Today I completed my drive to Idyllwild, CA. I was seeking The Hub, the bike shop in town. My drive was on rt 74. A sign on the side of the road announced the crossing of the PCT. I might have hiked this piece back in 1978 during my attempt to thru hike the PCT. Might have because back then the trail in these parts sometimes used farm roads. B4 Idyllwild I met up w/ Dave, who had a guide book as I lost mine several days ago when I slipped during a creek crossing in bare feet  slinging my guide book into the drink. By the time I crossed, dropped my pack, slipped on running shoes and fought brush downstream, the book had disappeared.  We were searching for trail markers finding none. Susie jumped out of a car driven by a friend who was dropping her off for her hike. I believe we all piled into that car and drove up to Idyllwild to find the trail. Somehow we lost Dave. Susie and I hiked north that took us back up in the mountains. We picked a closed FS XG for the night. Windy and chilly. We had dinner and hung out in a concrete outhouse which was more desirable than huddled in my small tent. But that was back in 1978, almost 35 years ago.

Today I drove into town. What a tourist economy, some arts also. I was focused on the bike shop. I found it. Brendan was open. We chatted, one subject was Sedona, that he had heard about thru Patrick. Sedona travels.

He told me to ride Hurley Creek to get feel for what this riding is about. I drove back down mtn to Hurley Creek county XG. $3 entry and access to coin shower. I asked for a map for the 24 hour race course. Woman attendant gave me a poor map w/ yellow high lighter to mark course. I asked if it was signed. No she said, there are so many bikes on it to just follow the tracks. I took off. She said it was 82 @ her local house. Pleasant ride in spite of temp which was tempered by gentle breeze. I came upon several intersections where tracks took different paths. I guessed and deduced from intent of map and route to make it back to park.

Along the way I came upon this tree:

I read about this natural store house while on the Crest. Woodpecker finds acorns w/ insect egg laid in it. A slightly larger diameter hole is pecked into the bark of the pine. The tree was high density storage. The acorn is inserted tip first exposing the cap end.

Trail tread is decomposed granite w/ a few tech moves on the exposed rock. I walked a few. Tight twisty  trail in places, come onto something after a blind entrance from a tight turn. Fall line eroded tread. 12.66 miles in 1:42 climbed 1639′.

Rides here a like long uphill road climb to ride down single track. Move over undulating Sedona for drop down long climbs. No red color either.

Camped @ a yellow post that the FS labels primitive camp spots. I rode by this spot and noticed the campers were packing up. I knew where I would stay. I rode back into park. The shower requires (2) quarters, one after the other for 3 mins. Could only add more time after the 3 mins were up. My first .50 went to running hot h2o out of nozzle. I am clean.

Drove out to spot # 3 which was still vacant. I’m in.

I attempted to load the CA Topo maps but an error said i needed a file that didn’t come w/ discs. Need mapping data.

Debating about riding Thomas mtn tomorrow and staying here again then visiting Turner on Tues.

I got to know more about  you, cemented friendships, made new ones, rode some new trail, rode more features but walked some of the same ones, and enjoyed myself. Sedona is like a home for me, this year I spent 115 nights in AZ, rode 73 times for 886 miles ( Sedona miles). Today I drove out of the canyon heading west to Pinyon Flat XG above Palm Desert in CA.

Yesterday was my last Bike and Bean shop ride and post ride revelry. I whiled away the day waiting for the 3:00 shop ride departure. Many of the core local riders made it.

Jimmy laid out a short tasteful ride to scratch reason to ride and not to killer to beat us down for the after ride socializing. We rode up Shades, for me the first time this year, nailed the slick rock blob in the wash. Getting better @ weight transfer forward after lifting the front wheel which is key to keep moving forward.

Thurs I made butter using 11 teaspoons of vaped greens and 1 stick of butter. Made 16 cocoa brownies that by numbers got almost 3/4 teaspoons of greens. I wanted to eat one after the ride. Wow. Fun hanging out @ shop. Several groups of conversation. One, Gene from Fruita, reminded we met and rode in Fruita. Light started burning brighter as the memory synapses arched. He traveled in a VW Westy and had just lost his cat of 19 years. I slept in the parking lot after the party broke up as my motor skills were deeply compromised.

The word Jingoism came into my mind. It calls to question the American flag wavers. I asked Jan to apply her iconic art style to a sign that I would put on the back of my van. She gave it to me as a present. Today b4 leaving I attached it:

I said Good Bye then pointed my van up out of Oak Creek Canyon heading west into CA. Today was a drive day. Very windy, at 1st dead on from the west that just buffeted me. Wheel ruts don’t seem to match my wheel width which causes me to wiggle. Add hard side gusting side winds I used up a good chunk of my lane on the interstate. Crossed CO river @ Parker into CA. Drove thru then above Palm desert to Pinyon Flat a FS XG, cost me $4. All day driving.

Tomorrow is into Idyllwild seeking riding.

The pictures on today’s blog were shot w/ Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS camera. This is to be better than my past Stylus

I made Danny’s house about 5 yesterday for a beer visit which turned into a long Danny evening. He fixed dinner. I said good bye as he  and Elli are leaving on their road trip on Thurs.

Drove out to Deer Pass. Chilly this AM that needed the heater for comfort. 40 degrees.

Plan was to ride about 10. I parked out on Dry Creek rd. A guy pulled his OR plate truck in behind me. He said hello and that he had talked to me @ Fruita and Bend. Drew a blank. He left to walk his new Lab dogs. I geared up and pedaled away. My memory cleared to remember Gary from Bend.  Caught up to him and chatted.

I rode Chuck Wagon out. Skies were dark and threatening that finally dropped graupel that didn’t stick. I carry either a wind or rain jacket in my pack. Today I kept the wind shirt that is not water proof. I put it on anyway to deflect the snow from sticking to my wool. B4 I got to Mescal the snow quit. I took off the jacket b4 climbing Aerie. temp was low enough to relish the wool long underwear top, knee socks, and the knickers.

On Aerie I photographed the poison oak location and plant:

Close up:

So aerie went to Cockscomb then down Rupp to AZ Cypress along dry Creek. somewhere Girdner joined in. The trail along the creek is mostly dry loose sand. I crossed this place back when it was running. Today it is its namesake:

I climbed out Anaconda back to Dry Creek road where I parked.

I developed this feeling that my air filters had not been changed for a long time. I stopped by Red Rock Precision where they work on my van. A wrench opened the air cleaner box and exclaimed it needs replaced. They ordered filters and I made an appointment for today after lunch. I replaced the engine and cabin filters, both were heavily dusted. He vacuumed dirt and rocks from the cabin filter box.

A shower @ Snap then a drive down to Bike and Bean to pick up my new Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS. Too tired this evening to learn its workings.

Forecasted temp tonight is right @ freezing. Flag is to be 20 degrees. I had planned on driving up to Flag and riding w/ Joe tomorrow but he might come down here for warmer temps. The heater is running as I type this.