Pedaling while Straight. Tuesday was to be my next big day only my electronics crapped out. In the AM at my camp spot I received a week 4bar signal. I went up to the cloud for a document that needed more data than the present signal strength so the phone froze up. Note 8 doesn’t have an easy battery removal so I couldn’t cold boot it. It added a cloudy vibe to my life. I resigned myself to making a shorter ride then drive down to town to a verizon store. No phone. Next, but disappointing in its own right, was the edge computer quit working at the bottom of Bull canyon. Not receiving data of real interest is beats per minute. Shit, dead phone now dead computer and my shifting is starting to lag. Then I forgot to pack the pot. I now had an entire ride to evaluate riding in this condition: straight.
Oh, the ride. I parked just outside Horsethief XG instead of riding from camp. Joined Chisholm crossing the highway then down to Mustang loop to connect with Getaway down to Bull Canyon cutover. I would ride the same on return. Cross the road then chunder drop down Bull Canyon. Drops some of which hammer my upper body. I can ride them all, I just get more beat than I like. At Arth’s corner where Bull ends is the turning point for now the payback climb out. Almost all lonesome. Because The afore mentioned trip to town I left the about 8 miles into Little Canyon etc. Pleasant (it’s work) pedal back out. Guessed 18 miles.
Back at the van the phone was freaking out flashing red led. Maybe it was too hot. Screen was blank. Hmmm. Plugged in the charger: battery had run down. When enough charge triggered the coming alive signal an I’m OK home screen appeared. The phone was back with me. No trip to town but done riding. Bike computer problem was a dead battery in spite of being fully charged last night. The computer switches itself on when I plug the charger in and when I unplug it unless I manually override its want to stay alive. So I lack knowledge of how gentle I was to my heart.
Drove back to same camp spot. Temp is in the mid 802. The fridge can’t keep up with those temps. Not good as inside temp gets to 50 degrees, beer is hardly sweating can cold. Only single layer of down blanket.
These last bunch of rides I have been more about restraint and increased enjoyment by not wailing on my rides. Wed’s ride was to be my last ride at Moab. I chose Chisholm out and back from camp. I picked up Rodeo from sleep spot riding it to its junction with Chisholm out to junction of Big Lonely of the Navajo Rocks loop. I decided I didn’t want to ride a piece of that loop and that the trail back is different than it is going out. Back at Rodeo junction I decided to ride it in the direction going away from my camp. Nice easy tech challenge. Still, 22 mile ride taking 2 hrs 56 mins.
Up by the campground internet signal is received. I checked the weather forecast: wind event for Thurs. It is to be a rest day anyway. I have been thinking about traveling north, leaving the desert. Fruita is in the direction I plan on going. Hmm, less than a 2 hour drive away to sleep spot above Rabbit Valley just across the CO line. Made ready then committed. Strong winds from rear left quarter wiggled my steering heading north. On I 70 west it was mostly behind me. Hop skip and a pressed accelerator I made the empty preferred spot above the interstate. Traffic noise travels up to my sleep spot. I heard a tractor using unmuffled Jake brakes going down the hill. Windows almost rattled.
Today was my rest and chore day now around Fruita. Clean clothes and body. Finally found Bob’s Red Mill Scottish oatmeal and aged Gouda cheese. Drove east of Junction to procure needed altering inhalant. Dinner of a Sedona salad at Hot Tomato in downtown Fruita.
Checked my bike into OTE to discuss shifting malaise. Was prepared and prolly wanting one anyway was a new rear derailleur to replace 3 year old original. Wrench and I agree that it shifts much better.
Tomorrow the weather at this forecast favors a big ride out at Kokopeli.
I have been checking out riding at Pocatello, ID as I tarry on my path to Sun Valley.
So, PwS gets it done, I pedaled the uphill fully engaged. My memory recall is about the same. I made the same moves. I will be straight tomorrow when I ride Mack Ridge first part as I really need to keep my wits about me. I am able to PoP as well as PwS.