Cool and Calm

Is how the weather made its presence felt today. Winds died down last night as did the temperature. Up here on Beaverhead I saw 40 degrees at 7AM. Speaking w/ Jimmy who lives in town said the rain drops froze to his windshield before gravity could streak. I ran the furnace. Most mornings the inside temp when I crawl out from under my light weight down blanket is 59 degrees. Sun clears the horizon beaming full force about 7 and the dark green van color sucks in the warmth.

Today was my 6 month dental cleaning and check up. The same hygienist has cared for me for 3 years. Today we touched briefly w/ politics and what trump is standing for. My mouth appreciated that we share the same views. All healthy, no work. However, she noticed that I have several front teeth that wiggle. Another Xray and exam by dentist revealed I have about 40% bone loss. Nothing to do now, in the future he did not say how to replace the teeth that fall out. This was my last scheduled appointment freeing me to leave.

I drove out Dry Creek rd to ride Chuck Wagon etc loop. So many cars parked along the road such quantity I have never seen. I parked all but blocking Chuck Wagon for my spot. Lots of cars equals lots of hikers on the trail. And so it was. Most hikers I shared the trail with were well before the first intersection. I greeted every one announcing my presence, almost all returned my greeting. Chuck Wagon to Mescal. I chose Canyon of Fools as I had not ridden it this year and I wanted to gps it. Yes and no. I first rode it when it was a social trail relatively unknown.

canyon of fools
canyon of fools

I climbed Anaconda out of Dry Creek connecting w/ a short piece of Girdner then an even shorter piece of Chuck Wagon to the road crossing and my van. All the cars were gone. Till I rounded the bend but not in my way.

Lizardhead
Lizardhead

Jan, the artist, vacated her studio earlier this month. She let me use the shower there. I loose the shower tomorrow. SNAP up in W Sedona is not a Silver Sneakers participant meaning even though I have a snap mag strip it ain’t good here. For the last 3 years I was pretty well situated for a shower. My last week here will be of just like living on the road scrambling for a shower. Still way too cold for solar shower.

Scored my preferred spot again. Shop closes at 5 and it seems that the place goes dark at that time, no socializers hanging out. I don’t.

New drive train on the bike is sweet. Shifting was crisp moving the chain where and when I twisted the grip shift. I gained confidence that it will flawlessly shift, I can count on a correct shift. 30T wide narrow raceface on chain ring, a Shimano 9 to 42T on the back, controlled by an 11 speed grip shift. I put my half grip on against the gripshift. I tallied up the bike parts resulting in a $6,300 price. The geometry of the RFX is almost the same as the 5 Spot, the RFX uses the 27.5 wheels. Carbon rims make for such light wheels. BIG difference.