Yesterday morning I picked up my bike from the Bean after fork service, just because I had exceeded the recommended service intervals, Mine was 91 rides and 1208 miles. New seals and oil. Also, I replaced the ridden down Minnion with the Aggressor. New meat for my ride out above Oak Creek on Old Post, Skywalker, Scorpion, Ramshead,Ridge, Sketch, finishing on Ridge. A familiar route. I enjoy the challenges of riding and seek exercise. Rewarding the latter accepts riding same trails in same way. The former is challenged by familiar trails. Riding is a dynamic exercise riding on 2 small contact patches. I might ride something better from practice and some I still walk. Scorpion is a basalt blob, just still a challenge but it is part of my loop.
Finally the drop exits the basalt for slick rock and rolled firm dirt. Ramshead rolls gently rolling down in and out of small washes.
Climb up Ridge to Sketch which mostly traverses hill side which eliminates the climb up then loose said elevation on Ridge. Sketch is a handful with bench cut steep hillside, narrow, with several short ups and downs as the trail solves the geology. Then it leaves the exposure for in and and out washes. A killer climb to last hard right armored climbing turn. Well, there is more.
Anyway I rode the Aggressor for the first time. I am still paying attention to what a sharp edged knob tire.
I must have made this structure to appear, Dunno.
Saw a Jeep with a bike rack at Scorpion TH. Checked the plate: memory recall is it is Jan’s the artist who created art for me. Left my card on her windshield. A text appeared later and my memory was true. Made a ride date for Cottonwood trails.
Today I had 2 DR appointments in Flag, ist at 9. Last night I stayed in Sedona so I could drive up canyon instead of the interstate.Short version, May 11 for a colonoscopy to seek the source of my discomfort. Afterwards I treated myself to a Flag ride.
Flag sits at 7,000′. I live at maybe 4,000. Major oxygen shortage issue as because of lower air pressure which occurs as elevation is gained, less pressure is placed on air in lungs to affect gas transmission. Just a hump. I parked out at start of Schultz creek. I lowered tire pressure 1 lb to 17 and 18. Flag riding is volcanic debris from ancient volcano. Open ponderosa pine forest. Dry bu trees much higher than me. Open sight lines. I pedaled a MTBProject route for navigation solution. Climbed up Moto then traversing over to Schultz Pass. I mounted the phone carrier to my handlebar to hold my phone to follow the route. Phone rang: it was Jan. I stepped downhill off the trail. A dirt bike approached. he stopped and motioned me to proceed. I communicated that the trail was his. Very mannerly trail sharing. He told me another one was with him. She rolled up a bit. She stopped again mannerly. During conversation I observed that she had patches of perhaps leopard skin pattern on her bike. I told her about women who have told me they pick their clothes based on a piece of jewelry. I asked her if her underwear matched the leopard print on her bike. She laughed and said that she did. She said but I did not verify her statement. Anyway my climb was enjoyable(?) as the grade was manageable. Trail negotiated several washes (gulleys?).
Return down Schultz Creek. Maybe 10 people entire ride. Conversed with a visiting couple from Mass about places we have ridden. Started out chilly and windy. As I climbed the wind lessened. A no snow year.
MD DR Mark for PT referral. Drove back down canyon to in town sleep spot.
Tomorrow is another wind event: gusts to 40 mph in afternoon.
Listening to Mariners on XM, home announcer Ric Rizz, a voice from my Puget Sound past.
At Whole Foods there is a chocolate confection which I enjoy. I do like good chocolate. One time my favorite checker commented about the chocolate saying that she can only have it when she has company. Tonight I picked a piece and asked a store person who previously turned me onto a great beer to split off a piece and wrap it. I leaned he just moved her from Chicago. I picked the checker line. I presented her with the piece saying she could have it at home with no company. She thanked me. People want to be connected. Conversing with people at work puts smiles on their faces, at least those that are prone to smile. An office person at the DR office remembered me because she said I was funny. how can a person go to work for 8 hours come home and have nothing to say. I shrunk my piece of the chocolate.
Game tied.
Last night was chilly 40s, enough for furnace heat. Perhaps again tonight.