Forecast for today called for strong winds in the afternoon, like 25 mph wind with gust to 40. And showers this evening. I got my ride in before the wind velocity increased. Presently I am parked at the outlet mall hanging on to my seat as the van is buffeted by strong south winds. Somehow the keyboard moves also. No, wait, that’s THC. computer seems to agree. Wind gauge reported 15.6 mph gust.
My ride plan was to ride all of Slim Shady by picking the lesser nasty route. Started at the mall, pedaled 1 mile to Bell rock TH and dirt. Climbed Big Park loop up recently mini ex groomed by the FS. Single track bypass climb up to Bell Rock, Baby Bell circle to Llama, exit on Bail Trail to Bell rock then Phone trail, social trail over to almost high point of Slim, finished climb to said high point then down to end at Templeton. Templeton to top of Breezy wash descent, Breezy etc to same mid point on Slim for descent back to van.
Hardly any others to share trails with.
Back at van there are 2 Sprinters parked nearby. A shiny white one was parked beside me, it had 2 massive solar panels on top. Flag license caddy. Big solar panels, Flag connection, could it be? yes, later riders made the parking lot. One was Joe Murray who is an ebike proponent and facilitated his electrical system to charge to ebikes. His van, his in person stopped for a visit. I asked him how has his fame hung on as his rep was established in the way early days of mountain biking. Need to explore that more. I chatted with Jimmy yesterday, former owner of Bike and Bean about no new riders have been added to his group of friends. Newer riders are lacking timbre in how mountain biking started and gained acceptance over objections to trail access and building of some of those trails. we older riders have history that newer riders lack. Maybe they can be taught trail etiquette and trail construction but they have no scars. Perhaps us senior tenure riders are stuck up? We started when mountain biking was a life style that became commercialized to become a sport that is engaged in like having a set of golf clubs in the garage, played / ridden infrequently. Their needs tend to be more bike park oriented. Just different.
Wind seems to be picking up. Going to spend the night at the paved overlook as showers are highly forecasted. Maybe hero dirt for tomorrow’s ride?
Reading Two Truths and a Lie, a true crime book. Things are not always the way they are told. Stories and lies. Really holding my attention. I broke away from it to type this while I was in strong internet coverage.
Clouds are moving in. Precip is certainly needed.
Today’s ride was 14.1 miles pedaling almost nonstop for 1 hr 55 mins. I finally stopped for a safety meeting at 1 hr 30 mins. Climbed 1227′.
So far the Red Rock district of the Coconino NF has not invited volunteers to perform trail work, COVID protocol.
My new I 9 front wheel is expected to be shipped on the 20th this month.
COTA has Zoom chapter meetings and trail care sessions on line. Members are kept informed and get to participate.