Sunday I returned to Grand Junction to ride some of the Lunch Loop trails. Bright sunny day. I attempted MTB project to navigate Gunnys loop. High density of trails on small screen and something causes instability. I set out for Gunnys, I did find several trail signs pointing to Gunnys. LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT THE LUNCH LOOP AREA TRAILS: THEY PROLLY HAVE THE MOST TECHNICAL CHALLENGES PER TRAIL MILE. Its all just degrees. How much more is 12 inches over 6? The trails will eat you for their lunch.
Lunch Loop trails, Book Cliffs in back
I lifted my bike quite a lot and my shoulder is still killing me. Step ups and roll overs, twisty, short climbs, great scenery. The trail intersections are marked w/ a number and direction to trails. Next time I ride there I will find that map to better execute a ride. Technically it was very challenging. Not as big consequence as perhaps Sedona. I wanted to be back at my van off my bike and w/ just a small understanding of the trail layout made for whining. Not a big area but miles of challenging moves. 13.78 miles climbing 1702′ took 2 hrs 10 mins of pedaling
I drove back to Fruita for a shower and socializing. Today it was Suds, a brew pub, across the street from the Tomato. I caught the Denver loss in a vocal partisan crowd. Out to TH for the night.
During the night I turned off the furnace for an unrecallable reason other than too hot. I saw 32 degrees on the van outside temp when I finally allowed the fired up furnace warm me up. I made French Toast w/ real whipping cream, some of which previously I used for mashed potatoes. The frying butter smell lingered into the day.
I bid Fruita adieu for the year and headed to Moab. I like the scenery of rt 138 as it travels down the Colorado gorge right beside the river which is running a healthy mocha color. Plan today is for an easy (easier) ride at Bar M trails. Forecast is calling for rain tomorrow and below freezing at night for rest of week. Just could get freeze thaw mud. LaSalles are snow covered.
Monday at noon there were perhaps 25 rigs in the lot. Nice day w/ a breeze. I rode the slick rock trails following the painted or dash line as it made its way on slick rock. Little step ups and potential wheel traps. I was seeking a less strenuous effort and not so many upper body moves. 9.95 miles climbed 950′
LaSalles
Ran into 3 couples entire ride. And one was from Harrisonburg, VA who lived in SBC Tim’s basement which is where I met him. His group is somewhere out here off Willow Springs rd. I drove here after finishing my ride. I scored my preferred spot, the second one off tr 190. Turns out the place is plugged w/ campers. I was lucky to get this spot. I walked around before dark. I found only 1 spot open where in desperation I would park.
After dark I was inside my van w/ the door closed. Something caught my eye causing me to look out the side door. A headlamp. I opened the door and said hello. I was answered by a foreign accept offering me a beer. I said I was good then retreated into the van. Nah, I said to myself. Got to learn about this woman who chose to crash w/in 30′ of me. Australian on an American SW tour. She has traveled extensively in third world countries. We sat outside in the chill talking. She went her way, I went mine.
If no rain tomorrow AM I will ride some of Klonzo from here.
