Last night I stayed down at Willow Springs to avoid driving up the possibly snow covered switchbacks on rt 313 to Navajo Rocks ride. If snow did fall I would be down here and able to ride say Bar M trails. Weather forecast called for snow showers in afternoon. Good enough for me as I could get my ride in b4 the road would be an issue. Snow was spitting here at camp spot. I drove away.
RT 313 was bare and wet. At the Ramblin TH there were maybe 6 rigs w/ riders getting ready to go. Snow was falling. A big group left going counter clockwise. A man and woman went clockwise crossing the road. I followed them as that was my route. Temp was 31 degrees, today is going to be cold and wet. I wore liners, tights, baggies, wool long underwear long sleeve and a short sleeve long underwear top and a heavy jersey. I added cold weather gloves and booties. Topped off w/ rain shell. Cold and wet and maybe slippery snow covered slick rock.
The paint marks are clearly visible. I climbed higher and the snow depth increased.
On Powder Days there are No Friends. Nobody else around.
I rode the entire 17 mile loop skipping several bailouts. I pedaled over snow. From here I was almost at the high point. I used caution as I did not have a feel for snow covered sandstone. The route crossed the highway, the trail names are Big Lonely and Big Mesa finishing on Ramblin. Big Lonely had the above snow cover. Snow covered the paint markers in places. 2 riders rode part of Big Mesa as I could see their sandy tracks on exposed slick rock.
Season time. My gift to myself is under the tree
The group that went CCW didn’t make it very far. Ramblin was untouched. I lost the trail several times.
This move scared me
The view above was taken obviously in better conditions and looking CCW. Today I rode it towards the viewer. Not captured was the snow on the rock. The move was to coast down hill in the fall line to carry speed up the other side on off camber slope to the exit. I slip would mean a nasty slide down on the slick rock. The only alternative was to downhike the slickrock to the was below the hike a bike back up. I squared my line and let my speed carry me up. Gravity scrubbed my ascent just below the top. I gingerly steered and slight pedaled to safety. The off camber slope is under my bike. I never really checked the traction on top of snow.
My rear brake is back to its bad performance.
No fresh tracks. I made my way back to the TH. The first group of cars were gone, 2 new ones took their places.
I had turned the heat on before leaving. So nice to crawl into a warm space. Snow had ceased falling. 31 degrees at TH.
I drove back down into town for a shower and to watch the Seahawks. Cleaned I drove to Moab Brewery and caught the second half. Beers are 3.2 alcohol for $2.75. I let their kitchen prepare my dinner. Nail biter game for the Seahawks win.
After dark I drove back up out of town 11 miles to Willow Springs for the night. Same spot again. Pretty deserted.
SO far I am pleased w/ the 1X10 gearing. Hurricane Cliffs will be the test for a long steep sustained climb for granny gear. I still have the front derailleur stuff attached. Started looking for a 1X10 crank set.
Tomorrow I visit the PO to pick up my mail. If delivered I will head to Hurricane. If not, wait another day.