Monday I drove back out to McCoy Corral. The storm  in the previous post was just a bit west of me to escape the energy it expelled. As it was rain did fall and wind did blow. Several riders came and went b4 the storm hit but one rider. The storm hit dumping hard rain. The trails have clay in spots that turns to gumbo in the wet. I watched the TH but he made his drive home escape b4 I saw him. The storm came on like waves on the shore, the last was just b4 dark.

I watched the rain fill the double track beside me. I watched it drain away. This AM I walked a few feet on the road making an imprint but no mud sticking to my shoes. I still bagged it and bailed heading for Park City. Today I researched rainfall there to learn that it had not rained for 2 days. However the rain that fell previously still was insufficiently dried out to ride per the recommendation of a bike shop I called in Park City. Bummer. Rained out again.

New plan was to continue towards Pocatello. I was seeking USFS land to camp on east of SLC. I found Snow Basin, host of some 2002 Olympics alpine events, on the same road that announced USFS Access. The road was blocked just at the ski resort entrance. I picked a level spot in the furthest reaches of a gravel parking lot. I went for a walk up to the ski base to learn about noted mountain biking activity sign. A polo shirted employee struck up a conversation w/ me which lead me to the  security office where I learned they already knew about my van and that no overnight allowed on resort property. Bummer. The one public parking area on the mountain road was too side sloped for me.

I studied the UT road map and learned that there was more FS land to access. I drove down mtn to shoreline of  Pineview reservoir on the way up into mtns. I spied a FS XG that wasn’t on the map. I checked in for $11 and no shower.

Plan for tomorrow  is if it doesn’t rain tonight to drive back up to Snow Basin and ride the Sardine mtn loop as noted in MTB Project: Best riding in Ogden area. Starts @ 6,127 topping out @ 7,284 w/ 1,500′ climbing. Gentle acquaintance to elevation pedaling. Wasatch mtns are steep and rugged.

 

Les, I will be in Spokane 9/11 for my dentist appointment, plan on arriving that day and stay for maybe 2 weeks then head out.

 

Wed eve I rolled into Steamboat Springs, CO seeking my posh lodgings. I parked on the roof of a parking garage as I was too high (me too). I checked in and they sucked funds from my savings. My choice. Later I saw several examples of dirt bagging. I lived between my van and the room. Late night TV sucked me in, the queen sized bed and great sheets were great as was the shower.

So many conversations and info was gathered and exchanged that are now part of irretrievable internal storage meaning thoughts will be scattered.

Highlights certainly were teh 1 day of lift serviced downhill on Rustlers which is a blue run w/ deeply bermed corners. Big G-outs. Stutter bumps leading into them. The bike just sucked it up. 4 runs for 8,000′ descent. Crazy algorithm in bike computer displayed like 2500 cals burned as a result of the gondola rides. My thighs were burned from being incorporated into a supplemental suspension element.

I reconnected w/ people I had met around the country. Many jogged my memory of our meeting. Many others introduced themselves. Lots of beer available, I kept my consumption low. Lots of food esp the deserts for my sugar habit.

E bikes are the hot topic. IMBA has worked for years to maintain the image of human propelled mountain bikes. The E bike companies are seeking IMBA acceptance. At present conflict exists as do the laws. They are not a motor but an assist from an electric motor.

Branding Helena, MT is quite an accomplishment.

I asked Zack of BLM employment how other user groups compare to IMBA’s effort for land access. He said the horse and hiker groups lack effort to influence their cause. Last summer I helped @ a trail care crew visit @ Elcey Falls, OR, and managed by BLM. BLM will build the TH and a core trail from which 3 lobes spin off, one for each for hikers, bikers and horse people which are to be built by the user group. So far only the mtn bikers have turned to to build.

No evidence of anybody enjoying CO’s legal weed.

Sat was the scheduled shuttle to the CDT ridge top trail. Rain started falling early Fri evening that continued off and on during the night. The FS denied us access so we lost out. Rain fell off and on during the day. I stayed in my van.

Sunday I checked out and headed west to Vernal, UT on my way back to Spokane. Crossed into UT w/o seeing a border patrol check. Nice windy day.

MTB Project is a great source for ride info. I researched Vernal and found a new trail for me. I corrected the writer’s instructions and arrived @ the TH. Sheesh. The “trail” was unsigned cow paths. I bailed and drove on to McCoy Corral where I had ridden before. It was apparent very quickly that hellish rain had fallen which created water runoff channels. Narrow trail w/ sharp edged narrow gulley running down it kept me on my toes. Soil is clay which holds water. I did no damage.

I spent the night beside the corral and not in the TH parking which drew several cars thru the afternoon. I parked facing west. Clouds were rolling in before dark. After dark I was treated to an incredible light show as there were maybe 3 separate storms. Lots of lightning. Rain fell. I was awakened several times by severe leg cramps in spite of taking electrolytes and drinking water. This was my first night in the desert since last May when I left Sedona.

Clear morning but wet trails.

I drove back into Vernal to access internet. Goal today was to buy Medicare Gap insurance. Betty, I need Medigap and not Advantage. I enrolled in Regence plan F for $171 a month. I will postpone prescription drug coverage for the future after I exhaust several more months of the expensive COPD med.

I called a bike shop in Park City, UT, my next stop to learn about trail conditions. No, they received too much rain.

I made a refrig service appointment in Pocatello for Thurs. Forecast calls for continued probability of rain. Today is sunny and warm which is drying out McCoy. Haven’t decided a travel plan.

Going to visit Troy @ Altitude bike shop. Troy is closed on Sun and Mon, no open shop.

O)n the way out of town I viewed a pending storm, fantastic to see the separate edges:

I like being back on my lifestyle.