame. Ohh oh, ran out of propane. All the suppliers in town were closed. Next effort was to drive to Cottonwood seeking an open service. None of them would pump propane after dark, all the places only had 1 clerk that had to stay inside. I returned to Danny’s and a cold night sleep. I emptied the pump in case the inside temp dropped low enough to freeze. I pulled out my 20 degree sleeping bag and put @ foot of bed incase my blankets needed help to keep me warm. Plan was to be up and at it right after 7:00 for the opening of the ACE hardware store just up the street. The inside temp didn’t drop below freezing. It was chilly. I made the propane refill right after 7. The fridge temp rose to 40 degrees so the food should be OK.

On my first arrival @ Danny’s my receiver went into death throes where it would not shut off then  it would not turn on. It wasn’t responding to the helm. My drive to Cottonwood and back was musicless. Back @ Danny’s after I crawled into bed the darn thing started cycling receiving XM and FM off and on. I couldn’t control reception or turn it off. I finally read the instruction manual on how to remove the face plate that killed it. Funny, this AM I replaced the face plate and the unit is working per instruction manual.

Monday AM I drug out my effort to leave Deer Pass camp and it cost me. A rap on the side of the van announced the presence of FS resource officer. We met either last year or before. We played cat and mouse w/ questions and answers. He asked how long I have been here. He didn’t ask where I had camped in the time. I have been in Sedona area for more than 14 days. Forest supervisor decreed that a person may not camp more than 14 days in 28 days in the entire forest. Alternative camping spots are required.

I drove down to BnB and hung until the 5:30 trail meeting.

The trail meeting was @ Ranger station. Joe from Flag and I greeted each other in the parking lot. Maybe 40 attendees most of whom I have met. Lars lead the meeting presenting the mtn bike side of the trail issue, mostly for a cooperative effort to stem the illegal trail construction and work to mitigate poor trail construction where required but not to close the entire trail. The FS has known about mtn bikes and trails for 15 years but have not created a travel management plan or built any trails. the mtn bikers filled the need by constructing or riding in trails to meet the riding public. Jennifer, the recreation director, presented FS data on trails and why a closure must occur to allow the FS to assess existing social trails for adoption or closure. Heather, the Ranger , said that a closure proposal is in the works. Closure would last for a year which would prohibit bikes from riding on non system trails. This is also an attempt to stop / catch the illegal trail builders. The efforts of a few punish thousands. What she does w/ the bikers’ ideas and comments remains to be seen.

After the meeting I spoke w/ Mike, the LEO, about my camping. I am not sure about camping on the forest. Mike said that as he patrols the camp spots he records plates for a data line.

Last night I camped outside BnB. 20 degrees this AM.

Today I am meeting Rebecca at 1:00 at the Cultural park. Thought was to ride Hiline from sedona side of Oak Creek which needed to be crossed. There is a failed development that built a bridge over the creek that would keep our feet dry but add miles to the ride and cross private signed property. The other choice is Pink Feet (Red Rock) crossing where the flowing water is above the ankle deep. Wet cold feet during the crossing. Trails are drying out from snow on Sun and freeze thaw mud. Hiline is east facing that holds the cold that might mean more grease tread. I proposed Dry Creek area to ride on new to her rerouted trails. Good plan. Dave dropped her off and I drove us out to Chuck wagon TH area. This trail had greasy freeze thaw mud in places. Gunslinger on was dry. Some griping aired after the FS rerouted the trail to correct unsustainability issues. Sure, it is not as chunky and not down the fall line. Here Rebecca rides the new trail. Notice the concave shape of the trail from bike wheels. Next is pic of old trail drop which is above the reroute:

Long ride of 2 hrs 22 mins for 15.3 miles.  Bikes were not overly muddy, what was stuck to Rebecca’s bike while carried on my bed room carpet.

I drove us down to Dead Horse SP where she is camped. The off duty camp ground host flagged us down then lead me to their pick of a camp site. $15 for a tent spot right near the heated restroom w/ showers. I took a shower and managed to prepare my dinner and eat b4 Obama’s state of the union address that I listened to on XM. I am a liberal and he spoke to me. Let’s get it done.

Steve from Sun Valley called saying he just arrived in VOC. Tomorrow we will plan a ride.

Temps are warming sucking up the moisture from the trails.

Sun I put on the castor oil on my shoulder. Nauseous during the night and into the next day. I prefer the cumacin. I believe there is structural damage that I don’t want to learn about.

Last evening Jimmy told me that his gf Jan was the featured artist @ Indian Gardens up Oak Creek Canyon and that they were going up there for the evening. Jimmy spoke highly of the place. I chose to join them. Snow had been falling through out the day w/ little sticking. Driving up canyon 89A was clear until after Midgley bridge when slush appeared between the wheel base. Snow was on the ground @ the place. Topsiders and snow are not the most secure match as I slid to the front door. Also going on was a chocolate and wine pairing opportunity that cost money to partake. I bought a chocolate from the chocolateer who was present. 60% single country crop. Some things are expensive compared to what you get. Mike, the FS LEO, found me. We talked about trails etc. I learned that he and his wife in their early days road tripped in a VW Westy. On one hand he is law enforcement when in uniform and a cop when dressed. Jimmy texted his shop rider distribution list that several core riders responded to.  I left around 9:30 to drive back to Deer Pass camp. I drove out of the snow. West Sedona was snow free which is unusual as usually VOC is snow free and Sedona is snowed. Deer Pass was dry.

I missed the Zags’ game. Once in town I queried my Android and read they won. Three teams above their 6th ranking lost. Poll results on Monday might be exciting.

On Sunday I listen to classic music on XM instead of replays of programs earlier. That means I don’t set the alarm and wake up when I feel like it. Today I made it till 8:05.

I checked the weather forecast that forecast snow showers mainly after 11:00AM. I fixed bfast of French toast using backyard fresh eggs, cleaned up, and stowed for travel then drove out Dry Creek road. Plan was to ride Chuck wagon etc out to Mescal then figure how to climb back out of Dry creek drainage staying out of the possible mud. Chuck Wagon was tacky w/ little slick mud. Cast in foot prints from perhaps yesterday when the dirt was really wet. Shitty hiking. I encountered 2 hikers and 2 bikers. I left Mescal and rode Canyon of Fools. I crossed the road and lost my way as I was trying to find Anaconda to ride back to my van. I found Snake for the climb out. Back @ the van around 1:00. Light snow was falling.

I drove back into town to Snap for a shower. Snow fall increased and the wind picked up for a classic blizzard, only no snow stuck.

I drove over to Bashas for groceries as they have 1554 beer I like. I spotted Dave and Rebecca walking into the store. We chatted  then made plans to reconvene @ a coffee shop. Later over coffee and stories Rebecca and I made plans for a Tues ride. Monday is calling for more snow.

Last night Elli told me about turmeric for shoulder pain. I stopped @ New Frontiers to shop. A clerk told me about Curamin that I bought. Before dinner I took 1; shortly the pain went away. Pain is back now @ 9:00PM.

Tomorrow evening is the trail access meeting.

I need 26 more rides to reach 1000 rides since I left my house back in July 2008. Sometime in March. Celebration.