Fri Am I drove into town to a gas station and bought the Phoenix paper that I usually read. I drove back to Cultural Park on the western edge of town to read it. Shortly a SUV pulled in beside me and 2 women got out. They asked if I was part of the Better Ride class. Wow! I knew there was a class in town this weekend but heard it was being taught by Jackie and not Gene the owner. They left and found the group. I waited awhile then drove down to a lower parking lot where I saw 7 mtn bikers in what appeared to be a teaching formation. Yes it was the class being instructed by a man. I sat on a rock and listened and watched. Same material I learned 2 years ago. They pedaled up the hill I greeted then asking if it was Gene. He said yes. I wanted to chat w/ him @ a break. They regathered then he kept lecturing. Finally he spoke out and asked me to leave as my being there made him self conscious. I left never meeting him.
Friday was Bike and Bean shop ride @ 3. My new receiver is out for delivery on UPS. I was at the shop when the box arrived. Eagerly I checked out the contents. I unplugged the pigtail harness and looked @ the new unit’s inny. No way, not a plug and play as I was told by Crutchfield. I called and spoke w/ customer service to learn of installers in the area. She could only tell me there was one in Cottonwood. I spoke w/ the tech staff about my discovery hoping they would manage the info for future use. I called the shop and made a Monday appointment thinking that I would ride on Sat and not make it down to his shop.
The shop ride consisted of the core group riders. A route was finally suggested and we pedaled off. Plan was to ride Shades to HT up to Chicken Point, ride Broken Arrow down to Hog Wash over to Mystic. I was at my usual far back off position. This distance allows for the dust to settle.
Duane’s rear tire was soft causing us to stop while he pumped air into it:
Up on HT there is a rock ramp that stymies most riders, me included, I always walk it up. Today it got all of us:
Back @ the shop beer flowed as did stories. All the normal patrons kept laughter flowing until almost 8:00 w/ no food. I left and drove down to PJs for the chicken salad.
I drove out to Beaverhead for the night.
The new receiver is installed and what i hear is coming from it, not inside my head. I was soundless for a week, the silence was hard to take. Music fills the air inside the green pickle.
During Friday’s ride I did not take any electrolytes, just drank h2o. Sometime during the night I awoke in a partial leg stretch, before I could call it off cramps started happening throughout bot legs. nauseous to almost vomiting. I quelled my stomach and relaxed my legs. I lay back in bed then I heard it: a scratching sound from under my bed: a pack rat was checking me out, maybe the same one previous as I am staying in the same spot. Dunno. I lifted up and fastened the bed then rolled out pieces of newspaper and forced them down the gap between the bed pedestal and the wall. The rat left. In the future i will park somewhere else.
In the AM my legs were still traumatized by the cramps. Today became a rest day. I drove to uptown for Bfast w/ Danny @ Wildflower. Times w/ Danny, might have been our last b-fast until I return this upcoming winter.
I phoned the stereo installer in Cottonwood finally just after 10 opening. I rescheduled my Monday appointment to just as soon as I could get to his shop. I fretted thinking that other customers would be there which might make for a long wait. I was the only customer, he opened his door after arriving @ his shop after me. Ah, sounds.
I drove back to Sedona. I decided to wash my WingNut hydration pack to free the stiff straps from the crusted sweat. Nice and clean and soft.
I drove out to Deer Pass and scored a choice spot. I hung the pack from a mirror on the sunny side of the van, it was completely dry by sunset: low humidity and hot temps.
Sunday is Johnny’s garage ride leaving sometime between 9:30 and 10. I parked @ Recycle Center on a level spot instead of uphill @ his garage. As I was getting ready my phone rang. I ordered a new camera on line and a salesman was calling. Seems I did not order the better more expensive battery and chip. I thought I did. I maybe didn’t do due diligence or it was part of their business to fleece the customer for more $. I opted for upgrades. As a result I was tarty in leaving for the ride. i looked up @ Johnny’s and all the riders were gone. Dropped before I took one pedal. I headed up into west Sedona. I concocted my own ride. Danny and I finally connected to learn they went the other way thus I would not join them. I rode Teacup then up to end of Jordan then down to Sacred Pools. Jordan out to Ant Hill loop continuing till i hit Javalina to descend to highway.
I made it back to the van riding on city streets. A shower @ Snap and a short drive out to deer pass. Scored the same choice spot.
Tomorrow 8AM is follow up w/ ortho DR about my right shoulder. I have free range of motion but some moves created crepitus. I’m glad i am not doing manual work.