Today I bid adieu to Bill and Susan and boys out @ N Klondike. Susan knows Tim from Shenandoah Bike in Harrisonburg, VA.
I drove towards town to the Brand M trails.Bright sunny day w/ just a little nip. Big parking lot. Now have an outhouse and not made by CXT. Popular ride area. I headed out. At the first intersection a solitary guy asked me if I knew the trails then if he could ride w/ me. Sure. I met Albert from Iceland. Strong rider. At home he rides and old Klein Mantra like Les used to ride. Today he was riding a 29er full suspension really enjoying himself. Many riders out but never crowded. Friendly sharing.
During the ride I let a phone call go to voice mail. Back at the van I listened to it. Fraud division of matercard called to tell me that my card had 2 suspicious charges from FL and questioned me about them. Not me I said. She said she will cancel my card because it had been compromised. Call my credit union tomorrow to obtain a new card. Looks like I will be in Moab for this week.
Drove into town for a shower, fill propane, groceries, and a beer while watching hopefully the Seahawks. Bronco land, no hawks. Propane gauge showed fumes. I am miserly spending my cash, prioritizing: heat, food, beer.
Drove out to Willow Springs road. This time I found the first spot on the road open. Tomorrow I will ride new trails to me here named Klonzo.
Moab Trail Alliance is building trails, lots of miles. Klonzo has been built since I was here 2 years ago. And there are more. Lots to chose from. I like to ride them repeatedly. Klondike is challenging.
From yesterday. But the scenery is a lot the same. Desert, like deep deciduous forests of the Appalachians, repeats itself. Just sandstone, junipers, and blue sky.
Furnace sometimes works. Last night I used just a single layer while the furnace was running. It didn’t turn back on. Instead of attempting a restart I doubled the blanket. Later I turned the knob to restart and it did. Then it got warm and I kicked off a blanket layer. Karl says the problem is the oil in my system caused by some propane retailers putting oil in their tanks to eliminate rust but the oil will pass to the customers’ tanks who are ignorant of the practice until it becomes an issue somewhere down the road. Going to start it. Chilly under clear skies, 42 degrees warming to mid sixties w/ a fall chill. Furnace lit to the thermostat command. My living room is chilly as the heated air arrives less heat.
My saddle height is for spinning which protects my knees but is too high for tech moves. Today I dropped it just a scosh using the seat dropper. I found that I was able to better attack the step ups and climbs. It is easier to get off the saddle and stand. Noticeable difference.
The bad brake is finally stopping its weight. The organic pads are bedded in and grab the rotor for powerful stopping. They do require a good hand pull on my index fingers. Joy of having powerful stoppers.
The Klein Mantra…what a bike! Revolutionary when it came out, dated and kooky now. Loved that bike. Amazing the progress bike design has made.
Regarding your compromised card, don’t feel alone, I was just issued a new card because of the Home Depot data breach. Seems like I’m hacked about once a year. Wonder when our US banks will catch up with the rest of the world and put a chip in our credit cards?
Crag, Les showed me your horse riders sticker. Instead of defacing a horse trailer with a sticker and risking the wrath of a horseman, why not get them made real big like your picture on the back of your van and put one on each of your van doors? That way you send the message and leave yourself open for discussion on the topic.
Tome, your comment is worthy. At present I am learning from mtn bikers if I am correct.