Today I met Scott of Moab Trail Mix and several volunteers to build a new piece of trail out near Rockpile. They were all movers and shakers in the trail building effort. I learned how the org came to be etc. Our effort today was to continue a new trail which I forgot the name of. We bush bashed across the desert to our start. Digging trail in sand takes effort as too much force on the tool excavates. The tread used slick rock. This is what I created, all bench cut.

On the slick rock we placed non red rocks on trail edges to direct traffic. latter a purple painted dash was added.

Trail Mix has 125 miles of trail to build per the BLM management plan , they ain’t done.

I was worked. I drove back to Willow Springs for the night.

Yesterday I learned the trail work would be out towards Dead Horse SP. Today I could ride the Mag 7 area  trails then spend the night @ Horse Thief XG then drive down today to meet Scott.

The Mag 7 trails are out on Gemini Bridge road. Desert trails playing on the slick rock. Great midweek ride as I was almost all by myself. Chunky riding requires much overall body muscle activity, lots of body english. At the end of this ride I was worked. The finish was 1.7 miles of a wide gravel road that climbed out, not an enjoyable way to finish a ride but it is what it was. 17.95 miles climbing 1646 in 2 hrs 27 mins. HR average was 119 bpm.

Otherwise this is terrain

Last is Monitor and Merrimack buttes

I have been watching my mail for my debit card. Nothing after the 7 to 10 days delivery. I called the financial institution following up. I was told there was no record of the card being ordered. WTF? I now have to wait another 7 to 10 days. I asked for expedited service to make up for their mistake, no way they can make it happen faster. My bill paying is all by withdrawal from my debit card. Not a happy camper.

I burned the catalytic heater last night for warmth which it delivered. Tonight I am using the furnace. The thing works by continually heating the circulating air. As the van cools off the return air cools. The furnace can only heat the air so much. Tonight @ 6:14 the temp outside was 40 degrees and the output air was 122 degrees. At 7:42 it was 34 degrees outside and the output air was 108. Vicious downward slope. I added the summer weight thermal blanket under the down blanket 2 nights ago and slept warmly. The blanket is weighty compared to the down which I prefer.  If I burn both the furnace and the heater the air would really heat up.

Friday Will found me out on Willow Springs. We made a ride plan for Saturday riding Klonzo from camp. Chilly night. Charlie visits and we drink liquor and chat. The furnace runs all night, I sleep under the doubled down blanket and sometimes wearing a hat. Warm back in bedroom but chilly in the living room.

Sat I pedaled down to Will’s spot. Today I wore tights and midweight wool long underwear top. His friend Teddy arrived and joined us. Recovering from cancer . Clouds moved in during our ride, changing weather calling for snow and cold.  Klonzo is mostly dirt, some of it not having seen a winter. Across Willow Springs road is slick rock slabs.

Fresh snow on LaSal mtn.

I drove back into town for a shower and groceries. Back at Willow springs Charlie and Theresa were holding down our spot. Both of them visited me after dinner. I do not have chairs for visitors. I did offer Scotch. We heard the hissing of wet snow landing on the roof.

Another chilly night. Furnace  can’t make up for the heat loss from little or no insulation. I choose to be chilly and dry versus just a little warmer but wetter. The furnace blower motor is my white noise.

This morn I slept in. I park my van w/ the rear to the sun. Forecast today is cold, sunny, and slight breeze. Fresh dusting of snow when melting made mud. I made today a rest day.

I finally made a trip into Arches NP using my get in free pass. Natural wonder of sandstone formations and namesake arches. I drove to Delicate Arch TH and joined many people out getting exercise while hiking up to the arch. I wore light weight long underwear bottoms and insulated gloves as temp was just at freezing under cloudless skies and slight breeze.

Really lots of rigs w/ mountain bikes attached. Many hours of riding here around Moab.

Charlie and Theresa headed back to Eagle and Will moved on his wanderings. This afternoon Beth invited me to a beer break @ Moab Brewery. Several of the Chile Pepper staff joined in. $4 beer.

Back out on Willow Springs. A fire party was going on in my normal spot. Drove a little further to where Will was. Clear night allowing Milky Way to shine. Cold. At 8PM it was 22 degrees. I  am sitting @ my desk wearing my Pisgah jersey and a Patagonia puff jacket. I can’t see my breath. The furnace runs at the same temp and blower speed. Only by blowing enough warm air does it succeed in reaching the shut off temp. But the temp meter is not shown, only click marks on a dial face.

Forecast calls for teens at night and just above freezing as a high. Tomorrow I will learn of any melt freeze. I might wear booties. Tonight I parked w/ the windshield facing east for first warmth.