Temp dropped to 16 which was lower than forecast. My down blanket needs to be replaced. Finally i pulled down the down sleeping bag then snuggled underneath. Nose of my van is not in line with the sunrise which keeps me in slumber shadow. Still a popular sleep spot. Most at this spot have not upgraded to being able to sit up inside their night shelter. Today is a rest day, last week I rode 6 days and this last batch was 5 days in a row. Beautiful day outside, still need a sweater. Solar panel is sending juice to the batteries, no supplemental engine boost today.
So back to memory recall.
It’s now Friday morning. Big ride from sleep spot out the road, pick up Chisholm, cross the highway, intersect with Mustang loop, exit it at tangent with Get away which parallels the Gemini Bridges road and oil tanker truck traffic, turn on spur over to Bull Run TH, roll down the Run to Arts Pasture to climb up Get Away returning same way as start. I am like almost 2 miles from the single track.Rode thru the almost empty BLM XG where I picked up Chisholm. At the road crossing there were 2 riders milling about. Woman turns to me and almost immediately says I know you. I recognized her but her name was lost in my brain. Darlene and her husband from COTA Prineville chapter. They are completing their first past retirement road trip. They are racking up miles daily of shorter miles. They are figuring out how much they can ride such that when they wake up in the morning they want to ride that day. Congrats on them getting a lot for themselves.
Wonderfully laid out and built, sustainable and taken care of. Get Away descends and the joy of riding let my speed get the better of me causing me to miss the intersection over to Bull. I noticed this as I only ride up past this point and the trail was unfamiliar. Retreated short distance to said intersection. Frequently spaced streamers of blue flagging were hung on the brush. At the TH kiosk a flyer was posted for a trail run tomorrow: like 25, 50 nad 100 miles. Bull Run was included. Lots of flagging. I would catch a glimpse of one and sometimes think it was being worn by another trail user and etiquette would be required. I was wearing a blue long sleeve jersey. Never seen so much flagging for the only trail to be on. Negotiated all but one feature including breezing up a nasty spot that only last year did I ride it. Momentum and pedal power makes climbs get to the top. Along the way i encountered a group of maybe 8 men working on a bike. Shock failure: Schraeder valve failed and the shock would not hold pressure rendering his rear suspension an anchor. I had nothing to offer. Shortly I encountered another group of similar riders. They said that the group above were part of them. I rested at Arths. They showed up. The broken shock rider had a shock pump strapped to his frame, the pump valve acted as the shock valve thus keeping the shock pressurized. They continued on to the Portal and I headed uphill on Get Away.
At the Bull Run connector several rigs pulled up, not bikers, maybe runners. I pedaled over and greeted them learning that some were running. i asked about the copious flagging. A woman said that perhaps past feedback was that the course was not well marked and racers got lost. One guy said that about mile 40 for him his brain shuts down.
I turned down the 4X4 road to my van a mini cooper passed me going away. Woman, a wave. Later back at the van I heard voices. It was the driver and her friend. Learned that the driver was here to run 50 miles in the race the next day. They were camped further down the road.
My ride was 21.9 miles pedaling for 2hr 54 mins climbing 1663′ Nice effort on a nice day.
The knock returned on the climb out after being quiet on the greater force applied loads on the downhill. The afternoon was young and temps were doable so I went thru the headset again. This time I shot squeezes of Slick Honey were it should go then put it back together.
Solar gain brought battery voltage up to max level but after sun power was lost the voltage dropped fast. Seems solar doesn’t charge as well as alternator.
Sunday I dallied again waiting for warmth as I would again stay same place. Again, road ride out to XG where I picked up Chisholm going N to pick up Navajo Rocks loop. This trail is loaded with blue square trail challenges. Just before the Big Lonely junction a badger scurried into a rock overhand hiding from me, we were about 50 feet away when we spotted each other.
No runners on my ride. However, i shared with maybe 20 riders, some 2X as we rode loop in different direction, that was out on Navajo. Returning on Chisholm a rider approached. We each stopped and visited. I remembered meeting her and others one year on this trail, they were admiring a juniper tree decked with bright red globe ornaments. Further on another rider. First time in many times of riding this piece of trail that I shared with another rider. This is a fun trail with rock features that I made with much more skill than ever.
You either sit on or in your bike. i have learned that lesson. When my dropper post tops out at proper height for pedaling efficiency and knee protection I am sitting on my bike. Because my legs are almost fully extended there is little range to stand up when negotiating tech problems. I always lower my seat when going downhill when needed, no sitting in my bike, really standing over it. Now when riding over tech things I lower my seat maybe an inch which now bends my knees giving me some spring action to get up off the seat and pedal which creates balance. If I sit I am now sitting in my bike. Practice. I am a much better rider as a result which increases my fun factor and satisfaction that I can ride more difficult stuff.
Today’s ride was 24.7 miles climbing 1745′ in 3 hrs 24 mins almost non stop. Before dinner I walked out in the desert from sleep spot bush bashing hiking on rock to pick up Rodeo trail that I will ride tomorrow. At a distant point the trail would cross a decommissioned jeep road to take back to my spot. darkness coming on hard, sundown is at 4.58 PM. i hit the road turning onto it. I ran into the runner’s friends group at their camp spot. Her friend told me she was still running her 50 miles. She got lost. Never learned why.
I have been afraid of riding while under pot influence as I need all my wits about me. Here I have been starting the ride straight then at some halfway point I vape. What follows has been enjoyment and accomplishment as I ride well making what’s under my wheels. I remain focused and well under control. Fear never manifested itself.
Sunday I drove to TH near the intersection of Wild Horse and the highway which would eliminate the long road ride to the single track. Today it is the 9 mile Rodeo trail which is a loop that stays up on almost same elevation. today I was stoked from the beginning. I was aware while riding that I engaged my brain on mental activity that was front and center of focusing on my ride. I was able to corral my brain as needed to negotiate trail features.
I enjoyed myself. Option is open. A day wasted is not a wasted day.
Ride was 9.31 miles taking 1 hr 20 mins climbing only 646′ Another fun trail.
Loaded up then headed downhill to town for resupply then back out to Willow Springs. Which now catches up with previous post.
Went for a short walk up slick rock patches until sand took over. Spent writing time inside.
Thanksgiving is Thursday which must be the draw for all the visitors. Busing at 1:30 at WabaSabi feed, my dinner at 3.
Slight chance of snow on Thurs. Dunno about leave here date for either direct to Hurricane or maybe a side trip over to Cortez, CO and Phil’s world where also chance of snow.