My body has so far survived what my brain has asked, no demanded, of it. My abdominal discomfort appears to be the same resting today and pushing it yesterday. I know I can make my legs pedal, my brain needs to allow its host to rest. Brain over brawn. Just enjoying Wood River Valley.

On Wed I rode Steve’s trade route solo. It has a lot of up and a lot of down broken up by adventurous crossing of Fox Creek. Starts at Oregon Gulch a short distance to connect with Saddle Trail which will be ridden in each direction, the return is a downhill reward, best ride finishes on a downhill. Saddle joins Fox creek climb to a washed out bridge crossing, a log is across the creek upstream which requires balance while carrying my bike. Then a hump a bike back to trail. Trails are a good test for my using the 46T granny. I still run out of steam but perhaps further along so I do receive a benefit which is only as good as my choice to use it. The FS and Chris from BCRD keep trails clear of blow down. Long descent on Fox down to the river climbing MF (yes, that’s what it means), my gearing did not help extend my record distance. Climbing some more to rejoin Saddle then the zoom back to a proper temp adult recovery drink. 12.6 miles climbing 2198′ pedaling 1 hr 54 mins.

I stopped quite a lot, more than I do when I ride with Steve who usually leads the uphills. He either is my rabbit or governor as I do not stop as often.

Wildflowers are going off. Lupine fragrance permeates. Yellow arrow balsamroot have a brief flower time. Green and water.

Steve grilled elk burger for dinner.

Yesterday started with drive to Hailey to do laundry then a drive up to Galena lodge to ride trails there. Said Hi to manager Don. Lodge season opening is this weekend. I joined Steve and Kurt. Several years ago new trails were completed, Steve spared us the Grinder climb. New trails are a mix of rake and ride and mini ex created. Bermed corners mixing in kickers and table tops. Weather was exhibiting signals of a pending t’storm. As we were being pulled by gravity tot eh TH sprinkles started. Intensity increased as we sowed our bikes, shortly full blown downpour descended.

A long length white Sprinter with NC plates had parked nearby. Upon our return and the 2 women arriving at same time. I started conversation about their hometown of Asheville and home of I9. They asked if I was in the green van. Yes. They said they rode my tail reading stickers. They are on a long road trip.

Drove back down to Ketchum passing thru micro climates of rain and dry pavement.

Thursday evening was a volunteer trail work project up Forbidden Fruit which is a  downhill flow trail. Threatening weather. We pedaled up to start of trail work. I rode in work clothes wearing hiking shoes, the soles of which are not grippy to the Catalyst pedals, sort of like being on ice. Our effort was to clear out rocks that gravity pulled down the back slope. I made several drains using a Maccloud(sp). Local dirt determines local treatment. Water is number 1 enemy. There were just a few places that water puddled or erosion washed tread. Area is in Beaver fire burn. See pics for previous blog. Standing dead white trunk trees potential falling. Several wind gusts rose up which knocked down several of those just waiting to return to earth. Chris blew the whistle calling off our work for safety reason. Hiked back to bikes. Downhill finish. We rode Shadyslope which parallels the Adam’s gulch uphill. This trail is a hoot to ride as it is a narrow woods dirt tread with trees edging the trail to keep a rider honest. Fast and faster. Back at the TH Cameron was manly grilling tubular meat objects, one hand on the tongs with the other surrounding a Coors.  Socializing. I left while still light making it back to Steve’s as alpinglow finally went away.

Spent night at Steve’s. Today being a rest day time must be consumed. I visited with Chip. I installed my new Minnion DHF 2.5WT tire on the front wheel. A floor pump pressure was sufficient to seat the tubeless tire. The WT designates a tire optimized for 3.5mm interior rim width which I ride. New sharp edged knobs for greater carving traction.

I plan on  leaving here on Sunday heading to Oregon.

Yesterday at the Y I looked at myself naked in a full length mirror. What’s up with this black and blue where the color should have been a nice pale flesh color. DR exam and information to be at 9 today. All night to wonder if I might have harmed my equipment using an ice bag that displayed caution wording: do not put on body. Did I freeze my junk?

I drove to DR office, took the elevator to 3rd floor office. Greeted the office lady. She looked at me perplexed asking what was I doing here. I said I had a 9AM follow up appointment as stated on my discharge paper. She was not told. She was able to get me in 45 mins later. DR said let’s look. I dropped my drawers and called his attention to my discoloration. He said everything is just fine. I didn’t ask him when normal color will return. He pulled off the bandage. All is healing well. He said again to let my level of pain determine my activity. I told him about my 2 hikes, he was impressed. We said goodbye. Me with a plugged fissure and he I did not ask. Among others I would hope that he is rewarded knowing that his skill and knowledge heal people.

