Rain fell sporadically over several days, some local pelting midwest rain. No riding. yesterday I hung my wet nondryer clothes on my drying line: not one riding kit, just long underwear top from chilly Thurs trail build day. Temp is below freezing at night, the requisite for freeze thaw mud. I did wash my work socks but the canvas pants are still layering on more mother earth.
Trail work: Thursday, 19 full participating adults. Ground froze overnight, the newly built raw earth tread was frozen. I left the group on the hike in to swamp several missed spots. As I hiked the ground was melting. I work loppers. Criteria is to clear a right of way the width of your chicken wing arms: narrow. well, because you are carrying a lopper, everything looks to be too tight. The trail now connects with the ACE built piece that crosses Dry Creek then climbs up to adopted Last Frontier. Dry Creek was running on Thursday such that the crew did not cross. Completed trail will be a fun ride. On my return hike the fresh dirt in places was slippery slimy.
Over time I have been talking with the FS volunteer supervisor about working with volunteers. He recognized me at the Thurs trail day work prep gathering by asking me to give the safety speech. I took the opportunity on the fly as I perceived the test I was being given, I was allowed to stand out. I spoke how to safely carry a lopper, a McCloud, and a rogue hoe. Some people learned, some practiced, some did what they wanted to do. I left for PT before the built distance was announced.
PT now for my damaged right shoulder. Eval notes good range of motion, some strength, some weakness. Assessment is small tendon attachments are present. He really allowed me to overwork my shoulder. My homework is to use both arms to raise a medium sixes can of happens to be tomatoes over my head, release my good left arm, then slowly lower my right arm. I did 5 stopping after my shoulder played out. Goal is 2 sets of 15 once per day.
Wed night I attended a VVCC monthly board meeting. I sort of am on the mtn bike advocacy committee.
Wed I drove down to Cottonwood to shop at Pennys in a auto mall. Scored new pajamas, this pair are flannel.
Today was looked forward to for the last 2 weeks as I was digging heavily into savings to have new shocks and struts installed, OEM. The present ones haven’t failed, they just are weak. I drove down to Cottonwood from no slippery mud sleep spot on Beaverhead. Shop time was quoted at like 5 hours. I needed to occupy that time. I checked out the waiting room at the install shop: Fox News. Nope. Still below freezing under warming sunshine. Ah, a Home Depot is across the major intersection. I waited my turn. I walked into the big box store. What to look at? Some day i will need items from this store. I checked refrigerators, shower stalls, I studied kitchen sinks. I decided that I need a 2 basin sink. I bought a pair of leather gloves and an impulse buy of a right angle drill attachment. Van was done in like 2 hours. Shop bills at 5 hours, time savings goes to the wrench. The ride is more comfortable, not domestic auto soft.
Having all afternoon now and I was in Cottonwood. Trail system out of Dead Horse SP into Coconino NF. I needed to learn of trail conditions before riding. I visited only LBS. Learned trails are just fine, no harm. Good to hear and off I went. I geared up. Wearing a new heart rate sender unit. Paid $3.00 park entrance fee. Pedaled up and up. Tread is limestone. Hand built. I clipped my feet, once per foot on unseen low trail side features. Ouch. 17.4 miles in 2 hrs 15 mins, climbing less than 100′ per mile. Dropper post, and wide trail tires on a great handling bike frame.
Started ready Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Subject of book is the Chicago meat packing business back at his present time of early 1900s . Profound impact launched federal food safety laws which continue to protect us from unscrupulous money grubbers.
Many more future trail build days.