Sunrise is at 7:00AM. I woke up about that time. 32 degrees outside. The furnace ran on a lower setting all night. B4 I crawled out of bed I heard the furnace go thru its turn on cycle with the blower sound going on longer than normal. Shit. Red light flashing indicated failure to ignite. I cycled the switch thru 2 attempts and no start. I put the lighter to the propane stove to check for fuel, stove lighted. I let the furnace sit for several minutes then gave it a go: successful lighting and heat for leaving the comfort of the bed. Wait Wait is on at 10 to 11 that I stayed inside to listen to while the sun increased the ground temp. battery voltage was in the mid 11 amps. Short sunlight and drain from the furnace blower.
I pedaled off up the road to the next TH parking where I had previously stayed to pick up the Scrappy Mtn trail, the hardest effort and tech challenge of the trails. Good: I am able to hike up anything or lower myself. Again making fresh compressions on the leaves while my tires searched for control for what I could not see. I wore a wool long underwear top under my long sleeve orange jersey and left the vest. Knickers and knee socks. Trail is hidden under the leaves.
Crossed Livingston creek 2X, the first one was 1 foot wet as the crossing log was too short. The second one below I rode the slippery ledges keeping both feet dry
I did a lot of walking over the more troublesome chunks. I am learning that if I lower my seat just a bit so that there is a good bend to my knees I can more powerfully push down on the flat pedals. And the wheels just scoot forward with just a pedal push.The pedal axle is for the most part under my foot arch. Oval chain ring. Sweet pedal machine. The engine needs new rings. MTBP kept me on the trails.
Yesterday I spoke with a FS official about trail brushing. This is what a cleared trail looks like
Jacks Branch yesterday didn’t look like the above, here my arms were unscathed.
Some view sheds
Never seen these berries
Beautiful day.
The piece of siding deposited from 2008 storm is still beside the trail.
I saw nobody. Depends on which of the 3 data recording devices I use for ride length and time. Garmin said 12.7, the wheel said 15.1, backcountry navigator which is gps based also said 13.2, climbed 1795′ riding time of 1 hr 51 mins or 2 hours 27 mins. Difficult riding. Trails need loving and use.
Pedaled back to the van which the sun still shone on charging the batteries. Beautiful day. camping at 997′ elevation.
Started planning ride and travel. I40 thru Oklahoma and Texas. I found rides in each of the states not far off the fast path. Ride in those states which will make 25 states ridden in since the first of the year.
Club Ride is replacing my torn knickers.
I will ride Bad Branch loop here then drive down towards Hot Springs.
35 degrees at 10:00 PM, still wearing shorts. Forecast temp tomorrow is 59 degrees, 10 warmed than today.