For an inanimate object nothing, but for me today celebrates 14 years of ownership of my van. 259,191 miles on mostly original parts minus normal wear.  Survived 2 fender benders and cancelled insurance. Been towed 3 times. Running mileage average is almost 25 mpg. Prolly less than 20 times driven on snow.

I remember the first drive leaving the dealership and driving home. It’s all mine free and clear. The drive was in the dark. I parked it in the driveway. In the morning on the way to work it was the last thing I saw as I drove away.

Ah, how I came to possess the key was years in the making. Take us back.

My car camping experience was sleeping at a trailhead before taking off the next morning on some backcountry adventure. Then at some bike races. Car camping served its purpose but was not an end. Back in ’71 a peer friend bought a new VW Westfalia. I saw it, red color, air cooled engine, camper set up. I wanted one. Years later I did own a bare bus that I built a sleeping platform in and drove from Ohio to WA and back back in ’78. I remeber being so proud owning a Coleman green 2 burner white gas stove. Back in ’98 I was picking up my VW Golf GT after service at local VW dealer, right in front of me was a’89 vanagon synchro westie. I was curious about it, soon I leaned it was being traded in and was available for purchase. I pushed my way to a salesman’s desk and started the purchase. I just bought a syncro. I started road tripping and sleeping in it. So great as my basic camping stuff was built into the van. I started van life living on my free time learning from experience. I learned what I wanted to change to make the westie more pleasant for me. I owned it for 5 years. I sold it to support my unemployment during a 14 month layoff. I was laid off in violation of our white collar union contract the union  filed a grievance against the company. The arbitrator  ruled twice in favor of the union and I was reinstated with back pay. During my layoff I put thought into quitting work and taking off living on the road to mountain bike the states. I realized that having my time and no money was preferred to having money and no me time. I was just working for the man, a paycheck. My original idea was to buy the mid size Toyota Tacoma and outfit it with a popup truck camper. I drove to a sportsman show to check one out in person. Immediately I realized that it would be way too small as was even the full size truck and camper. Then I started looking a small trailers. During the trailer research a buddie stopped by and we talked about what I had in mind. He suggested buying a Sprinter, which at the time back in ’06 that was all that was available. Hmm. We drove down to the local dealership where a test van was made available to  drive. My buddy drove it putting a smile on his face. Enough for me. I was able to configure the van at the factory, I picked just 5 options, none were labor saving. I ordered it in June of ’06. At that time I was reemployed and waiting for my settlement. I did not know the amount. I was prepared to borrow to buy the van. Maybe 2 weeks prior to my ownership date I received my settlement check that covered price. I deposited that check and later wrote a personal check for the whole amount. I knew of a cabinet maker who worked at the plant who built the cabinets in the van. I gave him the envelope and features and he built the pieces. Took almost 1 1/2 years to complete as I paid as I went. Propane was installed to fuel the fridge, stove, and heater. First in was the bed which he and I installed Fri night before T-giving week vacation. The next day I drove off to Moab for a week of mountain biking and van life. I outfitted the interior incorporating what I learned from the westie. I have been living in it for 12 years plus. I made wise decisions and learned to live with them. How about that 14 years ago I was here in Moab doing what I am doing now. Same van but on 3rd Turner bike model.

It is 9:37 PM at 4423′ above Moab at willow Springs road, it is 37 degrees outside. I am inside and small letters “warm” and out of the wind. Van is level over irregular ground. My bed is always made but hinged to the saide of the van, a la Murphy. I will stand up from my desk and walk upright and lower the bed then slide in. Damn, I’m warm and sheltered with no wet tent to pack in the morning.

I stumbled into this van life and have learned that I made good decisions.

Off to that bed.

