Freeze thaw here dry firm tread there. At night the temp remains chilly, sometimes and places it’s below freezing keeping ice on puddles. Yesterday I rode out Western Gateway system encountering less mud than on the 3rd. Today I tried Llama loop again. Less and shorter pieces of wet but none the less more than enough to shorten the ride.

Yesterday’s ride was the same loop that Doug and I rode on the 3rd. The climb up Rupp for me was the first time ever, I made it under duress. Yesterday the climbs seemed to be less difficult. 13 mile loop 1082′ climbing. Cockscomb massive is dominant.

Dry Creek is still running low enough to leave stepping stones above the flow.

I sessioned several places on Girdner to satisfaction. One I made for the first time, felt so good I climbed it 3 more times. 3 riders rode up. One was Tyson who was laid out the idea of these trails and Beth, and another woman. I have known the first 2 for years. I met Beth in Asheville back in maybe ’09. Wonderful to visit with people I have met along my way.

Holiday crowds have returned to where they came from freeing up space. Yesterday I drove down the hill to the Y on an almost empty road. traffic zoomed around the rotary and Tlaqapaque was dead. Scored MP4 spot again.

Tomorrow’s forecast wants precip and lower temps putting more moisture in the ground and freezing overnight to regress the drying process. OK it is to be expected because it is Jan 8. Which made today a ride day.

I parked at VOC spot: sunshine, no wind. Checked the van temp: 35 degrees. WTF? Should be warmer than that. Gotta ride. I wore a short sleeve wool T shirt under my wool jersey and knee warmers. Half mike pedal uphill to Bell Rock TH and dirt. I warmed up a bit as did the temp. On the dirt Bog Park and Single track Bypass were dry. The piece at the steep roll was dry. Llama should be much drier. Well, the wet spots were shorter and some dried up. My chain sent dry chain sounds causing me to pull off the trail and lubed the chain. I was off the trail partially hidden by a juniper. A rider appeared, it was Doug riding from the other direction. We visited for awhile. Another rider joined, local Al. The 3 of us have done trail work. Report was mud on my route. I modified my route and returned the way I came with the other 2. We pedaled Llama riding over what I miss by taking the trails to the roll down. Muddy but not as much build up as earlier.

Tonight I scored my favorite spot off Beaverhead. Many users over the years have created other spots nearby. Way more primitive campers as years have gone by. Still a compliment to the users’ ethics as there is no litter.

The new parts on the engine have increased the boost which lessens and almost eliminates the Sprinter rumble strip clanking which must have been from the transmission attempting to chose the correct gear. The boost allows the engine to pull in proper gear.

Sometimes all it takes is money. My van’s health is much better with several new parts for the turbo, monthly prescription refill was applied to annual deductible, eye exam established I would see better with a new prescription and frames to hold lenses in, and so far the cat claw scrapes and yucca leaf penetration has not infected. The Zags overcame their own weaknesses to win Sat night and remain ranked #1. Mud on the trails is becoming firm in ever increasing locations. And daytime temps are almost short sleeves.

Friday Doug and I rode a loop backwards to my usual route which turned out to be pleasurable either way. We started from Cultural Park taking new trails till we hit Girdner to Rupp where we crossed running Dry Creek. Outer Limits back to start was more enjoyable as the 2 stiff climbs going the other was were coast downs. The climb out earned just a partial smile and was rideable. On the climb out we encountered a solo rider and struck up a conversation. The guy asked if we knew Craig Bierly. I raised my arms pleading guilty. How do I know or remember the guy? Once he said the name of a ride we did together I remembered him. It was Paul from BV, CO. My bike accumulated mud such that I needed to wash it off, again outside with cold tap water.

Sat I wanted to ride Old Mans and Rabbit ridge to experience my improved suspension. I invited Doug and Paul along to share trails that they would never know about. Rabbit Ridge is a below grade shallow grade climb but is very taxing. The bike was more pleasurable to ride but again the engine was my limiter.

I rode against catclaw bushes as that was my needed line. The claws raked my shins adding red color streaks to my shins. The blood finally coagulated. Further on a mistake put me straight on to a yucca leaf that buried into my right shin to the bone. There was still ice on several puddles in a wash on our return. Mud build up was not sufficient to wash off.

Watched the Zags at PJs. ran into Duane who during catch up he told me about a Sunday morning ride down in the village with many riders I know and might be less controversial than another group I could have joined.

Sunday AM I overslept to make the W Sedona ride so I caught the VOC ride. Again freeze thaw mud was taken into account which directed us to Turkey Creek off Verde Valley school road. 8 of us. Road pedal to dirt left me way behind. Once on the dirt I still lagged but they waited at intersections. I heard someone say 29 30 which is what Spokane folks call out when the last rider joins the group. The deal is for the group to give the last rider a rest as they count to 30. The pimp is to count 29 30 then take off drastically shortening that rider’s rest. I told one of the riders in the past about that pimp, they pulled it on me. Trails are mostly social trails created by horse and maybe some ridden in pieces.

I have 20 to 30 years over those riders, my engine just doesn’t match their effort.

I washed mud and sweat off then licked my wounds over a beer at PJs while watching a bit of the Seahawks game then drove out to MP4 for the night.

Today was eye exam. Eyes are in great age affected condition. My vision can be improved with slightly stronger prescription which I stepped up to.

Starting the new year I have spent $660 for glasses, $441 for meds, $221 for teeth, and $228 for the van. The price for my quality of life.

Made today a rest day.

Freeze at night, sunshine and mid 50s during the day. Wait till mid afternoon to ride. However, shrinking patches of muddy tread remain. Yesterday after my ride I needed to wash off the blobs of dried mud from my legs. I sprayed the dried mud my bike off using my tree sprayer with cold tap water after sundown in the chill.

Yesterday was a busy day starting with laundry to be completed before dentist appointment, drive van to repair shop, and meet Doug for a ride. Clean clothes put away. Dentist treatment ran long, no cavities but bigger issue of loose teeth. Doug cancelled riding date that I would have been too late for. Scrambled to make repair shop for 1 PM appointment which at best was a casual start time. Gave the van and my keys and trust to the shop then pedaled off on my time.

For my ride I coasted down Coffee Pot road to Sunset park then to pick up Old Post dirt. Patches of shallow red slop but not clinging mud. Skywalker was mostly dry as it faces drying sun. Scorpion in the shade of Schurman mtn was firm as basalt baby heads kept wheels off the dirt. But the piece along the flank of Pyramid was sloppy. Ridge to Sketch was mostly dry. Sketch was dry and sketchy as trail is narrow bench cut tread with exposure and tech challenges which either baffle me of lack of confidence to attempt. Still learning characteristics of new suspension performance.

Pedaled back to repair shop. Arrived at shop where van was sitting out front with the hood up. Perceived that as a bad sign. Learned that it was open to show the coolant system. Michael showed numerous deteriorating components including the radiator. He will price out repairs that I will pay for in February. New parts for turbo system went in without a hitch. I paid then drove away. I perceive more engine power. Still reading Gone with the Wind where the time period is after the Union capturing Atlanta and Scarlet refugeed to still standing but resource depleted Tara. Union troops are scorching the earth of resources leaving survivors mostly women and young children destroyed financially and food starved. I understand the South’s hatred of the Yankees.

Parked at Cultural park waiting sun warmth.

Zags won last night over tough Portland team. Mid way thru 1st half the Zags were getting shellaced then turned it around right after halftime for the win.