Friday out off Willow Springs, within sight of Arches NP the wind blew, rain fell, sucker holes, and I stayed dry and warm. Late in the afternoon the clouds cleared giving me the idea that I could get a quick spin on Klonzo further down the road. I finally took the plunge gearing up and pedaling off. rain firmed up the loose sand making for a firm surface. I smoked out to Klonzo. Hard sand was fast. My ride was to get up high and come down like Zephyr on the other side of the road. The trails I rode were firm. I hit a high spot and paused to study the clouds. I saw rain feathers upwind of me. Window might close. I bailed early over to Zephyr allowing gravity to pull me down Hotdog which has quite a few kickers jumps. Air time measured in tenths of seconds. Seat down, weight over the pedals, look ahead, go for a boost. Bike scoots. I worked my return to the van. The feathers never made it. I could have ridden longer.

The back end of the road at the camping boundary was packed w/ motor crowds. I normally find a place not far from the highway. I scored this wide pull out that was soon shared by 2 trailers. I watched rig after rig continue out past me to an ever increasing camper density. I was exposed and open w/ a little space between me and the joiners. It is public land primitive camping w/ few rules, hard to stop someone parking right next to you.

Sat forecast called for more rain and very high winds. Not a riding day. I drove into town for a shower and resupply. Free filtered water at Gearheads across a side street from City Market. I stopped at Chili Pepper for a visit. Place was packed, I said hello and left them to their business.

Spring time, prime time to visit the southwest. Lots and lots of rigs hauling mountain bikes. November is chilly w/ fewer visitors. Trails aren’t crowded but there are others to share the goods with, not like November.

Willow Springs road under went a permanent road conversion of graded rolled gravel and drivers are keeping their foot down as they pass me. North wind blows the road dust south to me. The improvement stopped just before where I previously stayed which dropped the speed and dust. I looked over the hill tonight at that spot and saw several rigs parked. I picked my favorite spot which is the 2nd spot from the highway on slick rock.

Sunday’s forecast liked partial sunshine and less than 20 mph wind. I’m in for a ride. Today it is Navajo Rocks up towards Dead Horse SP. My plan it to ride it as a figure 8 staring in the middle, the trail named Middle Earth. I rode out Big Mesa which ran into Big Lonely, crossing the highway to Coney Island to Middle Earth connector back to TH then riding Ramblin to the highway crossing onto Rocky Tops to Middle earth back to the van. Finished, 18. 55 miles climbing 2112′ pedaling 2 hrs 27 mins.

I finished my ride before I competed w/ later arriving riders. I shared the parking lot w/ 4 rigs when i left, upon return The big lot was plugged. Way good to see so many riders getting after it.

I drove up to Horse Thief BLM XG hoping that it wasn’t full, today being Sunday w/ vacationers returning to Monday work. I found a spot to my liking. My guess statistic is 67% occupied. Senior pass lowers camp fee to $7.50. No phone, no electric, and no water. I hiked the bike trail named Chisholm  leaving directly from the XG over to highway and a TH. New trail then connects to Mustang then on to Get away. Well laid out and built using natural features for interest. Chilly quiet night.

Today after breakfast, cleanup, and a sit down I drove further up the road tot he TH I hiked to yesterday. XG checkout time is 12:00 leaving me not enough ride time to make it back before turning into a pumpkin(?). Only rig. I started just after 9. Chisholm connecting to Mustang turning onto Getaway over to the top of Bull Run. No cars in the lot. Drop down Bull. Tread uses lots of slick rock and features. Lots of step ups, wiggles, and roll downs. Trail is marked by respective paint color stripes. I am able to ride almost everything still leaving the old ones untested by my new bike. I like these trails. I hone my skills on what I can ride. Bike sure is great. The 1X11 is the bomb to always be in the correct gear. I use Backcountry Navigator to GPS my rides. It calculates and displays grade. Grade is mostly under 10% w/ a few necessary steep moves. These trails are all purpose built for mtn biking, just well executed.

I climbed out on Getaway as it is less tech and more gentle than Bull Run. However, quite a few groups of riders chose to ride down it. I had one encounter while riding up hill w/ a group riding downhill. Today I pedaled my course accepting the right of yielding to the uphill rider. Poor trail love. back at a now crowded parking lot. Reid pedaled up to me. He guides mtn bike trips for a guide company where Beth also works. Reid visits Sedona.

Today’s ride was the biggest this year of 2hrs 59 mins pedaling 22.88 miles climbing 2067′.

Elevation gained comes in short punches, never a mountainous giant uphill for a giant downhill. Never settle into a grind, just a mix of ups and downs and downs and ups w/ little features. Full body work out horsing a move. Bike is fast. Light carbon rims accelerate like lightning. Great bike.

At the TH sparse snow fell, a final (?) reminder of past winter. I drove back down to town for a shower and provisions. Propane, water, and groceries. Satiated I drove back out to Willow Springs claiming previously mentioned spot. At 9:14 there are still rigs streaming past seeking their sleep spot. My rocky spot precludes joiners. Here I receive internet.

Tomorrow I am heading north to the north end of the Klondike Bluffs trail system for 2 days of riding. Another trail system that is great to ride, more of the same w/o the big elevation gains and views.

I really like riding the trails here. Purpose built, challenging. Such an improvement over hiking trails not built for bikes.

After the new shocks install my van transmits vibrations from the road. I wonder if wheels are out of balance?  I believe that the repair place put everything back together correctly. The rumble strip noise is more pronounced and persistent.

I plan on stating here till end of the month unless the camping gets too crowded. Next up is Fruita and GJ.

