The number. Common number as in 2 dead mice in the water bucket times 2 equals 4 drowned mice. Pedal for 2 hours, one half of duration was anaerobic, computer algorithm calculated 2 times 20 hours for 40 hours recovery. Two thumbs needing new nail polish. Two wheels to pedal to remain upright. Two legs to remain upright. Two.

Yesterday was clean clothes and vacuumed floor day. Groceries and water then headed up to corral for rest day. Spent night.

Sunrise is around 7:30 but extra minutes are passed before the sun breaks over the mesa above me. 40 degrees around 10 AM when I pedaled away from warm van. Route was climb Gould’s wash up to its end at upper JEM then down to Hurricane Rim section over to Crypto to intended junction with Dead Ringer but I missed the intersection riding Goosebumps instead  that connected to Dead Ringer up higher. Ran into 2 ebikers as I was pedaling up, First one yielded to me but the 2nd one appeared to have no understanding of uphill curtesy, I asserted uphill and pushed distain for ebike.   Climbed back up to upper JEM then crossed the highway and retraced Gould’s back to van at corral. returning on Gould’s I learned how much of it climbs going the other way as I did at the start. Pedal trails with mixed short tech features. Chilly ride. 18.8 miles pedaling for 2 hrs 9 mins climbing 1257′. Cows are foraging the drought affected vegetation, their hooves breaking up the rolled firm tread.

No word from potential finder of camera. Ordered replacement yesterday. I plan on tomorrow  hiking the trails I rode to when I last remember touching the camera. It’s possible that it is far enough off the trail to be ignored as a piece of white litter, or it was found but kept, or maybe at the TH kiosk there is a lost and found notice for me to call. I did etch my phone number on the body for the finder to call. Slight chance of either snow or rain for my hike.

My shoulders hurt. My left one is of concern, I scored only available PT session next week for Monday at 7 AM. I suspect over use, rest required beyond the bike computer algorithm calculated hours.

Discovered 2 establishments baking gluten free baked goodies. Carrot cake piece split over 2 nights. Learned that my blood sugar is just over the healthy line, I am to cut back on sugar intake, Shit, I was eating several tablespoons of honey a day. Fruits contribute to sugar level. Grapes, apples, bananas.

Shit, just discovered I lost the camera again riding at Santa Clara Barrel Roll trail. My phone number is etched on it, may the finder call me. Might have been right at van after ride. I never felt it leave the pocket on my pack. The trail went over lots of chunder where the bounce that jettisoned it came back to earth.

Tuesday drove down to town for a PT session on my left knee. Appears to be caused by swollen bursa sack under the knee cap. Given exercises. Suggested that I ease off. Measured the circumference of my legs just above the knee cap. The left one is much larger. Correction is to make the right leg contribute more to effort. Worked on that change on the Quail Lake Lakeside trail out and back.

I learned that BLM has a small cluster of primitive camp sites on the way to the Boy Scout camp at Quail Lake. Just off the highway. Stayed here last year also. Full on sun which is great this time of year. Ridge to the east and west shorten the day light and warmth. But I am legal and dispersed. Sundown shortened daylight change is smaller each night, turn around is less than 2 weeks away.

Yesterday I drove to that camp spot, parked, geared up, then pedaled away from the van. First rate. A trail system ran from where I parked up to Lakeside trail, which runs parallel with another highway, the trail negotiates the ribs and washes, lots of little moves. And short climbs. 9.58 miles, climbing 794′, pedaling for 1 hr 27 mins. Today I rode so much better than last year. The I9 Hydra hub and softer carbon rim make a big improvement as I climbed stuff for the first time. Track stand and heavy power on pedals.

Spent pleasant night, temp just hit 30 degrees making that the warmest so far. Lost some elevation from the corral.

This morning I drove down to ST George and home of Harmon’s a killer grocery store. Similar to Whole Foods. More selections than local Lin’s grocery. Continued onward to Santa Clara and Barrel Roll. Parked, geared up, prepped the bike. then pedaled away. Start is up Cove Wash access climbing right at the start. Big hump effort on cold body.  Concentrated on making the right leg work. Made the TH then climbed up Sidewinder which is an out and back, maybe up and back down. What I didn’t make the first time I sessioned until I made it except there are a few that I totally lack commitment to make. So pleased with my tech effort.  Again, rode the tech. What a bike. Back down Sidewinder then joined the Barrel Roll loop for more nasty. 11 miles climbing 1154′ pedaling for 1hr 32 mins. Average BPM was 128 which is above my anaerobic threshold, algorithm determined 37 hr recovery. Trails here are slab rocky, broken pieces of sea bed. Dry desert.

