OK, it’s sunset now after sunrise I would be in the literal shadow.

Wed night I slept on Sheep Bridge rd under a slightly different aspect of said Mesa. 15 degrees at nose out from under the covers, enough inside heat to keep the plumbing from freezing both van system and human being. The catalytic heater ran full throttle but raised the temp to only 45.

A wind event was forecasted for noon and on. like gusts in the 40s. I bailed on a ride because of the forecast which missed arrival time of 12PM. I coulda should of but didn’t. Wind did pick up blowing 43 mph as recorded at ST George.

Examined by another DR who determined that the skin bumps are caused by something inside my body and not topically as other DR, new scipt for steroids. Itches and bumps are less objectionable since pill popping.

Thursday was clean clothes preceded by a latte at River Rock roasters where my name is now added to my standard drink. Moving along the familiarity continuum.

Kevin and I made a ride date for early evening ride of Kentucky Lucky Chicken above a ST George Walmart. trail opened this spring. Tough purpose built single track by hand, mostly using rock for tread. Grunter, I walked a bunch of places both up and down. Trail is a loop, the uphill had many switchbacks, the down had different geography requiring a different solution. We finished about darkening 5:30. Dinner at buffalo wings then drive to Hurkin cleaning shower then drive up to JEM TH.

While free thinking laying warm under the covers I figures a ride for today riding from van, I wanted to mix up and maybe shorten the Hurricane Cliffs IMBA epic ride. I pedaled off just before 11 chilled by 41 degrees and slight breeze. I rode down the JEM untill Dead Ringer which was named after a dead cow discovered during trail build. I do not know if the cow bell was on the cow but a bell is now at the top of said trail. I turned onto Kripto to ride to join the cliffs trail for the rest of the way back to the van. The day warmed a little and aspects where either in or out of wind. This route put the jeep road climb up Goulds in the middle of the ride. The climb lasts 1.48 miles climbing 386′ per mile taking 19 mins of pedaling in the gear right below granny. All by myself. Ride was 20.2 miles pedaling almost straight for 2 hrs 3 mins climbing 1853′ The tread has lots of rock challenges while above the Virgin river. Out beyond Goulds it is less bumpy. Cows are out on Goulds. What are they eating?

Yesterday I noticed a new sticker stuck to the van’s rear door. I didn’t permit it, I stick stickies on if I have a connection to the meaning of the sticker. This one was vandalism. I Goo Goned it today.

Riding in Utah’s deserts a full suspension bike eases the body beatings because of all the rocks. The 2.5WT tires further enhance the ride experience.

Last night I enjoyed solitude at upper jem. Came with a price that was charged everywhere as the temp dropped. I ran the furnace on a lower setting but it never reached that temperature. I pulled on my opened 20 degree down bag then played slip off the bed retrieval. 53 degrees inside. A bit of a breeze in the dark shimmied me in bed.

I waited till temp was almost 40, I wore a long underwear top and heavy jersey topped with wind shell, knee socks and knickers. Ride started down the JEM which chilled me even more as little muscle burn happened to support mostly no pedal down hill gentle grade. For the most part the JEM can be ridden uphill which is no longer allowed, just saying the grade is pedalable and coastable.

Left the JEM taking the Hurricane Cliff s trail along the Virgin river gorge and skirting incised washes. Hit a BLM outhouse at the junction of Crypto which starts the climb back up and finished on Dead Ringer so named for a dead cow, Beautiful sunny brisk day.

I managed my time to be in Springdale at Jacks at 5 to watch a Zags basketball game.I made it so. Big screen TV above the bar and I had a front seat seat. Ranked number 4 Villa beat the 15 rank Zags. Respectable game.

Yesterday was a rest day. The shop gave another go on my dropper post. Regreased it and installed a new cable pressurized to 25 nut smacking psi. It worked well during my ride. Seems it is really sensitive to ingesting fine dust which creates stiction slowing the return height.

I turned to the web to buy 2 pairs of long pants and a wool top because I had a stable ship to address. Next up is a new seat swivel base.

No precip in the forecast. Just dusty dry. Brisk breeze keeps fines in the air.

catching up.

