Conditions on Sedona trails have been freeze thaw mud which is really nasty slippery slimy, riding on it creates ruts. I will find out how these ruts dry out and the trail effect, hence maybe we shouldn’t have ridden today.
Friday I did my laundry in west Sedona, a day late per my weekly Thurs. wash. I have 8 pair of under shorts, one as a spare if wash is a day late. I wore a pair gently worn the day before. Afterwards I viewed The Revenant at the local movie theater. Caught the 12:20 showing, senior discount 50 cents. Theater prolly 80% full of mostly people around my age or more. Upon walking out the theater door I was greeted w/ drizzle as predicted. No riding on Sat. Slept at the paved overlook again.
Sunday the Seahawks played at 11:00AM. I made 1 beer last for the first half and left w/ Seattle being spanked.
Back at the Bean parking lot getting ready to do my ride Joe Murray stopped by greeting me. Being in the presence of such an icon of early mtn biking fame, I’m awed. I admire his accomplishments relative to what I have done which made me feel less. This is a characteristic of depression belittling yourself to others more accomplished. Solution is to think about what you have done. Okay, I have lived in a Sprinter van for the past 7 1/2 years and have ridden at least once in 49 states. I ride what I can and walk what I need to. I’m doing it my way. I do admire what others have done or made. I value what I have done and am doing.
So I rode out Verde Valley School road pedaling on the road then jumped onto a piece of Baldwin to learn about the dirt. Not sloppy muddy. I looked at Oak Creek which appeared to be about the same flow as previous. Next up was Turkey creek area trails. Today the mud was firmer than the wheel ruts made previously. I rode the system trail to Turkey tank turned around and rode the social trails back to the road. The dirt was soft but not sloppy.
Back at the shop I checked the score of the Seahawks game. They almost won after a dismal first half. After a shower I’m standing in the parking lot when a guy calls to me: JP. Said we met back at the Snake Creek Challenge race back in March of ’09. How’s your memory? Tim and his wife Jamie and daughter joined me for camp Sunday night out at Beaverhead. Tim set up a propane lantern and heater and we stood around visiting. Tim is friends w/ Pisgah Works Bruce. Tim races enduros and is pretty good and fast as I was to learn today.
Monday I drove up I-17 to Flag for my DR appointment for a medicare physical and solution to my 24X7 headache. My body is within the control limits. Mark, the DR, is a biker which creates a connection. Headache protocol is a anti nauseous drug for 2 days and if no relief more onto a pain med. Thinking headache is the result of nausea. I asked for a PT script for my head ache, shoulder, and hip. He recommended a PT in Sedona who is also a biker. I have that appointment this Friday.
Which brings us to today. Tim and I made a noon rendevous at the Bean. He rode yesterday and said that the trails were not bad. Today during a trail condition discussion he said that it’s like riding in the mud back east an dhtat the locals shirk muddy trails. I planned a route that would take us on Hogs which is full on north facing which will hold the cold. Llama had muddy spots, Little Horse was fine. Hogs had dry separated by many feet of glop. There is this way challenging move on Hogs that I have troubles slithering down it. Today it was slippery w/ tracked mud.
The back side was a shit storm. Back at the shop after 14.5 miles taking 3 hrs 24 mins of pedaling. My heart rate was way high pumping above my upper limit of 132 bpm for almost half of the ride. Data showed 180bpm which was possible. I washed off my bike and showered. Cleaned and dried I am back by myself at Beaverhead.
I picked up Farewell to Arms by Hemingway who had ties to Sun Valley.