But then you knew that.

Yesterday I drove out to the N end of bangtail divide on the gated road. About 3:30 AM I heard an ATV engine then saw lights. two machines, 2 operators were trying to open the lock keeping the gate closed.They fused. I didn’t know who they were or their purpose. I kept an ear open. Communication between the 2 and someone on a radio established that they were official. I asked if I was OK, they asked I back away from the gate. Apparently some trail runners got lost up on the mountain and they were part of the SAR. No correct key to open the locks. One ATV was 4X4 track, the other was conventional which they managed to squeeze around the barricade. I crawled back under the covers. Towards daylight a diesel pickup parked w/ the tailpipe aimed @ an awning window. The exhaust became my clean air. I closed the window, finally the driver returned and drove away. After bfast I drove down to the Brackett TH for my ride start. The entrance was closed by SAR as a helicopter would be landing depositing the rescued runners. Soon a chopper did land raising a violent dust storm from the rotor wash, later the parking lot was opened. I said Hello to several rescuers, one apologized for waking me. The runners were stuck out over night.

My ride today was to test my upper body. The route was about 1/2 of Bangtail going up Olson Creek instead of Stone creek @ the S end. I would be on pavement for about 4.5 miles, then another 4 climbing a RER leading to about 6 miles of the divide. My rear tire held air after the speedy downhill. The climb up the gravel road was OK. Then the divide down. Yesterday I installed my new T1 Formula brake on the rear using the local library parking lot as my work area. After what adjustments I was able to make I was not able to bring the brake pads in as close as I like. However, the brake easily locks up the rear wheel, which is easy to do. The brake does have a smooth feel. I adjusted the front brake to agree w/ the pull of the rear. I can count on consistently locking up rear wheel which I used to help make the switchback turns. I scurried down back to the van and a cold beer.

My shoulder still hurts and sometimes doesn’t allow me to sleep even after a dose of pain med. I rode today w/o any abuse. I am getting greater range of motion and strength after doing exercises. It’s still fucked but maybe not as bad as I feared.

I finished my ride. I made a list of chores and groceries to buy in preparation of upcoming W Yellowstone rendezvous. Next is diesel and then a soak in the hot spring resort.

I am planning on driving part way to W Yellowstone this afternoon staging myself for a ride tomorrow then meet Spokane folks Sun night.

Hailey and Ketchum are still threatened by the fire burning just W of main valley highway. Fire appears to burning what Castle Rock back in 2007 missed. Lost are all the front country trails just N of Hailey. 68,000 acres. Lower hill slopes are sage brush that will burn quickly and hot. Expensive houses snuggled in the gulches vegetated by sage desert.

This day in history 44 years ago: Woodstock. I was a tallyman for a timber cruiser on the Umpqua NF, Toketee RS, Diamond Lake district. I was helping set up timber harvest of virgin old growth while Santana played.

If you have been to Hailey / ketchum area you know of the terrain, trails, vegetation, and the very expensive houses affected by this fire. The fire is burning up the forest not burned by the 2007 Castle Rock fire. Town of Ketchum is on pre evacuation alert. 68,000 acres and burning. I wonder if the private jets have been flown from the Hailey airport. May everybody remain safe.

I left the day it started.

Yesterday I drove back from Helena to Bozeman. My shoulder needed recovery and the best way to do that was to drive away from the riding. My new T1 Formula brake was sent to Will’s office here and Bozeman is on the way to W Yellowstone for riding next week.

I rode 2 rides @ Helena, a short one the first day there up Waconda and Stairway to Heaven down. A new Conti 2.2 Trail King was on the rear wheel. What fun! Good traction that the new tire just hooked up on. Then 2 days ago I rode a longer loop of 11.76 miles climbing 1981′ on trails just out from historic downtown. Up MT Ascension then back up Rodney ridge. Rode very strongly. On the uphill I misplayed a climbing turn and stalled which separated man and machine. During the attempt to save myself I  pushed / pulled on the handle bar and heard / felt 2 pops from my shoulder. Not good. I finished the ride; however, the recovery 12ozer had to be hoisted by my left arm.

Yesterday I called the ortho in Ketchum and DR Cody in Spokane seeking the earlier repair date. Cody was 1 week earlier, I will see Bob on 8/26. With the fires around Ketchum Spokane is the better deal. The pain pills just take the edge off the pain.

Today I installed the new T1 Formula rear brake. It appears that I will ride  tomorrow and test it out. Today just slipped by. Smokey here in Bozeman.

Yesterday I visited the Hot Springs resort that honors the health program thru the insurance company. I found a hot pool to sit in. I made 5 mins b4 my body rebelled. The max 106 degrees was way too hot for my body under the influence of pain med.

Moving on.

I rolled into town sat afternoon. Bob from Chip’s shop told me about Leverich, I parked @ Rosauers on the west end of town and researched the trail. I found how to get there which is S of town. The last mile to the TH goes thru private property w/ no road maintenance, once I got on the lane I couldn’t go back. Shit, the road going in was rougher than the actual ride, or so it seemed. The weather forecast called for T-storms and the sky looked like it might happen. There were several cars in the lot, one young guy was leaving ahead of me. He took a pic of the route descriptions that I briefly read: turn left @ first intersection then right @ every other one. The ride started w/ a steep climb up a 2 way. I humped it. It was great again to be riding on dirt for good traction. The trail climbs to a high point then viola, it goes back down another way: the trail is a one way use it. And down I went, bermed turns, great sight lines. And then I was back at my van, 52 min round trip w/a 1449′ climb.

I checked out shower places. I found an Anytime Fitness and used my key card that didn’t open the door. A guy was walking in and he let me in.

I ate dinner @ Aleworks downtown then drove out to the N end of Bangtail Divide trail and slept in the parking lot.

Sunday @ the TH I hoped for a shuttle ride down to the S start of Bangtail. No deal. I rode the 7 miles of pavement and 1.2 miles of gravel to the start. On the pavement I hit 38mph gravity assisted of course. Shortly after the max speed I noticed that my bike felt squirrely. I stopped and checked the tire inflation: the rear was very soft. I pumped it up w/ my hand pump I carry. No explanation for pressure drop. The tire held air the entire ride. Today I rode the entire trail except for 2 short steep rocky sections towards the end that I didn’t want to expend the energy to make. The last 4 miles are almost all downhill and I made the most of each foot of drop.Seat dropper down, crouch, look ahead, stay light and let gravity pull me down. What fun. Back in the TH there were other cars, riders just start later than I did. 30.93 miles in 3 hrs 39 mins climbing 4143′. A doozy. Third time I have ridden it. It is now an IMBA epic and I was curious how it might have changed: none.

I spent the night on a dead end gravel road nearby.

Today was a catch up internet day, this being one. I made an appointment w/ my friendly ortho DR in Spokane to look @ my shoulder. Next step is an MRI to learn if rotator damage has taken place. I got to know as my right arm doesn’t work pain free.

Friend randy from Spokane is arriving tonight on business then tomorrow driving up to Helena which mirrors my travel plan. Except the weather forecast calls for probability of heavy rain vs here a probability of t-storms. If I follow Randy we can ride tomorrow.

I found a Conti trail King 2.2 Black Chili hand made it Germany tire to replace the same that performed for 70 rides and 1075 miles. Cost $76.

I visited w/ Beartooth Will.

Gotta go to meet guys for beer.