Rain on Tuesday, Wed, Thurs, Fri, partial clearing on Sat. Yesterday a local report said trails are good where he rode down at VOC. Jimmie’s rotating mass of church or something such as that over at Prescott got wetted out. Scratch that ride. Inquiry down to Cave Creek learned trails closed till Mon. Well, maybe a local ride could be pulled off. Enough of a chance that local trails would not too soft to ride. Church convened here.

Text messages pulled 5 others into the ride meeting at Absolute for 10:30 start. Start time was a loose start time. We’ve got this. Route was determined to be Llama, HT,

Templeton

Down the switchbacks to Buddha beach, Baldwin over to Turkey creek area then pedal back Verde Valley School rd back. yes, there was water as in puddles or mud where we encountered water. Rock was slippery from tracked on water. Lots of hikers down at Buddha beach where the trails goes right above Oak Creek which was raging from the recent rains.

Our route kept us on this side of the creek, crossing it would not have happened because of the high water.

Pedaled Baldwin, this way had more uphill making the roll downs going the other way, step ups making the ride more difficult and more walking for me. Other riders are more skilled and have younger engines. Crossed Verde Valley rd into Turkey creek fun.

Descended back side of Napoleon, very tech that I chose to eliminate possible failure by lowering my bike down. Somewhere along the way we encountered a group of hikers unknown to any of us that stalled our group. Once free the group minus me pedaled away. I was held up by an old dog and me yielding them the trail which they didn’t take choosing to hike the outside edges of the trail. I was left behind. I did not see then turn up a wash, I stayed to main social trail hoping to catch up. except they did not take this trail. I hollered receiving no response. At a trail junction I texted Ian. no reply. Checked cell coverage: phone coverage. I called, he answered. I waited for 30 mins at the junction for their rejoining. I missed the excitement. Group dynamics failure.

Yes, it was muddy in spots and many of the washes were running that we just splashed thru. My lower legs had red dirt splatters, my bike more so. back where I park the building has a spigot that I used to fill up the tree sprayer to wash off my bike. Bike is clean of the clumps.

19.8 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 51 mins, climbing 1416′. Another heart thrashing as I really noticed the 5 days of not riding.

More wet weather forecast for week’s end.

Zags beat SMC to win the WCC tournament. NCAA canceled March Madness because of corona virus.

Tuesday it started raining.

Thursday was van service day. work today was to replace more coolant system parts. Work was not finished, I was asked if I could sleep in my van inside their building and they would finish up first thing Fri morn. I slept inside breathing shop fluids. Strange sleeping under a building roof and not hearing rain hitting my van roof.

They found a mouse nest.

Wed I received my 2 dental appliances which position my lower jaw correctly which will make my TMJs much happier. I wear a hard plastic form over my lower teeth which causes garbled speech until I adjust. After wearing it for 5 days now my jaw muscles have adjusted such that without the appliance I can not chew. One is for normal wear and a second one is for chewing, I carry both with me to be wearing the one for chewing.

Corona virus is happening. Prevention is to avoid large gatherings. WA state set 250 people max for gathering. All sports events have been cancelled. Shoppers here have been hoarding toilet paper big time. Untold economic losses as hospitality type industries are suffering from lack of customers. Owners of capital are taking a beating which flows down to their employees loosing wages. I am set because of my pension and social security. My savings are loosing $. Very uncertain times. Will I become infected? If so, will I survive and recover?

On Friday I will be seen by a naturapath in anticipation of their solution to my out of wack digestive system.

Weather forecast starting today and for the next several days is for precip in form of showers. Ride before wet sets in for those days.

Yesterday I had a gastro Dr appointment in Cottonwood where Dead Horse SP and FS trails are. I drove down there to ride while still dry. Cottonwood city is lower elevation than Sedona and must receive less precip as the flora is mostly desert of creosote bush and cat claw. Trail tread is mostly limestone which when it gets wet it sticks to whatever comes in contact with, of particular concern to mtn bike riders is the tires pick up the mud and in a short distance the wheel will not longer clear the frame. Then you carry your now much heavier bike. I got my ride in sunshine and slight wind. Short sleeve jersey working on suntan lines. 19.6 miles pedaling for hard 2 hrs 20 mins climbing 1437′. Joy of daytime weekday riding is having trails mostly to myself which happened.

Gastro DR stands by her original diagnosis of irritable bowel and treatment is dosing on dicyclamine which makes me slightly spacey and lessens my sharp vision, Not much fun.

AZ remains in standard time, we are now the same time as PDST. Last night the Zags played their semifinal game against San Fran which they squeaked out a win. Per ESPN game time stated 6 PM MT. I arrived at PJs just before 5 believing tip off was at 5. Seems that Google uses my location and adjusts time zones. We are now in MT.

Last night I covered my bike in anticipation of showers today. First showers hit while I was still under the covers. Wasn’t no gentle shower. I slept on hard dirt at Uhaul lot. I would not have wanted to be out in the desert as that rain prolly made the desert tracks into slippery mud.

Zags play WCC final tonight against SMC whom they have beaten 2X this season. PJs bar side again.

Took advantage to O’Reilly’s free windshield wiper blade replacement. $42 for blades.

Today I drive up to Flag to be seen by my primary care dr. Drive the canyon up and down as it is a slower and more scenic drive.

Thurs I am scheduled for van service to replace coolant system plumbing. Preventive maintenance. Van is 13 years old with 250,000 miles, things wear out. It’s about keeping the van moving instead of sitting dead on the side of the road.

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.