Ken Burns’ Country Music and Underground Railroad. Two days ago I borrowed Country Music from the Hurricane Library which I have been watching the last 2 nights. Hours and hours of info which bumps up against writing this. Then in search for a book to read I researched award winning books instead of being overwhelmed by choices on bookstore shelves. This one is Underground Railroad. There is a tie between the 2 as slaves brought over the banjo and their music which was incorporated into white music, that race that kept down and abused horrifically those they copied. Music continually morphs as different styles bump up against others, absolute power continues to corrupt absolutely. Music changes, abuse of power remains the same. Mix in some riding for separation of my thought processes.
Winter here has been wet and cold creating freeze thaw mud up on Hurricane Cliffs trails. Two days ago I drove out Sheepsbridge road which sort of bisects the cliffs to observe freeze thaw mud. Scratch off riding here let alone driving off road to any one of BLM established campsites. Current forecast wants serious freezing at night and slightly above freezing during the day. No riding on these trails this visit.
Riding choices have been like Church Rocks (2 times) and now where I am presently the Barrelroll trails down at Santa Clara which is rocky and at just under 3,000′ for warmer temp. Church Rocks is sand, the wet better binds the sand grains which is better than dry but still sand. Not all of it is sand but it is noticeable. OK, there is more slick rock than sand but rock is expected to be dry, albeit sand stone is slippery of sorts when wet.
One day I rode Lakeside trail out at Quail Creek which is mostly clay. I rode there on Tuesday under sunshine and no knee socks warmth. The tread was mostly firm but it seemed the top most surface had possibility of grease. I couldn’t count on a hard carve for fear of both the bike and me sliding on dirt that wasn’t firmly connected to its substrate. Count the challenging out and back as a ride day. I slept at the TH turnout the night before to have a ride from the van.
My body continues to be unhappy. All of my body parts are in accord with all evaluations coming up within spec. No explanation for what ails me. My happiness is not happy.
Yesterday I drove down to Santa Clara and the Barrelroll trail system. On my first visit 2 weeks ago I spoke with a rock climber who had posted up his van here at a parking area apparently on private property lacking no trespassing signs. I planned on riding here then spending the night. I did both. The trails here are chunky with many tech opportunities that challenge me and I am sort of rising to the challenges, some escape my ability and adverse to risk. Like 11 miles climbing 1,100′, the climb starts right from the van.
The nice weather and dry trails brought out the most number of riders I have yet to see here although once on Barrelroll I was by myself, the crowded trail was Sidewinder which is an up and back down loop.
Yesterday after my ride I was outside when a rider literally flew through the parking area then onto the climb. He was riding an ebike. I watched him “pedal” so fast up what I huffed and puffed earlier. I am age affected speed but he was on rocket power. He did not appear to be what proponents are saying ebikes are for: a rider who’s condition, either from age or infirmity, does not allow them to enjoy riding on heart propelled trails. It just ain’t right to mix faster motor assisted “pedalers” with solely heart propelled riders. I emailed IMBA last week about BLM “allowing” ebikes on non motorized trails and have yet to hear back, same with local BLM manager. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
This morning I plan on driving over to ride Bear Claw Poppy system which might be pedaling trail then prolly head back to Hurricane.
My attraction to this type of desert is loosing its appeal as is the social vibe.