In answer to the saddle question: I will keep it. It was not easy chair comfy yet it was a good kind of hurt. that upgrade cost $110.
It’s only money to fix what isn’t working correctly. My shifting was hanging up between 2 particular gears, I checked what I knew how, even sparingly squirted triflow onto the pivot points on the derailleur, lubed the chain, and searched my memory bank for past situations and how each was resolved. This time I concluded that it was the shifter cable and housing, thought was cable had worn the inside of the housing causing the derailleur spring extra work. Negotiated with Sunnyside for a 24 hr turn around, after dropping my bike off just after noon. I drove off starting the waiting for the come get me from the shop. Tuesday around noon the text arrived. I was parked closer to the shop than where I spent the night out past Phil’s. Met with wrench who put his healing hands to cure the bike’s ills. replaced cable and housing and the shifting issue remained. New derailleur fixed the shifting. It was only money spent on a necessary need. $165.
Put bike on rack then headed out to RD 41 to park almost trail side on catch and release. I geared up then headed out just after 2 PM, late for me. The shadows were on the other side of the feature. Different light. Route went Catch and Release to closed Welcome Center joining Ticket to Ride north side to Grand Slam, to Storm King descending down to Catch and release back home. trails are soft and dusty. Almost all by myself.
Dirt here is volcanic ash with no organic to bind grains together. Trail tread is rolled in firm from bike tires. We are our own destroyers and problem creators by riding in new trails. Visible case is on Storm King right before junction with Funner and Tiddlywinks. A maybe 6′ drop off basalt face landing on sloped run out that riders have created a deep rut just worn into the dirt as it is so soft. Not a good example of a go around.
Back at the van. I set up my chair and stool right outside the open sliding door facing the trail. Yesterday I bought a cow bell and tonight I was going to clang riders going by. I thought that cheering them on would generate a thanks or at least a smile. Maybe I need a bigger bull bell for that to happen.
This ride I rode to descend Storm King, previously I rode it the other way. Amazing that times were 2 minutes different on a 1 hr 54 min pedal. For the most part when I ride I pedal stopping for a short break, I keep after it.
Today I drove up to Skyliner for water and to ride S Fork. 9 AM start. 14 mile ride where I encountered only 1 trail runner. Trails are being worn down from all rider use and no rain. Benefit of being the leading rider, or only one, is not eating dust. There is a mountain bike race this weekend on some of these trails, fortunately S Fork is spared as it is fragile and would be badly damaged by race traffic. Ride time was 3 minutes slower.
I have been vaping pot during my ride, sometimes starting with a short buzz like today. Riding experience is different than straight. I go to like a zone to just pedal and negotiate trail features. I am in the moment in control as required to full on high speed coast down S Fork. No wandering. Being buzzed is beneficial to space out on grunt of a climb. Perhaps it’s just that I am acquainted with the trail. I wait till ride’s end to drink a beer.
Tonight where I am sleeping ground squirrels and chipmunks were behaving as they are supposed to do. I put a small plate with water on a flat rock. I was curious how any would respond as there is no water around. I saw only 1 chipmunk check out the bowl but was too far away for my eyes to see what it did with the water.
Brandon from Freehub called for a visiting call.
Tomorrow I have a PT appointment to treat my TMJ.
Temps are in upper 80s and furnace running chilly in the early hours.