Read the bumper sticker on the back of a mercedes sprinter  parked at the bean.

Real life time cursor is turned off and I can’t see my way to stress free typing. Even spell check seems dead. Going to abort and reenter. Cursor found at last place I looked. Rebooting.

Today I drove up to W Sedona first for an exam by a dermatologist about this growth on my right shoulder which was way to small to be my head. Precancerous growth that he applied a sufficient amount of liquid N2 to kill the cells, Not to worry unless it comes back.

Next was van service down at Red Rock Precision who have made things work every year I have visited here. I geared up to ride Soldier Wash trails while the van was attended to. Parking was prime as it was just across the street from where I got booted previously.

Soldier Wash on a new and different bike. Bike is fast. Do I brake more often? Have my reflexes compensated? I go up hills faster and can lift the front wheel easier. The wide rims don’t appear to squish out the Ardents. I’m running 20psi front and 21 in back. Alex set the suspension sag. I use equal amounts of travel each end while leaving a touch of Oh Shit travel. The bike inspires confidence that I temper w/ caution. I stopped above the roll down on Javalina to study a line. I backed up and stuck it. Really didn’t deserve the fear I let into me. Just rolled down. Spot would have done it also if I would have let it go. I worked several tech spots. No warm up and trails start demanding effort right away.

Back to pick up van which is sitting in the completed rig parking. Walked in to learn that when the air cleaner was removed to check it fell apart. Replacement won’t be until tomorrow morning. Winds have died down clearing dust out of the air. At 183,000 mikes the wheels keeping rolling however effects of aging are apparent.

Drove back to VOC against holiday weekend traffic heading into Sedona. Maybe 2 miles of backed up slowly moving traffic. If I am going to west Sedona I leave in the early morning to beat the jam. Tomorrow it is back up for the air filter and a PT session. I should be back in time to go on the shop ride.

Yesterday I rode my Llama breezy route. OK, quit gushing about how great this RFX is.

This afternoon I learned that this is Easter weekend.

Tuesday was so windy.

After the wheel truing the rotors were wiped down w/ alcohol to remove contaminants including the embedded necessary brake pad deposit needed for correct stopping. Yesterday I finally burned on what was needed to bring the brakes to full efficiency. Rear wheel locks up right now. When I need it to which is not often as I am not a hard braker and favor the front brake.

Friend Steve from Sun Valley will be here April 1 for the month. The possibilities of the road harken. I might stay the week. Time is getting short on this visit of my 3 month stay.

Temp at night is just above freezing. Cows are back.

At 4:30 NOAA recorded winds 22 mph gusts to 35mph, 15% humidity, 63 degrees. And that was pretty much the day.  The forecast on Sunday called for these winds today. Forecast accuracy is always suspect but might be true and I weigh the adverse consequences if the not so good happens. I rode yesterday and made today a rest day. Last rainfall was many weeks ago. Low humidity, traffic, and wind erode the sand that the trails tread on. Wind gets at it transporting its effort into the air. I am a mouth breather bypassing the nasal filter. What came in would end up in my lungs. Not good. Rest is good. During breakfast winds rocked my home. Forecast and my plan worked hand and gust. I drove into the Bean to hang for awhile and take on water. I recalled a dinner recipe from my bookmarks then drove down to Webers IGA to buy necessary ingredients. I have been using my pocket computer to populate a grocery list. I bought a box wine Chardonnay enough for 3 glasses. I just started my second glass, won’t make 3 glasses but the carton will be crushed. I drove out to Beaverhead early hoping to score the spot just below the permanent occupants spot where I want to be because the winds blow over vegetated land, hence no dust. I look occasionally over to the tank spot across the road, sometimes there is a dust storm. A big RV is parked over there. The spot where I was last night would be getting some of that dust. I scored the protected site.

Yesterday was another PT session. Eric worked me. I feel the pain in the joint, not the muscles that are becoming hardened.

Afterwards i drove over to Sunset Park and parked for my ride. A short pedal over green space flood area ended at the trailhead. My ride was Old Post, Skywalker, Scorpion, social trail, ramshead, today I rode Ridge all the way back. Ridge climbs up then down what Sketch kinda contours saving the grunt then loss. Hump up Ridge where there are 2 tech spots on Sketch that I lack success on. I GPS the trails I ride as I added this one to my map. Scorpion has a mix of slick rock, firm, and basalt blobs stuck in. These blobs can deflect my intended direction which the possibility flames the fear of falling, hence an injury. I’m riding a new bike that incorporated several variables that I need to experience to allow reflexes to program themselves. Today I finally pedaled the first uphill climbing turn; my concerted effort and technology propelled me to success. Down a ways the trail traverses a short rock garden. I let gravity unabated pull me over the embedded pokey rocks. A full glass of wine would have sloshed a bit, 4 sips down might have lowered the level such that there would be no slopping out. Bike is smooth. I picked up Ramshead that incorporated a better social trail going thru a wash. Next intersection was Ridge which started my climb out of Oak Creek drainage. Grunt. I hiked a bike several places and mixed in short catch breath stops. Sketch came in non the left. Back to the park and van.

