back story: suspected transmission issue in the Sprinter. Have an appointment this Monday in Grand Junction. I drove N out of Moab to N Klondike TH for 2 days of riding.
What happened:
I scored the campspot right near the TH. Mid afternoon. Went for a hike b4 sundown up Homer then bush bashed down wash to pick up Dino flow back to van. The light and clarity of the sky is just flat out breath taking for me. What wonders. I decided I would ride Homer downhill. Below freezing night w/ furnace running all night for 50 degrees. Sun warmth brought comfort.
Charlie told me about the green trails on the other side of the road going from TH to TH and to hook up w/ like EKG back. And that is what I did. Hand built for mtn biking. Some is just rake and ride
Down @ the southern end I was greeted by Teddy from a previous ride w/ Will. I rode Miners, a loop trail, then onto EKG.
EKG is the more technical trail down low. Amazing that it hardly leaves the 4800′ contour but just goes up and down w/ undulating bouts in between. Lots of rocks but it is mostly bedrock. Pay attention to wheel stoppers: Loft the front wheel over. Amazingly torturous. I rode EKG almost all the way, I bailed down to Dino, an easier trail, because I was wearing down. Riding here is all over body work out. Mental challenge also. The 16.88 miles climbing 1679′ taking 2 hrs 21 mins of pedaling tells numbers, the effort is unmeasurable. I really like the trails here in Moab.
B4 sundown I went for another hike just soaking in the intensely clear blue sky and the stuff on the ground. Spectacular.
Today, Saturday, I planned to ride new trails out here: Alaska, Nome, and Homer. Weather forecast was gray, chilly, and breezy. Future forecast was for precip possibly. I was camped out 2 miles on a questionable wetness, being some clay.
I rode out Dino Flow to Baby Steps North which climbed up to ALaska. From bottom to top elevation is about 200′, however the terrain provides opportunities to the trail builders to lengthen the riding experience. I use Backcountry Navigator to GPS track each ride then reride virtually studying the topography. The trails use a strip maybe 3/4 mile by maybe 8 miles long. Creating the trail was an exercise in problem avoidance: the painted line was just a marking for consideration. I did find it gave the best line. Then Alaska on top.
During the ride I kept watching the sky that was projecting adverse changing weather. Forecast was calling for possible snow Sat but clear on Sun. I decided to pull up stakes and drive to Fruita before the roads might get bad. More just pay attention and you’ll be OK trails. 10.7 miles climbing 1344′. Another work out.
This morning I received a text from Theresa telling me Charlie has a serious head injury from a canyoneering accident last Sunday. He is in a hospital in Grand Junction. Charlie, here is full balst of my energy for a free get out of hospital card. Use it now.
The repair shop guy back in Moab put the fear of roadside break down in UT in me. I needed to drive about 60 miles on I70, most of it in not too friendly, if you know what I mean, UT. My driving plan was to keep the pedal engaged for a transmission load. Whatever.. . I crossed into CO and safety. I rolled into Fruita under my own power. I bought groceries then a shower @ the community center. Clean I visited OTE and told of my adventures to a captive audience with no bike repair work. I walked part of a block in the rain to the Hot Tomato for cash paid dinner.
No card replacement mail.
Hurricane, UT is my next big stay. Fastest is the interstate straight thru or 1 of 2 winding back roads. One goes thru Moab. I plan on taking that one adding more riding. Depends upon the weather, I can weather the cold, I don’t enjoy the cold and wind, but the stopper will be freeze thaw mud. My license plates are sent to Hurricane, the temps expire in Jan. Not having a money card is hampering my choices, I don’t like the old way. Out of state check & DL won’t pay the bill.
Sleeping on a corner lot in older residential neighborhood @ OTE Max’s. Snow forecast for tonight and tomorrow, not alot. I will limit mileage till the repair. Guy ran into me @ Hot Tomato saying he read on Sprinter forum about my condition he told me was rumblestrip noise. Said it is torque converter and is not a killer repair bill. I will hear the news on Monday.
I am in legal CO in a rig that is still amulatory legally parked on firm surface a few miles from the doctor. Anxiety is gone.