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.

Today @ PT I quizzed the PT, who is also a gonzo mtn biker about what I can subject my body to: ground rule: I can’t fall, 6 months is magic number for tendon repair. 60 mins of road riding is fair as my muscles are weak. My shoulder is stable enough that I can ride less technical trails for 30 mins. Ride every other day. She is getting improving range of motion, I just lack the strength.

Today I rode Dry Creek road a ways out and back. I am hacking up lung junk huffing up the climbs.

Several days ago I spied a goat head sticking to my front tire. I pulled it out allowing air to escape. I rotated the wheel so the hole was down and sloshed the Stans around. The hole sealed. Today the tire was flat. I pumped it up then spun the wheel to more forcefully spin the Stans to the outside of the tire. I rode today on a full tire. Rule: if there is something stuck in the tire and it is holding air, let it be.

Yesterday was a hike day from Deer Pass on the Lime Kiln trail. I used the Backcountry Navigator app for mapping and gps location. The map  works when in cell phone range and the gps is satellite. Pretty cool.

Yesterday was a visit w/ my DR here. I have tinnitus. Today was a chiro session as a repeat customer. I’m connecting w/ my medical support team. I will put off the emergency clinic and room.

I decided to keep the pearl izumi project X 2.0 shoe.

Tomorrow  is a hike day and another PT session. Thurs I will add a bit of dirt to my ride, Aeries rides fine.

65 degrees today, just drop dead gorgeous.

Sat I shared breakfast w/ Danny @ Wildflower, our usual gathering. I left the table @ 9 to go home and listen to wait, wait don’t tell me on PBS XM. Just a funny & witty show.

Sat was a hike day and the Seahawks playing @ 2:30. I selected the Schurman mtn area. I parked @ the HS TH. The start of Special Ed is fenced off but spayed open enough to crawl thru. This trail is in the closure area meaning no bikes. The trail was somewhat denatured by several piles of rocks slid onto the trail. The tread is fine but shows the neglect of no riders. I followed several sets of boots as I made my way to the saddle and start of Witch Doctor and Cat Walk.

From the saddle I hiked a short distance arriving @ a closure sign and destroyed Cat Walk trail. My plan was to follow it all the way over to the Schurman mtn trail but I honored the closed trail and set off cactus bashing and basalt hopping until I connected w/ the trail. Prickly pear and yucca. I occasionally stopped  to plan my next line, after 1 of those stops I started by lifting my left foot stepping up. That foot was below an overhanging rock that trapped my foot and caused me to fall uphill. I caught myself w/ my right hand. Opps, not supposed to happen. I escaped damage to the repair. I made the top.

I made the Oak  Creek brew pub in time to watch the entire Seahawks game. Bar seat straight away from the elevated TV. Seahawks won in a raging rain storm. Some guy posing as a musician pummeled my ear drums of junk. Dinner @ Piccaso then drove out to Deer Pass.

Today was a ride day. My plan was to ride the 525 road which is on the other side of 89A, a gravel road. I rode out 38 mins and turned around.

On the way down to VOC I stopped @ Verizon store to learn how to upload pics taken by my cell phone, these pics appear to be sharper than my hardy Olympus tough camera.

A bit of goofing hanging @ BnB, a shower, dinner, then drive out to Beaverhead. Clear skies and bright moon. Weather forecast is for more of the same: beautiful.

I bought a new king size 6 oz flannel sheet to replace my slept out flannel sheets. I will drop it off @ a dry cleaners who will send it out for custom cutting. The sheets were so old the pilling was worn off. I am considering a new down blanket.

Still burning the heater @ night. 65 degrees today.

I bought Backcountry Navigator app. Today I tuned on the FS road layer and gps location for my ride navigation. Pretty slick deal albeit a small view of the big world on my small cell phone screen.