Friend Steve from Sun Valley is visiting. He drives a black smaller version Sprinter. yesterday we drove up to west Sedona to ride the Soldiers Wash trails. Each drove their rig. I picked a gravel parking lot in a business behind Whole Foods as our parking place for our ride. No signs and we were plenty away from other rigs. We pedaled off. As timing worked out just after we returned a woman approached us and told us that the owner of the business does not want anyone parking there.
The ride was enjoyable. Steve is 62 who is into appreciation of the effort as I am. We stop for catchup breathing then pedal off. Blow spots are becoming more frequent. Walking something that we aren’t willing to take a risk and fail resulting in probable injury. We have reached our age as a result of decisions we have made, something that is not guaranteed in life. Could it like be the Hare and the Tortoise? You younger hard chargers are fast now exposing yourself to physical injury and recovering to ride again. It’s easy to quit, getting back up speaks character whether you get back on the horse or make the decision that I’m moving on. Steve and I and other similar age riders could be the tortoises still in the game. We perhaps have recovered from serious injury because of a decision that didn’t plan out. I am envious of younger and more skilled riders. I would like to meet them when they get older.
So anyway Steve and I rode the Soldiers Wash trails. Ones that were social trails which in some cases adopted by the FS and brought into the “System”.
Pedal trails require attention, just because you don’t lift your front wheel doesn’t make it easy. Corollary lifting front wheel equals more technical skills required.
We finished in time for me to shower before my PT session. I am showing signs of strengthening within my limits.
Today Steve and I set out for our eyes are bigger than our stomachs as the ride progressed. It was to be my Hogs route. Before we got to Little Horse we each had felt physical discomfort such as this isn’t fun anymore decided on a shorter route. It was OK. Sunny but chilly temp lowered by breeze. Trails are well dried out some to sand. Lots of use on the trails. Encounters w/ other users has been pleasant and courteous as it should be.
I ordered a Flicker 20 Nano Down Quilt Sleeping Bag from Feathered Friends soon to be in my hands. It is the last piece of my backpacking gear. I really enjoyed my last summer’s trips and think I should do more.
I signed up for 3 shifts of working the VVCC beer stand at the Sedona Mtn bike festival the first of March. That’s what the license was about.
The brownie I ate about an hour and half ago is really kicking. I’m parked in a lot shared by county sheriff like sub station. I’m cool. I want to drive up to take a shower. Perhaps later.