I am not sleeping well, this AM I woke up about 4 and drifted into being awake almost till get up at 6. Nervous about things that could happen to me and freaking myself out that I can’t deal with unplanned change. My van health worries me inspite of my taking preventive and corrective maintenance. So I lay in bed worrying. Once I arrive at the TH and it is just my worn body and ridden in bike I relax. I could get hurt which is real versus van breakdown. Enough.
Busy day today got to get after it. Breakfast then making the van ready for driving short distance on well maintained FS dirt road to parking spot for Los Burros trail access. Picked this spot as it was the shortest distance from where I spent the night. Chilly, wore light weight long sleeve wool jersey and enjoyed it the entire ride which finished just before noon. Spring up here at 8,000′. Trail is marked like LOP of yesterday. Kept me on trail and away from Trailforks for navigation. Again, same terrain and former use of the land. No viewsheds, nothing exciting other than dealing with lack of breath caused by elevation higher than I am conditioned for. I dropped down to the 42T gear, never giving up and pedaling the lowest 46T. Trail traveled to a spring that was captured for a cow trough.
Water attracted a hummingbird that really checked out my helmet and my face. I stood still for its maybe 15 second exam. I finally blinked as I was concerned what it might do with its bill. Helmet has attracted other hummingbirds.
Aspen like water also.
You ride what you have, it is what it is. Doesn’t mean that I can dis the trail, I just don’t ride it a second time. I drove away to never return.
Next up was laundry. I googled laundromat in Show Low only 1 was retrieved. Pics showed acceptable equipment, This location was being renovated with at least new dryers and maybe folding tables and carts. I have clean dried clothes is what I will say.
Next was drive to Winslow. There were stretches of the road that were straight and very long. Exposed to wind.
Take it Easy by Jackson Browne made famous by The Eagles. ” Now I’m a standin on the corner in Winslow Arizona when such a fine sight to see it’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat bed Ford slowin down to have a look at me.”
Drove out to Homolovi SP for the night. Not crowded. Restrooms are open.
Next stop is Kingman to ride and find a sleep spot.
Another cause of worry is uncertainty of picking places and rides. Living in Sedona and other places I had the place figured out like where to ride, stay, get water, groceries, whatever. It becomes a routine. Getting back on the road calls for applying lessons learned at new places. I am picking places and rides to at least Klamath Falls, OR. I am back to a touron.
Was 33 degrees this AM at 7,400′ Tonight I am at 4,900′ with the door still open but to be closed shortly, it’s 66 degrees at 9PM.