I notice visible trail degradation. The Old Post reroute was done as the dirt was drying out. Getting a lot of traffic. Worn in Old Post is firm. Skywalker built this spring is unpacked and eroding. It will need a season of precip to bed in. At the intersection of Skywalker and Old Post I saw the socail trail being recognized

A man and woman arrived. We shared time together. Visitors from Salida. And do we know several same people including Mark who makes this web site share my missives w/ yall. I functioned as the local as I am treated when I visit other places. For me I cherish sharing my local knowledge w/ visitors.

I stretched a bit back at the van then drove back to Village of Oak Creek, VOC. Spring break traffic in a tourist town is patience trying. I fought uptown traffic to Fat Tire Dave’s shop. I bought a 2.4 Ardent front tire to match the rear. I made a decision to stop trying to figure which tire offered the most nuances. Stans sealant and running 21psi in rear and 20 in the front.

Going to fix dinner.

After preparing, eating and enjoying, then clean up of skillet chicken dish. Dutch oven to boil Yukon potatoes and a 10″ skillet to saute and steam the ingredients mixing in sour cream and mustard… ymmmm. Made a mess in my kitchen / bedroom. All cleaned up. Finished the wine. Added in a few gulps of moonshine. Earlier I enjoyed what some states declare as legal but many more still raise their paranoia to make illegal. Thoughts and keystroke execution will remain an interesting cross roads.

Life as I know it has change. The trails here are very dusty and loose. Yesterday I listened to voice mail from the manager of the snap where I have showered. She told me that their location is not part of Silver Sneakers that I belong to. Said I need to buy a membership to access their facility. And the end of the month is near effecting my shower at Jan’s studio. I am hoping to the end of the month for a shower after a ride.

The parking situation has been resolved as my van and me being treated as an employee of the Bean because my van acts as an attraction to the Bean. PJ, the new owner,  says that even though I am now an employee he will charge me for the water I haul away. No issue here, just playful harassment. Don’t even get management motivation privileges.

On Sunday’s ride my shifting was shit. I was upset as I assumed that what was on the Spot would adjust to the RFX. An on the trail turning of screws put my gear selection in accord. Back at the Bean I was told that the add ons like I did w/ the Oneup suck and that the rear derailleur was overworking to shift up to my 42T gear. I ordered parts to make my bike a 1X11 while still using my crank and bottom bracket. Even get an 11 speed Gripshifter.

OK, I have not shared my political views as I have my own positions. However, Now is the time for me to step up to the plate and declare that Donald Trump is an abomination for what America stands for. Basing his electibility  on fear and distrust is not helping America move. Dump trump.

I will be leaving Sedona soon. I have started a list of things to get done before I leave. Today Floyd cut my hair and beard not to be touched until I return this winter. Oil change this week. Shower access might extend into April. I have been thinking of leaving April 2. My route plan is to go around the country clockwise staying west of Denver till after Labor Day then busting out to the Plains and Dog days of summer. Bentonville, AR before Thanksgiving is my goal.

As daylight faded the wind dropped to match the amount of light: Calm and dark till the moon brightened the sky. Wind stayed down.

Late yesterday afternoon Dave finished up with the wheels and tweaking of details. He put on a Maxxis Ardent on thje rear and an Onza DH on the front for me to try. He made suspension adjustments. He told me to ride 20 miles on the wheels which would seat the spokes then he would check truing and roundness. He gave me the killer route which caused trepidation as I would be riding Western Civ, Last Frontier, and climbing Drano out. I prefer to ride it the other way as it is more downhill, or gravity is the engine versus my legs and lungs. I thought about the ride as I fell asleep.

Today I rolled up to Library on Dry Creek road around 9 as I wanted to be way ahead of the spring break tourist traffic plugging 179. And maybe I would be ahead of the hikers. The drive was flowing but the hiker count on Chuck Wagon and Mescal were high. Once on Aerie I was almost always alone. I pedaled Dry Creek rd to Lizzardhead trail which kinda parallels the road. Once on the dirt the bike shone. It is fast and entirely comfortable. My riding style on the 5 Spot carried over. A Turner bike ride. Jimmy weighed the bike on the shop scale which read 29 lbs, the same as the Spot. Wide carbon rims and 2.4 tires. The bike jets w/ seems like little pedal effort.

Hey, the Turner jersey blouses after uphills. I have a few cans towards a Six pack.

I am very pleased w/ spending retirement savings for this bike. I first rode my DW 5 Spot back in the spring of 2010. My first ride was here w/ Gonzo. I remember riding Breezy wash and the way the bike handled the rocks significantly better than the TNT Spot. The performance jump between the DW Spot and the RFX was not as great because both suspensions are DW link. The wheel diameter is 27.5″, not much bigger than 26″ but produces a notable easier ride over the chunks. It carves tighter leaned over turns.

Watched the Zags Drub 3rd seeded Utah to advance to the sweet 16. Powerful performance.

Tomorrow is Old mans ride.

Beaverhead is not as crowded as 89B.