Then the brain engages the body to hit proper keys on the keyboard to tell a coherent story. Follow along with my writing.
Getting lost in a novel means you don’t have to focus on your life. Well, yes a bit of reading, presently a Confederate soldier’s narrative of his war experience. As a fall back I just put off creating this tale. Tonight is a go.
Steve has been here, rode, then drove back to winter in Sun Valley. We rode Soldier Wash for his 1st ride. This trail system is on a very small piece of FS land with the town surrounding it. We started from Posse Grounds park riding piece of bike park trails, a piece of pavement, then church parking lot where tires hit dirt. We made a loop out there. Our ride was 9.9 miles covering 169 acres. There are more miles of trails in the system that we didn’t hit. To me what is impressive is the amount of trail miles in such a small area yet never being cramped by another trail. System trails with signs and a you are here map at each trail intersection.
Steve and I were able to score sleep spots at MP 4.
Doug from Canada has been riding with me. He is younger, faster, and more capable rider. Steve is almost my age. I rode in the middle. Steve rode some of the new western gateway trails. Outer Limits:
We rode Turkey Creek on Sunday. Such an under used area. We encountered almost no one on a beautiful day to be out. Challenging trails with bits of hike a bike on steep long climbs. We rode the same trails from my previous other rides. Sticking to what is familiar and found.
Tuesday I drove up to Flag to seek treatment from my primary health care professional. Gut issues. Beautiful day. I drove each way in the canyon which is now smooth unblemished asphalt. Slower drive than I 17.
Wed I soloed a Western Gateway ride as I wanted to ride Last Frontier. Trail is a mix of user created adopted trail and a newly constructed piece that traverses a steep side hill.
Last Frontier rejoined Outer Limits before descent to Dry Creek. After the crossing I pedaled up and up. At the junction of now named Ledge n airy, formerly Drano, a user created trail adopted. Shorter route out of creek but harder climbing. Finished off back to Gridner trailhead.
Later that day I sat in a dentist chair as he fitted me new appliance which when worn over my lower teeth it will position my lower jaw relative to my upper which will correct my damaged TMJs.
Thursday was another volunteer trail work day. Ground Control on the side of Cockscomb is now open. It’s a harry black diamond piece of work. I joined a small group to build the northern end to Cockscomb. Built the trail intersection cairn (?).
Laundry done later. Zags game start was 8:30. I was out in the desert inside my van listening to the broadcast on XM. Zags won.
Last fall out at Klondike near Moab I met Brian. Steve joined us on a ride. He recently arrived in Sedona. He joined Doug and I. I created the route which is my usual loop. I looked forward to the ride as it would be my first time on these trail. 11 AM start, still a little chilly. Ah, but clear blue skies warmed the day. Our route took us up to Chicken Point. Above high on an exposed slick rock face is the infamous White Line. we watched a rider negotiate the ride. I failed to take a picture of the ride with him in it.
What is hidden from view is the rest of the face. A fail on this would be a death plunge.
Just another beautiful day. Presently I am out at MP 4, I arrived late afternoon. Warm and sunny enough to leave the side door open. Mid 60s. Snow is forecast for Monday and colder, however.
One night Steve and I had a discussion about rationalization. When I was much younger life was pretty black and white, however with aging I learned that there is much shading. Sometimes we bend a little to gain something. The subject of ebikes came up. We both are against them. Steve has ridden one, me never. I have been riding with an ebike rider who has lead me on some amazing social trails here. I invited Steve along on a ride with the ebiker. Steve said he would not ride with him. I chose to ride with Steve and stiffed the ebiker. I was quite aware of my rationalizing. No more will I ride with an ebiker. It’s just ain’t right what the assist gives the rider.