Stopped typing to bake skillet corn bread. I bake the batter in a thicker nonstick 8″ skillet. Pour the batter into preheated skillet then cover with a metal dinner plate. Medium gas setting, bake 7 mins which blackens the bottom, loosen one side baked batter / bread then flip back to skillet, put back on stove and bake for maybe 6 mins then turn out on plate. Batter is now bread. I added wild blueberries to batter. Makes a bit of a mess. Scarf it down as it is gluten free.

Tomorrow is routine Thursday laundry day. I went 8 days since last laundry as Freehub filmed me entering the laundromat then putting my clothes in selected machine, he filmed me inserting $4,50 in quarters. Norm broken, i lost a guard rail in my life.

Again, touting the l 9 Hydra hub. I still have for your bike a newly built l 9 wheel. See “equipment” page for more.

Time to replace wore down tires with same. Wear here on rocks is faster than soft pumice of Bend or woods dirt of Wood River Valley.

 

Moab tally: there for 30 days, I rode 20 times covering 274 miles

YTD is 202 rides covering 3053 miles.

On Nov 29 at Moab company arrived in the group of four Freehub film makers etc who would spend the next 7 days filming me for a film which will show some of my story. There were many van shots and just 2 days of riding where the riding shots were just short pieces. I neglected to record what was shot each day. I signed up for this intense week long filming. They chose the locations and directed what they wanted from me. On Tuesday we drove way up to LPS to arrive just after sunrise for desired light. Cold. I rode with my heavy puff jacket. Cold.

I rode and rerode short sections for their filming. I would ride, be told to stop;, they would view what was captures, change lenses and settings, then tell me to ride it again. Spent the cold  morning there. That afternoon we moved on to lower end of Porcupine Rim trail, My bike was humped up trail to setting which had light they wanted. I rode and rerode short sections. Pics were from sticks (tripod) and drone. Riley is the still photographer who had his own poses. I did get to ride down what we climbed.

There were 3 days of shooting the van and me either from inside or following their truck.

I was to be right up close to Spence perched on edge of tailgate, I freaked as I feared he might fall out and I would hit him. Nah, this was not their first rodeo.

Wed we left Moab heading to Monticello to film me doing my laundry, a day earlier than customary Thurs. Numerous repeat shootings of me walking into the laundromat but not shots of my dirty laundry. Spent the night in their motel parking lot. Cold, morning temps in low teens but inside was toasty upper 40s.

Thurs drove to Hurricane arriving well after dark. Friday was meeting Quinton at his Over the edge shop in town. Sat was riding a piece of Hurricane rim trail till dark. Sunday was a late afternoon 2 hour filmed answering questions on camera about this life. Sunday was another driving scene. Spence said he has about 6 hours of film that will be organized and distilled down to a less than 10 min film. And the conclusion at bend around Memorial Day. Film release is July.

Sunday’s session ended early enough for a ride from the upper JEM TH which has been developed into a full fledged TH complete with vault toilet and a no camping sign. For years I stayed at this spot but perhaps no more. I was now free to ride as I wanted to, no more turn around and reset and ride same piece again. The tether had been removed. Freedom.

These guys had lots of filming paraphernalia which required long set up times. The interview used lights that required a generator for power. They were focused on their tasks while I was along to perform which left my brain free to tell stories that were blocked because of their focus.

Now the telling of my story will be shaped by their editing. I asked for clips of me riding in advance of the film release. I have never seen myself ride. Spence said one piece showed me going pretty fast.

So, now I am back on my own.

Friday I scored a DR appointment. My feet have started tingling which is of concern. Blood was drawn, awaiting results. Also scored a script for PT, I asked for left knee and both shoulders. made PT appointment for tomorrow.

Hurricane is also baked dry. Trails are hard packed. Today daytime temp hit 60. No rain in immediate forecast which will keep trails dry for perhaps my entire visit. I will leave after christmas for Sedona to finish out the year.

Last week the furnace would not start. I burned the cat heater that night which does not use battery power but produces water vapor. The next day I drove the bumpy Sheep Bridge road that did something to the furnace allowing it to running again. On Fri I called an RV repair shop for fixing on first thing Mon Morn. I called on Sat leaving voice mail cancelling appointment. So far furnace runs properly.

Available BLM established campsites on Sheep Bridge road appeared to be filled. BLM closed off all the sites that were just off the road and opened sites off the road which are very rutted. Seems more damage was done by opening new sites and closing less driving.

The Hurricane rim trails are on BLM land and on Trailforks are labeled “no Ebike”. BLM official policy regarding Ebikes is local manager approves use and is written. Last year I visited the local BLM office to read that doc which did not exist. In essence, BLM says they are illegal on heart propelled trails but they are not enforcing banning. I don’t support opening up previously defined heart propelled trails to mechanical assistance.

The 4 guys wore masks when around me and while inside my van but I did not. Went out to eat diner 1 night for first inside dining since Oakridge this summer.