Back Riding

Yesterday I rode my bike during Simon’s skills clinic and found that I was able to ride within discomfort level.

I watched the Zags on big screen @ PJs. Over the years some of the staff and I are on friendly terms. Joy, an attractive bar tender, knows me and that I come down to watch Gonzaga on TV. Hi Joy, Joy, “Hi, what channel and what time?” She sets me up w/ at least one TV. Tonight she kept the big screen off back at the pool tables. At the broadcast time she turned it on and I had a TV to myself. I moved to a table just at the screen from another table while watching playoff NFL football. A guy visited asking me if I moved because he and his lady were making too much noise. No, I told him about watching the Zags. He told me he bets on sports. My table was right outside the ladies room. His girl walked by later and said Hi. My server visited me and said someone wanted to buy me a beer. She said she needed to check w/ me because I am known to drink just 2 beers. I said yes and asked who it was. She said it was the woman. She came over later and I thanked her. She was sincere  but she blocked my view of the game for several minutes while I politely engaged in conversation. Zags won. It was my second beer.

I drove out to view point on Beaverhead. A minivan was parked almost where I park. Lights were off and frost had settled on the gray van. I drove up on the leveling blocks I placed under the rear wheels. Cold clear night. Moonlight. I ran both heaters till bedtime then shut off the furnace.

22 degrees this AM.

I fixed bfast of 2 scrambled eggs and 2 pieces of toast buttered with honey. My toaster is really a bread broiler. Couglouhans(?) stuff that is marked as real backpacking stuff. It has 4 individual wire frames to hold 1 slice of bread at a leaning angle. The frames are connected to a thin metal plate that is put over the stove burner. Toast one side until satisfied then turn over and repeat. I do use a small non stick frying pan for the eggs. I drink cold brewed coffee using the Tods Toddy brewing hopper and the carafe.

Today I set out heading south on I-17 towards Phoenix into sun and cloudless skies. Dropped down to 2779′ at BumbleBee exit. Saguaro cactus, Sonoran desert. I parked where the Black Canyon Trail (BCT) crosses Bumble bee. Several rigs had the same idea.

Today is my first ride in 3 weeks and still dealing w/ sore rib. I am riding different tread that required calibrating reflexes to the decomposing rock. BCT is a cross country trail built to gently climb and traverse hill sides and washes. My riding plan was to ride out for 1 hour then turn around. Bierman called me on  a climb. Jimmy called me at the turn around point. I turned around on the dot. I ran into Darrel from Form bikes, his manufacturing company and a Bean regular. Broken lumpy rock, narrow, twisting this way then coming back to over there. Near the community of Bumble Bee is a piece of trail I helped build back a bunch of years ago.

This is what the trail lives in

No snow. I did roll over several wet spots was all that past storm dropped.

First ride back. 14.72 miles in 1 hr 58 mins. I burned 1010 calories. My max HR was 162 and the average was 143, 7 beats above thresh hold. I was just riding as I could. So now I know I can beat my heart and still drink a beer recovery drink.

I am sleeping at the trail crossing planning on riding south out and back. Again turn around at 1 hour or the Agua Fria river crossing.

I-17 south bound caused the road cut on the far hillside.

I visited w/ several riders as they prepared to drive away. 2 Canadian guys told of riding so far south on the trail that they rode the Interstate back facing traffic. 2 groups from Sedona that I know.

Starting just b4 sundown rigs pulling ATV type rigs have climbed out of the basin. I did not see that many rigs parked along Bumble Bee road which is below the trail. Lots of rigs out in the desert.

I started out w/ a wool long underwear top under a short sleeve jersey. I over worked the need for the insulation and took it off. back at my van I stripped to just my liners and sat in my chair soaking up sunshine. Tomorrow I’ll check for tan lines. I also have a few scratches from trailside vegetation.

I harbored hesitation before and in the early part of the ride, my touch was dulled by off bike days and I would learn what my bruised rib would allow me. My confidence increased as I rode on. I didn’t need much upper body horsing the bike around. How will I sleep and what will I feel like tomorrow morning?