70 degrees today, clear skies, wind chill maybe 65. Polar express barreled down onto the central northern states. Brrr. May all your parts remain unfrozen.

Moving along.

Mid weight long sleeve merino jersey is becoming to warm to ride in.  Set aside the knee warmers today.

Yesterday while driving on beaverhead my phone rang. I looked at the number seeing a CA number I figured it wasn’t some telemarketer tempting me with free $ to pay off college debts. Doug introduced himself by saying he has been reading my blog. He wanted to spend time together for a ride or a beer. We created a plan for him to call me later that evening  and we could plan a ride. He called later. I stayed in  Sedona to shorten the drive to an 8:30 PT appointment  and later a 2:00 at the repair shop to replace the door slider to make my door whole again. We met at 11: at Sunset park. Doug is from BC. We took off to ride what I call the 3Ss as in Skywalker, Scorpion, Sketch with connecting trails. Doug is 51 with equal and better skills than me plus the age difference allowed him to be faster. Beautiful day. Scorpion has many patches of basalt babyheads, keeps one’s attention. I continue to learn the performance benefit of riding with my seat down and standing up riding like a BMX bike, standing puts more power to the pedals. As Quentin says: just go faster. Beautiful day. Doug allowed me to be his rabbit which meant he could sit on my wheel and talk while I worked hard. The heart rate monitor messed the bed several rides ago leaving me without pulse rate data. I might pause when I see my HR in the nonbeneficial zone which is somewhere on a climb or at its top. I like to know the beating I subject my body to. Smiles were on our faces throughout the ride. No pics.

Yesterday my looking forward to event was to hike out from the Cultural Park to find the ACE trail building crew and Forrest from the FS who is management level FS making trail health direction. I parked at the Park      then headed out hiking. I heard my name called from the TH. It was Forrest who was here to check on trail work. Wonderful friendly visit as he is a rider and gets around on the road. He told me where the access trail to the reroute of Girdner. I walked right to it and didn’t connect. I met Forrest right there as he rode his bike. Incredible effort as the new piece is bench cut in steep hillsides leaving backslopes to maybe 4′. Plan is to make it 30″ wide to allow for 2 way travel to squeeze by as there is no way to get off the trail for most of new trail.     I have earned street cred with FS trail people.

Later while parked at Cultural Park sharing a colorful sunset with other viewers I started fixing a one skillet dinner. A moving rig outside my open door caught my eye, it was Plumber Phil who is a legendary local trail builder and subject matter expert in building sustainable enjoyable Sedona method trails. We shared many volunteer trail work days.  I have cred here also. He accepted seconds of my preparation. 

The above 2 people I interacted with are  examples of connections to a physical community that I seek. I am able to give back and I get human interaction. All 3 of us and many more will be building new trail in the western Gateway trail system.

I am now riding an Absolute Black 30T oval chain ring, down 2 teeth from its predecessor. I read AB’s chain ring web info stating that one should ride in the middle of their cassette. I ride in the smaller gears. I calculated that by dropping 2 teeth I could move down to the more middle of the cassette. So far this is mostly correct. Today I tried granny 46T on a steep loose Sedona sandstone climb to learn what would happen. Didn’t spin out, just way low. I will continue to evaluate the need for a 46T cog. The derailleur is rated to 42T. I suppose the main benefit of riding in the middle cogs is that it creates a more straight chain line which lessens the wear on the chain ring. I do experience shifting unhappiness that so far I have been able to tune out with slight twist of gripshifter.

This afternoon right on the dot I rolled into the repair garage for our 2:00 appointment for me to pay them to install the door slider. To which he succeeded. The door is healthy again.

Physical therapy for left groin muscle pain is proceeding. For 2 sessions therapy recommended dry needle acupuncture. The first time after insertion current was sent down 2 of the 3 needles buried 2″ into my thigh. I jittered. The healing is caused by acupuncture to turn off tight muscles more effectively than hand massage. The second time was very painful. 3 needles buried to the hilt in my thigh. This time the muscle contractions were so strong and painful I flopped on the table like a fish out of water. I slapped the table signaling I’m pinned, I give up. She said if you want to get better this is what I have to do. Believe me, this hurts you more than it does me. Today was the next PT session. Today all of the muscles physically worked did not bark. Release. I have been doing daily roller sessions on the same muscles to supplement PT. The roller calls attention to unhappy muscles to be rolled over. What I have really noticed is I am much more limber. My pedal stroke is the most powerful ever partially credited to the loosening up of pedaling muscles.

On Saturday I rode loop of part of the Hogs trails. First big ride here. For me big, 14.8 miles climbing 1535′ pedaling for 2hr 10 mins mostly non stop.  The route covered these trails in succession: Bell Rock, Big Park, Singletrack By Pass, Llam, Little Horse, Broken Arrow, Hog heaven, Twin Buttes, Hog Wash, Peccary, Mystic, neighborhood, HT, Easy Breezy, Templeton, Cocconino, finally Shades. All red dirt sandstone, no basalt. For the most part I encountered hardly anybody except at the more popular areas.

