Warm sunny clear days melts snow , night time temps were dipping below freezing stopping the day work. Night time temps are now above freezing and most of the snow has melted away. Ground is giving back moisture to the sky. Dry Creek is moving water.
Tuesday was blue bird day. Trails too wet to ride. Hmmm, I avoided exercise of serious effort. I decided to ride pavement. I pumped tires to 20psi then pedaled away. Some reacquaintance to reflexes and convincing the legs that this would be good for them in preparation of the next day ride on Black Canyon Trail. I pedaled down to Red Rock Crossing at the end of Verde Valley school road. Oak Creek crossing which is perennial.
I rode 17 miles in about 1 3/4 hours. Legs worked.
Plan was to drive down to Bumblebee to ride north on BCT to the tank then turn around repedal the trail. What went up would go down and vice versus. Van drives well. I parked at the small parking plat where the trail crosses the road. Today it was crowded with mtn bikers, Rim Tours from Moab and I9 from Asheville among the population. I pedaled away, sunny, almost 70 degrees. First big day of sunshine. I pedaled with gusto. 2 women riders allowed me to pass. It was Ash who runs a woman’s skills clinic and a friend. I met Ash years ago and it seems that we run into each other. Further along I ran into Kevin and Marty form the VVCC. At the tank turnaround spot I ran into a whole gaggle of riders. Beth from Rim, Andy, and racer Liz. I didn’t know any of the guys. Enjoyable hugs. They headed back while I rested. First part of trail goes thru maybe a 2 year old burn. Poppys and lupine bloomed as green was the grass.
21 miles pedaling for almost 3 hours. Full on sun. My knees were uncovered but did not redden. My legs did get worked. I have a better understanding what visiting riders go thru when they show up to ride after being snowbound and no riding and I was only off less than 2 weeks. I drove back to Beaverhead for another night on pavement.
Monday bright and early I drove down to Camp Verde to RV repair shop. Their project was to check the propane pressure downstream of the regulator. Guy removed the regulator, out of which poured trapped lubricating oil. New regulator. He blew out the feeder line: more oil. Checked the furnace orifice: cleaned it because it was out. Put it back together and set the regulator pressure, test the furnace: success, burns steady and seems to make the air hotter. Joy having the furnace back on line. Next is having the tank removed, flushed, and remounted. Propane has to be vented first at a propane depot then drive to repair shop for tank work.
Today was another trail build day. This time we met at Aerie then walked in on Cockscomb for a ways. New trail will be on the west side of Cockscomb. Our effort was to connect with the ACE crew building from the other direction. We connected.
I just retired my old pre TG camera for the newer TG5. Above pics are still former camera.
Today as per normal, a sponsor, REI, raffles off a few trinkets. Today Specialized was in attendance, the rep kicked in a bunch of helmets. My number was pulled while a small Ambush was available. I had no idea of their helmets, could this be better than my Troy Lee? I had a never worn back up helmet taking up space. I told the gathering that I didn’t need this helmet and I would give it to whomever needed it. Nary a taker. I drove away to do laundry. Back in town looked up this helmet, it is top of the line my kind of riding helmet. I will give away the Giro and move the Troy Lee to backup. Amazingly light for amount of coverage and protection.
Tomorrow afternoon I work a shift at the VVCC beer ticket booth.