This is the weekend of the Sedona Mountain Bike festival. The community and trails are over run with visitors. So many rigs with bikes attached to them and people walking around with baggie pants and helmets. And tomorrow they will all be gone, back to pre spring break tourist crowds. Festival started Friday. I chose not to add a local rider to crowded trails. parking cost $10 for just a driver in a rig. I parked a ways down the road and walked to the venue, no admittance fee. My purpose was to visit with vendors I have a connection with and anybody I know. Diaz Suspension Anthony I learned some suspension comparisons with his RUNT and PUSH’s coil conversion for fork. Anthony reported that riders riding both enhancements noticed no difference in his lighter and less expensive RUNT over the more costly and heavier PUSH. I am now content. I9 new rear wheel with the Hydra hub and carbon rims remain on my want list. Club Ride clothing Cameron from Ketchum: asked about pant size for my 29″ waist: they didn’t sell so they don’t make my size. Said hello to his dog Mellow, a 13 year old Lab who did not acknowledge me. Cameron said age is why.
Once my itch was scratched I drove out to Cultural Park for the rest of the day. Location is trail head for Western Gateway trails, the place was almost empty, not plugged as I feared, good sign for uncrowded trails should I decide to ride here tomorrow. Spent night in town.
Saturday I returned to Cultural Park for a ride. The festival provided shuttles to 3 locations for riders who bought a ticket, this location was not a drop off albeit it was sort of bracketed by the high school and Dry Creek. The new western gateway trails were not mentioned. I rode a big loop encountering 20 some riders who were practicing mostly good trail etiquette. I chose Anaconda trail to add to my trails ridden this year. I had avoided riding it as there is a climb then a descent that required reclimbing elevation. I rode it from Girdner up then down to OK trail in the Dry Creek bottom. The extra climb was not bad, it rides better in this direction, Snake is a better way to climb out of the drainage. I rode Last Frontier going preferred direction heading south and did not share the trail. Reconnected with Outer Limits back to start. I sat in the creek bottom watching riders snake down the cliff side and then listened to them talk favorably about the trail when they stopped in the dry Dry Creek bottom.
19 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 38 mins climbing 1480′ which is less than 100′ / mile. I beat myself up riding anaerobic as I spent 1 hr 30 mins plus 11 red line minutes. recovery time was 20 hours which is maybe why I am sitting at the very crowded cultural park lot waiting for like noon to ride which I don’t have a desire to do. Last week I rode 5 out of 7 days. I beat myself. Ran into Chevron Tony and his 9 year old ripper son.
Thursday I rode Skywalker, Scorpion and Ridge over to Secret Slick Rock.
Manzanita blossoms continue to add their fragrant bouquet.
Sat I worked the VVCC beer tent exchanging cash for beer tokens. Place was packed. I waited out the first shift staff to finally leave before I stepped in as they were having so much fun I did not want to send them home. I visited with riders. I enjoyed visiting with the FS trail people. Forrest is the trail coordinator, I learned I am twice as old as he. On the build days we all are mostly heads down building that little conversation happens.
The side lugs on my Minnion DHF 2.5 WT front tire are tearing away indicating I am carving turns which as the wear indicates I am. wide tires and dropper post allows me to lean my bike over onto said side lugs. Riding is so much fun even factoring in the climbing effort.
Single tracks published an article on the 5 worst riding climbs, I have ridden 2 of them, one is one of my most favorite trails Devils Gulch near Wenatchee, WA, the other Doctor park near Gunnison. Devils Gulch ride was 22.4 miles climbing 3084′, well above the 100′ / mile. 2 hour climb for 1 hour downhill.
Now reading Lonesome Dove another massive tome of 857 pages in small print causing eye strain even with new prescription.
My health is still not happy. I push myself thru not feeling well. This week I have DR appointments with a gastro and primary care providers.
Zags play next in semi finals on Mon night. Bar side at PJs.