Today just after 1PM driving my van downhill from the Bean is what my van outside temp reading showed. Short sleeves. Although I wore a light weight wool jersey under a long sleeve top. Just ideal. Sand sticks to our tires then is deposited on slick rock which lessens friction.

I have put together a loop of 11 miles. There are numerous tech challenges along w/ short pedaling sections. There are still several pieces that I haven’t tried. I am riding better the ones I make. Amazing what aggressive pedaling will do. I think back on all my years of passive spinning not knowing that standing on the pedals works real well. There’s this short steep sort of loose rock, with a hard right entry, a short pedal, then a hard climbing switchback to the left over the rubble. Man, I keep the power on the pedals and climb right up it. What holds me back is pedaling on the step ups for fear of the rear tire spinning out and leaving me vulnerable to dire consequences, it’s always been my weakness. If I pedal great vertical progress is made. I rode the nasty armored pitch today on HT. I pedaled up to it to study my line. I retreated back up trail putting me making a hard left hand turn around a juniper then picking the first rock for the descent. I thought through my ride. I pushed off. Just as I my front wheel rolled over the edge two hikers and I spied each other. Their nimbleness averted personal damage. I had gravity pulling me down and stopping was not an option. No harm no foul.

I carry a camera on my rides. most times I don’t take pics as I have recorded these views for years.

Today at 2:30 the Seahawks play that I wanted to watch so I back scheduled events accordingly. I started riding at 10 in a chill as the sun made life comfortable. There still was frost in sheltered places. Good satisfying ride.

Back at the Bean and showered clean.

I watched the Seahawks at a crowded PJs. Numerous TVs and numerous games on, some on more than 1 screen. Different fans rooting for their team on another screen. I invited myself to an open chair at a table occupied by a couple. Seahawks were vising the local Phoenix Cardinals and it wasn’t good for the home team. There were Seahawk rooters in the crowd.

Several nights ago I made a dish with feta cheese. The purchase size was larger than the recipe need which left me with left overs. For dinner tonight I google recipes using feta. I fell back to one of my standards substituting cheddar for feta. When I’m hungry I eat. Went down real well.

I spent last night at the Bean parking lot arriving about 11:30 after the Zag game I watched at PJs. Zags fell back badly then super rallied to tie then move to OT where the Zags prevailed. PJs switched a big screen TV to the game which was located above and just to the left of the door as you leave. A the last stool right under the TV sat an attractive woman all by herself. I noticed her. I also noticed that not a man approached her. OK, she’s between me and the ball game and I jumped right in. We conversed learning that we shared similar views on things. I focused on our conversation and only stole furtive glances above her head to catch some playing. It was wonderful Ms. George.

Sat was a rest day. I occupied my time constructively no doubt.

I have added my vehicle to the visitor impact. Sat afternoon the traffic heading up canyon on 179 to Sedona was backed up. Weekend holiday days are made for tourists. Living in a tourism economy town.

Forecast calls for wet starting tonight and continuing thru the week. I checked the forecast for around Phoenix thinking dry. They are forecast for same precip. I will plan another time to head south for rides.

Over the years a Bean groupie culture emerged. There is the core of members that are at the shop the most. Once a part of it it stays with you. I still reconnect w/ people I have met over the years. I spend a lot of time at the shop during my stay.

Parked at Bike and Bean in Village of Oak Creek (VOC) which is south of Sedona proper. 4:16PM, sunny, calm wind, warm enough to open side door. Red rock striated w/ blond bands , dotted w/ greens from junipers, several brands of cacti, and pinyon pine. The view distance is almost in your face close up. But in all directions there is more of the same basic view. In the deciduous leafed out forests the view shed is about arm’s length as all that is seen are tree trunks. A person’s acceptance and or peace is patterned on where they grew up. Desert raised feel constrained when not able to the sky, and tree people feel like they crawled out from under a rock as the trees are comforting. I accept it all, the more the better when there are fewer man made changes.

On Thursday I drove to laundromat in West Sedona, the only one down here. George owns it but his daughter and husband are running it. Two years ago George invited me to share a time share in Hawaii. I do my wash weekly at his place. George was present today. World is filled w/ interesting people.

Wet clean clothes were strung in matching sock pairs on the clothes line. I drove out to the Culture Park TH for a greater Girdner ride. Last Frontier, western Civ, Cockscomb, Aerie, Cockscomb, AZ Cypress, and Girdner back. I’m working on skills development and confidence.

Again, the 1X10 is sweet as I use gears that are appropriate for effort and traction w/ just one hand shifting. I am learning the required gear for the move.

Friday I rode from the Bean again. I sessioned a few spots and rode the ones previously sessioned. Improvement. I am stiill saving the rock steps on HT.

I rode Hogs but going down the new Peccari trail etc.  Just red rock. Good riding and fellow riders.

Today is Sat, I made it a rest day. Hanging in Bean parking lot. Zags play tonight at 9.