Today that is what the van thermometer read at the finish of my ride of the Hurricane Cliffs epic ride. Desert riding in full on sun. I am cooked.I started near the bridge over Virgin river on Sheep Bridge road. This starting point is a drive away from Hurikin meaning that I seldom get to ride this piece. Old friend Don liked to start from here as it provided a bit of a warm up for us older guys. The tread here is sharp edged rock slabs with numerous crossings of washes and lots of little ups and downs mixed in except for the road climb up to Goulds rim, finally a long climb where I could set back and just grind away. That’s what i did. What a hump. I did ride several previous walk moves but the ones remaining are beyond either my ability or wind. Saw just a few riders for such a beautiful day on last day of T-day break. 24.4 miles climbing 2250′ pedaling for 3 hours. Trails are extremely dry, my legs look like I got dusted in dirt.
I was cooked. At the van I did a full on sun repair, no shade tree mechanic me, replacing my chain and cassette. 12xx’ miles on chain.
One beer for recovery I headed to Hurkin ( as some locals pronounce Hurricane) right to Over the Edge. Quentin was on the porch. Warm greetings. This is my ninth yearly visit here. First was back in 2009 while I was recovering from a lacerated left kidney. Made a home.
Ran into Jeff from Salt Lake whom I ran into at Park City this spring. And Stacy. The 3 of us and perhaps more will be riding Gander which is on the Grafton side of Gooseberry mesa. Stacy ran into me yesterday on Thunder Mountain, he said I looked familiar, he pegged me, Me not so lucky.
Washed dust off at anytime which is right in town, bought groceries then drove up out of town to spent the night at upper JEM TH.
But yesterday’s ride on Thunder Mountain trail was a eye candy overdose. I rode a loop starting from the bottom then pedaling up a paved bike path to the top then rode a gravel road to the Coyote TH and the start of the 7.78 mile trail which trends mostly down hill. The trail is an old hiking trail. What sets this place off is the scenery similar to Bryce Canyon NP. Conditions were optimal, scenery was clear blue sky and the yellowish orange sandstone.
Just spectacular scenery.
From Hoodoos to fossilized sand dunes etc of Zion NP as I drove thru the park on way to Springdale to watch Apple Cup at Jacks which is a sports bar, a rarity in mormon land. park was crowded. I was driving into the sun set and paying attention to narrow no shoulder road with consequences. More eye candy. At the west entrance in the NPS booth a woman wildly waved at me. It was Dolly dressed in full NPS regalia. I met here when she was driving Pink Jeep in Sedona then rode with her last year here.
At Jacks I watched most of the first half of the Apple Cup till the Cougs play finally became apparent that they were being taken apart. Stick a fork in the Cougs.
Springdale main drag is chewed up for some major utility work. One way traffic created major delays. I left Jacks finding an opening in the stream of vehicles. The driver behind me aggressively tailgated me. I let his actions get to me. I thought of pulling over but there was no spot. Finally at a curve and a double yellow in our lane the guy zipped out and passed. SHIT. Then right beside me the sky was lit up by blinding red and blue flashers as the trooper passed me and pulled over the guy. Karma happens.
I drove a short ways on Sheep Bridge road and took the first off the road parking spot for the night. Warm temps.
Thursday I volunteered at the WabaSabi community thanksgiving feed. After an hour of humping ice water to the tables I got my turn at the trough. Good food stacked high. The aquatic center, home of my shower, was closed for the day which affected my riding choice. I showered on Wed to be clean for being around people eating. No shower meant I needed to keep the clean glow on so no ride. I did do my wash before hand.
Willow Springs road is just a big parking lot. The state has placed porta poties along the way. There is little personal space honoring as people parked almost close enough to bang doors. It is what it is. I stayed there on Wed night also.
Friday was a short slow ride at Moab Brand trails where I just enjoyed the tech challenges. I managed my time to be able to get to Thunder mtn before dark. I 70 works its way across the geological features including a gap thru the San Raphael Swell (?). I did drive new roads for me that are now highlighted in my old road atlas.
So now I am here in Hurkin till just before new years unless the trails turn to mud.
Down in Luckytown.