Focuses on the ideal of being happy and complete as a solo individual. A person as such would feel whole and fulfilled within the self and does not feel compelled to seek fulfillment through having another person as a partner. This def is more reflective of me as an unattached person. Been working that way all but 4 years of my adult life. And certainly during these 11 + years of traveling the country.
Rain fell again on Wed, just hanging at spot off Willow road.
Rain water pooled in the potholes around sleep spot.
Thurs was a wait out the dirt to dry and an excuse to make the 4th day in a row of rest. Drove into town to do wash and top off resources then returned to Willow spot. Plan is to drive out to N Klondike on Friday and stay and ride for several days.
Friday AM after Bfast drove north to N Klondike rd. The rain that fell wetted the gravel road eliminating dust which was wonderful for the lungs. Fewer than 5 rigs at spots along the road. Place where I have stayed previously was open and the dust was firm with several puddles.
Geared up for a ride. Wore chilly temp weather: knee socks and knee warmers. At the start of the ride I worked out kinks and reestablished reflexes and motor skills riding Dino trail which has quite a few blue square tech challenges. I sessioned several to reacquaint memory for being able to ride that feature. There is 1 feature that I have a mental block for which prevents me from even attempting. The plushness of my suspension was pleasurable. I turned around at the end of the trail, another satisfying out and back ride. I shared my 11.1 ride pedaling for 1 hr 35 with maybe 5 other riders. Mid afternoon sun and light. Hero dirt, sand is firm. Just slightly chilly, close to perfect.
Chilly night last night, in low 20s when I finally looked at the van temperature recording instrument. Mus puddles were iced over. Forecast was calling for low 50s. Just hunker down in warm van until ice became water.
Today I chose to ride a past loop backwards. Meaning climbing Alaska. I again pedaled a short piece of Dino till I hit Nome which would climb and descend over lots of slick rock patches. Connect with Alaska for more fun and exertion of up and down till the ridge overlooking Salt Valley. Mix of smiles and heavy breathing as I rode up what the other direction was down and vice vice versus. Letting gravity be the engine is better than pedaling against it. Water was puddled in places that I mostly rode thru instead of around.
The trails here have been well designed with a mix of uphill tempered with a traverse or decent which creates breather pieces. On a climb to a high point and descent means that lost elevation will have to be climbed again. That’s what riding here on Klondike is about. So for you readers who have ridden here and are following my route at home, it went like this: Dino to Homer, to Alaska connecting to 4X4 road to drop down Little Salty connecting to Dino back home. Only 12 miles pedaling for 1 hr 53 mins climbing only 1158′. Weren’t any pedaling pieces, all about work up and capitalize on downward pull of gravity. Beautiful day again about the same temps still with leg insulation. Stopped several times to check Buckeyes score against Penn State, Bucks prevailed. Just such wonderful to be outside.
I ordered a new memory foam mattress topper which should arrive before T day. New Patagonia flannel shirt is waiting for me at mail center. Patagonia makes such good stuff, expensive but it lasts and wears forever. My preferred riding baggies and liners are theirs.
Sundown here is like 4:53 PM, however a bluff is between me and said sun which shortens daylight. 42 degrees at 5:40 PM, waiting for furnace to fire up.
Zags play tonight broadcast on XM.
Life is enjoyable.