Weather became what early Nov should be with a big dose of high winds. That was yesterday. Drive down to Moab on Friday was into strong head wind in places, others wiggly side blasts kept 2 hands engaged on the steering wheel. Flags were snapping straight out. Old Glory has been recaptured. Did my laundry at same laundromat same location in the building that will be soon demolished to make way for a parking lot for a being built  tourist lodging. Moab has many new beds built in year I was gone. SO many people visiting, transaction based community. Clean clothes. Gearheads is temporarily located a bit south, still have free filtered water. Walked in and saw a couple of familiar faces. Watered up. Propane at the feed store. She remembered fueling my van. Groceries at City Market. Drove back to Willow Springs with aid of strong tail wind pushing me up canyon. Scored same camp spot.  I holed up rest of day except for a short slick rock walk.

Shit. I am arranging events per memory recall. This account is like a Mr Potato Head with all the parts but installed per individual whim. I’m Whimmy.

Let’s remember, yesterday I drove down to town in the high wind. Same replenishing errands except for propane. Forecast for yesterday was for wind advisory gusts to 30mph. Too windy to breathe stirred up dust. Hung in van sheltered from 20 mph+ winds. Wind seem to blow stronger after dark. My van was weight shifting.  I wonder how many tents were blown down on the Willow Springs road camps. Furnace ran off and on during the night.

For over a year I had wanted the l9 Hydra hub laced with their straight pull spokes to a wide carbon rim. I wanted, not needed. Last month I chose to procure that want. Last week I cracked the existing carbon rim destroying it and needs to be replaced. My want has now become a full on need. Sunshine when I want it on me as I 9 shipped my new wheel per want to arrive this Tues. The crash replacement rim is to arrive this week also. I will send the rim and the old wheel back to l 9 for their warranty repair. Finished product will be an l 9 rear wheel Torch hub, new hub shell laced to new carbon rim. Back up or resale. Joy.

Parking at same spot off Willow Springs road, first right turn and up a patch of slick rock. Highway noise is white noise. From here I ride the 2.5 miles of gravel road to entrance to Klonzo trail network. Willow Springs rd is the closest primitive camping to town that draws many many campers. I pass by the crowded spots. My spot might squeeze 10 rigs spaced maybe 50′ apart. Most nights the distance is even greater. This spot serves a need and can be rationalized as acceptable.

Today’s forecast called for 20mph winds and possible precip. I wrote riding off today. Brandon, the publisher of Freehub, stopped for a short visit before lunch. He and his buddy slept in a truck top tent down in the river gorge. He said the wind kept blowing the canopy preventing sleeping. High winds.

Today at noon the weather looked like it had a big sucker hole which sucked me into gearing up for a ride out Klonzo. I chose the new knickers. I added rain jacket in pack and wore the wind shell. Pedaled the road which was wetted from storm last night. Firm and no dust.  Maybe 5 rigs at the TH. Right off I encountered 2 riders returning making them the last people I shared the trail with during my ride. Klonzo offers purpose hand built trails that have fun with the terrain. Some rock roll ups mixed with mostly smooth tread. More pedaling. Finished on Hotdog which in places was right on exposed ridge crest that the wind kept changing my line. Clouds down wind showed rain feathers  but never dropped here.  Returned to a heated van.

Biden has been voted president elect. Ding dong the grifter goes to jail. I am so relieved at the outcome.

Forecast is done with 60 plus temps replaced by 20s at night. But just tomorrow possible precip. Dry, cold, and clear. Warm enough for just knickers for knee warmth

Such a difference between riding legacy hiking trails and mtn bike purpose built. Both are heart propelled. The trails here favor mountain bike riding. All closed to ebikes still.

Friday was first ride out on Klonzo system. Nice comfortable day. Dusty road. Klonzo North is like a long narrow rectangle sandwiched between state sovereign land and Arches NP. All the trail intersections are marked with a trail map and a you are here smiley. Create a route or make a decision at each intersection.

Repeating an old rant: define us who we are not what we are not. We mountain bikers are heart propelled and that is how non motorized designation needs to be labeled. Ebikes are not heart propelled and should remain banned from heart propelled trails. Heart propelled trails need to remain as such.

