Rain cleared around noon on Sunday. I waited until Monday to ride and still encountered muddy spots.
On Monday I headed out to ride what I named Llama loop but it is more than this trail. Years ago I learned that some BnB riders said every trail they were on was Llama to confuse the touron. The FS has spent effort fixing up several problems on Llama. I noticed that the armored steps dropping into a wash followed by a climb out had some loving added to it making it just a little easier. Suspect FS but not confirmed. Rock work was more than a person removing a rock. At bottom of roll down I encountered a woman rider extricating herself. I chatted. She is visiting from CT and her ride was similar to mine.i offered to share to which she agreed. The satisfaction of riding with company that knows the trails sparing riders like her and me of trying to make sense of local better ride routes. We rode down Breezy wash which has several sandstone rolls on it. She lacked experience on this slick rock. I coached to roll down a small drop. She was so thrilled learning that she could ride that stuff. Her back home riding will now be changed. For me the steps remained just as high.
Long afternoon visit with Tony at the shop.
Shopped at grocery store. Item included a sweet potato. I unloaded the shopping basket on the conveyor belt. The checker scanned all items then bagged them. I took my receipt and walked to my van and put away the groceries. I did not pay attention to the sweet potato. However at dinner fix it time I could not find the potato. Today when I shopped the store again yesterday’s checker was not on duty for me to learn if he found a left over potato. The meat counter guy split a large package of chicken breasts for me down to 1. The fridge is not chilling as low as it should which would be too warm to safely keep the meat. I have a service appointment for the fridge tomorrow at Camp Verde.
Spent night out of Beaverhead way past where I like to stay but this spot traffic noise is unheard.
Today I chose to ride west Sedona which necessitated an earlier start to stay ahead of touron traffic. Stopped to buy ground coffee beans from a local craft roaster. Bought local bagels in Sedona. Drove out Dry Creek rd to park where I usually do right before Chuck Wagon crosses the road. Today cars were parked there and beyond and on the other side of the road. Plugged, never ever seen so many cars which will translate to so many people. Chuck wagon was a zoo until the trail split for Devil’s Bridge. Courteous exchanges, just lots of hikers. 2 large rocks have been removed on Chuck Wagon at the top of the last climbing turn section. Then on Mescal rock work added to make a ramp up a step I fear to try. Now it is a roll up. Continued on Mescal. I was wearing my Pisgah stage race jersey. I stopped on Mescal for a bar. A rider joined me and told me he has raced that race and met Todd, the promoter and who gave me the jersey. I rode Aerie to Clockscomb loop around the east side turning onto Dawa to descent to Dry Creek. Crossed it being dry then climbed Snake etc back to van. More cars were parked along the road. 2 hrs 9 mins to pedal 15.4 miles climbing 184′, less than 100’/ mile. This riding is a full body workout. Dropper posts are king bee. Flat pedals are fun. 7″ front and 6″ rear travel on wide rims matched to wide tires compliments the dropper. Get the saddle out of the way and I can lean over the bike and carve turns and avoid launching over the handlebar. I have not fallen here to date.
Shower at snap then joined the traffic flow heading into uptown. Stopped at Worm for visit and but a new book. I buy them, read them, then give it back to Mike. He lets me park on his lot and take on water from his spigot.
Just before 4 i headed back out again. The highway, 89A, drops down Cook’s Hill to the Y where traffic either turns up to Uptown or turns down hwy 179 to VOC where I go. Traffic was backed up. Maybe 20 mins to finally clear the stuffing at Oak Creek bridge. Spring breaks somewhere. Just way too many people, most I have experienced in my 9 winters of being a resident touron.
With climate warming perhaps places further north will have favorable weather and might become the next best place to spring break.
Weather pattern is disturbed between sunny days and possible shower days. Bring it. desert needs water.
No word from PA regarding what learned fro CT scan.
Bought a road map of the western states for planning. It’s larger than my table.
I ascribe to courtesy most places. Hikers have the right a way on the trails. When i encounter hikers I always announce my presence at a distance that is close enough to be heard but not close enough to startle. I will stop and wait for the hikers to pass or proceed when they tell me that I am OK to pass. That sharing continues thru my off bike life from holding a door open for someone, smiling, and maybe driving just the speed limit. Sharing.