Yesterday my Sedona primary care giver accessed the bump on my back as the blog title. I was exhibiting infection signs. I laid face down on the table and he used my back for a table for his work. A lydocane injection into the cyst and once numbness set in he cut into the sucker. He extracted a bunch of goop then inserted a wick saturated in antibiotic, bandaged it, sent a script to local Walgreens, told me to check back today for wound care, and I went on my way. The wound still hurts almost as much as b4 cutting. Today I ride if I can accept the pain from the pack contacting the wound. Everything is looking forward to cure. Today he said infection sign is way lessened.

Did my wash yesterday b4 DR.

Yesterday was Gonzaga’s first game in the NCAA March Madness, they a number 1 seed and top ranked team in the country playing against a 16 seed, they were favored by 22 points. Tough scrap for a 4 point win. I watched it @ Old Sedona. Don’t want to be a naysayer but the Zags are perhaps over rated. Wash my fingers w/ soap for saying that. They move to the next round of 32 on Sat.

Drove down to VOC to Jimmy & Jan’s. Visited and then invited for dinner. I drank 2 tequila drinks Jimmy made. I spent the night in the driveway across the street.

Wed Joey and I rode the Soldier Wash trails. I took him on Bird Cage. I should have worn armor to protect my legs from all the scratchy things I rode by. 9.64 miles in 1 hr 26 mins climbing 1363′. All but Bird Cage are system trails. We encountered 3 touron rookie riders that I took the opportunity to instruct on front brake use to prevent skidding the rear wheel that ruts out the trail. More rookie riders need that lesson. Joey works for Oak Creek brewery where one of his employee perks is free beer, he treated me to one.  Then back out to ever crowding Deer Pass.

I am still pedaling in the mid chain ring and getting stronger. The gear is harder to crank than granny ring but the payoff is I am able to lift the front wheel so much easier and I don’t spin out. Mid chain ring and largest gear in cluster is like 4th gear in gear inches. I ride the largest 3 gears called 1, 2, and 3. With the mid chain ring the gear combo is called 2_ 1 for largest gear. 2_2 for 2nd largest, etc. Gearing also controls my breathing. I am getting much better utilizing what the bike is designed to do.

My sister Lynn bought plane tickets and made hotel reservations for April 11 to 15, flying in and out of Phoenix. She reminded me that last year @ same time she suffered thru snow. Ah, desert weather.

My plan then is to drop her off @ the airport and drive down state to Patagonia, a stone’s throw from Mexico, to ride Kentucky Camp, an IMBA epic. That will happen if the temps are not summer desert hot. From there I will scoot over to Lower SoCal to ride Noble Canyon also an epic. Then continue heading North. Going to check out visiting Turner bike company NE of LA.

Sedona life is comfortable as I know my way around. I am part of the local mtn biking scene. Being part is so much different than a touron here for several rides and gone. Settling in after 4 winters here.

Last night @ J & J’s away from the shop we conversed at length and depth which is what I like.

Today is a BnB shop ride @ 3 then post ride hanging out.

Yesterday just got lost. A shower, groceries, camp. No repeat of the rat. Oh, because I camped in another location.

Today was dentist teeth cleaning. Hygienist about my age, spent time in the hey day in Berkley. Adventurer. Meet an interesting person and she keeps my mouth busy.

I had been thinking about this ride for some time and today I pulled it off. I started from the recycle center riding system trails until I hit Bike Path in a wash, crossed a system trail, then picked up another wash. When I reached the huge dirt pile I climbed up to Radar then rode down Under the Radar and some more Under Under… the radar to Chavez ranch rd.  A short rd piece to system trail that lead to Hurkinham to climb out of valley to High School. Special Ed takes off behind the HS and undulates down canyon then up to the shoulder of Pyramid. Today I sucked it up and rode and walked Witch Doctor around Pyramid to pick up social trail connecting w/ Ramshead out to Chavez ranch rd. I took Ridge up to Sketch to its reconnect w/ ridge, then system trails back to recycling. 13.90 miles in 2 hrs 13 mins, climbing 1926′. Amazing in that the ride high point was 4590′ and low was 4000′ two drops and 2 climbs back out. My 2013 AZ map shows miles of red trails. All by myself. New carsonite posts w/ hand lettered wording to stay on trail where social trail leaves a system trail. Perhaps in preparation of closure order. Not illegal to travel cross country while riding these trails. Great ride, still riding in middle chain ring.

75 dry degrees during the ride.

My sister Lynn is visiting again next month. She is into the vortex and mystical stuff. Woman comes from the corn fields of Ohio to crazy red rock.

Thank all of you for your congrats.

Here’s to everybody to make sure they get some life of their own. 56 months of my own life. It has been and is great. It’s my time.

No pics today as I just pedaled focusing on the ride.

Made a steamed salmon, sweet potato, broccoli dish that was yummy and now the kitchen needs cleaning. Sitting here w/ the side door open enjoying a slight breeze. Still warm enough to allow outdoors inside.

Over.

I made it. yesterday the goal setting ride was scheduled for 1:00 from Bike and Bean. Friends Danny, Dave, and Joey joined me on the last H ride, Hiline. Dangerous Dave fell into our ride. On successive days I rode each H: Hogs, Hangover, and Hiline. Another rider rode up while we were on the pedestal to take a group pic:

Pic of Dave, aka Beernuts rolling start of Baldwin roll in:

I rode into the parking lot behind Dave and Joey. Dave had a roll of yellow plastic tape used to close off construction access which was stretched across my finish track. I caught it at neck height. Safely someone let go of a tape end to prevent being clothes lined.

So it is done: 1000 rides in like 1,700 days. In March I rode 14 out of 17 days just to get this goal in the can. I am celebrating today w/ a rest day. But I took out the 4 road rides and the 3 weeks riding the wind trainer while recovering from the broken collar bone from the ride total but not the number of days.

Yesterday afternoon was Rick’s 67th birthday party @ his house. I made my Waldorf knock off salad while parked in his drive way.

Afterwards I drove out to sleep @ Beaverhead. Around 2:30 AM I was awakened to sounds almost underneath my head. WTF? Someone trying to break in? That thought left quickly being replaced by acceptance that a pack rat had found an entry and was chewing on the newspaper I placed between the bed pedestal and the van body. I punched the body several times hoping the noise would send the critter back to the wilds. Not so. I got out of bed and hoisted the bed upright then stepped outside to find a stick that I could poke down into the paper to drive it away. The rat headed my pokes and vacated my home. There must be an engineered opening I need to find and plug w/ steel wool.

My shoulder is almost pain free. However when I move it in some directions I hear and feel grating sounds, crepitis, worn parts perhaps. I am able to do the one exercise that caused pain. May no repair surgery be required.

Thanks to every one who has helped me.