So, Thursday I picked up my bike after Dan at Over the Edge “only” replaced the derailleur. I pedaled in the street for long enough to notice that the bike was much faster. Noticeably. Put the bike back on the van then went to Hot Tomato for a Sedona salad.
Drove out N of Loma to BLM land. Weather forecast called for a wind event. A blow arose. I held my pocket wind speed detector which read gusts to 26 mph, 14 average. That was during daylight. During the night the wind upped its effort and just really rocked my van while I was in bed. I gave thought of driving away to find a less exposed spot, but remained as I would have been driving wind affected.. Safer. I put a collapsible bucket under my sink drain to catch sink water. I put the only heavy thing I could find which was a 6″ long log round to weight it down. As I was being buffeted I gave thought to driving into Junction to buy a replacement. Funny, upon morning light I spied it on its side a short distance away. It should have been long gone.
Forecast called for another wind event an possible T storm. I wanted to do a big ride today linking the 2 new trails, Hawkeye and Wrangler. I drove to the Mack I 70 exit for the TH. I packed my rain coat in my pack. Ride plan was ride up Hawkeye, descent Mack, short piece of Mary’s to start of Wrangler to its other end then drop back on Marys to Lions then climb up Mack Ridge to descend Hawkeye.
I pedaled away on my so much faster bike. Oh, I learned that Dan opened my I 9 hub and cleaned it and freed my slightly dragging rear brake. It pedals so much easier. Could have been the lower jockey pulley on the derailleur which was not turning as freely. Not only that the famous I 9 freehub is much quieter not I 9 noisy.
Hawkeye was built to be a either direction trail, hand built. 2.73 miles climbing 673′ took me 30 mins. A hump to start. I walked several of the features as they were either over my head or my engine couldn’t push me up, mostly the former. Windy with non exposed pieces. At the top I turned downhill on macks which is a handful of jagged rock. I rode over this piece of embedded like stakes of rock which I feared for my wheels, maybe snake biting the front tire. The wheels rolled over it. Amazing. I don’t ride with much force which is a benefit. Windy, rain threatening. I caught Wrangler which climbs right off on a beat up jeep road. Once on top the new single track takes over. I was so looking forward to the banked climbing turns on a descent. Windy. made gthe descent and continued to the second cutover to Marys. Windy. Pedaled Marys over to the junction of Lions. This piece of trail is right above the CO river and would be full on exposed to the wind and possible rain. This is where long was shortened.
I pedaled back the frontage road. Rain never fell.
Drove back to town. Visited with Dan where I learned of his service and I thanked him. Big improvement.
Another wind event for the night. This time I oriented the van to account for wind. That’s where I clocked 26 mph. Van was nose into the wind so it didn’t rock. Before bedtime the wind just quit.
Today my plan was to finish the shortened big loop before another wind and T storm event. Pedaled up Hawkeye. Another 30 min effort. There are sections of traverse and descending on the trail which is a nice mix of pain and pleasure.
Another descent of Macks same rocks. I work on being light on my pedlas and hop over what needs and can be. Today’s forecast called for winds different than what blew which was carrying black clouds and trailing precip. Perhaps a race, the winner remaining dry.
Up on top of exposed Macks ridge. Pushed along as I kept an awareness eye on the incoming threat. made top of Hawkeye, going to be home dry. Not entirely so as a few wind blown sprinkles fell on me. 11.9 miles pedaling for 1 hr 50 mins climbing 1385′.
Upon the comfort of my desk chair I can see doing my longer ride in its entirety requiring me to allow for rest breaks because it will be a full effort of my body.
My rides are shorter. Is it because I only want to ride that long? Like a fixed 2 hour time? I work pretty hard, not race pace which I can’t do anyway, which tends not to keep a smile on my face. How long do I push myself? Is it age which seems to favor work avoidance? I am able to do 20 30 miles but sitting is not overrated.
Next up was the drive over to Vernal going over Douglas Pass at about 8400′, up from Fruita 4,500′ Threatening clouds. And the road steepened and the curves got tighter. I hit the snow line where rain changed to snow. Road was bare up and over. Snowfall requiring full time windshield wipers. Highway descended below snowfall, rain and into blue skies.
Made Vernal. Stopped at Altitude Cycles to visit. Owner Troy was not present. Shop restroom uses a brake lever to actuate the flush handle on the toilet. Bought groceries then drove out to McCoy flats for the night. Really green.
