Wet. Rain falling, high humidity, mud and muddy puddles but firm trails.
On Wed Steve planned 2 rides, first was River Run up and down on said name trail in ski area and next was Corral Creek. Forecast called for some kind of wet and an acceptable wet risk value. We did carry rain jackets which would be worn later.
At River Run clouds appeared threatening but human condition is that it won’t rain, we will be protected by trees, carrying my lucky charm, whatever. We drove here, we will ride come sunshine or liquid falling from the sky. This trail is inside the ski area, purpose built sustainable on firm surface. Big climb negotiating massive bermed corners, funny riding them going uphill. We pedaled to where trail ends on snow cat road then turned back down… in the rain. rain jackets kept our torsos dry, lower got wet. 889′ climb in 3.4 miles. Both of us ride a max 42T cluster gear, Steve rides a 28-30T elliptical Absolute Black chain ring, I rode a 30-32T ring for a higher gear than Steve. We talked about the Eagle with its massive 50T gear, we decided that while it might be great there is a in my case almost $500 in parts. We both ride the Catalyst flat pedals. That morning I installed a short fender on my front wheel because I had it and it might be of value. And it was in the wet. Nicely built trail, sort of tight with tree borders necessitating astute line choice.
Back down at the vans we checked out the sky to decide if we would ride Corral Creek. Patches of blue. We were already wet. We would only know by driving short distance up Trail Creek, skies remained blue. This ride is a greener thru now Doug Fir cover, again on woods dirt. 6.45 miles out and back, climbing 711′, back to almost 100′ per mile. Steve leads the climb and I lead the downhill.
Sunny day, no rain coat.
For dinner we pooled our resources for dinner, Steve’s kitchen for grilled asparagus, salad, and baked potatoes. I fixed shrimp scampi, we emptied a bottle of wine. A shower washed away the dried mud, spent the night in his driveway again.
Thurs was laundry day in Hailey. weather forecast again had rain falling from the sky, but less than 50% probability. Good to go.
We met at Greenhorn TH, again with rain jackets in packs. We rode up Mahoney then higher to pick up Cow Creek for our decent. Skies became more ominous:
I lead the Cow Creek descent. Sprinkles fell, I hoped that we could make it to the vans w/o getting wet. Sprinkles became rain. We stopped and put on our jackets then continued in the rain. Disc brake rotors need sufficient friction heat to allow brake pads to grab the rotor. Constant rain and intermittent braking never really dries the rotors. My Formula Cura brakes squeal when wet. rain fell all the way back to the vans, shortly after arriving the clouds parted leaving us with sunshine. Everything was wet and or muddy. 8.09 miles climbing 1282′.
Thurs eve was a volunteer trail work project to bush Harper. I hung in Ketchum waiting for meeting time and enjoyed sunshine. Rinsed my bike off at the Perch. Sage brush intrudes onto the trail. Did a lot of cutting and uprooting younger plants. Maybe 15 people helped. A local brewery supplied beer and BCRD provided hot dogs and trimmings. Even had turkey dogs that were colored to match the fill dogs. Dashed out to Trail Creek for a camp spot with full view of ski hill
More snow remains than last year’s visit.
Today’s forecast calls for no rain, just sunshine. The next bunch of days call for rain again. It is what it is.
76% humidity slows drying clothes.
Afternoon ride planned.
Cheapest diesel in valley is $3.54/ gallon. Lowest in Sedona was $2.79 which rose to $3.09 before leaving.
I found Moose Drool beer in cans. I have been drinking canned beer now.
Defrosted fridge yesterday.