Pedaling an oval

My chain ring is ovalized, my legs pedal in a circle, the premise of the ovalized ring is that it smooths out the pedal stroke, which to me, eliminates the power pulse a circular ring gives. Something to do with circles.

Well, life continues during this stay at home protocol. I just move my home then venture outside for exercise.

Sunday I drove in from Beaverhead to VOC. Ride that day was venturing on trails here. Trailheads for Bell Rock and Courthouse were closed and the trails behind were also closed. Access was by pedaling up SLim Shady which is a bit of a hump right at the start. I did have to walk up the several step ups that are too much for my ability while I was able to pedalall else. It was not as bad as I anticipated. However, what it did do was adjust my ride. Trail access at Courthouse was blocked leaving entrance to Breezy open just before the tape. Down the wash to Templeton crossing, taking that to Bell Rock to Bail Trail to join Llama well past the problem climb. Little Horse up to Chicken Point where several private 4X4 disgorged their occupants. Broken Arrow descending to High on the Hog where I slithered down that nasty move. Dropped down Twin Buttes to short piece of Broken Arrow turning on Hog wash. Ran into local legend who had a hand in the Hogs trails. Switched to Peccari dropping down to Mystic.

somewhere here, on Mystic looking N.

Pedal Mystic which seems to be a former powerline road now gone to seed. Neighborhood pavement to social trail connecting with Bell Rock for short piece to HT. Then short piece of Breezey, Templeton, Hermitt, Coconino, and descent back down Slim. Almost all by myself except for 2 large groups of hikers on Llama. 14.7 miles gaining 1037′ pedaling for 2 hrs 6 mins. Did better reining in anaerobic heart rate.

Spent night again at MP4. The spot is exposed. The RV was driven out Sunday night, its engine sputtering. It stopped just short of the exit onto the hard road. what the shits it would be if the thing blocked the exit? It started then its sounds faded. In the morning I did not see it along side the road. Other junk remains. FS hung their abandoned tag only on the camper.

Beaverhead spot, find green van

Warm night only wanting furnace heat before leaving warmth of covers. Fixed scratch pancakes and drank a second cup of coffee because it was Sunday.

Drove back to Cultural Park on almost empty roads. Plan was to kind of wander to pick up social trails. One was bypass of Shithole wash. I rode a short piece to exit.

shithole down, ride the wash

I wandered on social trails just enjoying pedaling, balancing, at navigation. 16.3 miles gaining 1326′ in 2 hrs 21 mins. 19 hour recovery.

Working on sunburn. I might be in a race to the cause of my demise: either skin cancer or covid.

Spent night in town. Bought on line another pair of Patagonia riding shorts, 1/2 price with a liner.

Today was back to west end of town. What to ride? Western Gateway trails are mostly fun pedaling and nicer climbing trails. South side of 89A is location of nastier tread and harsher climbs. Good to mix rides up even if my smile was not as joyous. Descend Scorpion over several basalt rock gardens. Today I smashed over the heads, sometimes the preferred line was over them versus steering the “smooth” alt line. Once thru the gardens the trail becomes just red slick rock. The the climb out of the drainage. Sketch traverses the hillside.

Sketch traverses way above
Sketch

Finished back at Cultural park, 104 miles climbing 1043′ in 1 hr 30 mins. data from this ride were almost exactly the same as last ride only this time just a little faster average speed.

Today’s forecast called for 40% showers after 11. I did pack my rain jacket. Clouds moved in during my ride, I felt I would finish before possible storm broke. I made it. About 30 mins later winds really picked up and clouds showed rain. It it mostly bluster, windshield is dust splattered.

My cold is a fainting memory. Cough (wet) is gone and my temp remains below 98.6.

Will try restaurant take out tonight. Stay up here again and ride here again. 80 degree temps are forecast later this week, ride before the heat comes on.

Travel plans are still affected by stay at home decree. It’s prolly just a matter of time before each of us are exposed to the virus, how will our body respond, that’s what is unknown.

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