This morning I left preferred camp spot at the upper JEM trail to drive to Santa Clara to ride the Barrel Roll collective trails with Kevin. Skies were over cast but no precip in today’s and short term forecast. It is so dry. These trails are in lower elevation than Hurricane and are mostly some form of rock so it rides well unless a real drencher. I ride this system several times a visit and today it won the pick. Starts out with a grunt climb up single track to the actual TH, This piece lengthens the ride and acts as a warm up albeit  a grunt in and of its self. Kevin is a more skilled rider and has a stronger engine for uphill and goes way faster downhill. And up and over then down and around stuff which I work the more pedestrian line or walk. The ride was punctuated several times for sitdowns. The bike is a capable rock scrambler. 11 miles pedaling for 1 3/4 hours while wearing summer riding kit. 1355′ of umphs. Purpose built trails. Hand made. No pics to share.

Drove into ST George to Harmon’s grocery store which is stuffed with killer choices, they taught me about 3 year old Gouda cheese. Showered at Hurkin Anytime which is down the street from OTE where I stopped for a water on load then drove up to JEM to see my spot occupied by the truck guy who was here last night but at the spot I took for the night. Second time this visit someone else has stayed here which is unusual that someone else shares with me.

Last night Over the Edge (OTE) hosted a celebration for their 10th anniversary. Maybe 30 or so celebrants enjoying food and companionship. I attended their first one with just Fixie Dave, Quentin and myself. refreshments were my Scotch and chocolate. Successful shop, they do a good job.

Earlier in the day I joined the shop ride up on Little Creek mesa. Many miles of dirt road decaying proportionally to TH proximity. Back in ’09 I drove my van all the way out. There might have been 17 riders in our group. The mesa consists of exposed sandstone with mixes of islands of pinyon where sufficient dirt had accumulated.There are actual trails around the mesa but the desire of this group is playing on all kinds of tech features. I play around in the wading pool depth.Back on the ’09 ride I fell right at the mesa edge with the frint wheel of my bike just inches from leading the plunge off the rim. The abrupt stop lacerated my left kidney which I discovered back at the TH when I got rid of the post ride beer. My piss was red. Shit… Short story ambulance ride from Hurkin to a 2 day stay in hospital in ST George and 6 weeks of recovery that I spent in Hurkin hanging at OTE. This ride no body damaging events.

Q and DJ have a 4 year old daughter. Check out mom and the youngun’s ride:

On Friday I rode from sleep spot down JEM then back up Cryptobiotic struggling with a noisy chain. I walked a short distance uphill so I didn’t have to listen to the sound. Back at the van I stripped the new chain grease with a Park chain cleaner then rinsed off a mixture of Dawn soap sprayed on by a house plant sprayer followed with clean water. The chain was still not happy. WTF. Turns out the chain needed a good dose of Squirt on the cleaned chain. Spent night up at JEM which is at 4290′.

On Wed I caught up with Kevin after his work to ride Prospector and Church rocks a close in ride that weathers the rain well. I met Kevin a bunch of years ago here. He is also a rider who inspires in MBA mag. He was co owner of Main Street Cafe in town.

Sunset dark is about 5:30 which makes for short rides.

Horse people! Their audacity to dump road apples from their trailers into the parking lot. Another black eye to their sport.

Thursday was laundry day. Same woman is still working there. Earlier it was a latte at River Rock coffee shop. The women know my drink but not by name.Today my latte was poured before I could order and pay for it. Kevin and I rode again at 2:45 after hs work. This time it was on the Boy Scout trails that are above Quail Creek lake. Lots of chunk and challenge. Few miles extracted major exertion. Beautiful late afternoon light.

I slept in OTE’s parking lot while hooked up to their shore power to power my defrosted fridge down to proper temp. Noisy night. About 6:30 the trash truck connected with the shop’s dumpster. can’t sleep thru that.

My skin has broken out in red bumps that itch. Friday I finally went to local Urgent Care for treatment. Same DR as previous visit. We remembered each other. He told me it is an itch that is  not a rash, it is an itch that rashes. His treatment is slather affected areas with acceptable Bag Balm which is to hold in skin ,moisture as the itch is because my skin is too dry. After 2 days no relief.

Bit of rocking wind right now. The keyboard moves under my fingers. Rock me baby.

Tomorrow is a rest day.