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.

Sunday night I drove up the Poudre River, a popular white water river, and scored the second to last open campspot in the first USFS XG on the river. White water rushing sounds. Going to be good sleeping white noise. I walked to the pay station to pay my 1/2 off senior pass camp fee. As I walked back to the van I saw a guy taking pics of the back of my van. He asked permission and I said OK and jocularly said for a shot of Jack. Bill said no Jack but Scotch. I told him I was just joking but he was serious about sharing. He and his wife, Nancy, are from Arkansas, (hey did I ever tell you about Arkansas?)  on a 10 day break away living in a small Scamp trailer. I sipped my gifted Scotch and shared stories. Sleeping temp and the rushing water sounds LENT ITS EFFECTS TO A GREAT SLEEP NIGHT.

Monday I drove into downtown Denver to Denver Bike Cafe for bushing replacements. GPS put me on the doorstep. Turner dealer and they had 2 painted frames and 2 bikes in demo. The bike was wiggled and results indicated just worn bushings, as suspected. They installed replacement bushings all around with ones I bought from PUSH years ago. The bike  spent the night for me to pick up Tues on my way out of town. Complete 1 task.

I asked a shop wrench in a normal voice to steer me to the nearest dispensary. He went on line and gave me several. So great for this to be all above board free from being arrested. I walked several blocks to0 the dispensary. Shorter story is I awaited my turn after 2 ahead of me as they are only allowed to serve one customer at a time. My turn came. Yes, it was like having the keys to the candy drawer but they only had 4 kinds to chose from. I bought an 1/8 of a Kush variety for $50 and was weighed. I bought  a jar of edibles which are of a known quantity of THC. Directions read take 1 and wait an hour before eating another. I am happy w/ the experience. Complete task 2.

I followed GPS directions to cousin Sue and husband Don’s place in Lakewood. Sue is the first born of my mother’s sister, she is 3 days younger than me. We chatted me asking about family history and comparing experiences. Both our mothers were sisters raised by the same parents. There is a likelihood there were family tendencies passed to offspring. Don arrived after work at a public library branch where he is required to wear long pants and went straight to his bed room to shuck the traces of someone else’s decision. We sat outside enjoying the shade and comfortable temp visiting. I spent the night in their driveway.

Tues I continued my visit until Don left for another long pants day. I left shortly after heading to Carbondale where another cousin, Debbie, fathered by Dave, the youngest and 2nd born boy, whose sisters are Susan and my mother. She is also first born. We have not seen each other for when we don’t remember. She and her husband Guy live up above Carbondale. The GPS just missed their driveway but Debbie’s directions delivered. She is an artist and Guy is a musician. They renovated a house to their artist taste that is to die for. Visited and sharing history connections.Complete task 3.

I left today heading to Steamboat for the IMBA. I found a parking spot w/ internet to write this. Off to an early 65th  birthday present of 4 nights in a posh resort room. I wonder if there is a chocolate on the pillow?

Today I am sweating in FT Collins, CO not in the shade. 5167′ elevation compared to less than 1000′ but so far only annoying biting black house flies.

Spent most of week out of internet or not making time to record adventures.

Crosby, MN down to Rapid City, SD at the edge of the Black Hills. Hot, dry, and higher elevation. The first day I rode the trails above town known as the M trails for the SD mining and Tech University. System machine built trails full on out in the sun. fORECAST CALLED FOR SEVERe rain which freaked me out as back in IN @ Phi’s during a heavy downpour 2 leaks let gushers of water inside. Fearing the same thing I hunted feverishly for roof sealant traveling horrible traffic and train jams on the GPS route roads. First place wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Drove back thru the traffic while watching the darkening clouds. Blocked roads from construction and downtown street fair tied me up. I found an ACE store and bought sealant then asked if I could use a ladder, great clerk put the ladder outside the door and I crawled up and slathered sealant. And the hard rain never fell. The trails were well signed and mapped, loose tread. I topped out @ 3,500′ in 92 degrees full sun.

I drove out passed Rockerville then up into the mtns and found a camp spot. Rain fell during the night while the roof did its job. Just enough rain fell to dampen the dirt but not make puddles: Hero dirt. drove back down to the Coon Hollow TH. The shop gave me a color printed map that showed squiggles of the route: no signs because the trails are not USFS official and can’t be signed but they did have a directional arrow along the way to keep me found. 2 days in the mountainous Black Hills of South Dakota.

I left Rapid City and headed South towards Cheyenne, WY. I drove rt 71 down thru Nebraska. Yesterday afternoon I arrived @ Curt Gowdy SP. Full on sun @ 7,000′ Full sun. All campgrounds were full which was OK as I did not want to camp in full sun. I rode trails on the western end like Stone Temple. I encountered a local bike patrol person and I asked for camping ideas. Sure, he said, 2 miles up the hwy turn left on rd 700 and there are all kinds of places. I finished my ride.

My bike has suspension issues that I hope are just worn bushings and not journal bearings, I have PUSH bushings i never installed. I found a Turner dealer in Denver and called them. I scored an appointment Monday AM to attend to issues.

I drove way out rd 700 passing one occupied camp spot after another, I drove almost 5 miles of washboard dirt road until I found a vacant spot. No mosquitoes but the bothersome flies. 52 degrees when I woke up.

Today I drove back to the park and paid the $6.00 entry fee and took off riding the eastern trails that are more burley.

Battery is almost gone.

Tonight I will camp somewhere west of FT Collins after a shower here @ Anytime.

More to say but I am hot, dirty, and really pissed @ this computer. maybe I will post pics later.

Quite a view change to see big mountains to the west and  being able to see everywhere.

Tomorrow is cousin Susan and Don’s house for a visit then off Tues to cousin Debbie in Carbondale, then Thurs drive to Stteamboat for the IMBA summit. I treated myself to a posh 3 nights in the resort.