Satisfied with that effort on Sunday I rode bigger ride out Dry Creek road. This tallied 15.8 miles gaining 1535 pedaling 2 hrs 18 mins. My route crossed Dry Creek several times, most of which crossings will be eliminated by the reroute which stays out of the sandy creek bottom. Chuck Wagon crosses at the furthermost upstream trail spot. I was told a monster downpour fell on the Secret Wilderness, which is above Sedona, which ran off into the downstream washes, Dry Creek being one of them. It ran big time dumping feet of sand and washing trees downstream. This ride just a puddle remained. These trails were Chuck wagon starting at Dry Creek rd crossing, Gunslinger, Mescal, Aeirie, Cockscomb, then I loose track of the creek bottom trails traveled to get to the climb out on Snake, a piece of Girdner, and the start of Chuck Wagon to the van. All crossings of Dry Creek were ripped up. Girdner is sandy.

Enjoying my new wool sweater.

Sat as I was riding thru the Bean parking lot a white Sprinter stopped. The driver stuck out his head. It was Logan and Virginia from Brevard. Logan Watts is a bikepacking knowledgeable putting adventure money on the table person. They are road tripping. Logan rode a 50 mile bike pack overnight here. We have been sharing a campspot on Beaverhead. They are genuine people. Together they have bikepacked in many foreign countries.

Staying tonight again at the Uhaul lot. So cool to have a quiet in town sleep spot.

Sat buddy Bill Z, a local from old Bean days, called to ask me to share a ride with him today. He leaned to riding Transcept which has been adopted into the trail system and been worked on to address sustainability issues and make it acceptable to the FS. We met at almost high noon. To get to Transcept a piece of Hiline needs to be negotiated. Bill put an interesting spin on the approach to Hiline. We rode up Singletrack bypas that I had only ever ridden down. Not a bad climbing singletrack that kept us off Bell Rock. Hiline: Back a bunch of years I rode / hike a biked the trail when you needed the secret handshake to find the start and you carried your bike up the wash before leaving tracks. At that time it was jujst tips of rocks protruding out of the earth. I had hiked it several times recently while looking at it could I ride it in its now eroded nasty rocks condition? Bill said it is better to ride out than be carried out. With that as our mojo we tackled the nasty, Hiline is one of the 3 double black diamond trails. Exposure, rocks angled such to launch a rider off into space. Not enjoyable or satisfying anymore. We made the Pedestal stopping for a view break.

Then dropped down several descending turns to the official start of Transcept. Above pic catches early part of trail which continues in and out of washes clear to far right edge. It was not dumbed down as a goodly amount of walking feet.  Bill is 4 years younger than me hence the old men’s ride. He huffed and puffed like me. Trail ends out on Verde Valley School road and a pedal back to VOC. Once and done on both these trails. I don’t need my face rubbed into what I am either unskilled to ride or just plain protective of risk. Better to ride out than be carried out. 9.75 miles pedaling for 1 hr 31 mins climbing 1029′ Sedona elevation. Like the red rock and the firm dirt.

Sat was a scheduled Western gateway trail build event but was cancelled because the FS leaders are locked out and volunteers need FS supervision. I drove out to the Cultural Place just in case. If no work I would ride from there. Plan was to ride down Draino, cross Dry Creek then continue with Last Frontier etc then return on Girdner which is down in the creek bottom crossing it several times. A new trail to be constructed will keep the trail out of the creek which will be a better ride. I made the creek crossing which is normally its namesake. It was running of sufficient depth and velocity, a knee deep wade crossing, leaving me with wet feet for the rest of the ride and more crossings ahead. 

My recovery route was to ride out to the highway then ride some road till I made red rock trail paralleling the highway to climb back to town. I found a social trail which made the climb while above the system trail. Scant mostly just ridden in, lots of hiking for me, definitely better to let gravity assist than to fight it. I rode down Herkenham then climbed up Old Post then rode Skywalker back to the high school. Again, not many miles but lots of energy expended.

Friday I hiked up Schurmann which is what Scorpion traverses. Great view spot at the top. I had parked at a TH beside a car with NM plates and a bike rack. I returned to my van as the man and woman were loading their bikes. Guys asks almost right away after he confirms his suspicion of who I am did I get my door fixed? They read my blog, I knew nothing of them. Setting an example. 

Thurs was laundry and another PT session. Afterwards I headed out to ride Old Post, Skywalker, Scorpion, and Sketch loop. As I rode the sky started showing serious signs of rain. I carried my rain coat in case. I made it back to my van before it fell. I put the cover over my bike just before it rained. I slept at the Uhaul.

Rancher is running cows on the other side of the road from where I stay. In a short while they will be moved over here to graze down an alrready drought stricken desert. Over here there is a big tank, like and old boiler, which holds water for the cows. I finally learned how water gets into the tank: he hauls it in.

