Fri. night I slept @ spot off Democrat. Several rigs drove past after dark going up gulch perhaps to party which caused concern for me if somebody decided to have some drunken fun w/ me on their way out. Whatever happened I slept thru it. The sun goes behind the peaks about 8:30 but the day’s heat lingers for hours later. Bedtime around 11:00 is hot enough for just a flannel sheet but by maybe 3 AM the summer blanket and just a short while later almost the down blanket. But it is a dry heat and I don’t sweat the sheet.
So, Sat I was going to ride the Croy Canyon trails from camp spot. The sun rose to cloudless skies, no wind, and rising temps. I decided that I would seek shade and ride the Greenhorn Imperial loop which I did. Those trails are drying out and becoming dusty. Greenhorn is just above the creek bed under the most shade which holds moisture in the trail the longest but it is drying out. I am hoping to be here after a nice rain to ride “tack” conditions.
I set the solar shower on the hood of the van facing the sun which assures the greatest heat up take. I took a parking lot shower w/ warm h20 while being cooled off by the dry wind.
Steve, I viewed the first season of Justified. The movie store is saving the 2nd season for me that I will prolly pick up today. I stayed up late 2 nights watching it.
My breathing or lack of it continues to dismay me. Yesterday I took an evening hit of the Advair hoping that improvement would occur just for normal unstressed breathing. There was some relief. This AM I added a hit of albuterol which helped considerably.
Jimmie from Bike and Bean in Sedona said he will not be making Sun Valley. Life allows for choices.
Today I am taking a rest day after 4 days of riding. I will drive back to Ketchum to a book store to pick up Jess Walter’s The Financial Lives of Poets. I will find a shaded quiet spot to read.
Presently I am parked on the street here in Hailey under the shade of a Chinese elm.
I am thinking of heading to Montana for August. Chip told me about a ride around Lionhead just outside West Yellowstone. Map made by Will @ Beartooth Publishing in Bozeman. I supplied Will w/ Sedona gps data for his Sedona map. I called him several days ago to order his map. He said that his ribs are just now healed after his fall on our Sedona ride back in March. He said that the rides are in grizzly country and solo riding is not the best riding partner. But then where the forest fires are will affect my ride choice.
July 9 was the 5 year anniversary of being Home Free. I have lived exclusively since in my van.
Sat I defrosted my freezer. I discovered that the AC function doesn’t work which meant that the lesser efficient propane energy source was used to cool which took longer to drop the temp to 35 degrees.
Temp here is still in the upper 80s.
Off into the heat.
Craig, Sun Valley sounds nice. Gloria and I are thinking about doing McCall then Sun Valley in September or possibly just Moab area. You’ll have to let me know the trails you recommend. Thought you would want to know. Tom Z was riding with Cal and a couple other friends this weekend and bit it pretty bad. He has a broken collar bone, couple cracked ribs, and a mild concussion. Chemistry is his friend for the near future until he starts to mend. You might give him a call tomorrow.
Every day I come in to work in an artificially lighted building during these beautiful summer days seems a waste. A year or two and I think I’m going to hang it up. We’re riding this afternoon. Take care. Les
Took a crash that has altered near term plans. Riding out recovery not working and befriending pain meds. Just takes time. Everything else is good.