Incredible amount of rain fell on Monday. Tuesday I checked out the wash that runs under the road near the overlook. it was running big time. The dirt is saturated, so parking was on the pavement.
Van service on Wed was successful as the glow plugs were extracted easily. The van was kept overnight as the needed plugs didn’t ship on time. I was allowed to sleep inside my van. The work was scheduled for Wed as the forecast did not include rain as the van was worked on outside. I keep after the van’s health. I walked to uptown. Walking on the sidewalk. I chose to walk as I did not relish pedaling up the long hill back to west Sedona. I hung at Fat Tire for awhile. I scored a ride back uphill. Dinner finally at Picazzos.
Thurs was laundry day. I carried my bag of wash from the garage. I took 2 trips to return the clean and or wet clothes back to my home. The van was freed up late afternoon. Dolly told me of a sleep spot out on 525 rd that she got to from Dry Creek rd. I followed the Google pin drop until connection lost. Long slow bumpy drive once off pavement. I never found her spot. Turns out I was just under 6 miles to paved 89A for a faster trip to my 8:15 AM Fri PT appointment. Lots of campers.
Friday AM was another PT session for my knee and chest. I must have landed on my handlebar which explains why my pain location is so specific.
After PT I drove down to Sunset Park to ride SSS which is Skywalker, Scorpion, Sketch loop which includes pieces of other trails. My performance is hampered by painful breathing. I studied the spot where i believe I fell, Couldn’t really reconstruct my landing. 10.67 miles climbing 1237′ taking 1 hr 23 mins.
Friday was the first day of the Sedona Mtn Bike Festival out at Posse Grounds. Packed parking lots. I wheeled my bike to Turner’s booth. Greeted Dave as he was the main demo man. Friendly exchange. He made no comments about my bike.
I wandered around the expo grounds. I found Club Ride from Ketchum booth manned by Cameron. I bought 2 pairs of their 2 hour liner shorts. They make more comfortable liners that are designated by length of ride time. My rides hare have been mostly under 2 hours, I told him I would have to hang around at the TH to accumulate threshold time. I sat in a short folding chair enjoying a beer. I was wearing Cub Ride’s knickers. I finished my beer and stood up and left. I did not check my left front pocket for my cell phone. I picked up my bike from Industry ( booth after they checked my wheels out. They serviced the rear hub. I pedaled back to the parking lot and put my bike back on the rack then drove away. When the phone is in a pants pocket it takes up space and I pull it out and put it on the passenger seat. I drove towards town. I looked for my phone which wasn’t were it should have been. I drew a blank on when I had it last. I did not recall removing it from my pocket. i lost it!!! Freak out. I drove back to the parking lot and retraced my steps thru the expo. First stop was Club Ride. My phone was still in the chair. Found. Cameron queried people about left phone. He figured whose ever it was they would return. That was me. how ironic it was as I was wearing their product at their booth. The knicker material is slippery and the pocket is shallow for the phone which matched to a butt lower than the waist scooted the phone out.
I showered at snap then drove back down to the bean where Friday after ride carryings on was underway. Lots of people. Kona treated a small party to Thai dinner, me getting caught up in the invite. We left the tables about 9:30. I walked out to my van. As I arrived at my van a sheriff’s rig pulled behind me. He exited the rig and walked towards me. I asked if he wanted me. He said perhaps. Up walked the parking lot person. he said you remember me? Yes I said. He was the one who kicked me out of the parking lot last spring. He said he told me if I parked in the lot again he would charge me with trespassing. I told him my recount of our agreement which was as long as I was doing business with a shop in the plaza I was OK. He would not remember the agreement. To me there was no point in arguing with him as the problem would be worked out at a level above me. I drove away.
Sat AM I drove back to VOC and parked behind the sheriff’s office then rode my bike up to the Bean. Last night the responding deputy shared his report with PJ the Bean owner. He said sparks will fly as this parking lot guy is chasing away customers. It seems that the parking lot is operated to service customers doing business in the plaza even though the lot is private property but he can deny parking as he sees fit. He might not have a leg to stand on. Yesterday I spoke with a deputy who was involved in last year’s dust up. He recalled the agreement was I was allowed to park when I did business with any shop in the plaza and I could not be kicked out. Legal issues and repercussions are underway. I ride my bike the .3 miles uphill to the plaza.
Sat was a rest day. The festival brought in hordes of touron riders to ride the red. Don’t ride any of the popular trails. I drove back up to the venue. Traffic backup per norm on a weekend. I visited with Turner again speaking with Eric and Dave.
Dave and Annie threw a prime rib dinner party to invitation only. I made my salad and shared my corn. Lots of stories and giggling. I left late driving out to the empty overlook for the night.
Sunday at 11 at the Bean Jimmy gathered the OLD Man’s riders. Historic Brewery is gone which was the end of our social ride. I asked to ride Turkey Creek area instead of a loop around Hogs. Turkey area would be devoid of tourons. Old school riding out here on really rough tread and much steep hike a biking. my chest hurt. My breathing just can’t keep up with my legs. Chuck just turned 60 yet he is up front with the leaders. My body just never had it and its seems that what i had is slipping away. They found Turkey creek wash to ride, not me, I walked much of it. Just nasty rocky finesse moves.
The above wash was a highway compared to Turkey creek which had standing pools of water.
Ride ended up back at Dave’s for food and drink. They set me up with a shower, prolly the first house shower since Ohio.
I drove out to Beaverhead while still light picking a spot that is near that wash that ran. I forgot to check out the wash before I left this morning.
Friday at the festival I spoke with a FS guy I know. I asked about the closing of the camp spots out on 89B. He said the problem is people who are squatting at the camp spots beyond the allowed 14 days. The FS is dealing with over staying is to close the spots to everyone. Seemed harsh. Yesterday I spoke with the deputy we know of each other. He told me officers respond to numerous fights at some of those sites. Years ago the FS LEO told me it was like the game Whack a Mole as they moved out the squatters as they just relocated. Sleeping spots now west of Sedona will be on 525 road. Beaverhead has upscale squatters as my favorite spot is occupied by a trailer.
Making today a rest day for my painful chest.
Sat night I watched the Zag’s game in the guest room at Dave’s rejoining the party during time outs. They won. Tonight they play in the semis, Tues is the final. The Zags earned a NCAA big dance as they won the conference outright, a WCC tournament win is icing on the cake to perhaps enhance their seeding. Right now they are a projected a number 1 seed. Go Zags.