Windy and chilly, chilly could have been accommodated, however, the wind affected vertical posture, 2 wheels would have been …. well, I have nothing to compare what I didn’t ride to what I had ever ridden. Something like that. The winds were the most consistent and strong I have experienced so far as I can remember.
Very windy christmas eve as I was parked broadside to it. The van jiggled rocking.
Friday dawned clear right thru my windshield. Primitive campsites are few here. I decided to stay the day and not ride but walk out the road I was parked on. Per a map a road would connect to rt 160 to gain access to some more of the Blue Diamond trails. I thought to walk some of it. I added my orange puffball jacket for warmth and wind blocking. The land is of broken glass and spent brass used to break the former. The double track hit a powerline and became the road. I turned around and retraced my steps. Back at the van I made my visual check finding a white piece of paper under the driver side windshield wiper. As I was lifting the wiper blade my phone rang. A familiar voice that I couldn’t place, he played who he was not who he is. I placed the name: Dean from Sedona area. We chatted, I finally put on my glasses to read the form. First reaction is I am being cited for illegal camping. No violation boxes were checked, instead a 3 line note telling me concerned neighbors saw van and not me and were concerned. The note cited a chapter and verse from a law book on what to do when a person leaves a vehicle. Dunno, on face value good to know that people are concerned, on black thoughts I was parked about 200 yards form a house and they didn’t want me there. I chose to spend the night same place. Winds were possibly worse than last night.
Forecast called for 40s and 20 – 30 mph winds.
Kevin in Hurkin and I made a date for a Sunday ride at Bootleg, NV. Sat forecast was of the same, I didn’t want to ride. I drove to McPhies and chatted w/ Chris for a while. I decided to drive to Bootleg at Boulder City, NV traveling on bad day to ride weather. Driving a high profile light under belly vehicle in gusty high winds is always correcting for wind force. I use most of my lane to remain between the lines.
Next up was a shower and propane. Found a Snap that did not have a shower. I found propane for 5.4 gallons, max capacity is 5.8. The propane fill was under the Las Vegas airplane landing path, single aisle 737 and 319s. Silver Sneakers found an Anytime in Boulder City right near the bike shop. GPS had problems landing me. Clean I drove to All Mountain Cyclery where Pisgah Jimmy works but is on holiday. Today’s bike shuttles were cancelled because of the high winds. I drove into downtown Boulder City to Dillingers bar. I sipped a beer and watched both Washington schools win their bowl games, parts of the games.
I had permission to sleep behind the bike shop. Kevin seemed to indicate he would be driving down Sat night for our Sunday ride. Because of that I drove up canyon past the sign that read no camping looking for a level spot. Road goes uphill, there is nothing level. Finally a pull out parking area appeared on the left. Level. Spot on view down canyon to bright lights of Vegas. The wind was forced thru that notch hitting the van broadside. Forecast called for calm winds and 40s on Sunday. Kevin texted me after parking bailing out because of cold. I sided with him. The wind quit sometime during the night.
Sunday dawned 27 degrees, clear skies but no wind. Until after bfast wind of a considerable lesser velocity picked up. Too nasty to ride because I don’t have to. Bootleg’s trails are nasty from memory of 2009 rides.
I was good to go. I packed up and drove to Sedona in time to catch as much of the Seahawks game. Rolled into PJs to familiar faces. I was gone about 6 months.
I drove up to Bike and Bean for the tail end of their day. Tony, Zack, Scott, Tyson was the crowd. Turkey dinner at Mileys then out to favorite spot off Beaverhead.
Longtime reader Scott bought my Spot w/ suspension parts. His was stolen and he craved another but Turner no longer makes the 5 Spot. Scott will be happy again. I ride it until the RFX arrives. He bought for his needs which is cool as it keeps being ridden. I had visions of sugar plums of a collector buying it to add to his collection. Well, some people have too much money and I have too big a head.
Girl Scout cookies strain, tastes like thin mints?
Consensus trail report is they are the best ever. Tomorrow starts finding out. Slowly at first. Familiarity will come.
Happy holidays bruh! Consider doing the wind dance in reverse, maybe that would help.