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Today is Tuesday and was pleasant. A nice day for a solo ride. I rode wearing a Holter device to track the functions of my heart. I drove in from Deer Pass sleep spot to ride Skywalker / Sketch loop for enjoyment plus to abuse my body for the recorder to capture. The dirt was mostly tacky. A rider just had to ride when it was too wet maybe yesterday leaving hardened tracks. Pretty much just on the legacy trails. 10 miles climbing the almost average of 1000′ per mile. The trails are in an elevation band from 4000′ to in low 4600′. Not much for climbing but the trails use that elevation band over and over.

The Holter shut off just after I finished, 24 hrs of data.

For several days I have had a swollen lymph node in my left neck common to the oral surgery wound. I wondered if it was infected. I drove to the clinic for exam. Graft is sound. Next cause is sinus infection. I returned to Cottonwood to drop off the Holter. Took a shower at snap, only 1 restroom and that has the shower. Drove to Beaverhead, my preferred spot is occupied.

Yesterday was a rest day. I drove to Cottonwood to the heart clinic to be fitted with a Holter gig. I drove back to Deer Pass and the pile of rocks waiting to be placed. Rain fell late afternoon.

Sunday was social ride. Rode the east side of VOC up to Rabbit Ridge.

Trails here and over to the highway are loose rock, lots of basalt chunks with patches of slick rock red sandstone. I walked when the loose became too big and frequent. Our exit from dirt to pavement was at the top of a long steep paved downhill. We had a coast off. I was right in the mix of riders. My bike is fast. We crossed the highway and worked our way thru a neighborhood to pick up the Kel Fox trail which ends at a pictograph rock. The ride was extended south downhill on scant tread. A route decision was made to take a wash instead of the jeep road and a fence gate. Nasty. Lift the bike over the fence and crawl between the barb strands. Pedal maybe 2 miles to Historic Brewery. During the ride rain threatened then finally sprinkled hard. I stopped and put on my rain coat as I was carrying it. rain was a tease. We were under cover drinking beer when a thunderstorm struck. Lightning struck almost on top of us. Only 7 riders today. I drove in the rain to west Sedona for a shower then out to Deer Pass.

Sat was a no ride day. I did hike Transcept to Hiline loop. Took 1 hr 51 mins to get to the pedestal from the Bean. Big hike. I visited with several riders on Hiline so I never knew how long that piece is.

Went to PJs to watch the Zags win #26 then out to Beaverhead.

Friday I rode by myself out on the Hogs. Bell Rock, Big Park, Llama, Little Horse, Broken Arrow, High on the Hogs, Twin Buttes, Hog Wash, Peccary, Mystic, neighborhood, Bell Rock, Phone, Bell Rock, single track by pass, Big Park, home. 14.46 miles climbing 1565′. More carrying on later outside the Bean.

Just lots of riding. Sunday I attended a skills session taught by Simon, focus was weight transfer.

This issue of DirtRag features an article written and photographed by Brian Leddy whom I met up in the Zunis.

Today, Valentines day, I shopped at Fry’s in Cottonwood. Fry’s is a large store. Quite the large number of men buying flowers. Didn’t see any women doing the same. what does a woman give her man on the day of love? Ads on TV show the guy laying an expensive showy bauble to his woman who melts into his arms. Maybe she gives him a love pill later? Never seen a woman gift a cordless drill motor to her man. Just saying.