Yesterday .5″ of rain was reported from a VOC home rain gauge. Rain showers off and on for a chunk of the day. Ian stopped in at the bean. He said Shady was dry and he was going for a ride. In the time of this conversation he looked out the window to see that the sucker hole had closed again. Instead we internet researched e bike laws. I dallied allowing the ground to swallow what had been dropped before checking out MP4 camp spot. favorite spot on Beaverhead is a parking lot. Nobody picks MP4 which is full on exposed: no trees for shade bit the cows have been wrangled to another grazing area for environmental damage.
Forecast for today called for showers after 11 and gusty winds. I headed up to west Sedona after Bfast cleanup. I parked at Sunset Park to ride SSS: Ridge, Sketch, Ridge, Scorpion, Skywalker, Old Post Ridge loop. Skies threatened. I added my new breatheable rain coat to my hydration pack. Hero dirt. Rain wetted the dirt binding the dust into almost hard pack. However, sandstone becomes soft in the wet as water solves the adhesive holding the sand grains together. Rock is now friable hence unpredictable for traction. I followed maybe 3 biker tracks on Ridge and Sketch. A younger and faster rider passed me on Scorpion for my only human sharing. Climbing up Scorpion is a fest of basalt babyheads. Steve said we would not be able to ride this trail in our lifetime. I agree as I am only getting slower and generate fewer fractions horses of power. No blue sky or shorts today. I finished back at the park as drizzle dropped form the clouds. I covered my bike then took shelter inside my home.
Home, the carpet back where the water jug broke open is absorbing water from underneath creating a wet spot. wet carpet smell inside. I lift the carpet and prop it up to allow air evaporation albeit slowed by increasing humidity.
Rain has been falling steadily since ride completion. Parked at cultural park listening to rain hitting the van. Toasty snug as a bug in a wet rug.
Of course most days are this experience:
Spending night behind Uhaul staging myself for laundry tomorrow and weathering out forecasted showers.
The Propex furnace is failing to light consistently. Last night I sensed no heat while in bed. The controller is right above the in board side of my bed. Flashing red LED signals no light. A reset fires the furnace back on. Not good for consistent comfort.