Reading my 80th book since August of ’18.

Pleasant night last night with the properly running furnace. Camped beside Bill, Susan and their 2 boys, Burk and Bing. They had early departure plans today and were going to ride right after breakfast. I had dressed in bike clothes right from bed but I was not prepared to leave as early as they intended to. Quick, like a person who doesn’t want to hold anyone up, I prepared myself and the bike for a ride. Fact: I have many years over them and the spry has thickened.  Sheesh, we headed out at a pace right from the get pedal that tore at my cold body. We were riding the N side of the N Klondike trail system which is lots of slick rock, the bulgy kind.

I stayed in close proximity sometimes right on Mama bear’s wheel. We topped out then began a spirited descent with me in the back sometimes picking “safer” lines. Both are on 29nrs which roll over things better than my 27.5 wheels. Their pull caused me to ride more aggressively while treating my bike with respect. Then came the sound of a loud crack heard by both Bill, who was 30 feet away, and Susan a bit closer. I must have lofted a drop then landed full force on the rear wheel on a rock. I heard a crack which was not a chain slap. Hmm… better check out the bike. I heard hissing which said Stans sealant was leaking from the tire, maybe a pinch flat. I sought the source of the hiss and discovered a crack / crush of the carbon rim. I had hit the rock hard enough to crack the carbon rim. And the tire still had enough air to gingerly negotiate the remaining ride over rocks. Bill offered me the use of a wheel till I got a replacement except my wheel and frame are old school non boost. I pumped the tire to 2 psi more than I ride to perhaps protect the damaged rim and put it back on the van.

So, now I am in great riding and weather with a damaged rear wheel. I set about obtaining a healthy wheel. I called a bike shop in town and asked if they rent wheels, no I was told and they were not aware of another shop doing so.

I looked up IBIS cycles, the makers of the rim. I called and left a cut off message with no phone number. I fired up my laptop and went to their web site. It came up and the phone rang. It was an IBIS person who told me how to contact warranty for replacement rim. Shortly after my email cleared my computer I received an answer. We fussed the details thru several emails for me to become part of the official warranty replacement process. Poison Spider in town is the authorized dealer that I need to deal with. Tomorrow I stop by the shop for them to examine the rim and start the warranty process. I learned I am able to buy a carbon rim and that the shop has experience with relacing an I 9 Torch hub. Could not get a shipping date myself.

I contacted I 9 about delivery of my new wheel being built. Ship schedule is early Dec. I emailed my inside contact as I wanted to buy just a carbon rim from them and ship it to me. The new rim is not compatible with the past model Torch hub. David said he would call in a favor for an earlier ship date. He said the new wheel might go out this week arriving early next week.

It’s just money. I learned that because of covid the requirement of with drawing from my 401k the minimum amount has been waived shifting my funds back to my house fund. It’s just $, I need to stop  raiding it while I can still afford a single wide trailer.

Full on sunshine today until the sun dropped behind a nearby hill causing the temp to drop to long sleeve shirt. Will shut the door shortly. Chilly at night but shorts during the day.

Election still not decided. From my information and opinion I am just so flabbergasted that so many people voted for a man who is mostly against their benefit.

Where I am sleeping. Above me is start of N Klondike trails.

Trails here are still no ebikes but the no ebike stickers have been torn from the trail markers. Trailforks reads no ebikes and the big official kiosk signs remain intact. Yet I have been told of ebikes on said trails. So if the man at the top is a law and order guy who can get away with breaking laws what is a little poaching of banned trails?

I want to be passed by a rider earning their turns rather than one who buys them.

Reading Jesse Walter’s new book, Cold Millions. Bit of a fistful about the early days of labor organizing. Us today are coasting on their coattails. Back then, like today, people who speak up are put down and put away. Speak against the man and incur the wrath of the monied people who want us kept down.