There are 3 trail systems around here with different ride skill requirements, like the bear types from Goldilocks: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. Papa is Lunch Loop at Junction, Mama is Kokopeli where I have been riding, and Baby is 18 road. I am a Mama bear terrain rider. Lunch loop requires so much more drag my bike features, and 18 road road out is too rough for me to subject my van to.
So, riding Kokopeli sandwiched between the CO river and I 70, desert riding. The PUSH Elevensix continues to please me. After 5 rides what it does has become that’s the way my bike handles. It just works, again, traction keeping the rear wheel in contact with what’s underneath said tire. I did finally mount my new Aggressor tire on back.
I reride the 2 newest trails: Wranglers and Hawkeye in both directions. Trails here start with a climb right from the start, warm up happens abruptly and not very gently, particularly Hawkeye. The descents are a fine reward for the hump. Mack Ridge descent with numerous rock gardens to roll over add an element of fear. Finding the the bike will roll over nasty stuff inspires confidence. I choose to be nice to both the bike and myself, realizing that MO is what it is all about. Inertia, if the front wheel makes it over the rear is sure to follow.
One ride was from Hawkeye TH pedaling the road to the start of Troy Built continuing to Lyons road climb up to Mack Ridge then drop down Hawkeye.
The bike still needs my engine to go forward. 70 years old engine has worn piston rings allowing low compression that causes me to blow up and stop for a short breather. The downhills are a pleasure which I ride at a slower pace to enjoy the handling and also to be able to share the trail with others.
Friday was my biggest ride this visit. Started at Mary’s TH, climbed Wranglers, climbed and traversed on Lyons single track then pedaled beat up road to top of Mack’s ridge, descend Mack’s , then finished riding Wranglers back. 17.9 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 29 mins, climbing 1778′. At start of Wranglers I self medicated. I rediscovered that wonderful pedal stroke again which seems to emerge from hiding when I get addled.
Been socializing at OTE and Hot Tomato.
Dave and Rebecca, formerly of Green Bay, WI area, invited me to dinner on Fri. I entered their address into google maps for navigation. I pulled up in front of their house, parked then walked to the door carrying a dinner apertif of champagne. Knocked on the door and the man that answered was not Dave who’s house is across the street. I had 2 of the 3 house numbers correct but missed the last one. They live across the street. Sweat the samll stuff for accuracy.
Weather forecast was calling for possible snow showers which was deleted in later forecasts: no snow but a few sprinkles. I have been paying attention to forecast down at Ridgway to ride the RAT trails. Today forecast calls for slight chance of snow. I am thinking I will drive the 90 miles down to there tomorrow and ride for 2 days then drive back to Fruita then on to Moab.
Yesterday I parked out at Hawkeye TH at the Mack exit off I 70. Hump up Hawkeye, rough descent down Mack’s, the connect to Steve’s which I hadn’t ridden in many years. Steve’s is a mix of rideable and drag a bike tread with exposure added in places. Still had to ride the Lyons with its nasties and the jeep road climb to Mack’s, ride it to top of Hawkeye back down to van. Discovered a greeting written in the dust on the back of my van from Liz.
I created a mail shipment from the mail forwarding service I use to be mailed to Fruita. Checked PO on Sat. Teller handed me the envelope which should have contained all the mail I requested but one edge of the mailer had been ripped open leaving only my auto insurance policy inside because it couldn’t fall out. UPSP ” misplaced” the other pieces. Guy told me they will live in the system and will be delivered back to address on the envelops. So he said. Time will tell.
Taking today off to rest my worked legs. Hot Tomato is closed on Sun and Mon. Was able to say Hi to both Jen and Ann, the owners.
After last laundry as I folded my sheets I discovered worn holes. Sheets lasted about 2 years. Living on the road doesn’t establish a ship to address. I will ask Chili Pepper in Moab to receive my new sheets.
Lots of mountain bikers in town esp on the weekends. I have experienced varying degrees of trail love. Hearing that e bikes are being ridden on Kokopeli which is non motorized on BLM land which has been directed by dump to allow pedal assist bikes on BLM land. I watched a woman rider “pedal” up a steep dam breast yesterday. Scofflaw.
