Thursday I drove out of Sedona heading up Oak Creek canyon for the last time this visit. I stopped for water at teh spring then moved up to Flagstaff REI and Whole Foods. Stuff gotten then I turned east on I40 for FT Wingate exit and the climbing road up to McGaffey and cabin 34.
I caught friend Bill by himself allowing me quality time before his son Michael joined on Friday. Bill has been responsible for the trails up here which piques my curiosity as to the methodology etc to get the trails made. Interesting that the trails are designated non motorized and not assisted meaning that any device you use can be designated by you as an assistance device and can be legally used, even if it is motorized. I will continue my understanding of this assistance category. We talked till late at night till i walked out to my house parked nearby.
Chilly night.
No internet access at the cabin. I had checked on the forecast while I still had access elsewhere which called for Fri t-storms etc meaning bad riding experience. We watched several sucker holes open up which would have resulted in being wet and cold. We did walk up the mountain where cell and internet access is 4 bars 4G. Forecast called for Sat to be great with Sunday returning to nasty.
Ride start time here is when we all get ready. Bill rides a 29er hard tail, son Michael gathered up Bill’s single speed rigid, and Brian from a nearby cabin joined w/ his geared fat bike. And i on my 6″ travel Turner RFX. I stayed at the back. Friday’s rain dampened the dirt which had been dust. The trails here are pedal bike trails. What it lacks in tech moves it makes up in distance. Here you pedal and pedal and pedal. Hills either way are gentle. However, the elevation is 7800′ which cooked my jets.
Open Ponderosa Pine tree forest w/ a smattering of alligator junipers and oak trees. Many of the trail miles are ridden in.
Post ride relaxing under cloudy blue skies. I made a cheese ball snack. Again more visiting till late night.
Forecast for Sunday was for increasing probability of precip as the day went on changing to snow. We sort of planned to leave about 11:00 to finish before wet falling but start time was about noon. We rode Sawmill over to Hilso TH then up marque Quaking Aspen to Sheetrock tank. Jack joined us. Michael chose to suspended FSR.
This is typical forest:
The above connected to the Plush trail that would take us back to the cabin. Weather continued to threaten. We crossed a meadow towards the end that was full on exposed hitting us w/ a cross wind and a smattering of rain. We were almost home. We made it back before the rain started. Bill made lasagna and I fixed my Waldorf salad.
Just at dark snow started falling. Cabin is at 7800′, temp was 31 degrees.
Our rides were 17 miles on Sat and 15 on Sunday. During Sunday’s ride we pedaled for 1 hr 19 mins before we sat down for a break. Just pedal dammit. We crossed several fence lines that required assistance from others to lift my bike over as my right arm just won’t work.
Quite the contrast riding here in the P-pine forest from the red rock of Sedona.
Bill and his wife Marcie and his son Michael split this AM while I was still in bed. Bummer no good bye.
Back to Jack who has a house in Gallup that he opens his bathroom up for a shower which I took advantage of. Bill helped do some of the remodeling, the stuff has really attracted me to copy. I took pics.
Once cleaned I drove down to a coffee house housed in a building Bill owns. I caught up w/ Bill as he was crossing the street. We said goodbye and received a return visit invite.
I like Bill and his gang as it is. Riding w/ a local who has such connection w/ the trails and the land is very rewarding. I am back to being the touron and the recipient of local connections.
I drove N up to Aztec for a ride tomorrow on Alien Ruin trail then off to Durango, CO.
My start of a sun tan has been covered by long sleeves and knee socks because of the chill.