Sunday night I drove out to my favorite spot off Beaverhead rd. The mud was firm rutted dirt. The drive back in goes over exposed rocks that the van rolls over and shudders. There are choices on what rocks to miss or hit to the slightly sloped site that requires leveling blocks. I turn around here to leave and have another crack at the rocks. The ground is firm recently saturated as sinking mud gumming up tires to eliminate the tire tread required to slither over. I gambled on the 50% probability of showers that I would drive out on firm mud. I heard rain drops before bed. Showers is what I would accept. I slept thru the rest of the showers. I looked outside after light and saw some small puddles. Sunshine. Firm mud is now mud and gummy. I wanted to leave, I was able to stay a day to dry out. I made the choice to leave. I backed out of spot almost blindly over the rocks as I had no line. A spur intersection offered firm gravel to jockey to face forward. Next up was the straight shot to the hard road except on a slight outslope into a slight gulley parallel to the lane. My front wheels started sliding immediately almost resisting counter steering to avoid the gulley. Mud is flying and I’m slithering ever closer to the road but loosing momentum. And the engine was not responding to my foot pressure. Posi-traction. I pushed to rocker switch on the console and the engine revs rocketed up. One wheel driving and gaining momentum, the hard road appears obtainable. Yes, I made it out. I suspect the mud comes from the cold temps not allowing the water to sink or evaporate. Trails are too wet to ride.
I drove to west sedona early for the trail planning meeting. I stopped by Peace of Mind wood shop owned by Steven. 2 years ago I met him and he built 2 new drawers to replace 2 original crapped out drawers. All last year I wanted to stop in to order new drawers but didn’t. This year I have a list of things I want to do while I’m here and I’m working them down. Drawer is checked off. Steven is fun.
Curiosity pulled me out to look at the Deer Pass camping spot west of sedona. One rig in the TH parking lot; however at the spot where I stay was packed. weekday, bad weather; packed.
I washed the mud off the van @ the coin car wash. Tenacious shit.
I attended a trail planning session called for by Jennifer of the USFS. Purpose is to generate trail proposals out in the Western Civ area. Prolly 22 people, all mtn bikers, I knew 18. Again I reconnected w/ past local contacts. Dean. I told him there is a guy in Hurricane area that looks just like him. I was watching Ohio State vs OR game on my smart phone. Meeting adjourned just after start of halftime. Several of us crashed on the bar @ Picazzos to watch the game @ $6.00 pints. game was over after 10, past the 9:00 closing. She kept the bar open for all to watch the finish.
I spent the night in Danny’s side yard, not on his property but we poached the neighbor piece. The property was occupied by infrequently by company persons. No parking issues. Now the house is owned and occupied by another owner. Don’t know about future sleep nights there.
Today I dropped off the drawer. I emptied the contents into 2 full size paper grocery bags that I paw thru to find whatever. The drawer will be done when finished. Till then my floor remains cluttered.
Next was Red Rock Precision auto for an electrical check up. I perceived that the battery check light remained on too long after starting and I needed knowledge for peace of mind. They checked it out and the electrics are fine. One less worry source.
Back down to VOC. Sunshine. Several riders were reworking the pump track behind the shop. They took turns riding it. I finally took a go. Momentum is obtained by pumping you and the bike over and down the rollers then into a big banked turn that you can really lean into. A real work out after just several laps.
The hot air duct from the furnace comes up thru the floor and into the bed pedestal cubby. One night I pulled the drawer being replaced off the slides and looked into the cubby. I put my hand on the duct which felt warm indicating heat loss. Today I slathered 1/2″ insulation around it. I gave the furnace a fighting chance. In the cubby is the uninsulated wheel well.
Tonight I pulled onto the lane leading back to my spot a short ways while still on firm ground to check the mud firmness. I decided it appeared too soft which was confirmed when my tires hit the hard road and shed mud on the firm ground. I am camping at the paved overlook again. Forecast was 10% showers. The 10% has been spitting on me which would make the mud less firm. Safe call.
Tomorrow should be able to ride.