It’s just a calendar date, not a like climate event. One day, one ride leads to the next should we be able to slide out of bed unassisted. And last night I almost needed someone to help me out of bed as various leg muscles went thru several cramping episodes. As I attempted to slide my legs from out from under the covers more muscles cramped. These cramps are painful. I made the floor upright then began the slow release of those cramps before sliding back under the covers.
Last year I pedaled 213 rides covering 3234 miles all on same Turner RFX. I drove less than 12,000miles riding in just 6 states this year as COVID affected my travels
Cramps are the results of hard riding. Yesterday I met up with old friends, Ian and Matt, out on Verde valley road for a ride. Plan today was to ride down to Oak Creek and wet feet cross it to ride trails on S side of 89A. Sunny day with a right amount of chill to not produce sweat. Ian led us to a shallower crossing going out. We sat down and swapped riding socks for packed socks on our feet. Careful foot placement and carrying our bikes above the water got us across with only wet socks. We sat down and changed back to dry socks and shoes. Sedona riding. We linked system trails of Ramshead, climb up Old Post then descend down to Ridge taking it to junction with Sketch reconnecting with end of Ridge to Secret Slick rock back down to creek crossing.
Water temp was just say chilly. Friend Tom , a fly fisherman, turned me on to wearing wool socks when on wet rocks as the wool grips the slime on the rocks, bare feet on same rocks is like walking on ice.
We encountered many hikers and a few riders on our ride. Us old guys 60 plus years old. During our pedal up Old Post a young rider just blew by us. Youth advantage not our lack of conditioning.
Nice ride with old friends. 11.4 mikes climbing Sedona feet of 906′ pedaling for 1 hr 40 mins with many social breaks and deciding which trail to take.
Afterwards I returned to sleep spot off Beaverhead rd, scored same spot. Bright moon light. Still furnace running all night cold.
Mountain biking has become a sport to many new comers as media gens up consumers. With this new crop of riders they are lacking in rider etiquette, skills, and suitable riding attire. Add in a shuttle and the numbers increase. These folks prolly had some stories to tell after their ride however it went. There are no easy riding trails. Inexperienced riders, squishy bikes: what can go wrong?
I failed in my attempt to make cannabutter as I boiled off the water which keeps the temp below burning off the THC. I ended up with pot flavored butter with no buzz. Giving it another whirl this afternoon.
Just lack of rainfall here in the west. Normally a monsoon season sits in and dumps lots of rain at once which among lots of things flushes lots rocks and sand off the trails. Not so so far. And rancher is still grazing cows that are eating what?
Back out to dryness.