Slow internet. Goodnight.

And between rain spells hero dirt. Good stuff offering carving firm dirt not sticking to tires and producing no dust. Maybe the sandstone becomes tacky as the water softens the silicates bonding the sand grains together. Sandstone is soft which deadens the moving under bike wheels which helps resist sideways slip contrary to harder rock which skates away lessneing stable carving. However friction traction is lessened because that hero dirt sticks to tire knobs creating a slippery interface between the tire knob and the rock. Rock climbers dust their hands with chalk to dry their fingers, our tires just deal with slippery. No more freeze thaw mud. I did reinstall my front fender.

Steve and I took Sunday as a rest day after riding every day since his arrival on Tuesday, OK just 5 days straight. Before noon on Sunday we were at the bar at PJs watching the early NFL game. We left at halftime going our own way. I went north and he remained down at VOC. I am receiving PT for abdominal muscles not being happy, next appointment was Mon at 8 in west Sedona. I planned on staying at my uptown spot for a short drive to PT.

Sunday I drove out to Cultural Park for a hike. I walked out Drano to junction with Ledge n’ Airy a black diamond trail. I “rode” it a bunch of years ago 2X w/ old Mountain Bike Heaven Sunday ride. I walked quite a bit. Today years later my skills have improved maybe not as much as my entire bike has I decided to hike it for reconsideration of riding it. Mapping reported 3.2 miles taking 1hr 23 mins to hike. The trail started out beguiling blue square I can do this, sucked in. There are features to walk and short steeps to hike but not enough to tip the scale to not having an enjoyable experience. Very little use. Yep, it has challenge. I waffle on riding it solo. I told Steve about the trail, we put this trail as a to ride during his spring visit.

Steve has been coming down here since late 90s he said. He has ridden many trails here. I told him about Rabbit ears loop which is a mix of system and social trails, social being ridden in. the climb up to the high point goes thru a “meadow” of  bunch grasses and sharp prickly stuff. The tread is mostly below grade with high probability of pedal strikes, with occaisional wheel stopper rocks. Pedal and balance. I remember the first time I rode it with the RUNT installed as its small bump compliance deadened the shock of hitting the rocks which improved bike control. What used to be a grimace turned into a slight lip upturn. I made a 2 sharp uphill climb turn for the first time. Steve insists that I go first. The one time he went first he lead into a tight left hand turn with a steep backslope which required a fine touch. I was making my own problem solution maybe 10 feet behind. Just ahead of me Steve is face downhill pinned to his bike and one of his legs in an agave swirl. Oh shit: pinned on an agave, speared is more accurate. I got to Steve and immediately lifted his leg out of the agave which appeared to only stick him in 2 places, he was never impaled in place. I cleared his leg then worked to free his bike from him. Gravity was pulling him further downhill. Our combined effort got him upright back on the trail. We changed our ride to head back to the barn. He sought treatment at the emergency room being treated by the same nurse, Mark, as I was the week before. Mountain bikers social visit. Steve rode a new trail. No serious damage to his body.

Monday was Steve’s last day here. We rode after my PT and before my eye exam from the Cultural park. Out Drano climbing on Last Frontier to junction with Western Civ. I shared another new trail for Steve as we headed over to Girdner.

During my Sunday hike at the spot above that Steve is climbing I caught the tail end of an over the bars crash from a rider who stuck is wheel on the downside. Spatted almost in front of me. He sat still and groaned for awhile. I asked if he was alright and if he needed me. No he said and I walked off. He wasn’t there today.

I need to pack up to head to repair shop for them to install my door latch parts to restore the side door convenience.

Back from service garage. Latch mechanism and new handle installed, works like it should. Detected worn slider to be replaced.

Raining seriously, none of the sprinkles. Last night I slept out off Beaverhead at my preferred spot. Forecast was for like 20% chance of showers. Gambled wouldn’t happen and if so the dirt would remain firm enough for driving out. I must have missed when showers started. I woke up around 5 listening to rain on the roof. I quickly prepared purple oatmeal and toast for dinner and cleaned up. Daylight reflected water in the wheel ruts. Oh boy, this could be interesting. And traction was fleeting as I slithered out to make the security of the hard road. Mud was slung yet after the drive to VOC on rain wetted pavement washed off any mud thrown up on my van. Presently it is raining in uptown. No riding for several more days.

On yesterday’s ride we crossed Dry Creek down near the highway. No water. However, the shore line on both sides showed the effect of previous monsoon floods moving sand and vegetation. I have never experienced that deluge.

Last year the FS trail crew armored the needed wash crossings on Easy. I heard complaints that the rock work wouldn’t last. Last year I took pics, I took pics of 1 crossing this year to compare to0 last year prior to monsoon. The work held up

Midwest downpour. So far rain stays outside and furnace runs, 44 degrees outside. My bike is locked up inside Fat Tire staying dry.