I drove down to Hailey to Chip’s for my new 46T drive train chain install. Chip said with emphasis while I was listening to his description of needing smaller gears for the climbing here. He sold me. To be installed is a Sun Race 11X46T 11 sped cassette and a new chain which is longer than present. I did my R&R in his parking lot. Chip cut the chain to proper length and adjusted the derailleur for the larger gear. The cluster is an 11 speed replacing a Shimano 11X42T 11 speed. The new gears gave me a 46T granny, next gear a 37T instead of a 42T top and 36T Shimano. Still an 11 speed which is compatible with what is on the bike presently. I also installed a near pair of rear brake pads.

Steve called Eve’s gulch for my test ride. Eves is at Adams Gulch TH. Steve invited Kirk whom I rode with here last week same day. Ride pedals up Adams Gulch aways to a junction for Eves that goes right up the gut of the gulch. Pedal pedal pedal. Trail climbed thru a meadow then became hand built single track with climbing turns and 1758′ climbed in 5.74 miles. After awhile Steve told me to go ahead, he was curious about my granny gear performance. I did use the gear when the angle demanded more from my body in a higher gear. What I noticed about low 46T gear: Little forward motion per pedal revolution, front end wanders because of low speed, correction seemed to be to stand up. Steve runs a 28T oval chain ring on an 11X42, his gearing is lower than mine still. For big hill riding his chain ring size would lessen the uphill pain. I did walk several short steeper sections more because the engine was over worked. At our turn around point we smelled elk. I caused 3 cows to scamper up the mountain side prior. Forest cover up here is burnt over lodgepole on on aspect and doug fire on the other. Lodgepole are white trunks. We pointed our bikes for home. woods dirt trails. I let gravity be my engine and coast. My bike is faster than Steve’s. We finished on Shadyslope which is single track in the forest above the gulch uphill trail.

So, I put big effort into my climb today. No greater discomfort caused by effort. DR said fix is in and I can’t damage it. I tested his work and word. 6 days post hernia repair.

Sleep spot:

Big mosquitoes out here last night. Still chilly enough at night to keep the door shut and windows closed. Last night the furnace ran.

Steve leaves Sunday for a fishing trip leaving me buddiless. We planned out 3 rides before he leaves which will prolly be my departure date also. Next up is Oregon.

Sunrise 6:06, sundown 9:22. Presently it is 9:37, fading alpenglow. Longest day is still to come.

read part of Philmont Scout ranch in NE New Mexico has burned. The SW is parched. I am here in moisture rich environ. I adventrued at Philmont back in 1964 at age 14. Major turning point of my life.

My body is getting less painful which is to be my guide line for activity. Sat I was able to wear pants with a belt putting the slovenly sweat pants back as insulation in my van.

Steve on Sat planned to drive up to Baker Creek for a memorial then go over the pas to Fischer creek. He planned on camping on Prarriee creek, he invited me to share the evfening with him. This spot is further towards the Galena summit, beyond Oregon Gulch which has the highest I had visited. I was glad I did as the scenery and mountains are in the mountains vs the sage covered hills down lower. I found a secluded spot, the green van color blending in w/ lodgepole trees. Steve went by never seeing me. I was just above the fast flowing namesake creek. NOAA forecasts flooding till furhter notice. Flow remained in its bed but was too strong to want to wade across it. Spent pleasant evening. Ran the furnace in the morning for wonderful climate on wake up.

Steve left for Fischer creek ride. I wanted to hike to learn how my body would feel. A snow covered peak above camp attracted me. A bush bash scramble.

I saw fresh elk droppings and smelled their odor, never saw any. Climb went thru low angle forest cover breaking into steeper broken rock scramble. I huffed and puffed my way up. I chose discretion to turn around about 400′ below summit. I could have pushed myself to the top however I was unsure what my body would give me. Going up is a hump, going down is a strain as I soon experienced the knee load going down same steepness.

4 hr round trip climbing just short of 2,000′. Knees survived.

Back at camp I put out my chair in the sun. Mosquitoes sought nourishment.

Chilly night.

I felt good after hike yesterday morning. On to next hike. I chose to hike up Boulder Creek for as far as I chose to go. Trail ran up the creek cut. Beautiful day again. I hiked and hiked on an old wagon road that climbed to an old mine site. Creek was flowing noisily. I made it to where the old road crossed the creek with no ford or dry feet crossing. Too strong a flow and I did not need to continue: I accomplished what I wanted to. Turn around. Took 1 hr 15 mins up but 1 hour down.

Drove back to Ketchum. Spent night out on trail Creek.

Today is follow up DR.

Driving down to Hailey Chip’s shop to install a lower geared cluster.