The latter 2 items are out of my sphere of influence, they will be what is outside. However, after 7 days of not riding taking care of my body in its defeat of a chest cold. Days earlier I had a wet hacking cough telling me that when it is below the collar bone rest. I might have ridden yesterday but I gave healing an extra day. I tracked my O2, pulse, and temp for a week. I did have a 100 degree temp that has since fallen to 98s which is warm for me. I rode today, sort of gently, with no ill effects. Lungs worked as per usual.
Lungs, it’s not about fairness but it is what it is and it is painful. Today I rested at Slim Shady and Coconino. I watched several riders go by, several in each direction. I watched them just sit an spin going uphill. Maybe I was able to do the same when I was their age….. But, that is the past, If I learned their ages I might have racked my memory to that age and imagine my performance. Reality is what I am pedaling in, accept it.
I pedaled from art show crowded outlet mall lot a mile up to access to FS trails at Bell rock. Right from the TH a mini ex track was laid on the trail, then fresh worked dirt. FS was using a machine to build heavy duty water diversions. Dirt is wet and workable. Visited with a trail worker as he remembered me from last year. He said maybe March volunteers will be allowed to contribute to trail building. Soft loose dirt. Single track bypass, Over to Llama to its end at Little Horse. Turn left skip down the rock stairway, bounce over more big chunks, ride under each lane of RT 179, ride Templeton on the slick rock bench to Breezy drop in wash. Breezy to Hermitt into Yavapai TH, Coconino on the other side to that mentioned junction with Slim. More hikers than bikers.
13.8 miles climbing 1164′ in 1 hr 56 mins. X speed was 7.14. Turtle don’t move unless it sticks its head out. My speed is figuratively the same. I am still propelled solely my my mitochondria, ATP is converted to ADP, glucose converted to energy. Is my heart effort relatively similar to a younger rider going faster, performance common to his age. Some future ride I will be called an old man.
A guy set up his trailer at MP4 at the first spot. He was setting it up when I drove by causing me to drive to choice B way out the way. I appraised him as a taker because he occupied the spot but has not stayed there yet. He is legal but he chaps my butt because he took a spot and is not occupying it.
For last 3 nights I have stayed at what was once my most likeable spot on the left side of the road tucked up in clearing in the junipers. Stronger internet signal that here. Driver of white Sprinter pulled up and dropped anchor about 3 feet away. Saw mountain bikes on the back. Still I am steaming as he has intruded, he violated my space when more distant choices were available. We said Hi as I drove away in the morning.
Quarter of a cookie is kicking in. My vision is less sharp.
Enjoying the now always working Propex. 44 degrees at 9 PM, elevation 3845′. Sundown was 6:08.
Back in college I was turned onto blues music , that enjoyment continues to this day, Friday. Back in Spokane an EWU college radio station played a 2 hour blues show on Friday evening that I listened to. I listen to the XM blues station all day long. Friday is blues, Sat is Willie’s roadhouse. Other days Outlaw country and NPR. Thursday I do my laundry.
Recovering allowed me to listen and watch the impeachment . Democrats documented events for history recall. He should be impeached and prevented from any future elected public office. Dog Catcher? Mar a largo employee pooper patrol would allow him to live there as an employee. Tragic thing is the republicans are siding with him and not enough of them will vote with Dems to impeach. The defense’s legal council is almost bottom rung. Because decision has already been made by trump’s crowd that having a better performing more expensive representation is not necessary which another poke in the public eye by dump.
Hey hey, the blues are alright.
Bedtime.