Last week the treating PT, Paige, said my shoulder was prolly stable enough to permit easy single track for 30 mins @ a go and still the 60 mins of pavement. All because the shoulder lacks the necessary strength. I jumped, or pedaled, to the new freedom by riding from the library out Dry Creek rd to the Aerie TH for dirt. I rode out and back both Aerie and the pavement. I added the dirt and pavement for the longest ride yet. My balance is good, my upper body action is still weak for lofting my front wheel. I was happy and content and looking forward to more.
Friday I hiked Highline from BnB out to the pedestal hoping to learn about biker / hiker conflict. I encountered more hikers than bikers, I was almost run over by a trail runner. The bikers I encountered were well mannered. Tragic outcome of the FS legalizing the illegally built mountain bike trails is the user conflict: where once we only worried about affecting our own kind now the hikers share the trails that lack safe step aside trail to share. I believe that there should be Sedona trails that mtn biking is the intended use where hikers are allowed but must give way to bikers.
The Fri BnB shop ride generated 4 riders that passed me, but we all met again back @ the shop. I brought out my jug of moonshine and the party got looped. That little jug of 100 proof corn squeezings loosened societal control. I finally left @ 8. One consumer was so distraught over spilling his ration he Strawv’d it off the floor:
Sat I rode from Webers IGA in VOC out to Turkey Creek TH. Jimmy described the system trail out there as being less challenging and suited for my 30 mins. I rode the road out. The only smooth trails here are the paved bike paths. I have a developed sense of what I am able to ride and what needs to be saved for another time. I rode out to the tank which is a man made dirt impoundment that nature has not filled. From there the trail climbs up House Mtn to connect w/ the roads I rode out there. Some day a big loop or prolly better a shuttle to put it all together.
The Zags played on Sat that I viewed the web updates as it was not streamed or on TV.
Sun I hiked Jacks Canyon out to Hot Loops trail climbing up onto Horse Mesa. What a rocky loose cobble hike it was and that was just Jacks that bikes are allowed on. The Hot Loops trail climbs up into the wilderness. Basalt chunks. Great hike for cardio and agility.
Sun afternoon BnB streamed the Denver / NE playoff game. I moved down canyon to PJ’s to watch the Seahawks beat the 49nrs to return to the Superbowl.
Today is a rest day w/ chiro and PT sessions.
Yesterday I was sitting @ the counter in the Bean. A man stepped up next to me and exclaimed, “I know you.” He said Cable, Wisconsin. My wheels spun to recall I met him as a result of parking in his closed nursery parking lot using my internet card for access. He pulled next to me and greeted me and asked what I was up to. He allowed me to stay and feel free to return. All this happened in less that 3 mins, 3 years later he still remembers me.
Steve from Sun Valley will be here this week as will the Bald Bomber skier from Slocan Valley.
My cell phone camera takes sharper pictures than my super tough Olympus purpose designed camera.
This week I will ride Rockshox’s new Pike fork. This will be a performance up grade to my 3 year old Revelation that has sprung an oil leak that only PUSH can repair.
Sedona weather just continues cloudless blue skies, temps in the 60s during the day, dropping below freezing @ night. Blue sky backdrop to red rock. Every day is natural eye candy.
Tomorrow is 18 weeks post surgery. Thurs will mark 3 weeks here.
Craig, finally got to pick up Freehub today, Nice Job! Great article and pics!!
On weekends the hiker:biker ratio on HiLine and Chuckwagon is 25:1 to 50:1. What were once secret handshake trails are now the domain of hikers. Better than losing them I suppose but there is clearly a need for trails that push out further from the urban center and all the trailheads.
Last time I was in Sedona there was a trail (Transept) that branched off Hi Line and followed the ridge towards the south. I undersatnd the trail has been decomissioned but you may still be able to walk it. It’s an out and back to a saddle that looks down on VOC. Pretty sweet view. It wasn’t to gnarly but there was quite a bit of exposure. Fun stuff.
Transept has not been decommissioned or naturalized. Just closed to bikes.