My life is but I wish my glasses frame would not have been so. Almost since new the left lens has fallen out. Until yesterday whenever the lens popped out I was able to find it. Several eye glass techs gave a go at making the lens stay home. The frame screw was turned in to the end but it bottomed out before cinching the lens. I believe that the lens was over ground making it too small to safely fit. I need both lens to see close up clearly. I carry a pair of cheaters in my hydration pack for bike work and reading. I am wearing them now.
Yesterday I drove from Willow Springs rd up towards Dead Horse SP to ride trails in the Navajo Rocks area. The lens fell out during the drive landing on my chest. I put it back in. I pulled into an overlook spot to use the outhouse and discard trash in the provided can. I wear the glasses tethered by cord around my neck as I put them on and take them off frequently. Back in the van I continued the drive to the Ramblin TH. I put on my glasses but the vision was blurred. Darn, the lens fell out. I searched the van: no lens. I drove back to the overlook and retraced my steps some were in the brush. Came up nadda. Got to recover. Figured I could ride and make it back to town for internet and maybe find an optometrist in town.
Ramblin trail is the trail I helped build last year and is now open. It’s a mix of slick rock, sand, and packed dirt. Not overly technical but still challenging. The trail used steep pitches of slick rock, if you have the legs and lungs you can climb it. I blew up on several and made several.
And the trail kept on going. Further along I came upon this happening
The print on the trail map is too small for these glasses to read to name the rest of the trails. I did follow it on MTBproject keeping me found. Rocky Tops was spectacular, several pieces traversed steep slickrock required riding on the tire side knobs. Oooo, sort of hairy.
Ride was 17.16 climbing 1995′ taking 2 hrs 19 mins of pedaling. Worth doing again as are most of the trails here in Moab.
My rear brake was performing poorly again that really got under my chamois, it would not instantaneously lock up the wheel that I count on for some moves. I was not enjoying myself to the fullest. I still suspect it needs a bleed and I’m taking it to Chile Pepper to be fixed and to check on local eye services.
Chile says the bleed is solid, perhaps the pads are contaminated. After I calmed down I said that I will replace the pads with a set I just bought on special order from the shop. I put my bike back on the van and drove down to an optometrist beside the laundromat. I walked in and was greeted by a receptionist. I explained my situation. She said they would be glad to help at the next available appointment Dec 15. That won’t work. They are the only show in town.
By now it is after 5PM. I bought dinner groceries, and drove out to Willow Springs about 11 miles N of town, the first free camping spot. I made a tunafish casserole. Enough of that. I researched on line optometrist in Grand Junction, the nearest big city. I selected several to contact today once they are open.
The last 2 nights I ran the infrared catalytic heater in the early evening. I wanted to learn if it turned on. It doesn’t use battery power which is becoming important w/ the early evenings and loosing solar gain. Heater worked well and prolly produces more heat than the furnace. I don’t like it because it lacks a thermostat.
At 9:07 I started calling Junction offices. Third call resulted in an 11:30 appointment tomorrow, Thursday. And the lens will be ground same day.
Today I rode out the road from where I am camped to ride the Klonzo system. Willow Springs road used to be access to Arches NP. Edward Abbey lived on the road inside the park. New purpose built trails for mountain bikes. Different tread of small pieces of broken rock and the slick rock had dikes of harder rock causing ribs.
The trails are signed, at major intersections a map is posted with a smiley face indicating you are here. I pedaled on a full bench cut trail on an exposed slope. Coming towards me are 3 dirt bikes. They shut their engines off. I walk my bike up to them. Politely I tell them that they are excluded from these trails and they are damaging our trails. One said that they didn’t see a sign when then got on the trail. Strike 2 for them: 1) riding closed trails to motorized travel, and 2) riding off trails. I told then to turn around and ride back to get off the trail. One guy said phooey, turn around and reride and damage it more. Fuck it they said and rooster tailed me when the sped away down the trail. I could not stop them and there were 3 of them. I continued my ride. I was up high when I saw them down below me still on bike trails. I stopped and stared down at them. We were maybe 200 yards as the raven flies. The trail they were on crosses a pipeline shortly. I checked my phone to learn I had cell coverage. I thought about calling 911 and reporting them and what was about to happen as I would confront them again. I picked up my bike and turned around pedaling in their direction. They started their bikes and rode away. If only an LEO were to see them. I continued my ride working my way to the other side of the road system. I exited the single track back onto Willow Springs rd and started the pedal back to the van. A shiny pickup was approaching me. The road is dusty. I rode down the center of the one lane to slow the driver down so I wouldn’t be dusted. I yielded. I noticed several antennas on the roof then read Sheriff on the drivers door. I flagged him down then told him of my issue. He said they would ticket them if they were caught. Almost made it.
I checked the fuel gauge on the propane tank which showed almost bone dry.
My flexible plan became driving back to Moab, take a shower, get water, get propane, and get dinner groceries and drive to be camped above Rabbit Valley in CO west of Fruita before dark. I made it. Max propane tank capacity is 5.8 gallons, refill was 5.3. Fumes but the frige never shut down.
But on Monday my wet rest day I drove into town. I passed an IMBA decked out Subaru parked. Whoa, someone I can meet. I parked then walked down the street towards the car. I saw the Love Muffin shop and parked out front was Tyson’s VW Golf. I walked in and there he was sitting at a table w/ the usual looking suspects. Tyson and I greeted each other warmly. The other people were an IMBA regional director and his wife and a couple from S Africa, he works for Specialized. We spent the morning at the table discussing mountain bike issues.
I drove out to Willow Springs for the night which brings you back to the top.
The Southwest desert is just eye candy for all the views of the expanse. The trails lack slimey slippery roots and shade.
Gonzaga plays right now, they are on XM. I missed the first half. I’ll do dinner dishes while listening to the game. Home town announcers.
Back to Moab prolly Friday.