I picked up Lynn @ Rock Springs Cafe after my BCT ride on Fri. Great to spend next 3 days w/ her. She visited last year same time, this year the weather was hot and sunny. She believes in vortexes. Fri night we drove up to Airport mesa to check out vortexes one on mesa and another one on a mound part way up the mesa. It’s after dark. Nothing happening @ airport. We drove down to lower one. Small gravel pull out. Only ones there. Dark. Turned on flashlights to search for vortex which is hard to do when you don’t know when you arrived @ one. Nothing tonight. Dinner @ Piccaso.
Sat AM I fixed oatmeal in my kitchen. We drove up canyon to Garland / Indian Gardens for lunch. I met 2 riders from Flag returning up canyon after their ride. We drove further up canyon to west fork of the creek. Paid $9 to park. Trail up creek is a spectacular canyon. Pics are too large to upload. drove back into town eventually joining Danny for dinner.
Sun AM I picked Lynn up from her resort and drove up to Cultural park a short distance away to share oatmeal bfast again. After bfast clean up 4 mtn bikers drove up. Dave, Don, Roger, and Joel. I negotiated a ride escape from Lynn. She walked back to her room and I headed off. She was thrilled to see us riders preparing for a ride. She had never seen me do the same. Dave and Don rocketed off. Roger is 73, he insisted that he ride last. I am not accustomed to someone riding behind me. Joel needed to be back @ TH by 12:30 which was sort of my time also so we managed our time to comply.
On Aerie we stopped. A green shimmering plant caught my eye:
I was a bit later meeting Lynn. She needed new foot wear. We stopped @ an outdoor store where she bought a fancy pair of teva sandals.
Newly shod she sought to check out their performance on a scramble up Bell Rock where there is a zodiac. friction and crack climbing ever upwards until an exposed class 3 pitch awaited. She decided it was beyond her ability and I did not encourage any further ascent. Beautiful day.
We down climbed then drove down Verde Valley rd to the west side of Cathedral rock to watch the setting sun on the massive. Somewhere there is a vortex. Pretty light show. We drove back in darkness to Cacina rustica for a light dinner. recognized our server as John who I rode w/ 2 weeks prior. Drove back to Sedona, we stopped to buy ice cream to go w/ a piece of pie from Rock Springs cafe. I took a shower then drove back out to Deer Pass. Today I gathered her up then drove south on I-17 back to Rock Springs where her friend Carrie picked her up to drive her to the airport in Phoenix. Very strong winds both ways. The van blows around which enlivens the driving.
I drove back to VOC. I hung for awhile @ BnB. Scott says my reverb seat dropper is sluggish that means overhaul. He said parts are $50 as is labor. The shop likes KS seat dropper. I considered buy one but none are to be had thru their supply chain.
Drove out to Beaverhead. strong winds continue to rock me. Forecast for tomorrow is 20 to 30 mph winds. Gotta get ride in in AM.
Will say that the new Formula T1 front brake is jaw dropping powerful, I can lock up the front wheel w/ 1 finger. seems to have sufficient modulation.
I now have a 2.4 on the front and a 2.2 on the back. I am learning how the tires establish traction. I seem to go faster that with the 2.4 on the rear. Bike build is over kill for some trails I will ride.
I believe in vortexes too, but we call them Dust Devils ’round here.