 

 

Anthony Diaz, creator and owner of DSD, tunes suspensions. He is also a Turner rider racing Enduros. We chatted several times while in Sedona. He’s in Durango. I made my way to Durango to look him up and for him to tune my suspension. His shop is right behind Durango bikes(?) shop where I met him years ago. I caught him when he was in and I made an appointment for his magic. He worked on the fork and the shock late Wed evening. He can provide details of his tune and I am not going to try to write about how suspensions work and what his work did. I picked up my bike Wed night and rode it back to John’s house where I was staying. The first curb I dropped off I felt a much more supple squish. I put the bike back on my van looking forward to my ride today. His contact info is phone 713 806 4278, his voice mail is waiting.

Lost days getting caught up.

Monday I drove to Aztec arriving in the afternoon then I drove out to new trailhead for Alien run. BLM land w/ invite to spend the night. Driving down from the Zunis I prolly bottomed out the Spinter’s suspension on a cattle guard. A good shaker. I turned on the furnace before going to bed. I woke several times chilly but the furnace was running. Air was moving but it wasn’t heated. Furnace not working. I was able to start the infra red heater giving warmth till the sun took over. Check under the van after the ride.

Alien Run is one of IMBA / BLM backyard to back country rides. I rode here on the TNT Spot. Today it was the RFXs turn. The system is a narrow loop. The first 5 miles are trending uphill, the last 11 miles trend downward. The uphill tread had many sections and feet of loose round cobble. The DW anti squat suspension allowed me to pedal w/o spinning out, quite a feat. Nasty rubble.  Land is populated w/ oil extraction and transportation equipment. The trail gives view sheds. What a hard ride leaving me in a different zone afterwards. 16.21 miles climbing 1599′ pedaling 2 hrs 10 mins. Punchy up and downs never allow to just straight climbing.

Back at the van I crawled underneath to search for the furnace problem. I discovered one of the ducts was no longer attached. I slipped it into place then laid a round of 100 mile per hour tape. The left rear shock was right in my face: it was wet from a blown shock. Replacement of all shocks now areal need. I googled shocks in Durango, I found Tire Factory. I called and I scored service on Wed, the next day. The service guy said 30 min job.

John in Durango invited me to look him up during a Sedona conversation. I met him and several of his older friends at an Old Man’s night out several years ago. I drove into town and parked on the street at a meter. No free parking downtown. I walked Main Ave to Anthony’s shop. I saw a dispensary sign, a green cross. I climbed the steep steps to the second floor store. Decisions. I added to my stash. Downtown buildings are historic and well preserved. I spend time admiring the architecture. I met John at a brew pub for beer and dinner. I planned on staying at Junction Creek XG but it was closed. Street camping is aggressively discouraged. John let me sleep in his driveway. We visited till his bedtime and I walked the short distance to my house.

Wed at 10 was the shock appointment, the location was just 2 blocks from John’s. The shop took my van right away. I walked downtown whiling my wait time away. The shop called me to tell me they were moving stuff from my libray in the right wheel well. I walked back to the shop where work was still being performed. Turns out the shop made a mistake in understanding the replacement work. They stood by their quote. I paid and drove away. I noticed that teh engine control light lit up. WTF? I googled Sprinter repair finding only one. I called,  they don’t, she gave me a suggestion, I called them, no, they don’t, closest shop is back at Farmington, NM. Rats, broken van requiring immediate fix and my bike work getting done. I stopped at Anthony’s explaining my situation, he said he would work on my stuff that night and maybe have it done before my early drive to Farmington. I wondered if during the shock work a wire might have been disconnected so I drove back to the shop. I said hello and shortly the wrench who did the work all but ran to my van. He disconnected the air cleaner and sensor to get at the shock which turned out not to be the way to get at it and he forgot to reconnect the stuff. He attached the stuff then volunteered to plug in a computer to check error codes then clear them. Codes cleared, light unlit. I drove to Anthony’s to tell him that he had more time for the work.

Back at John’s happy hour in the back yard. John hurt his right hand damaging connective tissue such that he doesn’t ride. I did not have a local to lead me around. Anthony called saying my bike was ready. Cool, I walked the maybe 6 blocks in the dark to his shop. I carefully pedaled and coasted back to John’s.

Mountains above Durango still have a snow mantle, too early to ride up high and too wet down below to ride.

Today I bid John goodbye then drove to a nearby laundromat because today is Thursday.

Clean dry clothes folded and put away and the wet ones hung up to dry.

I drove west to Cortez, CO to ride Phil’s world trails, another IMBA / BLM project.

I pedaled away on the newly tuned suspension. Right away the ride was vastly improved lighting up my smile even more. Early miles of the system were smooth and fast. The bike just flies, I lifted both wheels into the air several times. The tuning worked. The trails are one way, at every intersection turn left to go w/ the direction. Ribcage is a flow trail, lots of g-outs and kickers. Smoking. 18.05 miles climbing 1682′ pedaling 2 hrs 10 mins.

Afterwards I drove to Cortez community rec center for a Silver Sneakers shower. Winds picked up coming at my left front quarter making for a skittish drive to US 191 heading north w/ the wind at my back mostly. Moab is hopping. I stopped for water then drove up the CO river to Goose Island XG where I had stayed, it’s the first BLM XG from town. Wow, XG full. I continued to the next XG which was also full. I turned around and drove out to Willow Springs road where I have stayed also. Place is packed. I found a spot out in the open. Forecast called for high winds which blow sand around and precip, both makes this spot not desirable. I’m parked almost broadside to the wind which rocks my house.

Forecast calls for wet till Monday. Might stay here all day hunkered down.

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.